Three Hours Before the Sky Screen

In the fishing gear warehouse, the man in the floral shirt put the Den Den Mushi back on the table. A breeze blew in through the window, carrying the smell of seawater and fish.

His companion, his sleeves soaked, stood by the wall, sniffed the smell of alcohol on himself, and looked very unwell.

There's something wrong with that barrel of wine.

The man in the floral shirt looked at him.

"What's wrong?"

"The timing of the cork popping open was too perfect."

"Do you think a Tavern owner could know in advance that you're going into the backyard, and still make the barrel leak when you pull out your locator Den Den Mushi?"

The man did not speak.

The woman by the window turned to a new page of the record sheet.

"Target number 314, whose words and actions are typical of an ordinary Tavern owner in the East Blue, but who possesses a high level of judgment regarding the structure of the Sky Screen Curtain questions."

The man in the floral shirt said.

Change "higher" to "abnormal".

The woman looked up.

"You just said you'd keep it under observation."

"Retaining observations and recording abnormalities is not contradictory."

The man with wet sleeves walked to the table.

I suggest taking immediate control.

The man in the floral shirt glanced at him.

"What reason do you have to control it?"

"He interfered with the positioning."

"Where's the evidence?"

The man with wet sleeves rolled up his sleeves, and the Den Den Mushi) was tucked inside its shell, the surface of which was still covered in alcohol.

"This is the evidence."

The man in the floral shirt poured the remaining cold tea from his cup into a crack in the floor.

"You take Tracking Den Den Mushi into someone's backyard, get splashed with a leaky wine barrel, and then complain that they're interfering with your life."

"You can take this to the branch and get the navy to help you arrest them."

The man with wet sleeves suppressed his anger.

"We are the World Government Intelligence System."

The man in the floral shirt pushed his chair back.

That's why we can't be stupid.

There was a two-second silence in the warehouse.

The Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.

The woman answered.

"This is the temporary monitoring point for East Blue Foosha Village."

The Den Den Mushi's face slowly transformed into a masked silhouette.

"Target status."

The woman looked at the man in the floral shirt.

The man in the floral shirt walked over.

"Still inside the Tavern."

"Are there any signs of contact with the Sky Screen System?"

"Not found."

"Is there a hidden device?"

"Unable to confirm."

There was a pause on the Den Den Mushi's end.

"Before the next opening of the Sky Screen, the target must not be alerted."

The man in the floral shirt said.

"If the target exhibits an unusual reaction the instant the Sky Screen opens."

"Record."

"If the target disappears."

"Block the Port and notify all branches in the East Blue."

"If the target resists."

The Den Den Mushi's mask outline got a little closer.

"Capture alive is the priority."

The man in the floral shirt was looking at Den Den Mushi).

"Clear."

The Den Den Mushi snippet) hangs up.

The man with wet sleeves said in a low voice.

"Prioritizing capture alive indicates that the higher-ups also suspect him."

The man in the floral shirt walked to the window and looked at the unassuming Tavern three blocks away.

"The authorities suspect everyone in the East Blue who can read."

The woman said.

"But the problem he just mentioned is the same as the problem with the Sky Screen- locking system."

The man in the floral shirt didn't turn around.

So we're here.

In the Foosha Village Tavern, Lin Qi re-bolted the door and moved two barrels of wine to block the doorway.

On the computer screen, the countdown showed three hours and fourteen minutes remaining.

System prompts appeared one after another.

[The monitoring unit has not left the current area]

[The Tracking Den Den Mushi is expected to be unavailable for two hours and twenty-seven minutes.]

[Question Setter Identity Protection Protocol in effect]

Lin Qi stared at the last line.

What does "maintaining" mean?

The system did not respond.

Lin Qi dragged a chair behind the bar, sat down, but then felt uneasy and got up to look out the window.

A man walked by carrying a fish basket, a child chased after a dog, and two strangers sat at the intersection repairing shoes.

I've been repairing shoes for half an hour, and the soles still haven't been removed.

Lin Qi drew the curtains.

"These people are really idle."

A new notification popped up on the system interface.

[It is recommended that test creators reduce changes in external behavior.]

Lin Qi returned to his chair.

"Does that mean I should continue to play dumb?"

[Yes]

Lin Qi looked at the word, hesitated for a moment, and then asked anyway.

"What if they break in?"

The current Protection Protocol can mask the identity of the question setter, but does not provide conventional armed protection.

