Far from Elbaf, in the first half of the Grand Line, lay an unremarkable midsized island. Plain and ordinary, it was one of countless islands just like it on the Grand Line.
The island had never been plundered by vicious pirates, nor had it produced a world-famous powerhouse. It seemed almost deliberately forgotten, known only through word of mouth on neighboring islands.
Because it was so ordinary, and because it lay on none of the Seven Routes, its residents lived peaceful, comfortable lives.
Until this day.
They came without a conspicuous Dragon Ship. Disguised as ordinary merchants, over a hundred Undead Soldiers docked at the Port aboard a Merchant Ship. The island suffered from a common weakness of the Grand Line's first half: it was so ordinary that not a single person there could use Haki. The Undead Soldiers easily fooled the guards and checked into an inn in the port town.
Late that night, several leaders gathered to compare the information they had uncovered.
"A few days ago, a guest of high standing did indeed arrive in Central City. The commoners here didn't recognize them, and they weren't wearing fishbowls, but judging by the marks their guards hid inside their cuffs, there's no doubt they're from the Mephisto Family."
"Good! We've finally found them! Send word back and bring in more people. Whatever you do, don't alert them!"
"Understood!"
Meanwhile, at a Marine Base elsewhere.
Beneath the base was a prison ordinary soldiers didn't even know existed. Posing as a captured slave, an Undead Soldier huddled in a corner, pulled open the stitches across his stomach, and took out a Den Den Mushi hidden inside.
"Target confirmed. Slave trading is taking place here, and the base commander is in charge. However, many soldiers haven't taken part. Some don't even