" Master Tom, now is not the time for sentimentality."
Roy looked at the crowd,
"Everyone, please disperse for now. The World Government personnel will be back soon."
The crowd then seemed to wake from their daze and dispersed.
With a slight thought, Roy instantly snapped the necks of the CP Agent with his mental power.
With a wave of his hand, the corpses flew directly to some deserted corners.
Only the Roy Pirates and Tom, Kokoro, and Iceburg remained in the plaza.
"Get on the boat first," Roy said.
Back in the Ark Maxim, Tom watched Water 7 recede into the distance, his eyes filled with reluctance.
This city where he had lived most of his life, this city to which he had devoted all his energy...
" Master Tom,"
Roy's voice pulled him back to reality.
I know your dream is to create Sea Train that connects every island in the world.
But the Water 7 can no longer contain you.
Tom remained silent.
Roy continued,
Come with me to the New World.
Soon, I will establish a foothold there.
Then you can unleash your talents to the fullest—build railways, construct trains, connect islands... you can do whatever you want.
Tom looked up at Roy with a complicated expression.
" The New World... that's pirate territory, a place of constant warfare."
"It is precisely because of the ongoing wars that connectivity is all the more necessary."
Roy said seriously,
" The Sea Train can not only transport supplies, but also hope."
Master Tom, your dreams shouldn't be stopped by the World Government's suppression.
Kokoro patted Tom on the shoulder.
"Old man, Roy is right."
We can't stand Water 7 anymore; let's start over somewhere else.
The Iceburg nodded.
"Master, that kid Franky must have escaped too."
We'll find a way to contact him once we've settled down in the New World.
Tom looked at his disciple and close friend, then at the determined young man before him.
After a long while, he finally nodded emphatically.
"Alright! I'll go to the New World with you!"
Roy laughed.
"Welcome, Master Tom."
The Ark Maxim ascended once more, heading towards the New World.
Shortly after they left, a small speedboat quietly emerged from the sewer outlet of Water 7.
A modified teenager sat on the ship. He looked back at the departing Ark Maxim and murmured...
"Master... when I become stronger, I will definitely come to find you."
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The atmosphere in the large conference room next to the Fleet Admiral's Office was as heavy as the sea before a storm.
The long table was filled with high-ranking naval officers, and at the head of the table sat Fleet Admiral Kong, his face ashen.
The projection screen was showing footage of Enies Lobby collapsing, and the Roy Pirates' departing figures.
"In a short period of time, Enies Lobby was destroyed, convict Tom was kidnapped, and five CP9 reservists went missing."
Kong's voice was deep and suppressed.
" The World Government has already put pressure on us."
" The Roy Pirates..."
The Admiral Sengoku placed his hands on the table, his eyes sharp.
"Two years ago, he caused a tsunami in Sabaody, and then entered the New World and Beasts Pirates."
Now they've attacked Enies Lobby —this pirate crew's threat level needs to be reassessed.
Kizaru leaned back lazily in his chair, but a serious look lingered in his eyes.
That " Heavenly Dao " Roy is troublesome!
Moreover, his men have grown stronger now; the one I fought this time was Tesoro.
"Not just Roy,"
Akainu said coldly,
"His crew is no pushover either; ' Thunder God ' Tesoro was able to fight you and remain undefeated."
' Hawk Eyes ' Mihawk and ' Demon Heir ' Bullet are both top-tier combatants.
Furthermore, we still don't understand what their purpose is in allying with Kaido!
Aokiji rested his chin on his hand.
"So... we need to deploy Admiral- level combat forces specifically to hunt them down?"
I agree.
Zephyr suddenly spoke.
Zephyr touched the scar on his chest—an old wound from a battle with the Roy pirates two years ago.
" The Roy Pirates are growing too fast."
Their strength was already astonishing two years ago; if they were given a few more years...
The consequences would be unimaginable.
The Sengoku period nodded.
" Zephyr is right. The Roy Pirates have shown their ambition and ability; they must be eliminated as soon as possible."
"But--"
Kong interrupted them.
" The Roger Pirates pose a greater threat!"
A brief silence fell over the meeting room.
Another piece of intelligence was released by the Kong.
According to information from CP0, after the Roger Pirates disbanded, its members were scattered all over the world.
But Roger himself... his whereabouts are unknown.
"That man..."
The Sengoku clenched its fists.
"He arrived at Laugh Tale. What is it there that the World Government is so concerned about?"
"Have no idea!"
"But capturing the members of Roger Pirates must be our priority!"
Kong said decisively,
"No matter how strong the Roy Pirates, they are still just pirates."
But the secrets Roger knew were enough to shake the very foundations of the World Government!
Zephyr frowned. "But Fleet Admiral, the Roy Pirates— "
" Zephyr!"
Kong emphasizes the tone,
I understand your concerns.
"However, the Five Elders have clearly instructed: prioritize dealing with the Roger Pirates, as for Roy..."
We can put that aside for now and focus our efforts on dealing with Roger after we've resolved his issue.
Kizaru shrugged.
"So, we're just going to let the Enies Lobby issue go like that? The World Government won't let it go so easily."
Of course not.
Kong talk.
"The bounty on the Roy Pirates will be significantly increased, and all branches will be notified to increase their vigilance."
However, the large-scale manhunt... has been temporarily suspended.
Sengoku and Zephyr exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
They knew that Kong was right—the shockwaves caused by Roger becoming the Pirate King were far greater than those caused by a pirate crew attacking Enies Lobby.
What the World Government fears most right now is Roger revealing the truth about Laugh Tale.
"Then it's settled."
Kong slapping board
"Use all available forces to prioritize the capture of members of the Roger Pirates. The Roy Pirates... keep them under surveillance for now."
The meeting ended, and the generals left one after another.
Sengoku walked at the very back, with Zephyr beside him.
"Are you willing to accept this?" Zephyr asked in a low voice.
The Sengoku shook its head.
"I'm unwilling, but there's nothing I can do. Zephyr, you and I both know the level of threat Roger posed."
"I know."
Zephyr sighed.
"But... I have a bad feeling. That young man, Roy, is far more dangerous than we imagine."
The two looked out the window; the harbor of Marineford was filled with countless warships, their naval flags fluttering in the wind.
This era is moving in a direction that no one could have predicted.