Lin Qi remained silent for a moment.

"Your system is quite sophisticated; it protects privacy, but not lives."

[Question setters can redeem temporary protection using Reputation Points]

Lin Qi immediately sat up straight.

"How many."

[Basic Defensive Barrier, lasts for ten minutes, consumes 3,000 Reputation Points]

Lin Qi glanced at the balance in the upper right corner.

Two thousand four hundred and seventy.

He leaned back in his chair.

"You're quite good at business."

[Credit payment mode can be enabled]

Lin Qi's hand stopped on the mouse.

How much interest?

[Increases by 10% every 24 hours]

"You learned that from the World Government, didn't you?"

The system did not respond.

Lin Qi stared at the countdown timer, tapping his finger a few times on the table.

He didn't want to buy on credit.

But he didn't want to be cornered in the Tavern by twelve secret agents.

Footsteps sounded again outside the door.

This time, it didn't stop.

Lin Qi opened the title editing box.

[Question locked: Among the twenty kingdoms that created the World Government, who is the only royal family that refused to become Celestial Dragons?]

[Suggested additional evidence: Historical Nodes left by the Nefertari Royal Family]

[Suggested additional participant: Nicole Robin]

Lin Qi looked at Robin's name.

"She's still in Sabaody, isn't she?"

[Target Nico Robin is currently located in the Sabaody Archipelago region]

"She can read the Alabasta monument."

[Reward awarded; full interpretation capability required]

Lin Qi checked the box for additional participants.

The system prompted for a second confirmation.

[After Nicole Robin is authorized to provide a public interpretation, her location and identity will attract more attention from various forces.]

Lin Qi stopped.

Sabaody Archipelago.

Robin sat in a rented shack, a copy of the Ohara Manuscript spread out on the table.

Nami slightly pulled back the curtains by the window, and after confirming that there were no Marines outside, she closed the curtains again.

"Robin, will you really be the one to interpret the next episode of Sky Screen?"

Robin didn't look up.

"Very likely."

Usopp sat by the door, holding a slingshot.

"Isn't that dangerous? The whole world will know you're more important now."

Chopper held the manuscript by the edge with his hooves, too careful to touch the words.

"But Robin has been wanted for a long time."

Nami looked at Chopper.

"This is not a level."

Zoro leaned against the wall, his sword resting beside his knees.

She will choose for herself.

Luffy crouched down on the ground and looked up at Robin.

"Robin, do you want to see?"

Robin's finger stopped next to Dr. Clover's handwriting.

She looked at it for a while before closing the manuscript.

"Think."

Nami said.

"Then let's see."

Usopp pointed out the window.

"Hey, that's too fast! You just said it was dangerous."

Nami looked at Robin.

She already said she wanted to.

Luffy laughed.

"Then there's no problem."

Robin looked at them, and after a moment, nodded.

"Um."

Old waterways of Alabasta.

Vivi stood inside the golden light curtain; the secret chamber behind the stone door was now fully open.

The black stone tablet stood quietly inside, its inscriptions clearly illuminated by the Golden Light.

Sabo sat at the entrance of the stone chamber, his shoulder wound already bandaged with strips of cloth.

Pell stood against the wall, his left wing withdrawn, his face paler than before.

There was no sound outside.

"Pell said."

Sabo placed the tube across his lap.

"Zero Zero One is still nearby."

Vivi turned around.

How did you know?

He didn't complete his mission, he won't leave.

"Pell said."

"He can't get in either."

Sabo stared at the light barrier.

"Just because he can't get in doesn't mean he can't do anything."

Vivi looked down at the metal mailbox in front of the stone tablet.

"If the next Sky Screen begins, this place will be visible to the whole world."

"Pell said."

"Alabasta will also be seen."

Vivi nodded.

"Therefore, the father will respond publicly."

Sabo looked at her.

Are you scared?

Vivi placed her hand on the brass key.

"Afraid."

Sabo did not respond.

Vivi continued.

"But I was afraid of Crocodile too."

"Luffy asked me back then, 'Why don't you risk your life too?'"

I still remember it to this day.

Pell lowered his gaze.

Your Highness.

Vivi looked up at the countdown in the Sky Screen.

"This time, Alabasta will stake its name on it."

Royal Palace Study.

Cobra sat in front of the Broadcast Den Den Mushi, his cane resting on the side of the chair.

The dragon stood by the window, watching the clouds gradually gather above the capital.

