Grand Line, Encountering a Shichibukai?

"What? He escaped!?"

"He might have already entered the Grand Line!?"

Marine Headquarters.

Sengoku received news regarding Natsuya once again, and his expression could not help but shift.

He could naturally not be kept in the dark about Garp taking action, so upon receiving the report, Sengoku could not help but change color.

It was obvious that the old geezer Garp had paid lip service to his orders while acting in opposition, failing to take the mission he had assigned seriously.

Even so, the fact that Natsuya was able to escape from Garp's hands still left him incredibly surprised.

After all, in Sengoku's view, even if Garp hadn't been entirely serious, dealing with Natsuya should have been a non-issue.

He hadn't expected such a result in the end!

However, upon learning the detailed intelligence that followed, Sengoku began to understand.

As it turned out, the abilities of Natsuya's Door-Door Fruit were far more bizarre than any of them had imagined!

Spatial teleportation, effects similar to Observation Haki, and nearly invincible defense.

Not to mention that method of continuously surging his power!

These were all effects that the Door-Door Fruit could actually unleash!

"Door-Door Fruit."

Thinking of this, Sengoku narrowed his eyes.

If he had previously only felt that Natsuya might become a massive hidden danger, he was now absolutely certain!

In the future—no, the current Natsuya was already a massive hidden danger!

At any moment, he might erupt and cause irreparable, significant losses to the Marine Government and the World Government!

Thinking of this, Sengoku hurriedly asked his subordinate, "Check if there are any Admirals executing missions near the Grand Line entrance on the East Blue side!"

Yes, he intended to dispatch a Marine Admiral to directly suppress Natsuya.

Garp was unreliable, but if it were an Admiral, even Kizaru, who loved to slack off the most, should have no problem.

However, the subordinate then delivered an unexpected reply.

"Reporting to Fleet Admiral Sengoku, none of the three Admirals are nearby, but..."

Hearing this, Sengoku immediately asked, "But what?"

"But there is a Warlord of the Sea in that vicinity..."

A Warlord of the Sea!?

Sengoku narrowed his eyes.

"Who is it? Notify them immediately."

And just as Sengoku was making these arrangements.

Exactly as they had expected, Natsuya appeared in the Grand Line.

After he had taken Nami and escaped, he had used the Different Dimension to find Momoo, then had Momoo pull their ship directly into the Grand Line.

At that time, Nami had let out a huge sigh of relief.

Because she discovered that Natsuya was not a complete blockhead.

When he realized he couldn't defeat his opponent, he would also choose to flee!

But soon, Nami became nervous again.

Because after Natsuya gave the order to Momoo, he had fallen straight into a coma.

For the few days since entering the Grand Line, he hadn't even regained consciousness!

Without a doubt, these circumstances were the aftereffects of Natsuya activating the Eight Inner Gates this time!

The aftereffects this time were far stronger than any before!

The reason was that this was his first time applying the Gate of Hurt to combat!

While it had allowed his power to surge once again, it had also caused his body to suffer much greater damage!

Furthermore, the fact that his opponent was Garp was also a crucial factor.

The punch Garp landed on Natsuya had not been fully healed; instead, it erupted in tandem with the aftereffects of the Eight Inner Gates!

Consequently, after Natsuya forced himself to escape Loguetown, he finally couldn't hold on any longer and fell into a coma.

For these past few days, Nami had been the one in charge of the big picture.

But at the end of the day, she was only an eleven or twelve-year-old girl; with Natsuya unconscious and his life hanging in the balance, one could only imagine her state of mind!

It was fortunate that she had Momoo's company and help, which allowed Nami to overcome quite a few difficulties.

But the Grand Line was known as the graveyard of pirates precisely because of its danger and unpredictability!

Just like that day, Nami was steering the pirate ship across the sea when a massive fleet suddenly appeared on the horizon ahead!

"What!?"

Nami was taken aback.

Right now, what she feared most wasn't harsh weather, storms, or even sea beasts.

What she feared most was running into other pirates!

Because on their ship, the only one who could fight was Natsuya, but he was still unconscious!

As for Momoo, forget it.

That guy had decent combat power in the East Blue, but upon reaching the Grand Line, he had truly been reduced to a mere boat-puller.

Most importantly, the fleet ahead was well-equipped and numerous; one look told her they were not to be trifled with.

Even if Momoo attacked, it would likely be for nothing.

Realizing this, Nami didn't hesitate for a second and immediately shouted to Momoo.

"Momoo, turn around! Get away from those people!"

Momoo possessed a cowardly streak, and hearing Nami's command, he was all too happy to comply, turning around in a hurry.

Splash!

The water churned as Momoo turned his body, ready to pull the pirate ship away to safety.

But just then, his massive frame suddenly froze.

"Momoo? Why did you stop!?"

Nami was still peering at the fleet when she suddenly noticed with surprise that Momoo had ceased all movement.

She asked while instinctively turning her head.

As a result, a bizarre figure appeared within her line of sight!

There, on the surface of the sea ahead, was a small, coffin-shaped boat.

Standing upon the small craft was a man dressed like a gentlemanly swordsman, possessing eyes as sharp as a hawk's, holding a black blade in his hand.

In the middle of the vast ocean, a solitary little boat and a swordsman with hawk-like eyes—the scene was as eerie as it could possibly be!

Of course.

What was even more bizarre was that Nami noticed Momoo's face clearly showing signs of terror as he looked at the man, cold sweat rolling down his forehead!

He was actually afraid!?

Noticing this, Nami's heart skipped a beat.

At that very moment, the pirate fleet also spotted the swordsman and began shouting curses from afar.

"Damn it, it's Dracule Mihawk!!"

"That guy is like a persistent ghost!!"

"Dracule Mihawk, don't think we're afraid of you just because you're one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"

"Admiral Don Krieg is right, let's just blast him to pieces with our cannons!"

As the insults rang out, the pirate fleet launched an attack without the slightest hesitation!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A series of roars erupted as a barrage of black cannonballs came flying through the air!

Nami's face turned deathly pale.

The pirate fleet had actually included their ship within the range of the attack!

But just as Nami was at a loss for what to do, the man with the hawk-like eyes suddenly swung the black blade in his hand!

In that instant, a brilliant green light dazzled the eyes!

A magnificent green slash swept outward, as if splitting the very heavens and earth!

Nami was instantly dumbstruck.

Every single cannonball fired by the pirate fleet was sliced out of the air by the sword light!

What astonishing swordsmanship!

"Wait, this man is..."

In that moment, Nami suddenly realized the man's identity!

If she hadn't misheard earlier, the people from that pirate fleet had clearly mentioned the Seven Warlords of the Sea!

Combined with this world-shaking swordsmanship, Nami immediately put the pieces together.

That's right, it was the world-renowned Seven Warlords of the Sea!

And this man must be the one among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Dracule Mihawk!

Nami was deeply shocked; she hadn't expected to encounter such a legendary figure so soon after entering the Grand Line!