Kuja's Secret Talks! Roy's Abrupt Arrival!

"Now that it can be made, Doctor..."

Roy's voice was indifferent as he lightly traced a line in the air with his finger.

"Buzz--"

The space suddenly rippled, and a figure was forcibly dragged out and slammed heavily onto the cold Laboratory Table!

Kuina and Zoro instantly drew their swords in alert, while Ace's expression hardened.

The next second, their pupils simultaneously contracted. "Charlotte Oven?!"

Oven, his face filled with horror, struggled to his feet in a disheveled state. He still bore the faint traces of injuries he sustained on Whole Cake Island, clearly a prisoner that Roy had casually "taken away" during the chaos of war.

However, Roy didn't even look at him directly, but simply raised his palm.

"Buzz--!"

A dark spatial Spiral suddenly opened, and a terrifying gravitational pull locked Oven's body in place!

"Ah--!"

A heart-wrenching scream echoed throughout the Laboratory as his body was pinned down, as if his bones were being pulverized!

The next instant, a surge of scorching energy was forcibly ripped out from deep within his chest!

The fiery demonic power struggled and roared, but was ultimately stripped away, condensing into a Vermilion energy core, like a burning heart, pulsating in Roy's palm.

"The Heat-Heat Fruit..." Roy's gaze was cold as he whispered.

The ordinary fruit he had prepared beforehand was enveloped by spatial power and forcibly fused with that energy core!

"Click--"

The peel twisted violently, with deep red lines spreading out, as if flames were burning on the surface of the fruit.

In an instant, a brand new Heat-Heat Fruit was reborn, its scorching aura wafting towards us!

Roy casually tossed it to Vegapunk, his tone calm. "Help me fuse it into a ring."

The oppressive atmosphere in the air made everyone hold their breath.

Ace stared intently at the crimson fruit, his fists clenched uncontrollably.

He knew perfectly well that this was a power Roy had specifically prepared for him.

"Roy..." he murmured softly, his voice hoarse, a near-fanatical flame burning within his chest!

Vegapunk took the fruit, trembling all over, his eyes gleaming, and laughed maniacally, "Give me a month, and I'll get it for you!"

"Another groundbreaking masterpiece is about to be born!!"

While Vegapunk was still laughing maniacally about the idea of fusing the "Heat-Heat Fruit," the encrypted Den Den Mushi in Roy suddenly started clicking.

That was the encrypted channel of the Special Intelligence Division: "Vice Admiral Roy, the location of the Red Hair Pirates you requested has been confirmed."

His voice was deep and clear, carrying the cold, hard quality characteristic of a soldier.

Roy smiled slightly, "Yes, thank you for your hard work."

After hanging up, he turned to Ace, Zoro, and Kuina and instructed them, "You go to Wano Country first. I'll go find a 'test subject' and be there shortly."

The three of them froze simultaneously. "An experiment? Red-Hair?!"

Ace paused for a moment, then pressed, "Wano Country? Roy, what are you planning to do? That's Kaido's stronghold!"

Roy glanced at him, but his smile fell on the cracked Famous Sword [Yubashiri] at Zoro's waist.

"Zoro, it's time to change your sword."

"Buzz--"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Zoro stood there stunned, then his breathing became rapid, and his eyes flashed with a fanatical fighting spirit!

"Really?! Although I've always had a smooth grip on the Yubashiri, I've long felt that it can no longer keep up with my current slashes!!"

Roy nodded slightly. " In Wano Country, there is a Great Grade Sword [Enma], which is the monster blade that once cut down Kaido. It is known as 'a sword that can destroy even hell'."

This sword can unleash the user's "Ryuo" (a powerful aura) without permission, but ordinary people who use it will usually have their Haki drained and die. Are you confident you can subdue it?

Zoro's eyes burned with fury as he gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. "Enma...! I will make it submit!!"

Roy then turned to Ace, his gaze softening. "And take 'Tama' back to Marine Headquarters. That child shouldn't remain in that Purgatory place."

Ace's expression changed upon hearing this, then he grinned and said, "I understand, Roy!"

Kuina nodded silently, her eyes sharp, clearly ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zoro.

The three men stood at attention and saluted in unison, then responded loudly, "Yes, sir!"

"Buzz--"

The Spatial Gate opened, and the three stepped inside, their figures vanishing in an instant.

Once again, only Roy and Vegapunk remained in the Laboratory.

Roy casually tossed the menacing, massive black Sniper Rifle into his personal storage space and chuckled softly.

"Then... it's time to open the first Blood Blade for 'Death Omen Star'."

Amazon Lily Council Chamber

The Red Voss was quietly moored in Kuja Port.

Shanks, accompanied by Ben Benn Beckman and Lucky Roux, entered Kuja Castle, guided by Kikyo.

Along the way, the Kuja Warriors wore light armor and carried bows and crossbows, but the three of them had solemn expressions, without a trace of romantic thoughts. Their steps were firm and resolute, carrying a sense of urgency in forming an alliance.

Upon entering, the conference room was already packed.

Boa Hancock sat high on the Throne, her posture still haughty and aloof;

Rayleigh and Shakky stood on either side, with Flame Flower standing below.

Over the past two years, Rayleigh's spinal injury has healed, and his breathing is steady. He nodded slightly when he saw Shanks.

Shanks skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, his tone calm. "Boa Hancock, you've seen the Navy's actions these days."

The Poneglyphs have been stolen, Totto Land has been destroyed... their next target is likely the Seven Warlords of the Sea system!

"You need to make a decision—join our Alliance and fight the naval threat together!"

Boa Hancock tapped her long, slender fingers lightly on the armrest of her Throne, her eyes haughty and indifferent. "I am still one of the Shichibukai. I do not believe the Navy will take action against Kuja."

She parted her red lips slightly, her voice arrogant. "Besides, can your so-called Alliance really stand against the current navy?"

Flame Flower immediately chimed in, her voice shrill. "That's right! Allying with the Four Emperors will only provoke a more ferocious retaliation from the Navy!"

Shakky exhaled a smoke ring and slowly said, "But the Navy's 'Absolute Proclamation' is no joke. The Seven Warlords of the Sea system... could very well be abolished."

Rayleigh gently stroked the hilt of his sword and spoke in a low voice, "Shanks' suggestion deserves serious consideration, Boa Hancock. If the Navy spirals out of control, Kuja will certainly not be able to escape unscathed."

The debate in the room gradually intensified, and the air seemed to freeze.

Just then--

A lazy, amused voice suddenly broke in. "Oh~ everyone's having such a lively chat?"

"How about... I can join in?"

"Buzz--"

The space suddenly rippled, and a tall figure silently appeared in the center of the Council Chamber.

The entire hall fell into a sudden, deathly silence!

Shanks' Conqueror's Haki erupted instantly, causing the air to explode!

Benn Beckman steadily raised his gun, aiming straight for Roy's brow!

Lucky Roux bit into the bone, but his eyes were colder than steel!

The armrest of Boa Hancock's Throne cracked with a "crack," and her pupils were fixed on Roy!

Rayleigh's hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, its sharpness concealed yet ready to strike at any moment!

Shakky's pipe fell out of her mouth with a "clink," her eyes filled with shock!

Roy seemed oblivious to the hostility of the crowd, and pulled up a chair to sit down.

"Continue~ Aren't we supposed to be discussing how to deal with the navy?"

"I'm a Vice Admiral, after all... I can offer some professional advice, right?"