Minion Island, deep in the dense forest.
Rosinante, with Rosinandi, secretly infiltrated an abandoned stronghold.
This is a half-collapsed stone house with a large hole in the roof and vines climbing all over the walls.
But the location is excellent—it's on the side and back of the town, offering a wide view and making it difficult to be spotted.
"You stay here."
Rosinante placed Ro in a corner.
"No matter what happens, don't come out."
Luo looked up at him. "Mr. Corazon, are you going to steal the fruit?"
Rosinante nodded.
"It's very dangerous," Luo said softly.
Rosinante crouched down, a bright smile spreading across his face covered in paint, and rubbed his head.
"It's alright. I'm an ability user."
Luo didn't speak, but clenched his fists tightly.
Rosinante stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the town in the distance.
The pirates were still on patrol, completely unaware that a storm was approaching.
He took a deep breath and tapped his fingers lightly on the windowsill.
The power of the Calm-Calm Fruit quietly activated.
The surrounding sounds disappeared.
The Ark Maxim raced through the clouds.
The golden hull cut through the airflow, leaving a long white contrail.
Roy stood at the bow of the ship, unleashing his full Observation Haki, which covered an area of dozens of nautical miles in radius.
Minion Island is getting closer.
At the current speed, we should arrive in at most another hour.
"Boss," Tesoro walked over, "There's a boat ahead."
Roy's Observation Haki also detected it.
More than one.
It is a fleet.
Five warships, arranged in a standard battle formation, are sailing in the waters ahead.
The sails were emblazoned with naval insignia, and the deck was packed with soldiers.
"The Navy?" Tesoro frowned. "What are they doing here?"
Roy didn't speak, his Observation Haki locking onto the strongest aura in that fleet.
He was very familiar with that aura.
Lazy and listless, with an inexplicable sense of oppression.
" Kizaru."
Roy read the name aloud.
Tesoro's expression changed. " Kizaru? Marine Admiral?"
Roy nodded.
"This is troublesome." Tesoro gritted his teeth. "What's this guy doing in the North Blue?"
Roy didn't answer; he was thinking about another question.
Kizaru's appearance here is no coincidence.
Has the Navy also received news about the Op-Op Fruit?
Or... did someone notify them?
A name flashed through Roy's mind— Rosinante.
That guy is a Navy spy; he must have sent the news about the Op-Op Fruit back.
"Interesting." Roy's lips curled into a smile.
Now the situation is even more complicated.
The Ark Maxim continue forward.
The naval fleet ahead also spotted them.
On the deck, the soldiers pointed at the golden spaceship in the sky, exclaiming in amazement.
"What is that?!"
"It's a ship! A flying ship!"
"Golden... that's the Roy Pirates ' Ark Maxim!"
Panic spread through the fleet.
The name of the Roy Pirates has become legendary in the New World in the past two years.
Let alone ordinary soldiers, even Vice Admiral generals would think twice upon hearing this name.
But Kizaru didn't move.
He leaned against the mast, legs crossed, nail clippers in his hand, slowly trimming his nails.
" Admiral!" the lieutenant rushed over, " The Ark Maxim of the Roy Pirates is approaching!"
"Hmm," Kizaru responded without even looking up.
" Admiral! Should we prepare for battle?"
"What's the rush?" Kizaru blew on his fingernails. "They didn't say they were going to fight."
The adjutant was speechless.
Just then, Ark Maxim slowed down.
The golden spaceship hovered several hundred meters ahead of the fleet, facing the warships from a distance.
Roy stood at the bow of the ship, looking down at the fleet.
His gaze was fixed on Kizaru.
Kizaru finally raised his head, squinting at the golden spaceship.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
"Oh dear," Kizaru stood up, patting his pants, "What a coincidence."
He leaped into the air, transforming into a golden ray of light.
The golden light dissipated, Kizaru hovered in front of the Ark Maxim, hands in his pockets, a signature lazy smile on his face.
" Captain Roy, it's been a long time."
Roy looked at him and said calmly, " Kizaru, what are you doing in the North Blue?"
"Oh dear, that's the question I should be asking you."
Kizaru tilted his head.
"How did the Emperor of the New World end up in the North Blue?"
"Travel."
"Tourism?" Kizaru laughed. "Your tourism trip is quite a grand affair."
The two stared at each other, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
On the deck, lightning crackled around Tesoro, and Enel floated up as well, holding his golden staff.
Yamato gripped his spiked club tightly, Kazami his hand on the hilt of his sword, and Bar put down the iron ingot, clenching his fists.
Everyone was waiting for Roy's orders.
Behind Kizaru, the cannons of five warships were raised, aiming at the Ark Maxim.
The soldiers were so nervous their palms were sweating, their fingers on the triggers, ready to fire at any moment.
" Kizaru," Roy spoke, "You're here to stop me?"
Kizaru laughed, " Captain Roy, what are you saying? I was just on a mission, and happened to be patrolling the North Blue."
"Then your mission has nothing to do with me," Roy said. "Get out of the way."
Kizaru remained suspended in mid-air, hands in his pockets, his smile unchanged.
" Captain Roy, where are you going?"
Minion Island.
So that's where it is! The Roy Pirates have also received news about the Op-Op Fruit.
That won't do.
Kizaru's eyes flickered slightly, and he shook his head. "That place isn't convenient for you to go there right now."
Roy's eyes narrowed.
"Inconvenient? Who said that?"
"I said it."
The atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point.
Roy looked at Kizaru, Kizaru looked at Roy.
No one spoke.
But the invisible pressure made everyone present feel suffocated.
On the sea, waves surged.
Dark clouds began to gather in the sky.
The clash of opposing forces caused even the weather to change.
" Kizaru," Roy's voice was calm, "Do you think you can stop me?"
Kizaru shrugged. "Whether we can stop them or not, we'll only know after we try."
"You all leave immediately and head to Minion Island first!" Kizaru turned and ordered the warship below.
As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of golden light appeared, Kizaru's figure instantly appeared above the Ark Maxim.
As the right leg rises, light particles condense at the toes.
" Light Speed Kick!"
boom--!!!
A golden beam of light descended from the sky, slicing straight into the Ark Maxim!
The speed was so fast that it couldn't be detected by the naked eye; only Roy and Tesoro managed to react.
Roy's Telekinesis Domain instantly expanded, a semi-transparent shield enveloping the entire ship.
The Light Speed Kick struck the protective shield, creating ripples.
Kizaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh dear, what a hard turtle shell."
Roy didn't waste any words with him; his Telekinesis transformed into an invisible hand, reaching out to grab Kizaru.
Kizaru's figure flashed, transforming into golden light and disappearing from the spot.
Roy's Telekinesis attack missed its target.
"That guy's still so fast!" Tesoro curled his lip in disdain as he saw Kizaru.