At Lorne's command, the Fearless's enormous propellers spun furiously, churning the deep blue seawater and carving a white wake a thousand meters long across the sea.
"Boss, the propulsion system is running at full power! This ship is now thirty percent faster than Headquarters' fastest scout ship!"
Ryan poked his head out of the engine room, wiped the grease off his face, and shouted excitedly.
Lorne stood at the bow, feeling the fierce wind rushing toward him. Golden Grit flickered across his skin, blocking all the wind pressure that could have torn an ordinary person's skin apart.
"Bakel, adjust our course. We're not taking the regular shipping lanes."
Lorne turned to Bakel, who was carefully checking the nautical chart.
"Since Fleet Admiral Sengoku has given us 'free agent' status, there's no need for us to follow all those rules. We'll go wherever there are more pirates."
Bakel pushed up his goggles and pointed to a red dot on the chart.
"Boss, at this speed, we can pass through the edge of the Calm Belt in three days and enter the convergence zone in the first half of the Grand Line."
"But according to the intelligence Fleet Admiral Sengoku just sent over, there's quite a stir in the New World."
Kuina stepped forward, holding Wado Ichimonji, her gaze icy.
"Is it because word got out that you were 'released from prison,' Rear Admiral... Boss?"
"I think so."
Lorne grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.
"Those guys have spent too long in the New World. They've probably forgotten what it feels like to have their bones smashed."
Meanwhile, in the New World, on Onigashima.
Boom!
An earth-shattering crash erupted inside the gloomy fortress. A massive wine barrel was smashed into splinters, and purple wine splashed all over the floor, carrying the