Roger's arrest was like toppling the first Domino, and the balance of the entire pirate world began to collapse.
Wait a minute -- Golden Lion?
A sudden thought struck Roy, and he remembered a scene from the original story.
After Roger's capture, Golden Lion Shiki stormed Marine Headquarters alone, fought Garp and Sengoku, and was eventually imprisoned in Impel Down Prison.
As a result, his Flying Pirates was leaderless and gradually fell apart...
" Kaido!"
Thinking of this, Roy suddenly spoke up.
"Immediately mobilize your forces to locate the Golden Lion's headquarters."
"Um?"
Kaido was taken aback.
What do you want to do?
"That Golden Lion guy... how should I put it?"
Roger was a worthy opponent of his, and now that Roger has been arrested, given his pride, he will absolutely not stand idly by.
I suspect he'll be making a big move soon—most likely a direct attack on Marine Headquarters!
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then Kaido's breathing became heavy.
"You mean... he's going to break into prison? Or storm the execution ground?"
"Anything is possible, but whichever it is, it's an opportunity for us."
A glint of light flashed in Roy's eyes.
"If Golden Lion really goes to the Marine Headquarters, regardless of success or failure, his base will inevitably be empty."
Take this opportunity to 'take a stroll' over his territory; you might get some unexpected gains."
"Hmm, that's interesting!"
Kaido into laughter.
"I've had my eye on that arrogant bastard for ages! Fine, I'll have Jin lead a team to investigate right away!"
"Move quickly, but discreetly."
Roy instructed,
" The Golden Lion isn't a fool; even if he leaves, he'll leave someone to guard him."
Tell Jhin to proceed cautiously, focusing on reconnaissance, and only make a move when the opportunity arises.
"Understood!" Kaido paused, "And you?"
"I?"
Roy looked out the window; the sea of clouds was dyed golden-red by the setting sun.
I'm going to Marine Headquarters to see what's going on.
The battle between Golden Lion and Marine Admiral... is not to be missed.
After hanging up the phone, Roy walked out of the communications room.
On the deck, everyone had finished training and was resting.
Seeing Roy come out, Bullet looked up and asked,
" Roy, any news from Kaido's side?"
"The experiments in Wano Country are progressing smoothly."
Roy briefly explained the situation, then changed the subject...
"But there's something even more interesting—I'm planning to take you to see a good show."
"A good show?" Tesoro raised an eyebrow.
Roy didn't answer directly, but looked at Stella.
"Adjust course, we're heading to Marineford Marine Headquarters."
"What?!" Everyone was stunned.
Go to Marine Headquarters?
Now?
Roger had just been arrested; the Marine Headquarters would undoubtedly be under its heaviest security at that time. Wasn't this just walking into a trap?
"Captain, are you serious?" Crocodile frowned.
"Of course I'm serious."
Roy walked to the side of the ship and looked into the distance.
"But we're not going to fight, we're going to see a show."
If my judgment is correct, an earth-shattering battle will soon unfold at Marine Headquarters.
Roy turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
" Golden Lion Shiki —you know him, right?"
Hawk Eyes's eyes narrowed. "That old lion!"
That's right.
Given his character, he would never tolerate the Navy executing Roger.
Roy said slowly,
"I guess he'll storm Marine Headquarters alone, either to break him out of prison or to storm the execution ground."
As for the Navy... Garp and Sengoku won't let him succeed.
Bullet's eyes lit up.
" Golden Lion versus the Navy Hero and Sengoku the Buddha?!"
Just imagining that scene is enough to get my blood pumping.
So we're going to watch this epic showdown?
Tesoro licked his lips.
"But how can we get close? Marine Headquarters is definitely monitoring us closely."
Roy laughed.
" The Ark Maxim can fly; we can approach them from high above and hide in the clouds."
As long as you don't get too close, you won't be discovered.
Stella has already pulled up the nautical chart.
"It would take two days to fly from our current location to Marineford at full speed."
However, to operate covertly, they would have to avoid regular flight routes, which could take up to three days.
"Then three days it is."
Roy made the decision.
"Everyone get ready, this is not a combat mission, it's reconnaissance."
But if exposed, we must be prepared to go to war at any time.
The group exchanged glances, all seeing the excitement in each other's eyes.
Witnessing a clash between the strongest individuals of our time—such an opportunity is rare and precious.
Ark Maxim changed direction and flew towards the Red Line, where the Marine Headquarters was located.
Training continued on the ship for the next three days, but with an added sense of tension, as if it were the eve of battle.
Roy adjusted the gravity training to an adaptive training program to keep everyone in top condition.
At the same time, he collected intelligence from the outside world through special channels.
News of Roger's arrest has spread around the world, and reactions have varied.
Some pirate crews took the opportunity to expand, while others chose to lie low.
The common people were abuzz with discussion; some applauded, while others worried about retaliation from the pirates.
The movements of the Marine Headquarters are also quite subtle.
A large number of warships were recalled, and the number of ships in the main port increased to three times the usual number.
The patrol fleet off Marineford works day and night.
"The defense is indeed very tight."
Roy looked at the intelligence report.
"However... these defenses are useless against the flying Golden Lion."
On the evening of the third day, the outline of Marineford appeared on the horizon.
It was a huge fortress-like island, with a crescent-shaped port densely packed with warships.
At the center of the fortress stands the Marine Headquarters building, its white structure appearing solemn and dignified in the setting sun.
"Hovering at this altitude."
Roy gave the order,
"Activate optical camouflage, shut down all non-essential power sources."
The coating on the surface of the Ark Maxim began to change color, blending into the surrounding clouds.
The ship's engines were switched to minimum power, and it hovered at an altitude of about ten kilometers above the Marine Headquarters.
From this distance, Marineford looks like an exquisite model.
However, those with Observation Haki could sense the terrifying power contained within that "model".
"There's the aura of at least a dozen Vice Admiral..."
Roy's Observation Haki flashed briefly.
"Four Admiral."
Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Kong Fleet Admiral Kong— the Marine Headquarters ' top combat power has gathered here.
Will the Golden Lion really come?
Kyros asked in a low voice.
Roy didn't answer, but simply waited quietly.
As night falls, Marineford lit.
The beams of searchlights swept across the sea, and the faint sounds of patrol boat engines could be heard. Everything appeared calm and orderly.
Time ticked by, second by second.
At 11 p. m., the moon was obscured by clouds.
Just then--
"They're here." Roy suddenly opened his eyes.
Almost simultaneously, Hawk Eyes, Bullet, Tesoro also sensed that aura.
Fierce, arrogant, and domineering, it seemed poised to tear the sky apart.
A golden figure streaked through the air at an incredible speed.
Golden Lion Shiki!