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Marine Headquarters, Marineford:
"I've got the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit). This unexpected haul from Sabaody has been quite the windfall," Roy thought to himself as he sipped his cola contentedly in his office. "Now, all that's left is to escort that Celestial Dragon safely out of Sabaody."
As he pondered this, he heard panicked voices from the Marines outside his office.
"Hey, have you heard? On Sabaody Archipelago, the Celestial Dragons were..."
"Of course I've heard! That Youji never fails to impress. Last time he robbed the Heavenly Tribute, and now he's actually kidnapped a World Noble!"
"I heard that Fleet Admiral Sengoku has already ordered an Admiral to head there."
Upon hearing this, Roy remained unfazed, finishing his cola in silence.
Yes.
One of the main reasons the Celestial Dragons frequently visited the Sabaody Archipelago was that no one dared attack them there. Both Marineford and Mary Geoise were very close to the Sabaody Archipelago, and each was garrisoned by a Marine Admiral.
Roy knew that the Admiral currently stationed at Mary Geoise was Aokiji Kuzan and that the Admiral guarding the Marine Headquarters was Kizaru Borsalino.
Even if both Admirals were to mobilize simultaneously, there was no doubt that...
"Mary Geoise is closer, and they could reach the Sabaody Archipelago via the great elevator, but Aokiji isn't known for his speed. It would take him at least ten minutes."
"Marineford is further away. Even if Kizaru uses his full-speed abilities, it would still take roughly the same amount of time to arrive."
"At Youji's speed, they won't be able to stop him escaping."
Roy had calculated this with perfect precision.
However...
"Yeah, who would have thought that Admiral Sakazuki's battleship would be nearby? It's practically a lifesaver."
"I wonder if we'll finally catch Youji this time."
As the Marines' voices faded, the door to Roy Amos's office suddenly swung open.
"Vice-Admiral Black Kirin!"
The Marines saluted Roy with reverence. Since the Three-Forces Military Exercise, his reputation and prestige at Marine Headquarters had soared to new heights.
"Hmm." Roy nodded, his gaze sweeping over the Marines. "You said you've confirmed that "Youji" was behind the attack on the Celestial Dragons?" he asked calmly.
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines were momentarily taken aback but quickly realized the situation. With such a sudden incident involving both the Celestial Dragons and the Twelve Zodiacs, it was likely that Fleet Admiral Sengoku had not yet had time to officially inform Headquarters. The news must have spread through word of mouth among the Marines.
As the Command Officer of the Marine Detention Unit, Vice Admiral Black Kirin kept a low profile, so it wasn't surprising that most Marines didn't know him.
"Has Admiral Sakazuki already gone?" Roy asked.
"Yes," the Marines replied, nodding. "The Admiral had just captured a pirate nearby and was heading to the Marine branch of the Sabaody Archipelago to refuel. Upon hearing about the situation, he immediately set course for the island."
They nodded. "The Sabaody Island Branch 66 reported moments ago that he's already close to Sabaody."
"That's good," Roy nodded, forcing a smile. "With that, I can rest assured and go on patrol."
With these words, he turned and walked away.
"Patrol?"
The Marines were somewhat surprised, as Vice Admiral Black Kirin was rumored to rarely leave his office to conduct inspections, let alone at such a late hour.
"It makes sense, though," One Marine remarked. "I heard he's been letting his subordinates handle missions independently as part of their training. The Marine Detention Unit must be lacking supervision these days."
"Ah, that explains it."
As the Marines continued their discussion, they remained completely unaware.
After leaving Tenshukaku (Marineford Main Tower) and reaching a secluded corner, Roy's figure abruptly halted.
"I hope I'm not too late," He muttered.
A door appeared in mid-air. He stepped through it and vanished without a trace.
...
At the same time, on the Sabaody Archipelago:
On Island 3, deep within a hidden forest...
"Lord Youji, please rest for a while first."
Alan looked at Youji, whose figure and aura had weakened considerably, and said.
"No, we need to leave immediately!" Without hesitation, Youji stood up. "Otherwise, it'll be too late."
Although the aftereffects of his Ancient Form had drained his physical energy and made him exceptionally vulnerable, it was clear that leaving immediately was now the top priority, as the situation was unfolding differently to how they had anticipated.
"Alright!"
Stunned by Youji's resolute tone, Alan nodded and refrained from asking further questions.
Youji immediately underwent a form change, his body swiftly transforming into that of a massive Tyrant Winged Dragon. "Where are your clones?"
As expected, the Alan standing before him was the original.
Alan climbed onto the dragon's back. "You don't need to worry about them, they'll serve as a distraction. If necessary, I'll have them jump into the sea."
He declared firmly, "Heaven made me eat that Devil Fruit, perhaps precisely for this moment."
"Alright." Hearing this, Youji cast a deep glance at Alan.
Then, he flapped his wings, preparing to take flight.
But...
'...!'
His movements froze mid-motion.
"Sir?" Alan asked, puzzled, about to inquire further.
Then he noticed that Youji's gaze had shifted upwards towards the sky.
Alan tilted his head to look as well, his confusion deepening.
And then... his expression stiffened into shock.
Through the unique bubbles of the Sabaody Archipelago and the gnarled branches of the Yarukiman Mangrove, he could see something in the pitch-black sky.
At first glance, they appeared to be ominous, crimson-streaked meteorites. Piercing through the dark clouds and night, they were plunging straight towards them!
But upon closer inspection, it became clear that these were no ordinary meteorites.
They were enormous fists of molten magma, each one blazing with intense heat.
The sight was terrifying, like an underwater volcanic eruption.
Dai Funka – Great Eruption
The next moment...
Boom!
The searing heat instantly shattered the Sabaody Archipelago's bubbles, setting the mangrove trees' roots ablaze.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Violent explosions and flames swept across the entire island in an instant.
The force far surpassed the power of Enel's lightning.
"What a reckless fool," Youji muttered gravely.
Then:
"Alan, the plan has changed."
His gaze was fixed on the distant horizon, the source of the countless fiery meteors. A battleship was gradually approaching from across the sea. With his keen eyesight, Youji could even make out the figure standing on the deck of the battleship.
The crimson formal attire, the billowing marine coat, and the flag hanging from the battleship's mast.
It was
Akainu Sakazuki.
"As we agreed earlier... You stay here. Don't move."
Youji adjusted his Youji-headed mask, a grin seeming to spread beneath it.
"I'll be right back."
(End of Chapter)