Straw Hats Set Out, CP Infiltrates

Marine Headquarters

"Little Roman, just let us know if you need anything..."

"Yes, Vice Admiral Tsuru."

"That old bastard Golden Lion!" Garp, with his full head of silver hair, cursed. "He actually attacked one of our Navy rookies! If I catch him, I'll smash the ship's wheel out of his head!"

"Yes, yes, teacher Wuwei..."

I believe you can definitely do it, provided that you find the Golden Lion and can fly.

········

Upon learning that Golden Lion was bullying the weak, the Navy's elite members were filled with righteous indignation and approached Roman, comforting him and offering to help beat Golden Lion up! Even Akainu asked if they needed to send Admiral, which Roman politely declined, leaving him both amused and exasperated.

"Don't worry, I can handle it."

Outside the Marine Headquarters, the sea was boiling once again!

Every time Roman went out to sea, reporters would time their wait at Marineford Pier, because Roman always managed to create a big commotion.

Although the warship was destroyed and everyone was injured, this incident also brought 'Big News'.

The legendary Great Pirates 'Golden Lion' has returned to the seas!

Who is Golden Lion?

His real name Shiki, nicknamed "Golden Lion," captain of the Flying Pirates —admiral of the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet, and a user of the Float -Devil Fruit user. He was once a figure of great stature, on par with Gol D. Roger and "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate!

Twenty years ago, when Pirate King Roger was captured, he caused a great disturbance at Marine Headquarters. Although he was captured by Garp and Sengoku (the manga didn't depict a three-day, three-night battle; that's an anime exaggeration), he still destroyed half of Marineford, making him a formidable figure! Later, he became the first pirate in Impel Down's history to escape.

Rear Admiral Roman's defeat at the hands of such Great Pirates is hardly a 'failure'.

It could even be said that being able to safely return with most of the crew from these legendary pirates... the excited reporters have already started fabricating news like "The future of the Navy, the Admiral of tomorrow".

As the person involved in all of this, Roman calmed down after contacting Nami.

Although Nami was kidnapped, thanks to her world-class navigator skills and ability to manipulate the weather, she is now a guest of honor in the Golden Lion Pirates!

Not to mention the officers of the Golden Lion Pirates, even Golden Lion himself is quite indulgent towards her, giving her whatever she wants and acting as a humble and respectful person. Her safety is not a problem for the time being.

—It's only temporary. Once Golden Lion, Nami will immediately be in dire straits!

Of course, even in such an extreme situation, Roman has a final backup plan.

"The Art of the Thief" not only binds Nami's 'Devil Fruit Ability Chart,' but can also serve as a 'swap' to instantly appear beside Roman. —Nami long as he's not being watched by Golden Lion, Roman is confident he can easily escape with Nami.

However, that would directly consume "The Art of the Thief," which is only used in emergencies.

The simplest solution right now is for Roman to gather a group of elite Marines, locate Nami's coordinates, and then deliver a 'righteous descent' upon Golden Lion! They could instantly crush this senile, half-paralyzed old man who's still jumping around like a pancake...

But:

"Thank you, but no need."

Faced with the tall and slender Momousagi in front of him, Roman firmly refused her offer of help.

"Don't worry, I will definitely bring An back!"

The reason why the Golden Lion has been able to live so freely for so many years is because of its Float-Float Fruit ability, which allows it to raise islands into the sky and use them as mobile bases, making it impossible for the Navy to catch or capture it, leaving them helpless on the high seas.

Golden Lion dares to capture Nami now, next year will be the anniversary of his death!

Since Luffy and the others have spoken, the Straw Hat crew should rescue their own Straw Hat crew members. If they rely on others... then Luffy might as well just tie his father and grandfather to the ship when Luffy and race all the way to Laugh Tale to be crowned the 'King of the Pirates'.

"Boss, what's the point of us searching aimlessly like this..."

Although Roman had a meticulous plan, for Borgin and Isca, chasing the Golden Lion Pirates was even more unreliable than finding a needle in a haystack!

"It's not aimless, it's... never mind, just believe me that I will bring Colonel An back."

Faced with Roman's obvious reluctance to explain, Borgin hesitated, ultimately returning silently to the training ground to exert his full strength. Roman, though physically present on the warship, was actually already...

Ship—!

One after another, white fighter jets streaked across the sky, converging at high speed from all over the world towards Roman's location! They carried members of the Straw Hat crew. Meanwhile:

High above the warship where Roman was located, at an altitude completely invisible to the naked eye, a dozen islands of varying sizes formed an artificial 'Sky Island'.

The lush greenery is like a painting, the rainbow bridge is like a bridge, the flowers are red and the willows are green, the frost and snow are like autumn leaves—all four seasons are present, and the colorful scenery is so beautiful that it is like a fairyland on earth!

There is only one person in the entire world who can achieve this level:

Shiki the Golden Lion!

He used the Float-Float Fruit to keep these islands floating in the air for decades! Without a doubt, this is a manifestation of his Awakening Devil Fruit ability.

