Arlong Park, Part Three

BOOOOM!

The Ark's propellers spun at full speed, while the Jet Dials embedded beneath its hull lifted it from the sea. Driven by the propellers, the Ark rose into the air.

It was Sanji's first time seeing a flying ship. His mouth hung wide enough to swallow a fist, and he finally understood how the Ark had appeared so suddenly.

"A ship that can fly?" Sanji said in astonishment.

"Nothing's impossible," Zeff said as he came out.

"Who are they? There aren't many of them, but they feel dangerous," Sanji said.

"Kid, it's a big world. They came from the Grand Line," Zeff said.

"The Grand Line? People can go in there and come out alive?" Patty exclaimed.

They knew Zeff was strong, but they knew nothing of his past. In the World Government's telling, the Grand Line was a sea of devils. If the East Blue hadn't produced a Pirate King, they might have known even less about the world beyond it.

"The Grand Line is dangerous, all right, but not for everyone. For some powerful people, going in and out is as easy as drinking water," Zeff said.

"Are they really that strong?" Sanji asked.

"Read the news sometime. The man leading them is one of the Shichibukai," Zeff said.

"One of the Shichibukai?" Sanji froze. So did the others. For a moment, none of them could place the term.

A customer in the restaurant cried out, "The Shichibukai are seven powerful pirates recognized by the World Government! What's someone like that doing in the East Blue?"

"That guy's really one of the Shichibukai?" Sanji remembered now. He wasn't completely cut off from the world; he saw the news and knew of them.

"They're the Asura Pirates. The man in charge is Marshall Rogge, the one they call