Advance Toward Marine Headquarters

A few days later, several oddly dressed people appeared at the place where Ain had erased those CP spies. They wore white suits with dark ties, masks, and white coats.

"This is the ability of Ain, one of Zephyr's subordinates." One of them crouched down and examined the ground for a while before speaking. "Have we determined why Smoker and Hina came here to meet Zephyr?"

Another answered, "We have. Smoker took the latest nautical chart, while Hina retrieved a nautical chart from long ago from the archive room."

"Is there anything special about these two maps?" the slightly shorter man asked as he rose to his feet.

The tall man behind him looked down slightly and said, "The older map marks the three endpoints Vegapunk once surveyed. Based on the routes traveled by the NOE Navy and our analysis of these two maps, former Admiral Zephyr's target is most likely the Dyna Stone."

"Now that we know Zephyr's objective, report it to the higher-ups."

These strangely dressed people were, of course, members of Cipher Pol Aigis Zero, the World Government's highest secret intelligence agency, better known as CP0.

Their personal involvement also meant that the situation was far from ordinary.

Zephyr and the others had no idea that CP0 had set its sights on them. Even if he had known, Zephyr would not have abandoned his goal. He would only have hastened the execution of his plan.

During this period, the entire Grand Line had become exceptionally lively.

In the past, it had been difficult to encounter even a single Navy warship in the New World. As a result, the pirates there had become especially arrogant and lawless. Yet during this time, Navy warships were frequently seen, and battles between the Navy and pirates could be found everywhere in the New World.

A merchant ship sailed across the sea when it was intercepted and boarded by a band of pirates.

"Brothers, take everything valuable from this ship!" A pirate held a gleaming blade, blood still dripping from it. Several merchant crewmen lay at their feet.

"Yes, Captain!" the pirates cheered.

The remaining people aboard the merchant ship watched in terror as those utterly vile pirates looted the wealth that had once belonged to them.

"Kill them all. We can't let word get out!" Just as the pirate captain was about to silence them for good—

A Navy warship burst through the misty sea, cutting through the waves. The pirates were instantly stunned.

Several people not wearing Navy uniforms leaped from the warship onto the merchant vessel.

The pirate captain froze, then glared with bloodshot eyes and roared, "Kill!"

Dozens of pirates were swiftly knocked down, and the people aboard the merchant ship were rescued.

In some villages along the Grand Line that were frequently harassed by pirates, people lived in constant fear.

The villagers raised their weapons, prepared to fight the pirates who had come to invade once more.

This time, the pirates did not get the chance to ravage the village before they were arrested by a passing Navy warship and escorted to Impel Down.

Scenes like this played out across the waters of the Grand Line centered around Marine Headquarters in the New World, and countless people began to rekindle a sliver of hope in the Navy.

Fujitora, escorted by Vice Admiral Bastille; Ryokugyu, escorted by Sentomaru; Wuli, traveling with Hina; Dadi, the former Navy man who had returned to service while bringing along children; and many others were all heading toward the same place.

Powerful figures across the seas who possessed a sense of justice and had not completely lost faith in the Navy answered the call of the World Military Draft, advancing toward Marine Headquarters.