Inside the living cavern of the Sea King's digestive system, Dom watched Oboro with growing unease. The implications of what the old pirate had witnessed on the shores of Bona Island weighed heavily on his mind, adding new layers of anxiety to their already precarious situation.
"Boss," Dom ventured cautiously, his voice echoing softly off the organic walls surrounding them, "is it really okay that he saw you controlling the Sea King?"
The question carried weight far beyond simple concern for their immediate safety. Dom's tactical mind, honed by years of pirate life on the Grand Line, understood the disastrous consequences if word of Oboro's impossible ability spread through the criminal underworld or reached government intelligence networks.
The power to command sea kings represented something beyond devil fruit abilities or advanced haki techniques. It suggested abilities that operated outside the established rules that governed their world, the kind of supernatural control that would transform Oboro from merely the most wanted criminal in recent history into something approaching a force of nature.
If such information were to reach the ears of the World Government, their response would exceed even the current unprecedented manhunt. The systematic elimination of anyone with knowledge of this ability would become their absolute priority, regardless of collateral damage or political consequences.
"He won't survive to tell anyone," Oboro replied with calm certainty, his tone suggesting that he had already calculated the old pirate's chances with clinical precision.
The assessment was not delivered with malice or satisfaction, just the cold mathematical reality of their situation. Admiral-level forces converging on Bona Island meant that any remaining witnesses would face interrogation methods that would make death seem merciful by comparison. The World Government's track record with "loose ends" was well documented throughout maritime history.
"Besides," Oboro continued with philosophical detachment, "even if he somehow managed to spread the story, it wouldn't matter in the long run.
His enhanced soul abilities represented only a fraction of the power he'd accumulated across multiple dimensional realities. The techniques, knowledge and abilities he'd gathered from the worlds of Hunter x Hunter and Demon Slayer worked according to principles that the inhabitants of One Piece could not analyze through conventional understanding. Their attempts to categorize or counter his abilities would be like trying to solve advanced mathematics with primitive arithmetic.
The conversation was interrupted by a violent tremor that shook their living sanctuary with bone-jarring force. Both men nearly lost their footing as the Sea King's massive body convulsed, its internal chambers lurching with disorienting motion that sent them scrambling against the organic walls.
"What the hell?" Dom's enhanced senses immediately went on high alert, searching for threats that could have caused such a dramatic reaction from their host.
Oboro closed his eyes and expanded his consciousness outward, making telepathic contact with the Sea King's primitive mind. The images that flooded his consciousness painted a picture of imminent danger, the ocean around them transforming at an impossible rate as crystalline death spread across the water's surface.
When he opened his eyes again, they held a grim realization.
"Admiral Aokiji," Oboro announced with quiet intensity, his heightened perception following the supernatural change in the waters above them.
The Sea King had been swimming through the deep ocean currents when the temperature around them plummeted with shocking suddenness. Massive spikes of ice began to fall through the water like inverted icicles, creating a deadly obstacle course that threatened every living thing in the area. Sea creatures fled in panic, while larger predators struggled against the icy onslaught that turned their liquid environment into a crystalline deathtrap.
Even their Sea King host, with its legendary size and deep-sea adaptations, had barely avoided a collision with the growing formations of supernaturally created ice.
"Move! Now!" Oboro commanded urgently, his mental link to their transport conveying the desperate need for immediate escape.
The ecosystem of the Calm Belt operated on the principles of constant predation, where massive sea kings hunted each other in an endless cycle of survival. Their particular host was one of the smaller specimens in these waters, making it vulnerable to the attacks of the true giants that ruled the deepest realms. The chaos caused by Aokiji's freezing attack had wounded several larger creatures, and the smell of blood in the water was already attracting every predator for miles around.
A feeding frenzy under such circumstances would prove disastrous for anyone caught in the middle.
Oboro's heart rate increased slightly as he considered the tactical implications of a direct confrontation with an Admiral. Even during their escape from the Sabaody Archipelago, his encounter with Kizaru had been brief and largely circumstantial, the light-speed Admiral's attack coming after they'd already disappeared beneath the waves. But this was different. This was systematic, methodical, designed to eliminate every possible hiding place across vast expanses of ocean.
