Sky Island.
Shandora, the legendary City of Gold.
At this moment, silence no longer reigned here. Instead, the entire place had been transformed into the busiest Marine construction site in the sky.
Thousands of Marine soldiers moved like tireless worker ants, forming neat lines as they hauled massive chunks of heavy gold out of the ancient city and loaded them onto colossal warships anchored above the sea of clouds.
On one of the warships, Aokiji was calmly drinking tea with the two guardians of Skypiea.
"..."
"So that's how it is?"
Aokiji raised his teacup and took a light sip, his gaze distant.
"That brat Hawke..."
"Quietly taking down a Logia user, and even liberating an island that had suffered under tyranny for six years?"
"Mhm, mhm."
Gan Fall and the Chief nodded in unison, their eyes filled with awe as they looked at Aokiji.
Through their conversations, they had come to realize something astonishing—
This seemingly lazy man before them was actually one of the top powerhouses within the organization that Hawke-sama belonged to.
No wonder. With such an enormous amount of gold involved, it was only natural that someone of his caliber would personally ensure its safety.
"..."
Aokiji slowly stood up, turning his gaze toward the magnificent golden city that was, bit by bit, being stripped bare.
He might look laid-back, but ever since leaving Marine Headquarters, his Observation Haki had spread out like a vast spiderweb, covering dozens of nautical miles around them without rest.
For the sake of the Marines' wavering sense of justice.
For the future reignited by Hawke.
It was all worth it.
At that moment, a Marine Captain hurried over and saluted sharply.
"Admiral Aokiji!"
"All five colossal warships are fully loaded with gold!"
"Fully loaded?!"
Aokiji nodded slightly. "Good."
Under the blazing sunlight… his eyes burned even hotter than the sun itself.
This was only the first batch of gold.
With time, the Marines' foundation would only grow stronger and stronger!
Justice was now one step closer to true freedom!
"Prepare to set sail."
"We must deliver this heavy 'future' safely to the G-3 Branch!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
In a narrow alley of Nanohana.
Clang—!
Nami swung an iron pipe she had snatched on the way and smashed it hard against the back of a pursuer's neck.
"Ugh—!"
The man groaned, eyes rolling white, before collapsing onto the ground.
Without sparing him a glance, Nami pressed her foot against the wall and propelled herself forward, her petite figure darting like a nimble cat into another narrow alley.
Tap—tap—tap—
Behind her, chaotic footsteps and angry shouts echoed endlessly.
The alleys of Nanohana were like a tangled labyrinth, where the scorching sunlight was sliced into broken strips by the earthen walls, casting layers of uneven shadows on the ground.
Nami moved swiftly through the shifting shadows, using every turn and climb to create more distance between herself and the pursuers.
Finally, she slipped into a dead-end alley stacked high with clay jars.
Huff—
Leaning against the cold wall, Nami's chest rose and fell violently as sweat trickled down her temples.
She muttered under her breath, "Finally… shaken those pests off for now."
"But… Alabasta really has a massive problem."
From her covert investigation, she had already pieced together most of the situation.
Everything happening in this country was being orchestrated by a hidden hand from the shadows.
The Baroque Works.
And its mysterious head, Mr. 0.
On the surface, the Alabasta Kingdom was protected by one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea recognized by the World Government—a man named Crocodile.
"A Shichibukai… there's no way he'd allow a criminal organization to run rampant on his turf."
Unless…
A sharp glint flashed through Nami's eyes.
Unless Mr. 0 and Crocodile… were the same person!
With that realization, everything fell into place.
The drought.
The rebellion.
The suffering of the people.
It was all part of a meticulously crafted conspiracy!
Crocodile was plotting to seize the kingdom!
And to make matters worse, the nearby Marine branches had already been ordered to withdraw, all because of Crocodile's status as a Shichibukai.
"I need to get to the G-3 Branch as soon as possible!"
Her hand instinctively pressed against her chest, where she had hidden the critical evidence she had managed to obtain.
Just then—
A cold, elegant female voice drifted softly from behind her.
"You're not going anywhere, little Marine girl."
"!!!"
Nami's head whipped around sharply!
There, standing at the mouth of the alley, was a tall, slender woman with pale skin and long black hair. At some point, she had appeared silently, blocking the only exit.
She's been found?!
"Who are you?!"
Nami barked, raising the iron pipe defensively and assuming a combat stance.
"Just a passerby."
Robin smiled faintly, stepping forward with deliberate grace.
"But I'm very interested in what you're hiding."
Before she finished speaking, dozens of pale arms suddenly sprouted from the walls, the ground, and even thin air behind her, blooming like eerie flowers as they lunged toward Nami!
"A… Devil Fruit?!"
Nami's pupils contracted sharply as she swung her iron pipe with all her strength, smashing at the oncoming arms.
But there were too many.
They came from all directions, sealing every possible escape route.
Snap!
One arm grabbed her ankle with precision, and immediately, several more wrapped around her limbs, locking her completely in place.
"Let go of me!"
Nami struggled desperately, but the strength of those arms was overwhelming, like chains forged of steel.
"Don't bother resisting."
"Hand over the documents."
"Never!"
Nami clenched her teeth, her eyes blazing with unyielding defiance.
"Then I'll just take them myself."
Robin stretched out her hand, and several new arms sprouted from Nami's back, reaching straight toward her chest.
Just as Robin's fingers were about to touch the hidden—
Vrrrrr—Vrrrrr—Vrrrrr—
A deep, resonant rumble rolled through the entire Nanohana port.
"Hm…?"
Robin froze mid-motion, lifting her gaze curiously.
That sound…
Was it… a massive warship?!
"..."
In the alley, Nami stopped struggling.
On the streets, the desperate civilians also paused.
Everyone turned toward the source of the sound.
What was that?
BOOM—!
The rumble grew louder, closer, fiercer!
The deep drone became a deafening roar!
At the port, the seawater churned violently, and the sky itself seemed to darken!
All eyes were drawn to the distant horizon—
A colossal steel fleet was tearing through the waves, entering the harbor!
Three gigantic warships led the formation, towering like moving mountains, followed by five more massive battleships!
The black hulls, lined with rows of menacing cannons, formed an endless forest of steel that blotted out the sun, casting an immense shadow over the entire port.
And on each warship, a massive flag flew proudly.
The seagull emblem of Justice, billowing in the wind, cold and imposing.
"Nanohana… is now under Marine control!"
...
The chapter for 50 Powerstones. Thank you