Buru buru buru~~
Buru buru buru~~
Kacha.
"Who?"
"It's me, King."
Worried that outsiders might be present, Bazel didn't directly address Arber by name in the communication.
"Ah~ I almost died, you know. I never expected the power of that Knock Up Stream to be so tremendous, hahaha~~"
The Den Den Mushi's expression relaxed considerably, "It's really great to hear that you're safe."
"Where are you now? Do you need us to pick you up?"
"Pick me up?"
Enjoying the cool breeze of the night sky on Sky Island, Bazel leaned back comfortably, holding Toki in his arms.
"Enel, slow down a bit. I can barely hear the Den Den Mushi."
"Yes, Aniki. Understood."
After chatting with King for a while, Bazel gazed at the endless expanse of white sea around him, pondered for a moment, and continued.
"Don't worry about me. Your current location can't bypass the White-White Sea. Even with Big Bro Kaido's flame clouds, it would be difficult for a ship to break through the White-White Sea and reach Sky Island."
"I'll return immediately after dealing with the World Destroyer. By the way, where's Big Bro Kaido? Why can't I reach him through his Den Den Mushi?"
"Kaido-san has gone missing again."
The Den Den Mushi extended a tentacle to rub its face.
"Once Kaido-san gets carried away having fun, he doesn't like answering Den Den Mushi's calls. In the past, I could only wait where I was until he had enough and returned."
"Speaking of which, Bazel, your bounty has increased again."
"My bounty?" Bazel asked in confusion.
"Your actions on Jaya Island were heavily reported by the World Economic News Paper. Over a thousand pirates died by your hand, and along with that, our Beasts Pirates have gained quite a reputation."
On Jaya Island, King picked up the newspaper beside him and told Bazel about the news that had been published over the past few days.
[#Massacre! The Jaya Island Incident, the Eight Headed Monarch, Bazel's Army of the Underworld!!]
[#Beasts Pirates vs. World Pirates, a Clash of the Century Imminent! ]
[#The Vanished World Destroyer?! Is Byrnndi World Still Alive?]
[#Pirate Hunt Order: A Message from the Eight Headed Monarch, Bazel… Anyone Who Provides Information on Byrnndi World Is My Brother!]
Bazel looked bewildered, "When did I issue a hunt order? I don't remember doing that."
"Who knows?" King chuckled, "Hasn't the World Economic News Paper always been known for its exaggerations?"
"It's not surprising they'd report it this way. Your bounty has reached 810 million Berry now, higher than mine. Tch, that's really annoying."
[Eight Headed Monarch Bazel, Beasts Pirates, Bounty: 810,000,000 Berry, Only Alive]
"Only alive, huh? Seems like someone has taken a liking to your body, Bazel, hahaha~~"
King rarely cracked jokes.
"You're the only member of our Beasts Pirates with an 'Only Alive' order."
"Whether it's me or Kaido-san, we're all 'Dead Or Alive' bounties."
"Stop talking nonsense. It's probably because they want the power of the Yamata no Orochi Fruit..."
Bazel continued chatting with King, but his mind was racing.
The reason he was only to be captured alive likely had something to do with efforts from Sengoku and the others.
If he were to accidentally caught in the future, at least he could save his life.
"...Let's stop here for now. Stay stationed on Jaya Island for the time being. If you encounter an enemy you can't defeat, just run away."
"I'll contact you as soon as I leave Sky Island."
Kacha.
The Den Den Mushi hung up.
"Enel, head to the nearest island in the sky. I need to find a pirate who came up from the Blue Sea."
"That guy better not think he can escape from my grasp."
…
Just as Bazel was launching a great manhunt across the sky islands, far away in Water 7, located in the first half of the Grand Line.
The Water 7 of this time was far less prosperous than it would be 30 years later.
With the sea level rising year by year, the original Water 7 had long been submerged. The current buildings were merely secondary expansions on the foundations of the original structures.
Even so, this aquatic city remained a highly sought-after shipbuilding hub in the Paradise.