(Miss Valentine's 'Fluffy-Fluffy Fruit' should strictly be called the 'Kilo-Kilo Fruit,' which is a lower-level version of Doflamingo's family's subordinate Mahal baz's 'Ton-Ton Fruit.' These two have nothing to do with Golden Lion's 'Float-Float Fruit.')

"Boss, we have arrived at our destination."

On a small island next to the main island, a row of figures were squatting or standing. Dressed in white suits, ties, and top hats, and wearing masks, their attire undoubtedly indicated that they were:

CP0!

Or, to put it another way, the World Government's top secret intelligence agency: Cipher Pol -AIGIS0.

"Very good, go into hiding for now."

Roman's voice came from the paper in the hands of the man in the white coat, who had a pigeon perched on his shoulder, also dressed in a white coat, white tie, and white top hat. His identity was obvious:

Rob Lucci!

The people next to them were undoubtedly Kaku, Jabura, Bruno, Lion Kanshō Kalifa, and Kalifa.

"Wait for my next order—I will signal you if support is needed."

"How are the preparations going?"

In response to Roman's question, Lucci calmly nodded.

"We have obtained information on both the evacuation of villagers and the research data on 'IQ,' and we can take action as soon as you give the order."

"Do not act rashly,"

Roman instructed Lucci and the others,

"The Golden Lion is not someone to be trifled with; your task is to identify and fill any gaps in your knowledge."

As for a direct attack, that's something Roman and the Straw Hat crew should do themselves!

"Oh, right—"

Roman's last words came through the Den Den Mushi Paper.

"Be safe."

·········

The moment Nami was captured, Roman had already deployed this force, directly under his command, to infiltrate Golden Lion's Sky Island. —Keep in mind that during this time, Golden Lion was issuing a 'recruitment order,' gathering fifty pirate crews on his Sky Island to drink 'sworn brotherhood wine.' This was all in preparation for attacking the East Blue.

Cannon fodder!

This allowed Lucci and his team, skilled in stealth and assassination, to arrive at the Golden Lion's Sky Island ahead of time to prepare for the initial operations. So, what's next:

"You should wait in this area of the sea."

After ending the 'call,' Roman Guotou to look at Isca beside him. As for the Navy... they'd just handle the cleanup. —Under Isca's puzzled gaze, Roman spread his wings and soared into the sky using Geppo!

"Hehehe, what do you guys think if I jumped off from here—"

"Luffy, Luffy, look at my new hat..."

"Stop wandering around!"

"Yo ho ho, let me sing a song for you all. Even though I've lost my voice and am just bones now..."

?!

Brush--

Roman, flapping his wings, soared into the clouds. Looking at Luffy and the Luffy above, who were making the 'paper hot air balloon' sway back and forth, he habitually rubbed his temples.

"Is everyone here?"

This hot air balloon was a creation Roman made from the paper airplanes that carried them; it was just a temporary stop. As familiar faces came into view, Roman jumped into the basket of the paper hot air balloon.

Luffy, always radiating confidence; Zoro, wielding three katana; Usopp, carrying a giant slingshot; Sanji; Chopper, carrying a first-aid kit; Robin, her hair tied in a ponytail; Franky, carrying a weapon case bigger than himself; Brook, holding a violin...

"Roman! Take us to that Golden Lion!"

Luffy, his fists clenched tightly Luffy, looked determined.

"Beat him up and save Nami!"

"Good,"

With a clap of his hands, Roman's paper hot air balloon rapidly disintegrated into sheets of white paper! Including:

"Huh?!"

The hanging basket beneath everyone's feet.

"Aaaaaah, we're going to fall—"

"We are falling..."

We've already fallen.

However, the Straw Hat crew didn't actually freefall, because they were gently caught by sheets of white paper and then transformed into seats—seats facing the sky, of course.

"Alright everyone, please be seated!"

Sheets of white paper rapidly enveloped everyone, transforming into a slender flying machine:

"Paper Dance - Long March 2C!"

Boom boom boom—

As raging flames erupted from beneath the rocket, this 'power rocket,' shaped like Roman's Memories and composed of various combined abilities, soared into the sky, hurtling towards Nami's direction!

"Super awesome!"

Franky leaned back inside the rocket's 'hull'.

"Ability users are truly amazing; they can easily do things that technology cannot."

"But once technology is mass-produced, it's still something that those with special abilities can't match. And for ordinary people, technology is what—"

"Hehehe, I don't care about any of that."

Luffy interrupted Franky and Roman's conversation with great enthusiasm.

"As long as I can adventure with my companions, abilities and technology don't matter!"

As the rocket rapidly ascended, a small dot began to enlarge—it turned out to be a series of islands floating in the air.

"Charge, Gorilla Rocket!"

"Forward! Captain Usopp— "

"Awoo!!"

Amidst the shouts of the Straw Hat Trio, Roman rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"It's just a temporary means of transportation..."

Whatever makes you happy.