"All the kings from various nations have returned to the surface."
At Marine Headquarters, Akainu listened to his subordinate's report.
He was already informed about the events at Mary Geoise. With two Admirals present up there, there was no issue at all. He had also heard that the Five Elders and the God's Knights had appeared.
Yet, Roy still managed to escape. Failing to capture him was undoubtedly a blow to the World Government.
"Useless bunch. They had him right in front of them, and they still let him slip away. Now where the hell are we supposed to find him?" Akainu said.
"Sir, reports confirm Roy is currently on Sabaody Archipelago, along with Atmo," another officer announced.
"Hmph, no idea how he got up there, but the Navy did all it could. Buffalo Atmos has eaten a Fish-Fish Fruit, so he can fly too," Akainu muttered.
"Summon all officers."
"Yes, sir!"
...
Back in Sabaody, Roy was still eating and drinking, while outside, chaos was breaking out.
The Warlord system had been officially abolished.
This decision was passed after the conclusion of the Reverie. All nations agreed to abolish the original Seven Warlords of the Sea system.
The decision, passed during the Reverie, sent shockwaves across the world. One of the Three Great Powers, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, was no more. They were now just ordinary pirates, outlaws without protection.
The Marines, seizing the opportunity, mobilized their forces for a new operation.
Ryokugyu was assigned to capture Edward Weevil, one of the former Warlords.
"Weevil, the rumored son of Whitebeard… Are we really going after him?" Kizaru questioned.
"Even if he is Whitebeard's son, we'll still arrest him," Akainu said coldly.
"Yes, sir!" Ryokugyu replied.
"What about the other Warlords?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked.
"Kuma has already been taken by the Revolutionary Army. Doflamingo is still in Impel Down. Law is likely in Wano with the Straw Hats. The locations of Mihawk, Boa Hancock, Buggy, and Weevil have already been confirmed," Akainu answered.
"Then let's proceed."
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines swiftly acted. While escorting the kings back to their home nations, they also mobilized troops toward the known locations of the former Warlords.
Even though they knew Roy was in Sabaody, they didn't dare make a move.
"Aren't you going to leave?" Shakky asked. Her place served as an intel hub, and she was the first to receive news, which she passed on to Roy.
"They're not coming for me. What do I have to be afraid of?" Roy smiled.
"The World Government will take action for sure. The Five Elders may come down themselves," Shakky warned.
"Relax. For now, they won't. And even if they do, they won't be able to catch me. They won't act without absolute certainty."
"You're that confident?" Rayleigh chuckled.
"If not, your Roger Pirates would've been wiped out long ago. Don't overestimate them. Their power isn't all that," Roy replied.
"Why are you capturing those human traffickers?" Rayleigh suddenly asked.
"Oh, nothing much. I just need them for a little experiment," Roy smiled.
"Experiment?"
Rayleigh and Shakky exchanged puzzled looks; they couldn't figure out what kind of experiment Roy was planning.
"Big bro, all the traffickers are rounded up," Atmos reported as he walked in.
"What about Miro?"
"Still waiting on him."
"Let's give it a little longer."
After a while, a man walked into the bar.
"Thanks for your work," Roy said.
Seeing this unfamiliar face, both Rayleigh and Shakky were stunned. The man appeared to be a World Government official.
"A government officer?"
"What's going on?"
"Big bro, it was no trouble at all," Miro replied, releasing a puff of pink smoke as he transformed back into his true form.
"A Devil Fruit user?"
"The Clone-Clone Fruit?"
"No, it's a Zoan."
"The Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Type, Model Nine-Tailed Fox."
"So the rumors were true. After capturing Catarina Devon, you replicated her abilities," Shakky said.
"Yup. The Nine-Tailed Fox's special ability is mimicry; it can transform into anyone the user desires," Roy explained.
"I see… So he transformed into a government agent. Scared the hell out of me," Rayleigh said.
"Well, that means it worked," Roy said as he stood up.
"Are you leaving now?" Shakky asked.
"Yeah, it's time." Roy waved his hand.
"Money!"
Clink!
A gold coin landed on the table.
Roy tossed out the gold coin he'd received from his daily sign-in yesterday.
The trio left the bar. Outside, a group of human traffickers was tied up at the door.
Sabaody might lack many things, but scum wasn't one of them.
Especially traffickers. They'd caught dozens in one sweep.
"Big bro, what exactly are we doing with them?" Miro asked curiously.
"You'll see. Atmos, let's go," Roy said.
"Yes, sir!"
Atmos transformed into a giant dragon and used clouds to carry the traffickers into the sky. Roy and Miro leaped onto Atmos's back as he flew them away.
World Government officials and Marines, watching quickly, grabbed their Den Den Mushi to report.
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral, Roy and his group have left Sabaody."
"Anything unusual?" Akainu asked.
"Yes. There were three people total: Roy, Atmos, and an unidentified man. In addition, a group of human traffickers from Sabaody was also taken with them," the Marine stationed in Sabaody reported.
"Human traffickers?" Akainu frowned. "Why would Roy take them with him?"
'Would a pirate really go out of his way to deal with traffickers out of the goodness of his heart?'
'Even if they'd offended Roy, he'd just kill them, not capture them.'
The Five Elders received the same report. The five of them exchanged glances, all pondering the same question: Why did Roy take a bunch of traffickers?
"What's he planning with them?" Saint Nusjuro asked.
"Unclear," replied Saint Warcury.
"The most likely reason… is for an experiment," said Saint Saturn.
"An experiment?" The other four turned to look at him.
"He previously conducted a Devil Fruit experiment at Egghead. If I'm not mistaken, he intends to continue it, hence the traffickers," Saturn explained.
"What kind of experiment exactly?" Saint Mars asked.
"We're not sure," Saturn said grimly.
"In that case, Vegapunk can't be allowed to live. That guy is becoming more and more defiant," Saint Peter said.
"Once his experiment is successful, we kill him," Saint Saturn nodded.
"He cannot be allowed to live. He's far too clever. Other than York, no one can be spared," Saint Peter added.
After leaving Sabaody, Roy's group found a nearby island and landed. Atmos dropped the traffickers off to the side.
"Watch them closely," Roy ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Both Atmos and Miro watched as Roy took out the fruit he always carried, tightly sealed in a box made of Seastone. Roy opened the box and shoved the fruit into one of the traffickers' mouths.
The next second...
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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