When Vice Admiral Tsuru received Kuzan's encrypted Den Den Mushi call detailing the horrific Naval scandal in the South Blue, she treated the matter with absolute, uncompromising gravity.
She immediately dispatched several deeply trusted, highly competent subordinates currently stationed in the South Blue to investigate the claims independently. To ensure complete operational integrity and prevent any internal leaks, the subordinates were strictly ordered to report their findings only to Tsuru; none of them knew the others were involved in the operation.
A few days later, a highly detailed, comprehensive intelligence report was compiled on Tsuru's desk.
One of her subordinates had successfully located the immobilized Marine warship bobbing aimlessly on the ocean's surface. If they had arrived a few days later, the corrupt Marines—all of whom were still meticulously stitched together and firmly glued to the deck—would have genuinely starved to death. They were found in a state of absolute, pathetic lethargy.
Through this incident, Tsuru finally realized that Bardock and his crew had completely slipped through the Grand Line blockade and relocated to the South Blue. It explained why Naval Intelligence hadn't received a single whisper of their movements recently, prompting Sengoku to reassign Kizaru and Kuzan to other priority missions.
Based on the investigation, every single crime attributed to Captain Andy's black-ops piracy ring was verified as absolutely authentic. The corrupt Marines were immediately stripped of their ranks and were currently being escorted to Enies Lobby to face a military tribunal. Furthermore, the high-ranking World Government official at Headquarters who had been secretly shielding Captain Andy was currently undergoing an intense, brutal internal audit.
As for Bardock and his crew, Tsuru immediately forwarded their classified intelligence dossier to every single Marine Branch across the South Blue. The branches were explicitly ordered to keep a hyper-vigilant lookout for a heavily armed, solid gold galleon.
Crucially, Tsuru issued a strict, zero-engagement policy. Do not attack. Do not intercept. Only observe and report. She knew perfectly well the terrifying caliber of the Devil Fruit users aboard the White Dragon. Any standard South Blue Marine branch that attempted to engage them would be instantly, effortlessly annihilated.
When Tsuru relayed the conclusion of the corruption investigation to Kuzan, the lazy Vice Admiral couldn't help but sigh. Bardock had fled way too fast. Furthermore, the fact that a crew of 'pirates' had actively uprooted a massive, cancerous tumor within the Navy left Kuzan feeling incredibly conflicted.
With that crisis averted, Tsuru turned her sharp mind to the next pressing political issue on her desk: Should the World Government officially approve Boa Hancock's ascension to the Seven Warlords of the Sea?
The Shichibukai candidates were ultimately selected by the highest echelons of the World Government, but the Navy's strategic input carried significant weight. Unless there were highly extenuating circumstances, the World Government usually respected the Fleet Admiral's tactical recommendations.
In terms of raw combat strength, Hancock had just publicly arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago and effortlessly turned three high-bounty Supernova rookies and their entire crews into solid stone statues. In terms of political status, she was the absolute sovereign of Amazon Lily. Once she officially became a Warlord, the final, crucial puzzle piece—global infamy—would be instantly fulfilled.
Tsuru didn't hesitate for long. She picked up her pen and decisively wrote the words: 'Recommend Approval' on the dossier.
Now that the Navy possessed the technology to traverse the Calm Belt with Seastone-lined warships, establishing a formal, political channel with an aggressive nation located directly inside the Calm Belt was a highly strategic move. Tsuru genuinely believed that granting Hancock the title would make negotiating with Amazon Lily much easier.
What Tsuru didn't know—and would soon learn the hard way—was that the 'Snake Princess' was notoriously, violently capricious. Easy communication was impossible; Hancock was destined to become the single most uncooperative, infuriating Warlord in the history of the system.
Meanwhile, sailing through the South Blue.
The White Dragon was no longer a blindingly radiant, golden galleon. It was now a pristine, completely white ship. Galdino had successfully utilized his Wax-Wax Fruit to paint an incredibly dense, flawless layer of white wax over the entire hull.
The crew was finally traveling under the radar.
"Galdino, your Devil Fruit actually has an incredible amount of untapped potential, especially when it comes to synergizing with the rest of the crew," Bardock praised, standing on the deck. "For example, you could forge customized, hyper-dense wax armor for the frontline fighters before a battle. Or you could coordinate devastating chain attacks with Perona and Leo..."
Bardock vividly remembered the terrifying combat effectiveness of the Golden Emperor, Gild Tesoro's golden armor, and Charlotte Cracker's infinitely regenerating Biscuit Soldiers. If Galdino could replicate even a fraction of that utility, he would be an invaluable asset.
