"Let me first explain our battle plan."
After disembarking and disguising the Going Merry as a warship, Usopp gathered everyone together to discuss their plan of action.
"First, I've divided this plan into two parts. The first is to reclaim the Golden Team, which consists of Zoro, Luffy, Robin, and myself."
The second task is to reclaim Waver's team, consisting of Nami and Sanji.
Now everyone knows their place, right?!
After Usopp finished speaking, he glanced at everyone and found that no one had any objections.
"Hey, Usopp, what about me? Am I going to be guarding the Going Merry again?!"
Chopper jumped up, raised his hand, and asked Usopp in a trembling voice.
"Don't worry, Chopper, this time it's not as dangerous as it was on Sky Island. Generally, no one comes here."
Besides, our ships are disguised as naval warships, so no one will notice us. You can rest assured and stay here..."
Usopp comforted Chopper, then prepared to join the others.
"Um, by the way, I've been wanting to ask you something, Nami, since earlier!"
As they were all about to begin their operation, Usopp looked around and then asked Nami a question.
"Hmm, what's wrong? What do you want to ask me, Usopp?"
Nami looked at him with a puzzled expression as she spoke in response to his question.
"Hmm, we haven't seen that guy since we parted ways in Navarone. Do you know where Luo Chen, the former Sky Island priest, went?"
Usopp voiced his doubts.
"Oh, you mean that guy? He was with me after we separated."
But after entering Navarone Fortress, he parted ways with me, saying he had something to discuss with someone.
Moreover, he told us not to wait for him any longer; he would be parting ways with us here.
Oh, right, that guy also gave me this.
Nami answered, then took a seashell out of her pocket— the Impact Dial that Luo Chen had given her.
"This thing is... Impact Dial!!"
Usopp picked up the seashell from Nami's hand, examined it for a moment, and then said...
"Yes, Luo Chen said this thing might be of help in a pinch, and he told me to keep it safe and not lose it."
Nami nodded, and then repeated what Luo Chen had told her.
"Oh, I see. Since he said so, then you should keep it safe."
"Now that we've confirmed he's not coming back, let's get started..."
Usopp threw the Impact Dial back to Nami, then addressed everyone.
"Oh!!"
The crowd echoed.
Soon, the six people split into two groups and began their respective operations.
tread...
tread...
tread...
Click!!
"You seem quite relaxed, Commander Jonathan. Even the Straw Hat Pirates leaving here aren't a problem. What are you up to?!"
At that moment, Shepherd, who had just been released from prison, straightened his clothes and entered Jonathan's office, speaking to him in a mocking tone.
"Oh, it's Colonel Shepherd. Don't worry, those pirates will come back, back to this fortress."
Jonathan pretended not to notice him, smiled and greeted him, and explained.
"Oh, from what you're saying, how do you know they'll definitely come back here!"
Shepherd believed Jonathan was still lying to him and wanted to use words to expose his lie so he could avenge his wrongful imprisonment.
"Haha, just wait patiently, Colonel Shepherd. They will definitely return here, because the gold they seek is here."
Jonathan chuckled a few times before speaking up to explain.
"You're talking about gold, so where exactly is all that gold?!"
Upon hearing the news of gold, Shepherd's interest was piqued, and he hurriedly pressed for details.
"Oh, that gold, I put it in the safest place. They won't be able to get it easily."
Furthermore, I've already deployed a large force to guard that area; I guarantee they won't be able to leave unscathed once they arrive."
Jonathan spoke to him mysteriously, then returned to his chair and closed his eyes to rest.
"Hmph, since that's the case, then leave this matter entirely to me. I'll show you how easily this prosecutor from headquarters can catch the Straw Hat Luffy..."
After saying this, Shepherd turned and left, ignoring whether Commander Jonathan agreed to let him command the operation.
"Then please proceed. I will await your good news, Colonel Shepherd..."
Jonathan seems inclined to let him try it out on his own.
Bang...
Shepherd didn't even hear him and slammed the door shut as he left.
"Honestly, this Shepherd has quite the temper. But I hope your abilities match your temper. Let's see if you really have the skill to capture them..."
Jonathan covered his face with his hat and leaned back in his chair, pretending to doze off.
"We've arrived! This is it! The best place in the entire fortress to hide gold!!"
On the other side, Usopp, Zoro, Luffy, and Robin arrived outside Navarone's huge storage room. Usopp pointed to the enormous safe in front of them and said...
"Hmm, it seems this is the place, but opening it will probably be very difficult."
Robin looked at the safe and spoke with a slight frown.
"Don't worry, although lock picking is Nami's forte, this kind of safe is no problem for me Usopp."
Usopp took a medical stethoscope out of his bag, pressed it against the security door to listen to and turn the combination.
Click...
Click...
Click...
Just as Usopp was about to unlock the combination lock, the portals they had passed through suddenly closed one by one, locking Luffy and his crew inside.
Ta-da-ta-da...
One by one, the lights shone on them.
"Surrender, Straw Hat Luffy, you won't have another chance to escape from me this time."
Drake Rex was once again waiting for Luffy and his crew with his soldiers.
"Oh, it's you, Masira- faced uncle. Are you here to stop us again?"
Luffy was surprised to see an acquaintance.
"That's right, Straw Hat Luffy, you can't escape this time. The way out is blocked, so surrender now!!"
Drake held up the microphone and spoke loudly to Luffy.
"Hey, whether we can get out or not, we'll only know after we try. No need to waste words, uncle, we won't surrender, let's decide with our fists."
Luffy smiled and spoke to Drake, then turned his gaze to Usopp and began to speak.
"Hey, we'll handle Usopp and the others. You hurry up and open this safe so we can get out of here quickly."
"Okay, I understand!"
After Usopp finished speaking, he listened intently to the sound of the safe slowly turning to the combination.
"Hmph, get him..."
Drake hung up the phone and ordered his soldiers to move in and meet Luffy and his crew.
Clang~
Clang~
Clang~
Just then, the outer door was suddenly opened, and everyone's eyes turned to that spot.
"Hmm, who was it? Who opened that door? Didn't they know the Straw Hat Pirates were still here?"
Drake said angrily.
Tap tap tap...
A series of footsteps approached, and then a military officer in his 30s or 40s appeared before the group, protected by a group of soldiers.
He is Colonel Shepherd, who just came from Jonathan's side.
"Hey, Straw Hat Pirates members and those Marines over there, listen up! I'm Colonel Shepherd, the prosecutor from Headquarters. I'm in charge of things here..."
He then loudly proclaimed this to everyone.