Clink—
The palm-sized mirror fell onto the seawater-soaked ground with a soft metallic chime, splashing droplets into the air.
Mohji's expression darkened as he stared at the mirror—
and at the spot where Charlotte Cracker had vanished.
They had snatched him away—
right under their noses!
"Another Devil Fruit ability… someone was assisting them?"
Marianne's face turned serious. She rose to her feet, planting one foot firmly on Charlotte Snack's body while scanning the surroundings.
If Cracker could be taken—
then Snack could be next.
"Damn it!"
"Show yourself!!"
Furious, Mohji raised his foot to smash the mirror.
"Wait."
A calm voice stopped him.
Mohji froze mid-step and turned quickly.
"Vice-Captain?"
"Bring me the mirror," Conrad said.
Though confused, Mohji obeyed, picking it up and handing it over.
Under the watchful eyes of Marianne, Buggy, and Uta—
Conrad examined the mirror briefly.
Then—
he reached into the air—
and a golden key materialized in his hand.
He inserted it into the mirror—
and twisted.
Ripples spread across its surface.
"I said it already."
"You won't escape."
He stepped forward—
and entered the rippling surface.
Whoosh!
Conrad vanished into the Mirror World.
The mirror slipped from his hand—
but Mohji quickly caught it, exchanging uncertain looks with the others as they waited.
Mirror World
A surreal space filled with crimson and violet blocks.
Mirrors of all shapes and sizes floated everywhere.
This—
was the realm within mirrors.
"Brother!"
Brûlée, the user of the Mirror-Mirror Fruit, looked at the unconscious Cracker, panic etched across her aged face.
Beside her stood another figure—
wearing a black top hat, with wavy blond hair.
Sabo.
His fists clenched tightly.
His face was grave.
He hadn't expected Karasu—
their strongest fallback—
to be defeated.
And Reis Max…
Through the mirrors, Sabo had witnessed his death.
Even worse—
two Sweet Commanders—
Cracker and Snack—
had fallen as well.
This outcome—
Was beyond even his worst expectations.
"…Total failure."
He exhaled slowly, glancing at the trembling Brûlée.
Anger. Fear. Frustration.
Their alliance with the Big Mom Pirates—
should have had at least a seventy percent success rate—
especially with the Magic Eye Pirates' captain absent.
Yet—
everything had collapsed.
Sabo shook his head.
There was no point dwelling on it now.
"We leave. Immediately."
"No! We can't abandon Snack!"
Brûlée protested nervously.
Sabo shook his head again, firm.
"They've already noticed your ability."
"We won't get another chance."
If it were possible—
he would have rescued Karasu too.
But he knew—
surprise worked only once.
Brûlée hesitated, shrinking back in fear.
"Then…"
Before she could finish—
a cold voice echoed through the Mirror World.
"None of you are leaving."
Sabo's expression changed instantly.
He turned—
and saw Conrad standing there.
Inside the Mirror World.
"How is that possible?!"
"How did you get in here?!"
Brûlée screamed in panic, collapsing to the ground.
"Run!" Sabo roared—
charging toward the nearest mirror.
Outside
They hadn't waited long.
Ripples formed in midair—
and—
THUD!
Cracker was thrown out first, crashing to the ground.
Then—
Conrad emerged—
holding two unconscious figures.
Brûlée.
And Sabo.
"Vice-Captain!"
Mohji, Marianne, and Buggy hurried forward.
Uta tilted her head, curiously observing the captives—
then instinctively took a small step back.
"She looks like a witch…"
she muttered, sticking out her tongue.
Thud! Thud!
Conrad dropped them onto the ground.
"Lock them up."
"Wait for the captain to return before dealing with them."
"As for the rest—kill them all."
His tone was calm.
But absolute.
Buggy and Mohji stiffened.
Uta, however, showed no hesitation.
She had grown to love Gran Tesoro.
The happiness of its people—
was real.
And anyone who threatened it—
was no different from the pirates she despised.
"Understood."
Elsewhere — Grand Line (First Half)
A massive warship sailed across the sea.
Old.
Worn.
And its flag—
was not the Marine emblem.
Instead—
a black banner bearing a skull pierced by a cross-shaped sword.
Not quite pirates.
Not quite Marines.
On deck—
soldiers in black Marine uniforms stood in formation.
Disciplined.
Hardened.
Elite.
High above—
Yuuki
As if waiting.
Then—
his eyes lit up.
The matter with Whitebeard had concluded.
But he hadn't returned yet.
Instead—
he had come here.
"…Sabo, huh."
A faint smile appeared.
This—
was unexpected.
One brother captured by the Marines.
Another—
by him.
"Things just got more interesting."
He murmured.
Through Conrad—
he had already grasped the situation.
The Cause
Originally—
Sabo hadn't regained his memories yet.
That only happened after Ace's death at Marineford.
But now—
he remembered everything.
Because of—
the Magic Eye Cross.
The Revolutionary Army had obtained some.
And its healing effect—
had restored Sabo's lost memories early.
A small deviation—
but enough.
Dragon and Sabo had begun watching Yuuki closely.
This invasion—
was not just reconnaissance.
They wanted to know—
why he was targeting Luffy.
Meanwhile — Big Mom's Motive
Simple.
She wanted Gran Tesoro.
Yuuki tapped his knee lightly.
"I thought Kaido would move first."
He shook his head.
"Figures. He's reckless—but not stupid."
"Still… it doesn't matter which Emperor makes the first move."
His gaze dropped—
toward the warship below.
He vanished.
On the Ship
Wind fluttered his white shirt as he appeared atop the mast.
Below—
black-uniformed soldiers stood like statues.
Different from regular Marines.
Sharper.
Deadlier.
"Impressive."
"To train the Admirals… and an army like this."
He smiled faintly.
"Who goes there?!"
A powerful figure burst out—
dark skin, long black hair.
Shuzo.
He kicked off the air—
launching himself upward.
In an instant—
he appeared beside Yuuki—
leg swinging down with tremendous force.
But—
whoosh—
Yuuki vanished.
"…Dodged?"
Shuzo's Observation Haki locked on—
above him.
Before he could react—
a foot pressed lightly on his head.
BOOM!!
His face turned pale.
Blood burst from his mouth—
as his body plummeted downward.
"Plant Rampage!"
Vines erupted from the deck—
catching him—
but even then—
they snapped under the force.
"Thanks, Binz!"
Shuzo roared—
launching upward again—
faster than before.
"Soru!"
At the same time—
Binz unleashed a torrent of vines.
"Whoever you are—"
"You're dead the moment you came here!!"
Shuzo's arms spread wide—
his long-arm tribe joints extending further.
"Rokushiki: Tekkai—Triple Chain Lasso!"
Haki surged.
Black lightning crackled faintly.
But—
as he saw Yuuki standing calmly in midair—
watching—
without even a flicker of emotion—
his heart skipped.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
The vines—
suddenly reversed direction—
binding Shuzo's legs.
"What are you doing, Binz?!"
Shuzo shouted in shock.
Below—
Binz himself looked horrified.
He had lost control.
"Plant Magic: Manipulation."
The calm voice echoed.
Then—
the vines whipped downward—
slamming Shuzo into Binz.
BOOM!!
Both were sent crashing into the deck—
with a thunderous impact.
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