In the New World, the warships had been trailing the Roger Pirates for three days straight.
Throughout those three days, the Roger Pirates had shown no sign of surfacing.
If their position had not been certain, some people would have run out of patience long ago.
"The Roger Pirates seem to be rising."
The Scout Devil Fruit User shouted, pleasantly surprised.
"Couldn't hold out any longer, Roger?"
The bubble at Garp's nose popped. He woke at once and rolled his wrists excitedly.
The news lifted everyone's spirits.
"Just as expected. Even with a coating, they can't hide underwater forever. Their air will run out eventually."
Tsuru looked calm. She had anticipated this.
"Three days is about the Roger Pirates' limit."
"There's no rush. Wait until they surface before we move. They can't escape now."
Beneath the waves, the Oro Jackson kept rising.
Just as Tsuru had thought, staying underwater too long took its toll.
Air was one reason.
If they could not reach the surface and simply let their coated ship drift underwater, they would suffocate even if they encountered no other danger.
By now, the Roger Pirates could no longer remain hidden.
The hunters in the shadows had raised their heads and leveled their guns.
Their prey was about to enter the trap.
"Everyone, get ready. Hold on tight. The impact's going to be rough."
As they rode the Knock Up Stream, every member of the Roger Pirates went on high alert.
By all rights, three days should have been enough for them to escape the encirclement of the Marines and the World Government. They should have been safe by now.
Yet for some reason, they could not shake a sense of foreboding.
It was the instinct of the strong.
It was not just one person's sudden hunch. Many