Aftershocks Linger, Arrival at Hachinosu

New World Seas - Perfume Yuda

The night was as dark as ink, and the sea breeze stirred the scarlet curtains on the deck.

Boa Hancock leaned alone against the ship's railing, her hands on the railing, letting the sea breeze blow through her long hair and the hem of her dress.

The red dress swayed gently in the night breeze, like the afterimage of a flame.

Her right leg was simply bandaged with coarse cloth, but it still ached slightly.

However, the physical pain was nothing compared to the turmoil in his heart.

Shakky walked slowly to her side, remained silent for a long time, and then softly asked, "Boa Hancock, are you alright?"

Boa Hancock did not respond, but her fingertips unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt, her knuckles turning white from the force.

Those scenes still linger in my mind: the humiliation of being slapped away, the helplessness of shattering the "Pistol Kiss," the shame of kneeling and begging...

Her voice was hoarse, but she tried her best to remain calm. "Aunt Xia..."

"Are there really people in this world who look down on the Celestial Dragons?"

Shakky paused, gazing at the receding silhouette of Dressrosa in the distance, and gave a bitter smile.

She paused, a complex mix of nostalgia flashing in her eyes. "But thinking about it carefully, there have been people like that before."

Lost in despair Boa Hancock didn't hear Shakky's murmur. She lowered her head, her long hair obscuring her face, but unable to hide the trembling in her voice:

"What gives him the right... to act so brazenly in front of the Five Elders...?"

"And I... don't even have the courage to face my past..."

Her fingernails had already dug into her palms, but she was completely unaware.

The once invincible "Pirate Empress" is now nothing more than a confused woman questioning her own existence.

Shakky remained silent, but she knew in her heart:

The man named "Roy" has cast an indelible shadow over Boa Hancock's fate.

Off the coast of Dressrosa - Marine warships

After confirming Yixiao's statement, Roy returned to the Warship.

He had barely sat down when the Den Den Mushi rang again with a "blur blur".

He glanced at it, then answered the call indifferently. The Den Den Mushi instantly transformed, revealing a face with white hair and beard and a dignified gaze.

--The Five Elders, Saint Saturn.

"Roy, regarding the replacements for the Shichibukai..."

Before he could finish speaking, Roy interrupted, "You decide for yourselves."

"I have no interest in this kind of childish game."

His tone was undisguisedly cold, and without waiting for a response, Roy hung up the phone without hesitation.

The Den Den Mushi slammed shut with a crisp click.

He leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window at the horizon, as if that unknown sea was more worthy of his attention than the so-called "system".

After hanging up the phone, at the Holy Land Mary Geoise Power Hall

The "snap" of the Den Den Mushi disconnecting still echoed in the air as the Five Elders sat around the long table in silence for a long time.

Saint Saturn put down the Den Den Mushi, his face ashen. "Roy... his attitude towards the Seven Warlords of the Sea system is becoming increasingly hardline."

Saint Nusjuro frowned, his voice low. "No wonder he's impatient; this time it really is the Shichibukai's fault."

"If he hadn't been there, the events in Dressrosa would likely have been another disaster."

Saint Mars snorted coldly, "These Pirates are all incredibly audacious."

"Does he really think that his status as Shichibukai is a shield that allows him to do whatever he wants?"

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter looked at Saint Saturn with unease. "Has it been found out? Was Roy's trip to Dressrosa a spur-of-the-moment decision or premeditated?"

Saint Saturn remained silent, while Saint Warcury, glancing down at the intelligence files, calmly replied, "There is indeed a deployment."

"He's been keeping an eye on that Gravity Devil Fruit User, the Blind Traveler, Issho."

"Intelligence indicates that Roy deployed his intelligence network a month ago to track Yixiao's movements."

"It's just that the Shichibukai' troubles happened to coincide with his preparation period."

Saint Mars rubbed his temples and muttered under his breath, "What a bunch of idiots."

"Why did you have to provoke him? Why did you have to run into his gun?"

"He's Pirate to begin with; how could he possibly survive if he fell into his hands?"

Saint Saturn tapped his knuckles lightly on the table, saying each word clearly, "Regardless of his opinion, the Seven Warlords of the Sea system cannot be abolished for the time being."

Public opinion is still observing; the 'balance' has not yet been broken.

His gaze shifted. "Have CP0 begin immediately to screen candidates for the Shichibukai."

"As long as you're strong enough, you don't have to be Pirate."

We need someone to fill this position.

Everyone nodded.

But everyone knows that adding more people won't make a difference.

Roy's attitude was clear— the Shichibukai system wouldn't last long.

Marine warship deck

The night wind howled, brushing against the solitary, upright figure on the deck.

Roy stood at the bow of the ship, his coat billowing in the wind. Behind him, several marines were escorting the critically wounded and dying Hanafuda.

He was covered in blood, his head hanging low, and he didn't even have the strength to struggle. The chains were crisscrossed, and the Seastone locks bound his hands and feet tightly, dragging on the deck with a dull thud.

Roy glanced back. "Lock him in the hull for now. Save his life for later; he'll be useful later."

"Yes, sir!" The marine immediately obeyed.

Roy withdrew his gaze, looked at the distant horizon, and narrowed his eyes. "Hanafuda..."

"I think he's Kaido's best friend..."

A sea breeze swept in, and the horizon seemed to undulate slightly in response to those words.

The following day, in the New World Seas, near Hachinosu.

As dawn breaks, the light pierces through the layers of clouds and spills across the vast sea, its golden rays dancing and illuminating the once tranquil waters where war is about to erupt.

A large naval battleship slowly sailed into the waters near Hachinosu. Its hull was covered with Black Steel Armor, and it was armed with heavy cannons and towers that stood like a city.

The bow of the ship cut through the waves, which churned and startled flocks of seabirds.

On the bow deck, Gion, draped in Coat of Justice, her black hair flying, held the Kompira quietly in her hand, its blade trembling slightly, as if she couldn't wait to drink blood.

Not far behind them, Ace and Luffy stood side by side, gazing at the increasingly clear outline of Hachinosu ahead, their faces filled with undisguised excitement and fighting spirit.

"We're almost there..." Ace smiled slightly, flames faintly swirling around the back of his hand, his gaze burning with intense heat.

"I'm used to Roy's ability to teleport away in Teleportation..."

Luffy turned his head and complained nonchalantly, "Suddenly having to endure this kind of slow, steady voyage, my stomach's practically empty!"

Ace laughed and said, "You're not hungry, you're just craving something sweet."

Luffy's eyes sharpened, and he turned to Gion: "Gion! How are we going to fight this time?!"

"Should we just charge in and start beating them up?!"

His eyes shone, his fists were clenched, and he was as excited as a child who couldn't wait to get out of school and get ready to fight.

Gion didn't turn back; her gaze, like an eagle's, was fixed on the distance.

The coastline of Hachinosu is now within sight, and the Pirate camp has already received intelligence and is on high alert.

The Black Pirate Flag fluttered high, and rows of cannons and bunkers covered the defensive line like a hedgehog.

In the very center, Ochoku, clad in a black robe, stood on a high platform, coldly gazing at the approaching Warship.

Gion's eyes were cold, but a mocking smile played on her lips, "A bunch of rabble dares to dream of becoming emperor?"

She slowly turned her head and glanced indifferently at the eager boy. "Luffy."

"We'll give them a 'greeting gift' later."

Luffy grinned and roared with high spirits:

"Hehe! Leave it to me!!"