The death of a Celestial Dragon sent shock waves across the world that no amount of government censorship could contain. Though the World Government used every resource at its disposal to suppress the story, its efforts proved futile against the relentless machinery of global communication.
For ordinary citizens and smaller island nations, the careful propaganda campaigns managed to minimize the immediate impact. Official reports portrayed the incident as an isolated terrorist attack that had been quickly contained, with the perpetrators eliminated before they could threaten innocent lives.
But the criminal underworld, the pirates, smugglers, arms dealers, and every organization that operated beyond the reach of conventional law, knew the truth. The whispered conversations in dark taverns and coded messages through the Den Mushi networks carried the impossible news to every corner of the seas: someone had killed a World Knovle and lived to tell about it.
The revelation struck the pirate community like lightning. In the New World, the Four Emperors themselves took note of this unprecedented development. But the repercussions went far beyond these legendary figures, as rising forces like Portgas D. Ace's Spade Pirates and countless other rookie crews saw opportunity in the World Government's humiliation.
Their ambitions ignited like wildfire. If one man could strike such a devastating blow against the Navy's reputation, what could organized groups accomplish? The psychological barrier that had kept many pirates content with small-scale raids and modest bounties began to crumble.
The newly famous criminal who had accomplished this impossible feat became the most talked about figure on the seas almost overnight. His name and scarred visage appeared on wanted posters in every port, while his story spread through tavern songs and campfire tales. For a brief, intoxicating moment, even the Four Emperors found themselves overshadowed by speculation about this mysterious escaped slave.
On these waters, countless eyes were constantly watching the New World for any sign of shifting power dynamics. The actions of the Four Emperors could reshape the entire maritime balance with a single decisive move, making their territories the focus of intense scrutiny from governments and criminals alike.
But now, all that attention had been captured by one man's act of defiance against the untouchable gods who ruled their world.
As for how the World Government and the Celestial Dragons would hold the Marine accountable for this catastrophic failure... the outside world could only speculate. Surprisingly, no obvious scapegoat emerged from the Marine leadership. The storm that many expected to devastate the Marine command structure seemed to pass with unexpected calm.
It seemed that the World Government wanted this "stain" on Celestial Dragon dignity to fade quietly from public memory, hoping that time would gradually lessen its impact on their authority. They clearly had no desire to escalate the situation further, especially with Big News Morgans lurking in the shadows, ready to amplify any punitive measures into front-page scandals.
If the government punished the Marine too harshly, the Morgans would surely seize the opportunity to fan the flames of controversy. Instead of letting the story die naturally, excessive retaliation would only provide fresh ammunition to those who opposed their rule.
What outsiders didn't realize was that Fleet Admiral Sengoku's survival in his position owed everything to two crucial interventions.
The first came from Vice Admiral Garp, the Marine hero whose reputation transcended military rank. When the Celestial Dragons gathered to demand blood for their wounded pride, it was Garp who stepped forward with characteristic directness.
His message was devastatingly simple: if they forced Sengoku to retire, he would retire as well.
Though officially only a Vice Admiral, Garp's influence on Marine morale and public perception exceeded even that of Fleet Admirals. He represented the idealized image of naval justice, a golden symbol that inspired both his subordinates and the civilians they protected. His presence served as a stabilizing force that kept even the most arrogant pirates from pushing their luck too far.
More importantly, Garp's threat came at the worst possible time. The new generation of pirates was already showing alarming signs of growth and organization, while the Navy struggled to produce outstanding recruits to match their growing influence. In the New World, the Four Emperors made increasingly aggressive moves that tested the limits of acceptable behavior.
At such a critical juncture, the loss of both Sengoku and Garp would create a leadership vacuum that could invite disastrous opportunism from any enemy of the World Government.
The second intervention came from an even more unexpected source: Steel Bone Kong, former Navy Admiral and current Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's military forces. When the Five Elders prepared to sacrifice Sengoku as an appeasement offering, Kong's opposition was so vehement that witnesses reported him actually pounding his fist on the table during arguments with Saint Topman Warcury.
In the end, after hours of heated negotiations that lasted from morning until late at night, Sengoku's position was maintained. But the Celestial Dragons still demanded visible consequences for the Navy's failure to protect their divine persons.
Since they couldn't use the Fleet Admiral as a scapegoat, other aspects of the Navy's operations would have to bear the punishment.
On the warship returning from Marijoa to Marineford, Sengoku and Garp stood side by side on the bow deck, salt spray misting their faces as they contemplated the turbulent political waters they'd just sailed through.
Compared to Garp's relaxed demeanor, as if nothing particularly significant had happened, Sengoku looked haggard and deeply troubled by what lay ahead.
"Everything that is happening now, all the reactions across the seas, including the government and the Celestial Dragons themselves, are based on the assumption that the murderer is dead," Sengoku said quietly, his voice barely carried over the sound of the waves against the hull. "If he's still alive and the news spreads..."
