Ian immediately made a call to Kaido.
At first, he had considered that if the Marine sent too many or too strong forces, he would send King for emergency support.
But since the Marine had only dispatched Admiral Kizaru, Kaido alone would be enough.
However, while Kaido was preparing to take action, another group was lying in wait.
In the West Blue, on an island near the entrance to the Grand Line through the canal.
This island held a position in the West Blue roughly equivalent to Loguetown in the East Blue.
The difference was that it lacked Loguetown's fame as the starting and ending point of a journey, so compared to Loguetown, it was relatively unknown.
But fame didn't matter. The strategic importance of both islands was the same—they were key points controlling access to the Grand Line.
Like Loguetown, this island also had a large-scale Marine base.
The base was commanded by a Marine Captain from headquarters, far superior to the colonels stationed at the four Blues' regional bases.
At this moment, inside a civilian house just outside the Marine base.
Crocodile sat in a chair, leaning back, his feet resting on the table in front of him.
He sneered, "The New World is already completely dominated by Ian. Even if the Marine captured Nico Robin, they wouldn't be able to cross the Calm Belt to return to the Grand Line."
"They can only return through here, so all we have to do is block them."
He had initially thought of racing the Marine to find Nico Robin first.
But the Marine had made too much noise. Crocodile had no confidence in finding Robin before them, so he decided to lie in wait here instead.
He had already stationed people at the canal entrance. The Marine's ships would have to pass through there, and they would get the news immediately.
"If we get that woman… we'll likely become the target of everyone's anger."
Redfield, who had accompanied Crocodile, calmly sipped his coffee.
Compared to the Sand Crocodile's bold posture, Redfield exuded elegance, sitting straight-backed and refined.
"It doesn't matter," Crocodile sneered. "Eliminate all witnesses, and no one will know anything."
"The Marine sent a very strong guy this time… Admiral Kizaru, huh," Crocodile looked seriously at Redfield. "Red, I'm counting on you."
"Hmph."
Redfield chuckled softly, neither agreeing nor refusing.
He had, after all, changed a little.
And his dream was still to become the Pirate King.
He also felt that he couldn't let that woman slip away.
While the two from the Cross Guild waited here for their prey, the rabbit they were expecting was indeed already approaching.
The Marine fleet, personally commanded by Kizaru, was closing in on the island.
Nico Robin was imprisoned in the ship's lower dungeon.
Seastone shackles bound her tightly, and several chains locked her completely inside the cabin.
The girl sat dazedly on the floor, her head bowed, eyes vacant.
She had completely lost all hope.
On the deck, Kizaru stood at the bow, looking at a sea chart.
After tracing the map with his finger, he said with a hint of satisfaction, "Quieter than I imagined. We're already very close to the canal. Hopefully, nothing unexpected will happen next."
Once they returned to the Grand Line, it would be much safer.
The West Blue, now occupied by the Cross Guild and the NEO Marines, was far more dangerous than the first half of the Grand Line.
What Kizaru didn't know was that on the island he was heading toward, someone was waiting for his arrival.
He also didn't realize that someone was pursuing him from behind.
In the sky behind him, fierce winds blew.
Dragon had transformed into the wind, accelerating at full speed.
By the time he arrived, the Marine fleet that had been surrounding Nico Robin had already dispersed.
Immediately, Dragon realized that the girl he had considered the "light of the revolution" must have already been captured by the Marines.
What would the Marines do next?
It was obvious—they would take Nico Robin back to the Grand Line.
So Dragon made the same deduction as Crocodile.
With the New World now controlled by the Beasts Pirates, the Marines could only return to the first half of the Grand Line by passing through the Reverse Mountain canal.
Dragon pursued them without hesitation.
No matter what, he had to bring that girl back!
She was the only person in the world who could reveal the hidden truth of history!
Thinking this, Dragon pushed himself to accelerate even faster.
...
The Marine warship finally began to slowly approach the island located at the mouth of the canal near Inverted Mountain.
Next, they would pass through the canal into the Grand Line and make a straight course for Justice Island.
The journey ahead was far from short, and they would first need to resupply.
Fortunately, the Marine stationed at this base had already prepared. As the warship entered the Marine port, the marines were already carrying supplies onto the ship.
Kizaru stood at the bow, watching the busy marines. For some reason, a sense of foreboding suddenly washed over him.
At that moment, atop a civilian house outside the Marine base—
"How's the situation?"
Crocodile asked calmly, cigar clenched between his teeth.
"Extremely formidable aura," Redfield replied evenly. "It must be that Marine Admiral."
"I see," Crocodile's lips curled into a smirk. "So… it's time to make our move, right?"
"First, knock out all the small fry," Redfield nodded slightly.
To conceal their movements, it was indeed necessary to eliminate witnesses.
But at that very instant, he suddenly looked up.
"What?"
Crocodile blinked, slightly taken aback.
From Redfield's expression, he knew that something unexpected had occurred.
"A stronger one has arrived!" Redfield said.
"Huh?"
Crocodile was momentarily stunned.
In the sky, a fierce wind suddenly howled downward.
"Hm?"
On the warship, Kizaru looked up in disbelief. "No way… Appearing here at this moment?!"
The gale instantly swept across the entire Marine base, blowing many marines directly off their feet.
The Marine warship trembled violently under the raging wind.
In the next moment, a figure had already taken shape atop the mast.
A green cloak flapped wildly in the storm. Dragon looked down at the man below. "Borsalino… it's been quite a long time, hasn't it?"
Kizaru stared at his long-unseen old friend and couldn't help but sigh. "If I could choose, I wouldn't want our reunion to be under circumstances like this."
"But Dragon… you, as a member of the Revolutionary Army, why have you come here now?"
Kizaru feigned ignorance.
"Of course, there's no other reason," Dragon said calmly.
"Old friend… hand that girl over to me."
**********
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