Wano Country, beneath the waterfall.
The Groudon Ship burst through the curtain of water!
Yamato stood at the bow, thoroughly drenched by the cascading waterfall, yet she laughed with unbridled joy, her eyes narrowing into crescent slits.
"Set sail!!!"
The girl raised her arms and shouted at the top of her lungs.
She had finally reached the open sea!
Though she would have to return to Wano Country later, this was still a small step toward her freedom—and a giant leap in her life.
Her dreams lay ahead!
"Splash!"
An enormous koi fish leaped from beneath the waves, sending another spray of water over the girl's body.
"Wow, such a huge fish!!!"
Yamato clenched her fists in excitement, her eyes sparkling.
In Wano's inland waters, fish larger than ships were rare. She had heard that the open sea was home to many Sea Kings, even bigger than the koi before her.
So cool, so exciting!
More koi surged from the sea, swimming past the Groudon Ship on either side as they charged toward the waterfall ahead.
"A good omen!"
Gurd watched the koi and smiled.
If he tossed a bomb down there...
Nah, better not.
Gurd turned and headed back into the cabin. Staring at the sea any longer might make him queasy—better to stay inside where it was stable.
Before long, Yamato also entered the cabin.
"Gurd, where are Ulti and Page One?"
"They're busy."
Gurd didn't even look up.
The Flying Six had each taken a team of engineers to the Underworld Emperors. Stussy would send company representatives to meet with them and discuss the specifics of the Concession—or rather, Community Development.
They'd start construction first and figure out the details later.
As for him, his task was merely to suppress the Labor Uprising. He didn't need a large force—he could handle it alone if necessary.
"Fine."
Yamato pouted, bored.
She had been watching the sea earlier but had dozed off.
"Gurd, let's go fishing!"
"Do it yourself."
Gurd refused outright.
He could manage netting fish, but fishing? No thanks.
"If you're really that bored, go help Chikara clean."
"..."
Yamato puffed out her cheeks indignantly.
"Fine, I will!"
Gurd shook his head. This was the reality of sailing—long stretches of monotony that required patience.
"Whoosh!"
Speed appeared beside Gurd, holding a stack of intel.
"Gurd, intel on Gabul Vala."
"Hmm."
Gurd skimmed through the documents, his expression turning odd.
Gabul Vala, the "Son of the Revolution," was a core member of the Revolutionary Army, specializing in guerrilla warfare and active across the world.
Among the islands where Labor Uprisings had broken out, Zebra Island was Gabul's homeland.
"So it's the Revolutionary Army!"
Gurd narrowed his eyes.
The Beasts had stationed forces on every occupied island. Ordinary Labor Uprisings shouldn't have succeeded—they shouldn't even have been organized so easily.
But if the Revolutionary Army was involved, that explained everything.
"Looking for death!"
Instead of lying low in the four seas, the Revolutionary Army had come to the Beasts' territory to stir up trouble.
Suicidal!
It didn't matter if it was just some mid-ranking officer—even if Dragon himself brought the Army Commanders to the New World, they'd have to keep their heads down.
The Revolutionary Army had five Army Commanders, stationed in the four seas and the first half of the Grand Line—but none responsible for the New World.
Was it because they didn't want to?
No—because they didn't dare!
The New World was the territory of the Four Emperors, the sole paradise of the Underworld, where the Revolutionary Army had no place to take root.
"Full speed ahead!"
"Understood, Captain Gurd!"
Zebra Island was located near Wano Country, and after just half a day's voyage, the Groudon Ship arrived at the island.
Inside the island, at the Scotch Pirate Crew's base.
A subordinate rushed into the room in panic.
"Lord Scotch, the Beasts are here!"
"Who has come?"
Scotch's expression changed drastically as he asked nervously.
The subordinate's face was filled with terror.
"It's Lord Earth Calamity!"
"What?!"
Scotch stood up in shock, his back instantly drenched in cold sweat.
This was it—they were here to kill him!
If it had been a Headliner, he might have had a decent chance of survival. If it were one of the Flying Six, his odds would have been fifty-fifty.
But an All-Star had come!
Survival rate: 0%!
In the Beasts Pirates, failure often meant death. When an All-Star was dispatched, it was always to execute the failures as a warning to others!
He had witnessed similar situations many times before, especially with Lord Jack "The Drought," who absolutely tolerated no failure.
"Lord Scotch, what should we do?"
"Idiot! What else can we do? Hurry and go greet Lord Earth Calamity!"
Scotch immediately rushed out of the base, sprinting toward the harbor. Even though he knew death was likely, he didn't dare flee.
There was no escaping this!
At the harbor, the Groudon Ship docked.
"Ooooh, a new island!"
Yamato looked around excitedly, fascinated by everything, her gaze quickly locking onto the black-and-white striped mountains covered in zebra-like patterns.
"Gurd, look! That mountain looks so weird!"
"Yeah, I see it."
Gurd glanced briefly before turning his attention to the pirates running toward them.
Leading them was a cyborg with a steel mask covering his face, steel shoulders, and even his right arm modified into a gun barrel.
"Iron Boy No. 18" Scotch, bounty: 130 million Berries , captain of the Iron Boy Pirate Crew under the Beasts.
"Injured?"
Gurd was surprised.
Scotch was wrapped in bandages, clearly severely wounded. But given his strength and armor, he shouldn't have been hurt this badly.
Not that he looked down on the Revolutionary Army—aside from a few Army Commanders, they didn't have many formidable fighters. Even the "Son of the Revolution" wasn't known for his combat prowess.
"Lord Earth Calamity!"
Scotch and his men knelt before Gurd, trembling in fear.
"Forgive me, Lord Earth Calamity! I failed to protect this island."
"Get up. We'll talk at the base."
Gurd waved his hand and headed inland.
The base on the island was a castle converted into a weapons factory, now completely idle, with not a single laborer in sight.
Gurd took the main seat.
"Explain the situation here."
"My lord..."
Scotch spoke shakily.
Two months ago, the laborers on the island had suddenly revolted. At first, he and his crew suppressed them effectively.
But then the "Son of the Revolution," Gable, appeared, leading the laborers to steal a large number of weapons under cover of night, avoiding direct confrontation.
A stalemate ensued.
Half a month ago, he finally cornered the Rebel Army's main force, but a mysterious powerhouse among them easily inflicted severe injuries on him.
Now the Rebel Army had grown rapidly, and with no other options, he had to call the Beasts for reinforcements.
Suppressing his fear, Scotch nervously added, "Lord Earth Calamity, that man is no ordinary foe!"
"Hm."
Gurd nodded slightly.
"Scotch, what are the characteristics of this mysterious expert you mentioned?"
"It was nighttime, so I couldn't see his face clearly, but I remember his weapon was a Steel Pipe!" Scotch answered nervously.
"A pipe?"
Gurd's eyes gleamed with interest.
There weren't many experts who used pipes as weapons.
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