North Blue, Flevance ruins.
After more than a year, this once beautiful, fairytale-like white town was now nothing but desolation. A year ago, this country experienced two major disasters.
The first disaster: the enraged populace, having discovered the truth, revolted. They massacred the royal family, unleashing their fury across the nation, then dispersed.
The second disaster: the allied forces of the affiliated nations, ordered by the World Government to slaughter the country. Although the Flevance people had fled, the armies didn't come for nothing.
Everything of value remaining in the country was plundered, and in return, the white town no longer held its former beauty.
Zephyr walked through the dilapidated city, surveying the ruined buildings around him, his face expressionless. This country had merely returned to what it should have been. Just standing here, it was clear why the Flevance people were so desperate for revenge.
The attack at the World Summit was casually brushed aside, and the world remained largely ignorant of what had transpired in this country. The World Government's propaganda about the Flevance infectious disease still circulated widely in North Blue. However, as one of the highest-ranking Marines, Zephyr knew what had happened in this country. The Marines' understanding was that some World Government officials, driven by profit, had conspired with the Flevance royalty to bring about this tragedy. The Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons, supposedly, were completely unaware.
Hmph.
"Sensei Zephyr!" Sakazuki hurried over. "Still no contact with Dragon. That guy keeps ignoring calls."
"It seems he truly doesn't want to be a Marine anymore," Zephyr said calmly. "He's preparing to stand with the Flevance people."
"How dare he betray the Marines, betray justice!" Sakazuki's right fist instantly turned into magma, causing the surrounding air temperature to rapidly rise. "He's asking for death!"
Zephyr turned to look at Sakazuki. "Sakazuki, do you think Dragon's actions betray justice?"
"Aren't they?" Sakazuki nodded without hesitation. "Isn't betraying the Marines betraying justice?"
Zephyr paused, then swung his "Justice" coat behind him. "Let's go, find Dragon!"
Sakazuki quickly followed. "Sensei Zephyr, how do we find him? North Blue is so vast; if he insists on hiding, it will be very difficult to find him!"
"He wants to stand with the Flevance people, doesn't he? We'll start with them!" Zephyr said coldly. "No matter what happened in this country, no matter what suffering its people endured, it's no reason for them to attack innocents!"
"Of course!" Sakazuki's eyes instantly brightened. He had felt that Sensei Zephyr had been somewhat off lately. But now, it seemed Sensei Zephyr was still the same Zephyr who detested evil! He would never tolerate any wickedness! Evil was evil, and it wouldn't become excusable just because there were extenuating circumstances! Those who brought chaos to the sea deserved to die!
"Let's go!" Zephyr strode forward. Regardless, he had to meet the Flevance survivors first. The World Government's reports or rumors on the sea were ultimately not entirely true. As for Dragon, Zephyr also wanted to hear what his old friend's foolish son had to say.
However, all of this depended on finding them first. Fortunately, it wasn't too difficult; the extremist Flevance avengers were still continuously attacking various nations in North Blue. For Zephyr, as long as he captured these individuals, tracing the clues would not be difficult.
The unrest in North Blue was intensifying. The successive involvement of Dragon and Zephyr would undoubtedly have a significant impact on the future of the entire world. However, at this moment, the world remained completely unaware.
New World, a certain sea area, on the deck of a ship.
"Saint Thomas!" Stussy respectfully knelt on one knee before the man in the white suit.
"You're the former Rocks Pirates cadre who later joined CP0, aren't you?" The God's Knight named Thomas looked at Stussy with interest.
"Yes, Saint Thomas!" Stussy's tone lacked any of the coyness she displayed before Roa. "After the Battle of God Valley, I profoundly realized who truly rules this world."
"Hahaha, you're quite the talker!" Thomas nodded with satisfaction. "If all the Rocks Pirates had been as sensible as you, there would have been no God Valley incident." The former Rocks Pirates were an existence that even the God's Knights found terrifying. Therefore, seeing a former Rocks Pirates cadre kneel before him now made him feel even more pleased.
"Alright, let's get down to business," As a God's Knight, an elite among the Celestial Dragons, Thomas said seriously, "Have you found that kid's whereabouts?"
Stussy shook her head with some shame. "During my time with the Rocks Pirates, my relationship with him was very poor. So, our last reunion in Whole Cake Island didn't allow me to get his contact information."
"Hmm?" Thomas frowned slightly. "Are you here to waste my time then?"
"Please calm your anger, Saint Thomas!" Stussy quickly said. "Although I cannot contact Roa directly, I can contact him through Charlotte Linlin."
"You know, Roa and she are allies."