Without having to finish the thought, both men understood the implications. Every pirate, revolutionary, and enemy of the world government was asking the same questions that haunted their own thoughts: Was the man who killed a Celestial Dragon really dead? And if he was alive, where was he hiding?
"Wouldn't it be better if he were alive?" Garp replied with characteristic optimism, crunching loudly on a rice cracker. "I'll catch him myself."
Sengoku glanced at his old friend and closed his eyes in weary resignation. Somehow, Garp's simple approach to problem solving made even the most complex political disasters seem manageable. The man's ability to reduce any crisis to its most basic elements was both refreshing and maddening.
But the fundamental nature of this incident wouldn't change, no matter how they chose to address it. The question that would define their response remained unanswered: Where was he?
Meanwhile, thousands of fathoms below the surface, Oboro and Dom continued their unlikely refuge in the living caverns of a Sea King's digestive system. The massive creature's internal temperature maintained perfect conditions for human survival, while its steady breathing cycle provided fresh oxygen through punctured air sacs.
Dom had finally regained consciousness, his enhanced physiology gradually recovering from the crushing pressure they'd endured during their descent. As Oboro explained their current situation and the method of their escape, the transformed pirate's shock was evident in every expression.
He'd never imagined that his mysterious boss had the ability to communicate with, let alone control, the legendary Sea Kings that ruled the ocean depths.
If this ability ever became public knowledge, the repercussions could rival even the assassination of a Celestial Dragon. It would fundamentally change the way humans understood sea travel and exploration, possibly rendering traditional shipping routes obsolete.
In Dom's eyes, Oboro had always been "mysterious and powerful," but that power had remained within the bounds of comprehension. Devil Fruit abilities, enhanced physical conditioning, sophisticated fighting techniques, all of that fell into established categories that he could understand and accept.
But this... this completely transcended conventional boundaries.
"We should be far enough away from the Sabaody Archipelago by now," Oboro said, carefully removing a fishbone from between his teeth before tossing it into the organic waste dump that surrounded them. "Somewhere along one of the first half of the Grand Line routes, though I can't pinpoint our exact location."
During their journey, food had come from the small fish their Sea King host had periodically swallowed and regurgitated for them to consume. Raw seafood was not ideal cuisine, but it had kept them alive when conventional survival would have been impossible.
While Oboro could communicate telepathically with their massive transport, Sea King intelligence operated on fundamentally different principles than human cognition. Without log poses or navigational instruments, determining their exact position remained frustratingly difficult.
"Where are we going?" Dom asked, though his limited tactical thinking suggested only one viable destination.
Given their circumstances, the New World seemed the only environment that could possibly harbor fugitives of their notoriety.
"I've had our Sea King surface several times to scout the situation," Oboro replied with grim satisfaction. "As I suspected, warships are patrolling everywhere, and in the coordinate areas closest to the Sabaody Archipelago, even the pirate ships have practically disappeared. The wrath of the Celestial Dragons won't let up for a moment, and their efforts to hunt us down are unprecedented in scope."
He leaned back against the fleshy wall, his hands clasped behind his head in deceptive nonchalance. "The Navy is probably gathering all three Admirals and their core leadership right now, debating how to determine whether we're dead or alive."
Dom swallowed nervously, the enormity of their situation finally registering in his heightened consciousness.
"Then we should definitely go to the New World!" he declared with desperate conviction.
"No," Oboro shook her head firmly. "The power of the World Government in the New World is severely limited, that much is true. We could certainly survive there, but the political structure has already crystallized around the Four Emperors. Most of the resources and territories have been claimed by their organizations, making it extremely difficult for newcomers to establish independent positions."
He paused, studying Dom's expression carefully before continuing. "Besides, given what we've accomplished... do you really think they'd be interested in us as anything more than useful pawns?"
"We could decide to join one of them," Dom suggested hesitantly, though his voice carried little confidence.
The suggestion revealed the limitations of Dom's small-scale pirate mentality. In his mind, survival meant finding powerful protection, regardless of the cost to personal autonomy. The opportunity to serve under one of the Four Emperors was a dream scenario that most criminals could never hope to achieve.
Their recent actions, regardless of their previous insignificance, would surely be enough to open doors that had remained closed to ordinary pirates.
"Heh..." Oboro's laugh carried tones of dark amusement. "These four rulers, even Red-haired Shanks, who gained his position only a few years ago, are not charitable souls. They've ruled these seas for years through calculated ruthlessness. What do you think would happen if the World Government offered them sufficient compensation? Except perhaps for Whitebeard, especially Big Mom and Kaido would sell us both without a moment's hesitation."
His expression grew more serious as he delivered the crucial lesson. "Don't gamble with your life if you can't afford to lose, because you don't have the capital to make such bets worthwhile."
Then, shifting to a more optimistic tone, he smiled. "Let's go to the North Blue."
"North Blue?" Dom's confusion was evident in his wide eyes.
The Four Blues seemed like such a step backward, returning to the "rookie" seas after all they'd accomplished on the Grand Line.