Bardock listed a few highly creative, devastatingly effective applications of the Wax-Wax Fruit, leaving the actual, practical development process to Galdino. Some of the ideas were definitely viable, while others were highly theoretical.
Galdino nodded rapidly, frantically scribbling notes in a small ledger. These were genuinely brilliant tactical concepts; he absolutely needed to begin experimenting immediately.
"Oh, and one more thing," Bardock added casually, tossing a heavy training weight onto the deck. "Starting today, you are required to participate in rigorous physical conditioning and Haki training. Physical stamina is the absolute foundational battery for all Devil Fruit abilities, and Haki is an indispensable power you must master to survive in the New World."
"E-EH?!"
Galdino's face instantly fell, plunging into absolute despair. As a man who firmly resolved to make his living as a cunning intellectual, he absolutely despised physical labor!
A few days later, Bardock was standing on the deck, relentlessly swinging his Jingu Bang while wearing a pair of heavy Seastone handcuffs.
The moment he had looted the cuffs from the corrupt Marines, he had immediately put them on to test a theory. Initially, the crippling, energy-draining effects of the Seastone had rendered his entire body as weak as a wet noodle; he couldn't muster an ounce of strength. The rest of the crew had watched him collapse onto the deck in complete confusion, completely unable to understand why their monstrous captain was willingly torturing himself.
He had casually explained that this was a highly specialized, intense training method designed to push his physical limits further. The crew remained highly skeptical; they had never heard of anyone utilizing their absolute, fatal weakness as a training tool.
However, after a few days of agonizing struggle, Bardock slowly acclimated to the oppressive lethargy. He managed to stand up, grip his heavy staff, and begin executing basic martial arts forms. Seeing him actually move while wearing Seastone, the crew slowly realized the insane training method might actually be viable.
At that moment, Robin walked out of the cabin, holding a fresh newspaper. "Bardock. Hancock has officially become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"Oh? That was fast," Bardock paused his swings, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "When we spoke on the Den Den Mushi a few days ago, the final negotiations hadn't even concluded. Did it already make the front page?"
He took the newspaper. The massive, bold headline didn't actually read 'New Warlord Appointed'. Instead, it proudly proclaimed: 'The Most Beautiful Woman in the World!'
The fact that she had ascended to the Shichibukai was merely a secondary detail buried deep within the actual article. The front page was dominated by a breathtaking, full-page photograph of the Pirate Empress.
"Morgans truly is a master of media manipulation," Bardock sighed in genuine admiration. "His angle is absolutely brilliant. If the headline just announced another Warlord, the general public would barely bat an eye. But by aggressively marketing her unparalleled beauty, the global engagement will skyrocket. This specific issue is definitely going to sell out worldwide; he's probably running the printing presses into the ground right now."
Having read the entire article, Bardock handed the paper back. "Well, Morgans isn't lying. Given Hancock's looks, the title of 'World's Most Beautiful Woman' is absolutely well-deserved."
Hancock possessed the kind of ethereal, overwhelming beauty that even other women couldn't help but admire. In all her years of travel, Robin had never seen another woman who could even remotely compare. Combined with her status as an Empress and her terrifying, Warlord-level strength... if she wasn't the most beautiful woman in the world, who was?
Countless millions across the globe read the paper that day. Many were utterly captivated, some were dismissive, and an endless stream of arrogant, foolish pirates instantly decided they wanted to challenge the Empress to prove their worth.
Buru buru buru... Gacha.
Bardock picked up the Den Den Mushi on the deck table.
"Well, Bardock? Did you see today's news?" Hancock's voice practically purred through the snail.
"I certainly did. I haven't congratulated you yet: Congratulations on being officially crowned the most beautiful woman in the world!" Bardock chuckled.
"Hmph! That fact was already universally acknowledged!" Hancock scoffed, though the snail's expression clearly showed she was pleased. "I'm talking about the Warlord announcement! That despicable bird Morgans... if I ever cross paths with him, I am absolutely turning him into a stone statue!"
Hancock was furious. This was supposed to be a terrifying, glorious demonstration of her martial supremacy and political ascension! Instead, Morgans had framed the entire article to make her look like a pretty vase!
Of course, years ago, Bardock had casually informed her that she would eventually be known globally as the 'World's Most Beautiful Woman', so she was mentally prepared for the title. However, she had spent the last few weeks meticulously plotting her ascension to the Warlords, and that monumental achievement had been relegated to a footnote. No wonder she was upset.
