The Flame Fang gradually slowed to a halt upon the sea.
Silence filled the deck as Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami and the crew stood at the bow, staring blankly at the colossal red cliff before them—the Red Line, towering like the end of the world itself.
"We're seeing the Red Line again…"
"It took us a whole two years to get here!"
"Yeah… makes me nostalgic. Back when we first entered the Grand Line from the East Blue."
"Hahaha! You're the only one from the East Blue on this ship, Henry!"
"Haha, wonder how my old crew's doing now…"
"…"
Everyone was reminiscing while facing the Red Line.
Only Aldo remained silent for a long moment before turning toward the navigator beside him.
"Hans… did we take the wrong route?"
"Where's Sabaody?"
Hans pushed up his glasses and double-checked both the Log Pose and the sea chart.
"The direction is correct."
"According to our position, Fish-Man Island lies directly beneath us deep underwater, while the Holy Land Mariejois is directly above."
"The Sabaody Archipelago is located along this side of the Red Line. We only need to continue following the coastline for a bit longer."
"Tch. What a hassle," Aldo grumbled with folded arms. "Couldn't they just make a Log Pose that points directly to Sabaody?"
"That's impossible, Brother Aldo," Hans explained patiently.
"The Sabaody Archipelago isn't a normal island in the conventional sense. It doesn't possess a natural magnetic field."
"It's actually a special island built upon the massive root system of the world's largest Yarukiman Mangrove trees."
As they spoke, the Flame Fang resumed its voyage, sailing along the Red Line.
Before long, an unbelievable sight slowly emerged upon the horizon.
"Whoa… what's that?!"
"So many trees! They're gigantic!"
"That's incredible! There are bubbles floating in the sky!"
The crew rushed excitedly to the railings, letting out astonished cries one after another.
In the distance, dozens of colossal trees rose straight out of the sea, far larger than imagination could comfortably process.
Even more magical, countless rainbow-colored bubbles drifted upward endlessly from beneath the trees, decorating the entire region like something out of a fairy tale.
"The Sabaody Archipelago…"
"We've arrived."
As the distance closed, the details of the islands became increasingly clear.
Gigantic bubble-powered vehicles glided through the air. Strange ships driven by bubbles floated across the waterways. Massive numerical markings were painted upon the mangrove trunks.
The Flame Fang slowly entered a dock attached to a giant root marked with the enormous number "43" and came to a steady stop.
"Area 43…"
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami looked up at the number, trying to recall vague memories.
"What exactly did the area numbers represent again…? Damn, I can't remember the classifications clearly."
"Looks like we'll have to ask the locals."
This was the Sabaody Archipelago—
The crossroads of the Grand Line.
A furnace where dreams and desires intertwined.
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami gathered everyone together, his expression turning serious.
"Listen carefully."
"This place is unlike any island we've encountered before."
"The Sabaody Archipelago is the final gateway before the New World. Every kind of dangerous figure gathers here."
"There are pirate crews aiming for the New World just like us, bounty hunters specializing in hunting high-value targets, slave traders and black-market merchants involved in every imaginable gray business…"
"And of course, the Marines maintain a heavy presence here."
He paused briefly.
"But more importantly…"
"The true ruling class of this world may also appear here."
"So from this point onward, no one is permitted to act alone without my authorization."
"Whether it's purchasing supplies, gathering information, or exploring, you will move in groups."
"And every group must have at least one officer leading it."
"Understood?"
"World Nobles…"
The heavy term instantly cooled much of the excitement surrounding their arrival.
Even though most of them had never personally seen one, they had all heard the stories.
The terrifying privilege of being able to summon an Admiral.
"Understood, Captain!"
As usual, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami divided the crew into three groups.
Marcus would lead the first team ashore today. Their primary mission was to purchase supplies while also gathering information regarding coating craftsmen and the overall situation on the island.
The groups would rotate the following day.
Marcus grinned while weighing the pouch of money in his hand.
"Alright, procurement squad!"
"Let's go see what this place is really like!"
The remaining two groups stayed behind aboard the Flame Fang under Aldo's command to maintain vigilance.
Watching Marcus and his men disappear into the bustling crowds of the island, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami took out the Den Den Mushi from his coat pocket.
His thumb slowly rubbed against the shell as hesitation crossed his face.
He was considering whether to contact his old business associate—
Gillian.
After a long moment of thought, he ultimately put the Den Den Mushi away again.
Forget it.
That last phone call felt suspicious… Gillian's probably already fallen into Marine hands.
If I call now, the person answering may very well be the Marines themselves.
Better not create unnecessary trouble before understanding this place properly.
Besides…
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami could simply investigate personally.
Someone like Gillian was probably fairly well-known around Sabaody.
The real issue was that the archipelago was full of all sorts of people.
His usual pirate attire itself wasn't particularly special—
But he was.
As the highest-bounty pirate in the first half of the Grand Line, there were absolutely plenty of people who had seen his wanted poster.
Showing up openly would definitely attract attention.
At that thought, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami concluded that disguising himself first was probably the safer option.
After all, people in the One Piece world seemed surprisingly easy to fool.
Unfortunately, after rummaging through his wardrobe, he discovered that all his clothes looked more or less the same.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, his eyes swept across the officers before finally landing on the always well-dressed Kahilo.
"Kahilo, lend me an outfit," Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami said with a grin.
"The kind that makes me look least like myself."
Kahilo froze for a moment before returning from his cabin carrying a dark formal suit, a top hat, and even a cane.
When Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami emerged from the cabin dressed in the new attire, the busy crew on deck unconsciously stopped what they were doing.
A brief silence followed.
Then someone let out a "Whoa!"
Soon, astonished exclamations erupted one after another.
"Captain! That looks incredible!"
"I almost didn't recognize you!"
"You look like some noble young master from a merchant family inspecting his overseas business!"
"With the hat and cane, your whole aura changed!"
Listening to the crew's enthusiastic teasing—even knowing most of it was playful exaggeration—Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami still couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from rising slightly.
A bit awkwardly, he adjusted his tie and coughed lightly.
"Ahem… do I really look that convincing?"
"You do! Totally!"
The crew burst into laughter and agreement.
"Alright, alright. Keep flattering me like that and I'll start getting embarrassed."
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami waved them off with a smile, his mood noticeably lighter now.
"In that case, I'll head ashore first and take a look around."
"You guys guard the ship and stay alert. Contact me immediately if anything happens."
With that, he headed toward the gangplank.
But after only two steps, a tall figure blocked his path.
It was Aldo.
"Boss, I'm coming with you."
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami stopped and patted his arm.
"Aldo, you're the strongest combatant among the officers."
"With you staying aboard, I can relax."
Hearing that, Aldo immediately puffed up with pride at being entrusted with such an important responsibility.
Straightening his chest, he declared,
"I understand, Boss!"
"Leave the ship to me!"
"But you be careful out there too!"
"Yeah. Don't worry."
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami adjusted the brim of his hat one final time.
Without another word, he stepped off the gangplank and onto the Sabaody Archipelago.
The dark silhouette of his suit quickly disappeared into the bustling crowds of the dock.
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