A chaotic battle erupted among the four pirates on the island.
Although Bundy World constantly searched for opportunities to escape, he never found one.
Every time he showed the slightest intention of fleeing, the other powerful pirates would immediately turn their attacks on him.
After a long while...
While Whitebeard, Golden Lion Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, and Bundy World continued their fierce battle on the island, three more figures arrived.
Silver Axe.
Wang Zhi.
Captain John.
Three former officers of the Rocks Pirates had finally reached the island.
"Damn it. Can a single set of Pluton blueprints really attract this many people?"
Bundy World's expression darkened as he stared at the three newcomers stepping onto the island.
Including himself, there were now seven people on the island.
And not a single one of them was weak.
Aside from Bundy World, every person present had once been an officer of the Rocks Pirates.
For the sake of the Pluton blueprints, this was the first time the remnants of the Rocks Pirates had gathered in one place.
"John, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi."
Floating in the sky, Shiki looked down at the newcomers with cold eyes.
"Just the three of you think you can compete for the Pluton blueprints?"
Although Shiki and the three had all been officers under Rocks, there were differences even among officers.
Both his strength and bounty had surpassed theirs back in the day.
As proud as he was, Shiki naturally looked down on them.
"Perhaps none of us can beat you one-on-one."
Captain John rested a hand on the sword at his waist and replied coldly.
"But the three of us are working together."
"Do you really think you can defeat all three of us at once?"
They were fully aware that their individual strength wasn't enough to seize the Pluton blueprints.
The moment they arrived on the island, they had already agreed to form an alliance.
Only by joining forces could they avoid being treated as insignificant by the others.
"Weaklings always like gathering in groups."
Shiki sneered disdainfully.
"Heh..."
Silver Axe let out a cold laugh.
"We'll be taking the Pluton blueprints."
Wang Zhi's eyes narrowed.
"And when we do, you'll be the first to die, Shiki."
"It seems you don't intend to live past tomorrow."
A savage grin appeared on Shiki's face.
"In that case, I'll happily grant your wish."
"Hey, Shiki."
Charlotte Linlin suddenly spoke up.
"How about we join forces and drive those three little brats off the island first?"
The fewer people on the island, the greater her chances of obtaining the Pluton blueprints.
"Damn it."
Captain John's expression immediately darkened.
If Shiki and Linlin joined forces, they wouldn't have the slightest confidence in remaining on the island.
"This is bad."
Silver Axe tightened his grip on his axe.
"It looks like the Pluton blueprints were never meant for us."
A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"Are you joking with me, Linlin?"
Shiki lit a cigar and glanced at her coldly.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Linlin laughed strangely.
"I'm the Golden Lion."
Shiki's voice was filled with pride.
He had no interest in joining forces with anyone.
"What a shame, Shiki."
Linlin shook her head with slight disappointment.
"That's a relief."
Silver Axe and the others visibly relaxed.
Shiki's arrogance gave them room to stand their ground on the island.
Without wasting any more words, the seven pirates plunged into a massive free-for-all battle.
...
Meanwhile...
North Blue, somewhere at sea.
The Marines had finally mobilized.
Leading the operation were Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru.
Alongside them were numerous elite Marine Vice Admirals.
The assembled force was so overwhelming that anyone who saw it would be intimidated.
Aboard a Marine warship, Sengoku was currently speaking with Fleet Admiral Kong through a Den Den Mushi.
"I understand."
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku hung up the call.
"So Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is is participating in the fight for the blueprints too?"
Garp took a sip of tea before slowly setting the cup down.
For once, the usual carefree expression was gone from his face.
Even he looked somewhat serious.
"According to Kong, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is is currently suspected of harboring thoughts of betraying the World Government."
Sengoku rested his chin on his hands as he spoke heavily.
"Our primary mission is to do everything possible to prevent him from obtaining the blueprints."
No matter how he looked at it, Sengoku couldn't believe Is would betray the World Government.
Unfortunately, those were orders from above.
There wasn't much room for questioning them.
"Does Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is really have any intention of betraying the World Government?"
Garp voiced his doubts directly.
"No one knows."
Tsuru answered calmly.
"But don't forget that none of Is's subordinates are ordinary people."
"They don't belong to the World Government."
"They belong solely to Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is and obey only him."
"With so many powerful followers under his command, it's not impossible that he might eventually become unwilling to serve beneath others and attempt to turn against the World Government."
"I don't believe Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is would betray the World Government."
Garp spoke firmly.
"Those matters are disputes within the World Government itself."
Sengoku picked up his tea and took another sip.
"They have nothing to do with us Marines."
"We just need to focus on doing our jobs, Garp."
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