"The situations in the four seas are fundamentally different," Oboro explained patiently, settling into the mentoring role their partnership had gradually established. "The East Blue is the calmest and most thoroughly controlled by naval forces. The South Blue is more chaotic and exports many pirates to the Grand Line, their overall quality is not low, but that doesn't offer any particular advantages for our situation."
He raised a finger to emphasize his next point. "The most suitable options for us are the West Blue and the North Blue. The West Blue is owned by different mafia families with complex, interconnected power structures. We could temporarily hide there without immediate security concerns, but it would only be a short-term solution.
Dom listened intently, his enhanced cognitive abilities allowing him to process the strategic implications even if they exceeded his previous understanding.
"To put it bluntly, the Navy maintains significant influence in the West Blue, although it is unable to completely control the Mafia situation. More importantly, the mafia organizations are essentially businessmen disguised as underground forces. Anyone connected to business interests can be bought, and they'll do anything for enough profit."
Oboro's analysis became more detailed as he warmed to the subject. "The Western Blue Mafias are numerous and extremely well informed. We'd have no place to hide from their intelligence networks. Not only would they tip off the Navy or the World Government, but each family has profitable relationships with official authorities."
"All in all, the North Blue offers our best prospects!" He emphasized this conclusion by extending a single finger.
"First, the North Blue exists in constant chaos. Doflamingo's family built their initial power base there, profiting enormously as war profiteers. He's intelligent enough to understand that, as a former Celestial Dragon expelled from the Holy Land, he needed to establish his operations in the sea least affected by the World Knoble's influence!"
"Doflamingo is a Celestial Dragon?!" Dom's mouth dropped open in shock.
"He used to be," Oboro confirmed casually. "Why else do you think he can deal directly with the World Nobles? These heavenly dragons are obsessed with class distinctions and hereditary status. Without that background, even attaining great power wouldn't earn their respect or attention."
Dom's worldview continued to expand as these revelations challenged everything he thought he understood about the political landscape.
"The North Blue contains more non-member nations than any other sea," Oboro continued methodically. "The nations there are constantly at war, and the flow of information to the outside world remains relatively limited. At the same time, the forces that have emerged from these conflicts represent an incredible diversity: arms dealers, traffickers in banned substances, technology groups, armed mercenary companies, and more."
He gestured broadly, painting a picture of organized chaos that went beyond simple criminal activity. "Even many member countries have been affected by the regional instability, with their national conditions deteriorating beyond recognition. What we need most now is a place to hide while this period of intense scrutiny passes. Once the immediate threat diminishes, the subsequent dangers will become more manageable."
"Therefore, the North Blue provides our optimal environment. It also provides enough time to prepare before eventually returning to the Grand Line."
Oboro's expression became more thoughtful as he considered the human element of their destination. "Most importantly, the majority of North Blue's inhabitants live on the brink of survival. When people face death at any moment while struggling for basic necessities, external events become irrelevant to their daily concerns. They simply don't have the luxury of worrying about distant political developments. That indifference makes us safer.
With little time for such discussions, Oboro welcomed the opportunity to broaden Dom's understanding beyond the limited perspective of small-scale piracy.
"The West Blue has established mafia families that any newcomer will eventually have to deal with directly. But the North Blue lacks a single dominant power structure. Ordinary citizens focus on immediate survival needs, while those who flock there seek profit above all else. Big fish and small fish, every type of opportunist creates an ever-changing environment."
"Even when powerful figures emerge in the North Blue, they prioritize wealth over territory or political control," he continued with growing enthusiasm for the subject. "Money means opportunity, and opportunity means sustained chaos, deliberately maintained chaos, controlled by hidden beneficiaries who profit from instability."
Dom found himself struggling to process the implications, his enhanced mind working to understand concepts that had never occurred to him during his previous criminal career.
"Only when the water is muddy can the fish underneath remain hidden," Oboro concluded with satisfaction.
"The chaotic countries of the Four Blues cannot compare to the size and influence of the major pirate organizations or established mafia families. They simply operate in a completely different category. Doesn't the world government want to deal with these situations? They can't, and more importantly, they have no obligation to intervene. Non-member states exist outside their protection and authority."
He leaned forward slightly, making sure he had Dom's full attention. "This particular background and mechanism creates a relatively unique maritime environment, unlike anywhere else in the world."
"So... do you understand?" Oboro asked, studying his companion's expression carefully.
"Hiss..." Dom took a sharp breath, feeling dizzy from the comprehensive analysis he had just received.
But the feeling was more like enlightenment than confusion. He looked at Oboro with deeper admiration than ever before, realizing that his boss possessed information and understanding beyond anything he'd encountered before.
Incredible! The level of knowledge and insight was truly staggering.
Although he considered himself an "experienced pirate" after years on the seas, Dom realized that he had only a superficial understanding of the political and economic realities of the Four Blues. Until this moment, he'd never understood the deeper currents that shaped maritime civilization.
The revelation both humbled and excited him; if this was the level of strategic thinking Oboro brought to their partnership, then perhaps their impossible situation wasn't as hopeless as conventional wisdom suggested.