On Island One of the Sabaody Archipelago, the air was thick with the faintly sweet scent unique to resin. Huge transparent bubbles refracted brilliant halos beneath the sunlight before bursting midair with a pop.
The streets here were noisy and chaotic, filled with the clamor of the labor market.
As Shanks and the others stood on the street, commenting on the laborers being treated like merchandise in the nearby market and voicing their dissatisfaction, Robin, walking at the edge of the group, suddenly froze without warning.
It was a fear response ingrained deep in her bones.
Robin's pupils instantly shrank to pinpoints, and a fine layer of cold sweat seeped across her forehead. She did not even have time to warn anyone; it was as though an invisible giant hand had seized her breathing by the throat.
Seeing Robin stop like a statue, trembling faintly all over, the others had no idea what was happening.
The Straw Hat Crew and the remnants of the Red Hair Pirates instinctively followed her terror-filled gaze toward the street corner ahead.
At that moment, the air seemed to freeze.
The moment everyone clearly saw the approaching figures, their expressions changed drastically, as though facing a formidable enemy.
Of everyone present, only Crocodile narrowed his eyes slightly, a cigar clenched between his teeth, his expression carrying both scrutiny and confusion.
Through the bustling crowd ahead came a group of one man and three women.
The laborers and buyers around them seemed repelled by some invisible aura, unconsciously making way for them along a broad path.
The man walking in the middle was tall and straight, dressed in a meticulously tailored black suit trimmed with gold. His steps were calm and unhurried.
One glance was enough to sense his absolute nobility and arrogance, as though he