Undercurrents in Sabaody

Under the blazing sun, the sea shimmered with a silvery sheen as small Warships cleaved through the waves and sped away.

On the deck, Luffy, Ace, Nami, Sanji, and Usopp sat in a circle, the atmosphere both exciting and distinctly oppressive.

Luffy, with a large piece of Barbecue stuffed in his mouth, mumbled indistinctly, "Going on a mission is one thing... but why did you come along Nami?"

"Bang!!"

Nami's fist slammed mercilessly into his head, instantly raising a large bump.

"Don't underestimate me! I'm a full-fledged naval officer, not some pretty face you might imagine!!"

"Ouch! It hurts so much!!"

Luffy clutched his head, tears welling in his eyes, and shouted, "I was just worried you'd be in danger... After all, this mission is pretty difficult..."

Ace leaned against the railing, arms crossed, his expression unusually serious. "Luffy is right."

This time, we're going to be dealing with Jozu and Vista, the former top division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Sanji slowly exhaled a smoke ring, his brow furrowed. "I never imagined our first official mission would be to wipe out the remnants of a former Four Emperors crew... Mr. Roy is ruthless."

Usopp's legs trembled uncontrollably. "Such a difficult mission... Can I... can I ask for leave and not go?!"

"You're already on board, why are you still doing this?!"

Luffy grinned and patted Usopp on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Ace and I are here! Everything will be fine!"

Usopp, looking dejected, cried out, "I've never felt safe talking to you!!"

Pirate King -style flashback - two days ago

Inside the meeting room, the location of the Sabaody Archipelago was marked on a tactical sand table.

Roy stood in the center, his gaze sweeping over Luffy, Ace, Nami, Sanji, and Usopp. "You five, escort Marco through the Sabaody Archipelago."

"Task details--"

"Annihilate the remaining leaders of Whitebeard's crew, 'Diamond' Jozu and 'Flower Sword' Vista."

"And any other surviving squad leaders who may appear."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire conference room fell into dead silence.

Ace's pupils constricted sharply. "Annihilate Jozu and Vista?!"

Luffy tilted his head and asked, "Who are they? Are they strong?"

Nami's face instantly turned pale. "You idiot! That's a top-tier fighter from the former Four Emperors Whitebeard Pirates! I heard he can even hold his own against Admiral!"

Sanji nearly dropped his cigarette, muttering incredulously, "First mission... and this is the level of opponent?!"

Usopp's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground. "I'm doomed... I'm going to die on Sabaody Archipelago..."

Zephyr frowned slightly. "Roy, isn't it too early for those two?"

Roy remained calm. "This is a trial, but also an opportunity."

"Prove through battle that you are capable of standing on your own."

Ace took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, "Are you sure they'll appear in the Sabaody Archipelago?"

"The underground intelligence has been released."

Roy's gaze sharpened. "The World Government deliberately released the news that Marco would be executed after the parade, and the route would inevitably pass through the Sabaody Archipelago. They will not stand idly by."

"Secondly, there's another task," Roy paused, then finished his sentence.

The expressions on everyone's faces in the conference room changed.

Bringing his thoughts back to reality, Ace looked at the silent Roy beside him, his brow furrowing slightly. "Roy, we can actually manage, you don't need to keep following us..."

Roy turned to look at the group. "Don't worry, I came along... just in case."

"Just in case?" The group exchanged bewildered glances.

Roy looked up at the horizon. "Just in case some old guy... wants to use his own life to clear obstacles for the so-called New Era of Pirates."

"After all, the situation is different now than before, and some people lurking in the shadows are getting quite anxious..."

Silence fell on the deck after these words were spoken.

Nami and Sanji exchanged a glance, vaguely sensing a huge undercurrent lurking behind them;

Usopp's face paled, and he couldn't help but whisper, "That old man... he's not one of the ones I'm thinking of, is he...?"

Ace was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand... But, Roy, we won't let you do it this time."

Roy glanced at the group of teenagers. "I believe in you. Go ahead and do it."

Meanwhile, in a secluded room somewhere in the Sabaody Archipelago's Lawless Zone

The dim chandelier swayed precariously from the ceiling, emitting a faint glow.

The narrow wooden cabin was filled with the smell of sea salt and rust, and a rough route map lay spread out on the wooden table.

Four figures sat around the table, their faces so gloomy they seemed frozen in place.

They are the core remnants of the former Whitebeard Pirates:

Former Third Division Captain "Diamond" Jozu: His physique is like a wall of steel, his fists are thicker than a bowl, and his eyes flash with violent rage.

Former Fifth Division Captain, "Flower Sword" Vista: His two swords lay quietly across his lap, yet he himself resembled a Razor about to be drawn from its sheath.

Former veteran "Ice Witch" Whitey Bay: Her fingers lightly tapped the table, her face was cold and stern, and her brows carried a deep chill.

Former Elder Aipoita: His eyes flickered with hesitation and anger, as if he might slam his fist on the table at any moment.

Jozu spoke in a deep voice, "Whitey Bay, has the intelligence been confirmed?"

Whitey Bay nodded slowly, his finger pausing lightly on the table. "Yes."

"The World Government has gone mad, insisting on publicly parading and executing Marco... and the Sabaody Archipelago is the only way through."

Aipoita frowned, her voice trembling with unease. "But... what about Roy? How could he possibly allow something like this to happen?"

A flash of anger crossed Whitey Bay's eyes, and he sneered, "According to reliable sources, Roy is extremely dissatisfied with this, but the World Government has forcibly suppressed it..."

The leader was just a Commodore.

"Boom!"

Upon hearing this, Jozu slammed his fist heavily on the table, instantly creating a deep dent in the sturdy wooden board, sending debris flying everywhere.

His eyes burned with rage. "This is definitely a trap! They want to take this opportunity to wipe us all out!"

The air in the room suddenly froze, and the silence was so oppressive that it was almost suffocating.

Vista leaned back in his chair, his fingertips slowly tracing the hilt of his sword. "Even if it's a trap..."

"We have no way out; this is our only chance!"

For a moment, Whitey Bay and Aipoita remained silent. The candlelight flickered, casting long shadows on the wall, like silent beasts.

A moment later, Vista slowly raised his head, a sharp glint in his eyes. "However, we still have one last chance!"

"On the Sabaody Archipelago, there is someone even the navy fears."

Whitey Bay and Aipoita were both taken aback, their eyes filled with shock and confusion. "You mean...?"

Vista slowly stood up. "We'll draw the war to him..."

"Rescue Marco amidst the chaos when the navy is unable to focus its efforts!"

Jozu's eyes widened, then he slammed his fist into his palm, producing a dull thud.

"Let's do it!"

The candle flame snapped with a "pop," its flickering light illuminating the four people's resolute and determined faces.