Whether they were pirates or merchants, people loved to stop here.
Spend some Berry, buy a more reliable ship, and prepare for the journey to the New World.
Boom boom boom…
Sudden noises came from the Scrap Island located at the rear of the city.
"Those two bastards..."
A dragon-scale hand reached out from the rubble, pushing aside the scrap materials that had buried him.
"Ochoku, I'll settle this score with you properly later."
Kaido stood up, using his Observation Haki to scan the area. After confirming that the enemies were gone, he reverted from his hybrid form back to his human form.
"Where is this place?"
"Ships?"
Looking at the piles of scrapped ships stacked like small hills around him, Kaido only needed a moment to recognize this iconic location.
Water 7!
"What a coincidence."
Digging out his kanabo from the rubble and slinging it over his shoulder, Kaido strode toward the city.
"Perfect timing to bring back the best shipwright. This trip is another great harvest, Worororo~!"
…
Early November 1492 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
Angel Island.
"Welcome to Angel Island~"
Enel instinctively gripped the dagger at his waist, about to draw it, but a broad hand pressed down on his.
"This is Angel Island, not Birka. No need to be so wary."
After calming Enel, Bazel smiled and nodded at the receptionist with white wings:
"Sorry, it's our first time here. May I ask if you've seen this person?"
At the reception desk, a blonde girl with a few freckles on her face leaned halfway out, carefully studying the sketch in Toki's hand.
"He looks familiar, Marilyn-nee~"
"They're guests from the Blue Sea. Seems like they're looking for a lost companion."
The freckled blonde girl tugged on the tall girl passing by and introduced her to Bazel and the others.
"This is Marilyn. She was the champion of the 'Miss Skypiea' pageant ten years ago."
'Marilyn?'
Bazel suddenly recalled the plump lady who danced with Sanji at the end of the original Skypiea Arc.
He remembered that woman was also named Marilyn and was also a champion...
But the tall, curvaceous beauty with wavy golden hair before him...
"Time is truly a terrifying thing." Bazel sighed with emotion.
"It's this guy… he caused quite a ruckus here not long ago."
Holding a lady's cigarette between her index and middle fingers, Marilyn exhaled a puff of smoke before raising an eyebrow to look at Bazel and the other two.
"Is he your friend?"
"Not exactly a friend. He owes me something. I just want to take back what's mine."
Eight parts truth, two parts lie… Bazel neither confirmed nor denied it.
"Sigh~ ε=(´ο｀*)))"
For some reason, Marilyn let out a sigh.
"I thought if you were his friends, we could get back the money he owes our bar."
"So he owes you Extol too? That guy not only ate and drank without paying but also caused a scene before leaving."
"Not only was our shop damaged, but other stores on Lovely Street were also affected."
'Caused a ruckus, freeloading...'
Bazel put on a look of shared indignation, "Exactly! He caused a huge mess in the Blue Sea too. It's a shame he got away, and we could only chase him here."
"Ara, what a coincidence. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Marilyn pointed at the white-uniformed soldiers patrolling not far away, "If you're in a hurry, you might want to ask them."
"Those people are part of God's guard. Although they have to maintain a serious demeanor for work, they're all good folks who love to help everyone."
"Thank you so much. You've been a great help."
After thanking Marilyn and the other girl, Bazel led Toki and Enel quickly toward the God's guards not far away.
"Aniki..."
Enel tugged at Bazel's sleeve, looking warily at their surroundings.
"You're strong, right? Why be so polite to these people? Just use your fists to make them submit!"
Bazel slowed his pace, reaching out to ruffle Enel's afro, gently patting his head.
"The most effective tool to resolve a matter isn't fists… it's brains."
"Fists are only the most effective tool for dealing with troublemakers. Enel, you need to understand how to use them properly."
"The order matters too, and you must remember one thing firmly."
"A man with great power might at most be called 'great'. But if a man possesses both power and brains~~"
Enel looked up at the man's profile.
"Then he will be called... Monarch."
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