Although Bardock agreed with Morgans' marketing strategy, he didn't point that out. He quickly changed the subject. "So, now that you're officially a Warlord, did the Navy agree to your territorial demands?"
"They agreed to some of them," Hancock replied haughtily. "Navy vessels are strictly prohibited from entering a five-kilometer radius around the shores of Amazon Lily. As for my duties? Unless I am forcibly drafted for a major war by a direct summons from Headquarters, I will absolutely never attend their pathetic Warlord meetings."
In the original timeline, the exclusion zone was only three kilometers. Bardock's influence had apparently caused her to negotiate a slightly wider perimeter, but ultimately, it didn't change the geopolitical reality: the island was still well within range of advanced naval artillery.
Furthermore, Bardock knew the ultimate, inevitable truth: The Navy would eventually abolish the Warlord system entirely. When that day came, a massive fleet of Marines would descend upon Amazon Lily, and the island would become a war zone regardless of any treaties signed today.
"That's acceptable for now," Bardock nodded. "By the way, did Rayleigh agree to teach you Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion? And listen, I guarantee that sneaky old man is hiding other ultimate techniques! Make sure you force him to teach you Advanced Observation Haki (Future Sight) and the technique to disrupt an opponent's Observation Haki...
"Hancock, the next ten years are a crucial, golden period for your growth. You must dedicate yourself entirely to becoming stronger. The Shichibukai system is not a permanent shield. If the World Government suddenly decides to abolish the Warlord system in the future, you must possess the terrifying, absolute strength to make them actively fear attacking you."
The timeline was already beginning to visibly warp around Bardock's actions. He couldn't guarantee that Admiral Fujitora would still emerge in the future to advocate for the system's abolition, but preparing for the worst-case scenario was never a bad idea. True strength never betrayed those who were prepared.
"Hey, Bardock... you're completely emptying my pockets here..." a highly exasperated voice suddenly echoed through the Den Den Mushi.
Before Silvers Rayleigh could finish his complaint, a terrifyingly fierce roar erupted in the background. "RAYLEIGH!"
The old man went completely silent. He truly hadn't expected the sweet little girl he had saved years ago to possess the terrifying temperament of a raging tigress. 'Shakky is definitely the most gentle woman in the world,' Rayleigh thought miserably.
"Hahaha, Senior Rayleigh! Are you there? Senior Shakky must be there as well! It's been a long time; I've missed you both dearly!"
Bardock felt incredibly awkward. He had just been casually exposing the old man's absolute deepest, most closely guarded martial arts secrets behind his back, only to realize Rayleigh had been silently listening to the entire conversation.
"Young Bardock, you seem incredibly certain that the Shichibukai system will collapse in roughly ten years," Shakky's smooth, analytical voice floated through the receiver. "Did you run into that 'Oda' fellow again?"
Bardock froze.
He suddenly remembered the massive, reckless lie he had spun in Shakky's bar years ago. He had confidently claimed that he received his omniscient intelligence from a mysterious manga artist named Oda. The sheer awkwardness doubled.
If Bardock knew just how much time, money, and resources Shakky had relentlessly poured into her global intelligence network trying to track down a man named Oda, he would have felt significantly worse.
"Ahem, no, no," Bardock coughed, quickly trying to cover his tracks. "I've just had the... pleasure of interacting with two other current Warlords. Neither of them are the type of men who will subserviently bow their heads to the World Government forever. They are simply biding their time. The moment the opportunity arises, they will inevitably betray the Government, and the World Government's trust in the Warlord system will completely shatter. Furthermore, there is a massive, growing faction of high-ranking Marine officers who absolutely despise the system and are eagerly waiting for the perfect excuse to abolish it."
As a veteran of the underworld, Shakky easily deduced that Bardock was still hiding massive amounts of information, but she didn't press the issue. She simply filed the 'ten-year timeline' away in her mind, resolving to monitor the political landscape closely as the deadline approached.
They chatted amiably for a few more minutes before saying their final goodbyes and hanging up.
Having listened to the entire exchange, Robin gently rested her chin on her hand. "Bardock. That Rayleigh... is he the legendary 'Dark King', Silvers Rayleigh? The right hand of the Pirate King?"
"Yeah, that's him. Why do you ask?" Bardock turned to her, noticing she looked unusually hesitant.
"Back on Sky Island... we read the Pirate King's message inscribed on the base of the Golden Bell," Robin began slowly. "If they truly reached Laugh Tale, then they must have gathered all the Road Poneglyphs. That means... they definitely discovered the absolute truth of what happened during the Void Century. I... I was wondering..."
Within just a few sentences, a fine sheen of cold sweat had broken out across Robin's forehead. She couldn't bring herself to finish the thought.
