Saul naturally had no knowledge of the Navy's internal movements.
At that moment, he was navigating a small civilian boat with Nico Olvia.
She looked at the giant with complex emotions and asked, "Is this worth it?"
She didn't fully understand his motivation, but she was deeply grateful to her savior.
However, few would give up such favorable treatment and a high rank in the military to save a state criminal with no practical value.
A simple, honest smile spread across Saul's face. "It's alright, Olvia."
"I joined the Navy to pursue the justice in my heart. Now, I am leaving the Navy for the exact same reason—there is no contradiction."
"I thought I might miss the Navy, but this version of it no longer deserves my service. The only one I'm truly worried about now is a good friend, but he's strong enough and well-connected enough that my treason won't affect his career."
Saul recalled his friend with the cold ice abilities, but a heart of fire beneath his spiky hair.
In the Navy, Kuzan was probably the only one who could still understand Saul's perspective.
Olvia felt confused, but her gratitude remained. "Thank you, Saul. If Ohara survives this calamity, you will be our most honored guest."
Saul waved his massive hand dismissively.
This honest giant didn't care about such things.
"I'm helping you simply to uphold the justice in my heart, so there is no need for excessive gratitude. What you need now is to return to Ohara quickly. If we are late, the people of Ohara might not have time to evacuate."
Saul decided to help Nico Olvia return to Ohara.
Alone, an injured woman like her couldn't possibly operate the boat across the treacherous Grand Line. As for whether Ohara could survive the artillery fire of an incoming Buster Call—that wasn't something he needed to consider right now.
"Let's depart!"
After replenishing supplies on a nearby island, they headed straight for Ohara.
Nico Olvia had already contacted Dr. Clover via Den Den Mushi, informing him that Ohara was about to be attacked by a Buster Call.
But instead of following Olvia's frantic suggestion to evacuate the civilians, Dr. Clover focused on carving their precious historical research materials onto stone tablets and sinking them in the deep lake at Ohara's center to preserve them for the future.
...
When Raleigh and Sakazuki received the mobilization notification from Sengoku, Raleigh couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.
No matter when, Raleigh always found himself speechless at the eccentric characters in the world of One Piece.
Especially specimens like Saul and Garp.
He simply couldn't understand why a Vice-Admiral could be so easily swayed by sentimental feelings.
After all, even on a global scale, the rank of Vice-Admiral was quite high.
With the limited number of Admiral positions and their restricted mobility, Navy Vice-Admirals were the authority figures most frequently seen by the world's citizens.
Their status and treatment were no worse than those of some minor kings.
Sakazuki stared darkly at the telegram in his hand, unable to restrain himself from cursing.
"This is simply a disgrace for the Marines! Was Garp not embarrassing enough? Now we have got Saul popping up too!" Sakazuki crushed the paper. "These bastards—just how far are they going to drag the Navy's reputation through the mud?!"
Sakazuki always carried a soldier's ironclad honor, considering the scars he bore from battles with pirates as badges of glory.
He was always the first to charge into battle against pirates, and he showed no mercy even when they surrendered during elimination operations.
This made him particularly furious about people like Garp and Saul betraying the uniform.
He decided that after this mission concluded, he would definitely have a serious talk with Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong about just how many such unreliable individuals remained among the Navy Vice-Admirals.
Seeing the furious Sakazuki, Raleigh comforted him smoothly. "Sakazuki-senpai, there is no need to be so angry."
"This world has too many fools. Getting angry at such fools means you have already lost ground. We shouldn't let their foolish behavior provoke us. The best way to deal with fools is to shatter the naive convictions they hold dear. Just like the matter regarding Roger's descendant."
Under Raleigh's persuasion, Sakazuki restrained his temper, knowing that Raleigh's advice was always sound.
Getting angry with such an idiot would indeed delay his own affairs.
Since Saul wanted to stand on Ohara's side, Sakazuki was determined to obliterate everything on Ohara with artillery fire, making Saul understand the wrath of the Navy.
Saul might still be clinging to the dream of saving Ohara, but soon Sakazuki and Raleigh would show them that under the Buster Call, all are equal in death.
...
The pursuit warships dispatched by Sengoku ultimately failed to catch up with the stolen vessel taken by Saul, though it no longer mattered.
Raleigh and Sakazuki had already crossed Reverse Mountain and headed toward the waters where Ohara was located.
They would blockade the sea around Ohara in advance, ensuring no one could escape the island.
Borsalino and Kuzan would arrive shortly as well.
Normally, an operation like this wouldn't require an Admiral of Sengoku's rank to oversee it in person, but Saul's defiance had provoked Sengoku's temper.
'Fine!' Sengoku had thought.
'I initially thought capturing history explorers was too taxing for you and intended to hand you some easy merits, but you have trampled my dignity underfoot.'
'Then I will make you see how your so-called justice crumbles before sheer firepower.'
...
In the West Blue, near the waters of Ohara, Raleigh and Sakazuki had been stationed for four or five days, and they hadn't been idle during that time.
Since the World Government and the Navy issued their warnings, all of Ohara's external communications had been severed.
Ohara now permitted entry but not exit—of course, Saul and Nico Olvia hadn't encountered the Navy yet.
They had been faster, arriving on Ohara's island before Raleigh and Sakazuki could fully enforce the blockade.
To pass the time, Raleigh and Sakazuki took a few soldiers and sailed a small boat to nearby waters, seeking trouble with local pirates.
However, they returned quickly after effortlessly destroying three pirate crews.
Pirates from the Four Blues were far too weak for them now; even a casual strike could wipe out a group, making it hardly entertaining combat.
After that, Raleigh and Sakazuki stayed aboard their warship and no longer ventured out.
Buru buru buru buru...
The sound of the Den Den Mushi roused Raleigh from his nap.
Enel approached, holding the ringing snail.
"Raleigh-sama, it's a call from Admiral Sengoku."
Raleigh instantly perked up. A call from Sengoku meant everyone had assembled, and the Buster Call could commence at any moment.
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