Roy turned around, glanced at the dust cloud trailing behind the retreating navy in the distance, and at the three figures that were disappearing rapidly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Today, the four of them certainly fought impressively, but without the support and deterrence of these three, and their crucial intervention to clear out the enemy at the critical moment, their breakout would not have been so smooth.
He remembered this kindness.
"Speed up! Join up with Long and the others!"
Roy withdrew his gaze, and without further delay, the four of them accelerated to their maximum speed, following the path opened by the Golden Lion.
They transformed into four streaks of light and quickly disappeared into the strange rocks and morning mist on the edge of the Red Line.
At the Red Line Pass, only a desolate battlefield, billowing smoke, and the lingering aftershocks of its domineering Haki remained.
The countless corpses of fallen soldiers and the shattered weapons and equipment silently testify to the brutality and outcome of this epic battle.
The navy suffered a crushing defeat!
The Roy Pirates, with their reputation for wreaking havoc in Mary Geoise, severely injuring Fleet Admiral Sengoku, fighting off Admiral, and successfully escaping, are about to shake the world!
Following the "safe path" crudely carved out by the Golden Lion using the power of the Float-Float Fruit, Roy and his companions pushed their speed to the limit.
On both sides were overturned and smashed rocks and the remains of defensive fortifications, and occasionally one could see the half-buried corpses of naval soldiers or CP0 members.
The air was thick with dust, the stench of blood, and the smell of burning.
But ahead, the path was clear.
As Roy sped along, Roy Telekinesis maintained maximum coverage for reconnaissance, while simultaneously maintaining brief contact with the dragon who had retreated earlier via the encrypted Den Den Mushi in his pocket.
"Dragon, how are things going? Have you reached the rendezvous point?" Roy asked quickly.
The Den Den Mushi simulates a dragon's calm voice, with some background noise from the wind and waves.
"We've arrived at the designated rendezvous point, Area 13 the Sabaody Archipelago. Mr. Rayleigh's ship is nearby."
The slaves' emotions had mostly stabilized, but they were physically exhausted and urgently needed rest and treatment.
"Over there?"
"We've shaken off the navy and are on their way at full speed. We estimate we'll arrive in about fifteen minutes."
Roy glanced behind him, confirming there were no signs of pursuers.
"The morale of the navy has collapsed."
There is no capacity to organize an effective interception in the short term.
Golden Lion and the others have already left.
"Understood.
We will be prepared to receive you.
Be careful, there might still be some stray eyeliners on the road.
"Dragon reminded me."
"Rest assured."
After ending the call, Roy briefly explained the situation to his three partners.
The four of them said no more and kept their heads down, continuing their journey.
They moved incredibly fast, the complex terrain stretching for over ten kilometers flying past beneath their feet.
Soon they reached the edge of the Red Line, and Roy and his companions jumped off.
The four people began to fall rapidly.
Only when the salty sea breeze hit them did Roy use his Telekinesis to envelop himself and Hawk Eyes.
The four of them flew at high speed close to the sea surface!
On the edge of Area 13 of the Sabaody Archipelago, a secluded coastline that Rayleigh and Shakky had cleared out beforehand.
Several camouflaged, unremarkable-looking medium-sized sailboats,
Under the last cover of night, we quietly reached the shore.
The ship still bore traces of gunpowder and battle, but the eyes of the people on board burned with the excitement of surviving a catastrophe and the uncertainty and hope for the future.
Thousands of ragged, mostly wounded, but mentally excited slaves
Guided by the Revolutionary Army and some strong slaves, they landed in an orderly and rapid manner.
Shakky had already prepared temporary food, water, and a makeshift medical station.
Rayleigh stood with his arms crossed on a high place, scanning the surrounding sea with his Observation Haki to ensure that no one leaked the information.
"You've worked hard, kid."
Rayleigh watched as Roy and his group of four floated over, his gaze lingering particularly on Roy for a moment.
"That made quite a commotion."
"Thanks to your help."
Roy said sincerely.
Without Sabaody as a safe transit point and with Raleigh and Shakky providing cover, it would have been almost impossible to retreat silently with so many slaves.
Golden Lion, who had arrived first, was sitting casually to one side, picking up the wine Shakky had prepared and chugging it down. Seeing Roy and the others arrive, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! That's great! I haven't felt this good in ages! Just thinking about those idiot Celestial Dragons ' faces makes me feel so good!"
Red Count elegantly straightened his slightly disheveled suit, nodded slightly to Shakky in thanks, and accepted a glass of water.
The dragon and the Karasu were a little further away, whispering with Fisher Tiger.
Soon, a group of slaves—about a thousand people—silently moved behind the Revolutionary Army at the dragon's signal.
Their eyes held a resolute determination for the future, clearly indicating that they had chosen the more difficult but potentially world-changing path of joining the Revolutionary Army.
Fisher Tiger looked at the remaining two thousand or so slaves, a considerable proportion of whom were Fish-Man Race and Merfolk, as well as people of various other races.
He took a deep breath, walked up to Roy, and bowed respectfully.
Captain Roy, I am deeply grateful.
Without you, this operation would not have succeeded, and my compatriots and I would probably have died in the holy land long ago.
Roy helped him up.
"That was agreed upon. What are the plans next?"
Fisher Tiger straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the eyes behind him, eyes filled with dependence and trust, and said in a deep voice,
" The World Government will not let us go."
We need a place where we can shelter everyone and continue fighting.
I've decided to officially establish the ' Sun Pirates '! We'll name it after the sun!
Protect these compatriots who are willing to follow me; they are the first members of the Sun Pirates!
" The Sun Pirates... What a great name."
Roy nodded.
" Hachinosu welcomes you to temporarily set up camp. I will provide you with the necessary ships, supplies, and shelter."
But you need to develop your own fighting force as soon as possible.
"I am extremely grateful!"
Fisher Tiger bowed again.
With Hachinosu as a relatively safe rear base, the Sun Pirates were able to gain a foothold and gradually make their move.
At this moment, the Golden Lion walked over and said to Roy without any politeness,
" Roy, you brat, what about my share? Devil Fruit?!"
Roy gestured to Tesoro.
Tesoro reluctantly took out the storage bag.
Inside, there was a selection of treasure and two Paramecia Devil Fruit.
" Shiki, this is the agreed-upon part."
The Golden Lion glanced at it, snorted, and without bothering to count it carefully, waved his hand and accepted it.
"You're smart to know what's good for you. Next time something like this happens, remember to call me!"
Having said that, he didn't linger any longer, transforming into golden light that shot into the sky and disappeared into the horizon.
Red Count also came over. He glanced at the treasure, then shook his head.
I'm not interested in any of that.
"However... what about the Mythical Zoan Vampire Fruit you mentioned earlier?"
"There are indeed some clues pointing to the ruins of an ancient island in the New World, which may be related to the lost legend of the ' Blood Earl '."
However, further verification is needed.
"Mr. Redfield, if you are interested, you are welcome to come to Hachinosu anytime. We can share information and explore together."
Red Count pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"I'll consider it. Well then, goodbye."
He bowed slightly to the crowd, and his figure disappeared silently, as if blending into the morning mist.
Dragon also arrived, accompanied by Karasu and slaves who had voluntarily joined the Revolutionary Army.
" Roy, this collaboration was a great success."
The Revolutionary Army will remember this friendship.
We will share intelligence on the World Government's future movements in a timely manner.
"We part ways here."
"Take care of yourself."
Roy and Dragon shook hands firmly.
The Revolutionary Army quietly departed with over a thousand new recruits, employing their own secret evacuation routes.