As the war approached, numerous warships arrived at Marine Headquarters daily, and renowned naval officers appeared one after another.
The Whitebeard Pirates also launched swift and decisive actions, sinking all surveillance ships in an extremely short time before vanishing from sight.
The atmosphere of war grew increasingly oppressive.
Grand Line, Kamabakka Kingdom.
"Boom!"
It seemed like a meteor had fallen. A plume of dust rose from the forest, and beneath the dappled shade of the trees, the ground was left with a massive bear-paw-shaped crater.
A thin figure slowly stood up.
"I'm... alive?"
Luffy looked around in confusion, locking eyes with a heavily made-up wild boar. The boar's face flushed red before it shyly turned away.
Luffy blinked in surprise.
"Grrrrrrr~~"
His stomach growled.
He was starving!
Soon, wisps of smoke rose from the forest.
On a makeshift grill, the bones of the once-shy wild boar lady were all that remained.
"Hahahaha, I'm full! This feeling is so nostalgic—like when Gramps threw me into the mountains as a kid... Wait, better not think about that."
With his belly full, Luffy patted his stomach and laughed heartily, showing no remorse for the fate of the wild boar lady.
Now, it was time to reunite with his crew.
Luffy pulled out his Life Card—made for him by Ace, with each crew member having one—to use as a guide.
"Where even is this place? It feels kinda weird..."
From the shadows of the trees, pairs of glowing eyes flickered to life.
Sabaody Archipelago, Beasts' Outpost.
"Luffy, Nami, Robin..."
Sanji stared blankly at his Life Card.
Just as Gurd had said, the outpost was surrounded by Marine surveillance. If he tried to leave alone, he'd be captured immediately.
But even if he left, he had nowhere to go.
He was still on Sabaody. If his crew were to regroup, this island—the convergence point of the seven sea routes—would naturally be their meeting place.
All he had to do was wait here for them.
In that sense, Gurd's protection was a good thing. The man had clearly seen this and allowed Sanji to move freely.
There was one more thing.
Sanji lit a cigarette and glanced at Reiju.
Among the Vinsmoke family, she was the only one he didn't despise—in fact, he even felt some gratitude toward her.
Back then, it was Reiju who had helped him escape.
He could tell that she was the only one who truly treated him like family. Though she'd laugh at him alongside her brothers, she'd also secretly help him.
Sanji's heart warmed a little, and he dropped his usual scowl. "So, anything big happening lately?"
"Huh? You don't know?"
Reiju handed him a newspaper.
"See for yourself."
"What's this?"
Sanji's pupils shrank as he read the headline.
"Fire Fist" Ace's Public Execution!
So that's why the island's atmosphere had felt so off!
"Luffy!"
Ace was Luffy's brother. If Luffy found out about this, he'd definitely rush to Marine Headquarters to save him!
Sanji's face paled.
Ever since arriving on Sabaody, they'd been so focused on rescuing Camie that they'd completely missed such critical news.
What a blunder!
Reiju tilted her head, puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing!"
Sanji took a deep drag from his cigarette.
"Are you guys joining this war?"
"Probably."
Reiju sounded uncertain.
Several warships were dispatched this time, with a full two thousand troops and all the officers gathered—most likely for this war.
But Gurd didn't say anything, leaving it to speculation.
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke: "If you're heading to Marineford, take me with you. I have reasons I can't ignore!"
"That would require Lord Gurd's approval."
Reiju felt exhausted.
Everyone knew how perilous the coming war would be, yet the men foolishly insisted on charging in.
A short while later, in Gurd's office.
"Number 3, Number 4, Number 7..."
Gurd examined a map of Sabaody, where multiple islands were marked with flags, indicating the near-completion of the acquisition process.
Such efficiency was possible not only because wealthy merchants were offloading properties but also due to the "accidental" deaths of many stubborn holdouts during the recent Celestial Dragons incident.
By paying enough to the World Government, one could claim ownerless properties. Those officials didn't care about wars—money alone ensured the paperwork was processed.
After all, his Groudon Company was a legitimate enterprise fully approved by the World Government, with all necessary operating licenses in order.
"You want to go to Marineford?"
Gurd looked up at Sanji.
Planning to aid the Straw Hat?
That idea was likely futile.
Kuma had specifically sent the Straw Hat crew flying—not just to save them but also to keep them away from the war, allowing them to train properly before entering the New World.
Otherwise, why scatter them to the ends of the earth, each landing on islands suited to them?
Take Zoro and Hawkeye, for example.
Sending the Straw Hat to Kuja was probably to teach him Haki—though no one could've predicted how recklessly stubborn he'd be, ultimately charging straight into Marineford.
A near-impossible miracle.
Now that Kuja had relocated to the New World, and Kuma didn't know its new location, sending the Straw Hat to the old Kuja Island would've been pointless.
This meant the Straw Hat was on another island.
In other words, it was highly unlikely he'd break into Impel Down for a prison break, though there was still a slim chance he might head to Marineford.
It all depended on how far he had to travel.
Gurd pondered for a moment before turning to Reiju.
"Did you bring it?"
"Yes!"
Reiju produced a canister marked with the number "3."
No. 3 Invisible Fighter—Battle Suit!
Their father had tasked her with bringing Sanji back, so she'd specifically brought his Battle Suit—the symbol of the evil army, Germa 66.
Gurd smiled. "Sanji, I'll allow you to come, but only if you wear the Battle Suit. I don't want the Marines finding an excuse to attack us."
"..."
Sanji held the Battle Suit, his expression dark.
He knew exactly what this was.
But anything from Germa—he'd rather die than touch it!
Yet...
Sanji took a deep drag from his cigarette.
"Fine. I agree."
"Now that's more like it."
Gurd laughed heartily.
If Germa's warriors appeared on the battlefield at Marineford, he wondered how the World Government would react to the Germa Kingdom.
With the North Blue situation already settled, whether Germa was a member nation no longer mattered. Once aboard his ship, it was better to behave.
Meanwhile.
Undersea Great Prison.
Level 1: Crimson Hell.
In a shadowy corner, a man of legend spread his arms excitedly.
"Escape successful!"
"Gahahaha!"
"Next up—Captain Buggy the Clown's Great Prison Break Adventure begins!"
Buggy laughed triumphantly.
But the alarms blared almost immediately.
"Oh no, they've spotted us!"
Buggy's face paled.
In this Impel Down, Surveillance Den Den Mushi are everywhere, making escape nearly impossible.
But he would never give up!
He, Buggy the Clown, was a man who yearned for freedom!
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