"Oh! That might work," Thomas nodded with satisfaction. "Then go quickly, don't keep me waiting too long."
"Yes." Stussy nodded solemnly.
One God's Knight plus two high-ranking CP0 cadres. This force, how should one describe it? It's certainly not weak; even in the entire New World, few pirate crews could match it. But to say it's strong... not to mention this God's Knight whose strength is unknown, the two CP0 cadres' strength is roughly equivalent to the high-ranking cadres under those monsters. Is the entire burden on this God's Knight?
If that's the case, then Brother Roa can start acting. But the key is how to extract herself from this.
Stussy thought for a moment. "Saint Thomas, to prevent my identity from being exposed, I would like you to cooperate with me in a play."
"Oh?" Thomas raised an eyebrow, not refusing. "Tell me." Unlike typical Celestial Dragons, despite being somewhat boisterous, he was surprisingly not difficult to get along with. Stussy thought, So that's why he was sent here, right?
"The plan is for me to be 'targeted by CP0,' so I seek help from Charlotte Linlin. But because I'm too far from Whole Cake Island, I'm forced to request Roa's assistance, since he said his company also accepts commissions at Linlin's tea party!" Stussy explained. "But when Roa arrives, he'll discover that CP0's true purpose was to capture me and interrogate me for his whereabouts, because I am the weakest of all the Rocks remnants."
"Good reason!" Thomas snapped his fingers, nodding with satisfaction. "The only problem is, will that guy really come to save you?"
"You said it yourself, your relationship with him is very bad."
"As long as a sufficient reward is offered, I believe he won't refuse," Stussy replied respectfully. "Although I don't have anything that would move him, I don't think it'll be necessary. The reason is that I was desperate, like a cornered dog, so I deceived him."
"Excellent!" Thomas looked at Stussy with great appreciation. "I think this will work! What are you waiting for? Let's start immediately!"
"Yes!" Stussy respectfully lowered her head.
Soon after, a call was placed to Whole Cake Island.
"Stussy? Why are you suddenly contacting me?"
"Help! Help me, Linlin! I think I'm in big trouble!" On Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin, who was enjoying her afternoon tea, instantly sat upright upon hearing her friend's anxious tone.
"What happened? Did that kid Roa come looking for trouble?"
"I wish it was Roa; at least he wouldn't kill me!" Stussy said anxiously, "CP0 seems to be looking for me! I don't understand why they've suddenly come after all these years!"
"CP0?" Charlotte Linlin frowned. "If it's those guys, then I can't just act recklessly."
On the other end of the line, Stussy's lips twitched. Linlin, what a great friend.
"You can't help anyway; it's too far, there's no time!" Stussy hesitated, then said, "Linlin, can you give me Roa's contact information?"
"Roa? You want that kid to help you? Although he seems to be roaming in your sea area, isn't your relationship... oh, that's right!" Charlotte Linlin suddenly realized. "That kid said last time that his company also accepts commissions!"
"But Stussy, if it's for you, his asking price will probably be higher!"
Stussy's voice was bitter. "There's no other way now; no one else will help." Charlotte Linlin agreed with this statement. The Rocks Pirates, after all, were known for being fractured.
"Alright!" As a good friend, although she couldn't go help herself, this small favor was manageable. Thus, Stussy successfully "obtained" Roa's contact information.
"Very good!" God's Knight Thomas gave her a thumbs-up.
"You flatter me," Stussy replied humbly.
"Then let's set off quickly. Where is this 'Burt Island'?"
"It's nearby."
"Hmm, what are we waiting for then?"
On the Snail Grand Fleet side.
Roa hung up the phone. Inside the spacious palace, all the cadres of the Calamity Company were gathered.
"That's how it is. Next, let's go and see what kind of power these so-called God's Knights possess." Roa said with a smile. Sooner or later, they would have to face them. This was a good opportunity to properly experience what the God's Knights' immortality was all about.
However, the specific plan of action would depend on Stussy's next contact. If the God's Knights and CP0's forces were too strong, then they would have to change their strategy. But then again, what did those guys want with him? Were they really not afraid of his retaliation? Surely they weren't trying to recruit him into the God's Knights?
"God's Knights—" Sweat trickled down Doflamingo's forehead. As a former Celestial Dragon, no one understood better than him what that group represented! Celestial Dragons above Celestial Dragons, possessing the authority to judge and even directly execute other Celestial Dragons! His childhood dream was to become a member of the God's Knights! Was their opponent this time actually a God's Knight?
But no matter what he thought, the Calamity Company was already preparing to move out. To confront the God's Knights!