"Were you wondering if you should ask him about the True History?" Bardock offered, fully understanding her dilemma. "If you really want to know, I can call him back right now. He would probably tell you."
Bardock casually picked up the Den Den Mushi, his thumb hovering over the dial.
Robin underwent an intense, agonizing internal struggle. On one hand, the absolute truth she had spent her entire life suffering and running for was literally a single phone call away. On the other hand, she carried the heavy, solemn destiny of being the absolute last survivor of Ohara; discovering the history with her own eyes was her life's ultimate mission.
Just as Bardock was about to dial, Robin reached out and firmly grabbed his wrist, stopping him. Her expression instantly cooled into absolute resolve.
"My journey is far from over. It is not time for the answer to be revealed to me," Robin stated firmly. "I want to uncover the truth of the world with my own two eyes."
"As expected of Robin. I'll help you see it through to the end," Bardock smiled, placing the receiver down.
Honestly, Bardock was genuinely impressed that Robin possessed the sheer willpower to resist the ultimate spoiler.
Personally, he didn't care about the 'True History' at all. In fact, he was highly skeptical of the absolute authenticity of the ancient Poneglyphs. In the original timeline, he had watched the inhabitants of Wano blatantly rewrite their own history right in front of Robin. Considering the Kozuki clan were the original masons who carved the Poneglyphs, and their modern descendants possessed absolutely zero respect for historical accuracy, Bardock found it incredibly difficult to trust the ancient stones blindly.
However, he absolutely supported Robin's quest to collect the Poneglyphs. It was her lifelong dream, and it was a fantastic, overarching goal for their adventure.
For the next leg of their journey, the White Dragon sailed completely undisturbed.
Because Galdino had flawlessly camouflaged the hull, the Navy was still frantically scouring the South Blue looking for a 'solid gold galleon', leaving the white ship entirely ignored. Similarly, no pirate crew felt the urgent need to randomly attack a mundane-looking white vessel.
Ironically, the local pirate underworld was currently ablaze with incredibly persistent rumors of a 'ghostly golden ship' roaming the South Blue. Many dismissed it as a myth, but countless greedy crews had set sail specifically hoping to stumble upon the legendary treasure ship.
Eventually, the silhouette of a bustling island appeared on the horizon.
It was an island of incredible misfortune, yet simultaneously, incredible luck.
The misfortune lay in the fact that the island's port town was currently being violently bombarded by a ruthless pirate crew. The incredible luck lay in the fact that the bombardment had literally just started... right as the White Dragon arrived on the scene.
"Captain! Bad news! There's a ship rapidly approaching from our rear!" the pirate lookout yelled frantically from the crow's nest.
"Is it the Marines?!" the Pirate Captain roared, violently spinning around. He angrily slapped the back of the lookout's head. "It doesn't have a Jolly Roger or Marine sails! Stop panicking over a civilian vessel!"
"Move one of the aft cannons! Aim at the approaching ship and sink it!" the Captain barked.
Regardless of who was approaching, being caught in a pincer maneuver was a terrible tactical position. He needed to secure his escape route immediately. Therefore, even if it meant sinking a civilian ship and losing out on potential loot, he didn't hesitate to order its destruction.
"Yes, Captain!"
A squad of pirates frantically wheeled a heavy cannon to the stern, rapidly aligning the barrel with the approaching White Dragon.
"Yahahahaha! Another pack of absolute idiots!" Enel laughed maliciously, watching the pirates scramble through his Mantra. He raised his wrist, electricity violently arcing around his fingers. "Bardock, let me cast Judgment on them!"
If Enel unleashed El Thor right now, the pirate ship would be instantly vaporized, and the encounter would be over in a microsecond.
"No, hold on," Bardock interrupted, gently pushing Enel's arm down. "Let's test out Perona's new Hollow Explosives. She developed the technique a while ago but hasn't had a chance to use it in live combat yet. The town hasn't suffered massive damage yet; we have a few seconds to spare."
"Ah? Me?!" Perona floated forward, her eyes lighting up excitedly. "Alright! I've been dying to see how much damage they actually do! Mini-Hollows: Hollow Explosives!"
Perona waved her parasol, releasing a massive swarm of tiny, adorable, semi-transparent ghosts. The Mini-Hollows rapidly flew across the water and violently swarmed the pirate ship.
Standing on the deck of the White Dragon, Perona dramatically raised her hand and began snapping her fingers in a rapid, rhythmic beat.
With every single SNAP, a Mini-Hollow violently detonated against the pirate ship's hull.