A Shield

The navy's search and crackdown this time was extremely large-scale, and the Lawless Area on the island were quickly paralyzed.

Many One Piece crews quickly left the island, but some were unable to escape the Navy's pursuit and were eventually taken away.

The reason for the One Piece's operation has also been revealed.

A Celestial Dragons's slave has escaped from the island! This is a major event!

Everyone knows how serious the consequences are once the words "Celestial Dragons" are involved.

That means it's highly likely that a naval admiral will be sent in.

However, Oboro and Dom are relatively safe for the time being, although they have no way to contact the other members of the Flame Dragon Pirates. The Navy and One Piece are irreconcilable enemies, and besides One Piece, there are many underground forces and organizations in the Grand Line in the Lawless Area. These people will not surrender and wait to die.

Therefore, even with the title of 'Admiral', they will still fight hard, even if they have to join forces... to create a glimmer of hope.

The Sabaody Archipelago is very close to Marineford, the headquarters of the Navy, and the Navy's support is very rapid. Judging from the scale of this riot and the Resolve of the Navy's actions, it is not hard to see that they will not give up until they find the escaped slave. The longer it drags on, the larger the Navy's force will become, which is very disadvantageous to the One Piece.

Therefore, if you want to escape... you have to be quick.

However, not all forces are affected by the Navy. Some well-established entities or those deeply rooted in the Sabaody Archipelago have their own countermeasures. In the Grand Line, the Navy is not the absolute ruler, but rather one of the most powerful forces.

If we could completely control the Grand Line, the navy wouldn't have had to work so hard all these years.

During their 'escape', Oboro learned that Dom was born in the Sabaody Archipelago, so he was very familiar with the island's topography and architecture, and also benefited from his guidance... During their day and night of running, they narrowly avoided the navy's forces several times.

Although the Lawless Area zone only has blocks numbered 1 to 29, its actual area is quite vast. With the Navy's current manpower, it is not yet possible to conduct a thorough search.

The area above number 10 is also the core of the Lawless Area, located in the very center of the Sabaody Archipelago.

The blocks beyond number 20 are adjacent to the coastline, which is also the direction of the port from which most One Piece escape.

Adjacent to blocks 20 and above is the island's hotel street, numbered 70 to 79.

Dom led them to a small shop. He seemed to know the owner, so he got in through the "back door" and didn't have to worry about the owner tipping off the Navy.

"We've found this place."

Inside the room, a One Piece crew member stood at the window, peering at the street outside, and spoke in a low voice.

Naval soldiers were already seen checking houses along the street.

Compared to the riots in the Lawless Area, the hotel district was much calmer. Even the navy's actions weren't as brutal, but there were noticeably fewer tourists and residents on the streets. Apparently, they had been warned by the navy not to go out for the time being.

"At this rate, we'll be discovered very soon..."

The other partner, sitting on the bed, was trembling with fear.

The arrogance that was previously associated with the Flame Dragon Pirates has completely vanished.

If you get caught, you'll go to jail. A regular prison is fine, but if you're sent to Impel Down ...

"Damn it! It's just the loss of one slave, right? The Navy is too arrogant... Do they want all of us One Piece to be buried with them?!"

Someone shouted and cursed.

"Dom, what do we do?"

Several gazes focused on the blond-haired man.

He is, after all, a local.

A sailor with a musket at his waist, holding a Den Den Mushi in his hand, looked impatient.

The Den Den Mushi kept ringing, but no one answered.

They couldn't get in touch with the captain.

It's estimated that this incident has even affected the captain's side, and there's a high possibility that danger may exist.

What worried them most was that the captain, in order to save their own lives, had run away with them ahead of time and left them behind.

"How about... we go back?"

Just when everyone was silent and clueless, Oboro, who was leaning against the wall, suddenly spoke up.

"Go back? What for? To die?!"

One person stared at Oboro with the look of someone looking at an idiot.

"The most dangerous place is the safest... At least there we don't have to hide. In peaceful neighborhoods like this, if we show our faces, anyone who sees us could report us to the Navy. Besides, no matter how powerful the Navy is... not everyone dares to mess with them. There's a reason why Lawless Area exist. If the Navy were truly powerful, the Sabaody Archipelago wouldn't be out of control right under our noses..."

He said in a low voice.

"I'm just offering a suggestion... I don't know much about the Sabaody Archipelago, but I've heard that there are some Shichibukai holding properties on that island." Oboro held up one finger.

His collar always covered his neck, concealing the slave collar; otherwise, the men in front of him would have quickly realized that the person the navy was looking for was him.

However, these children weren't very bright, so he wasn't too worried.

"Shichibukai?!"

These three words startled everyone.

Doflamingo.

Dom's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh.

An auction! There is indeed a big event happening in the Sabaody Archipelago recently: the island's annual auction is about to be held, and the most prestigious auction house, which is also the largest... Rumor has it that the owner behind it is none other than Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Outsiders may not be aware of this, but those who are One Piece, especially people like Dom, know it all too well.

The Celestial Dragons' arrival at the Sabaody Archipelago seems to be related to this auction, as slaves at auctions have always been a regular channel for the Celestial Dragons to find 'toys'. Some even speculate that Doflamingo has close ties with the Celestial Dragons and is using this method to please those high-ranking figures.

"Sneaking into the auction, huh..."

Dom muttered to himself.

They were One Piece, and the auction house was an open business, welcoming all comers.

It was indeed a risky approach.

He used Doflamingo's status as a Shichibukai to shield himself from arrows.

The problem is, if Doflamingo cooperates with the Navy's investigation, wouldn't that be the end of them? They can't figure out what the Joker is thinking.

Dom then recounted the details of the annual auction.

His mind was a complete mess, and he couldn't make up his mind.

"Doflamingo values this celebration highly, as it's a major annual event for the auction. Initially, he might cooperate with the Navy's investigation, but if the Navy keeps causing trouble, it will undoubtedly delay the auction's progress... He must have spent a lot of money on publicity, right?"

Oboro smiled and said, "Of course, the most crucial person isn't him, but the Celestial Dragons! The Celestial Dragons have been invited, but the auction is still delayed. The most unhappy person will probably be the latter. The Navy may be determined to find that slave no matter what, but they definitely don't have the confidence to go against the Celestial Dragons. After all, the Celestial Dragons are the masters. If they can hold out for a while, the Celestial Dragons will probably get impatient and take the initiative to tell the Navy to suspend operations until after the auction."

"And our opportunity lies in leaving the Sabaody Archipelago within this limited time."

Lonely's analysis was very logical and well-reasoned.

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Several people stared at him, wide-eyed.

"You..."

"Really not One Piece?"

Dom squinted his small eyes and confirmed.

"It wasn't before, but it is now... Didn't I join our Flame Dragon Pirates?"

Long raised the corners of her mouth.