Chaka came in from outside.

"Nationwide broadcasting lines are now connected."

Cobra nodded.

How have the cities reacted?

"Many people are waiting for the Sky Screen to appear on the street."

"Where's the army?"

"The garrison has received orders from the Royal Palace to maintain order and not to attack civilians."

The dragon turned around.

"World Governments may use the chaos as a pretext."

"Cobra said."

"So I should speak first."

The Broadcast Den Den Mushi opened its eyes.

The communications officer reminded him in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, the nationwide routes are ready."

Cobra picked up the microphone.

His hands were trembling slightly.

Vivi isn't here.

But he knew she was under the sand, standing in front of that door.

"People of Alabasta."

In the streets of the royal capital, in the Port Taverns, and by the desert oasis, all the Den Den Mushi simultaneously broadcast the king's voice.

"I am Cobra."

"The next roundup of Sky Screen is about to begin."

"The name Neferutari will be mentioned."

I will neither deny it for you in advance, nor will I admit it for you in advance.

I'll only tell you one thing.

"The royal family will hear the truth together with the country."

The dragon looked at Cobra.

Cobra continued.

"If our ancestors did the right thing, we will bear the consequences of that right thing."

"If our ancestors made mistakes, we will also face the debt left by those mistakes."

"No troops may leave their posts before the Sky Screen falls."

"No city should close its streets."

Everyone has the right to hear history.

The broadcast has ended.

No one in the study spoke immediately.

Chaka bowed in greeting.

"Your Majesty, I'll make the arrangements."

Cobra put down the microphone and placed his palm on the table.

"Dragon said."

You've put yourself in front of everyone.

Cobra looked out the window.

"My daughter is already standing there."

Outer harbor of the Marine Headquarters.

Five CP0 officers remain on the judicial ship.

The leader, Zero Seven, watched the countdown in the sky.

A marine walked onto the pier carrying documents.

"Routine inspection at Marine Headquarters."

Zero Seven didn't move.

"We belong to an agency directly under the World Government."

The marine handed over the documents.

"The Fleet Admiral orders all armed vessels in the outer harbor to submit berthing procedures."

Zero Seven looked at him.

Do you know who you're asking for the paperwork from?

The marine swallowed hard.

"Know."

Zero Seven took the document and tore it open.

The piece of paper fell onto the deck.

The marine's expression changed.

The next second, Kizaru's voice came from the other end of the pier.

"Oh dear, this is going to be difficult."

Zero Seven looked up.

Kizaru stood in the mist, holding a half-finished cup of coffee in his hand.

"My naval paperwork has been torn up; I'm in a difficult position to explain myself when I get back."

Zero Seven said.

"Admiral Kizaru, you are obstructing the World Government's mission."

Kizaru took a sip of coffee.

"I'm just here to inquire about the procedures."

The woman behind Zero Seven placed her hand on her waist.

Kizaru glanced at her.

"Don't rush, the Sky Screen hasn't risen yet."

Marine Headquarters dormitory area.

Kuzan, wearing a navy overcoat, stepped out of the room.

At the end of the corridor, several young marines saw him and immediately stood at attention.

"Admiral Aokiji."

Kuzan paused for a moment.

"Go to the square."

Marine asked.

"Now?"

Kuzan looked up at the sky.

The countdown begins to tick in the last minute before it reaches zero.

"Now."

East Blue Tavern.

Lin Qi sat in front of the computer, his finger on the confirmation button.

The system notification has turned gold.

[The next roundup is coming soon]

[Multiple forces have been detected entering a state of high pressure]

[It is recommended that the question setter confirm the safety measures.]

Lin Qi glanced at the door, then at the window.

Three blocks away, a man in a floral shirt stood by a warehouse window.

At the outer harbor, Kizaru and CP0 faced each other across the pier.

In the old waterway, Vivi stood before the stone tablet.

Sabaody, Robin looked up.

Lin Qi gritted his teeth.

"Activate basic protection, pay on credit."

[Basic Defensive Barriers have been purchased]

[Current Reputation Points: -530]

Lin Qi's expression darkened further as he looked at the negative number.

"Let's begin."

In the sky, the countdown reached zero.

The golden Sky Screen lit up.

[The Pirate World's Ten Great Hidden Truths]

[First Phase]

[Among the twenty kingdoms that created the World Government, who is the only royal family that refused to become Celestial Dragons?]