Due to his extensive knowledge of the original One Piece timeline, Aokiji's fighting skills were legendary even among the Navy's elite forces. The man who could defeat Monkey D. Garp in one-on-one combat, and who later demonstrated his overwhelming power by instantly eliminating Charlotte Cracker, one of Big Mom's three Sweet Captains, possessed exactly the kind of raw destructive power that could reshape entire battlefields with casual effort.
The scope of his Ice Age technique defied rational comprehension, capable of freezing the waters between entire islands and turning vast stretches of ocean into solid crystal.
"The entire sea is frozen," Oboro observed with analytical detachment, his mind already working through the implications of such a massive attack. "Fortunately, this Sea King's territory includes the deepest ocean trenches. Otherwise we'd be dead already."
His strategic choice of transport proved prescient. Many Sea Kings operated primarily in shallow waters or within certain depth ranges, making them vulnerable to surface-based attacks. But their current host possessed the biological adaptations necessary for true deep-sea survival, allowing it to dive beyond the reach of even Aokiji's extraordinary abilities.
This realization provided crucial information about the Admiral's tactical thinking. Kuzan understood that conventional tracking methods had repeatedly failed, forcing him to employ area denial techniques that could affect entire regions simultaneously. Instead of hunting for specific targets, he was systematically eliminating every possible hiding place across hundreds of square miles of ocean.
"Bona Island is probably gone," Oboro commented with dark amusement, imagining the destruction such an overwhelming force would wreak on the small settlement.
"What?" Dom's voice broke in disbelief.
The transformed pirate struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the power unleashed against them. Islands were supposed to be permanent features, unchanging landmarks that provided stability in an ever-changing world. The casual destruction of entire land masses for tactical purposes was beyond his understanding of conventional warfare.
"It's not just Aokiji," Oboro continued with predatory satisfaction, his analytical mind piecing together the larger strategic picture. "To eliminate someone who killed a Celestial Dragon, the Marine would use overwhelming force. I wouldn't be surprised if Garp himself led the operation."
The mention of the naval hero sent a chill through Dom's enhanced nervous system. Every pirate worth his salt knew stories of Monkey D. Garp, the man who had cornered Pirate King Roger many times over, and whose physical strength could shatter mountains with a barehanded punch. If the World Government had mobilized its legendary enforcers for this manhunt, survival would require miracles rather than mere skill.
"The game of survival just got a lot more interesting," Oboro smiled with genuine anticipation rather than fear.
His scarred features radiated the kind of predatory excitement that marked individuals who thrived on impossible challenges. Where others saw overwhelming odds and certain death, he saw opportunities to test skills that had never been pushed to their absolute limits.
As he spoke, another violent tremor shook their living sanctuary as the Sea King accelerated through the deep currents. The creature's primitive intelligence understood that staying in this area meant death and drove it to the safety of the truly abyssal depths, where even Admiral-level attacks couldn't reach.
Hours passed in tense silence as night settled over the surface of the ocean far above their position. When the tremors finally subsided and their Sea King host returned to normal swimming patterns, both fugitives understood that the immediate crisis had passed.
The Navy had been forced to face an uncomfortable reality: their most sought-after targets had once again vanished, despite unprecedented resources and Admiral-level intervention. The Godkiller had proven that even the World Government's ultimate enforcers couldn't guarantee his capture.
But the failure of their massive operation created new strategic opportunities. Kizaru's forces had undoubtedly repositioned themselves to guard Reverse Mountain, the legendary entrance to the Grand Line that served as the primary gateway between the Four Seas and the more dangerous waters beyond. With the Admiral's light-speed mobility, the Marines could easily reach this chokepoint before any fleeing ship attempting a conventional escape.
The assumption underlying their defensive positioning was logical; Oboro's most rational destination would be the New World, where the territories of the Four Emperors offered potential refuge from the authority of the World Government. Every tactical analysis suggested that an alliance with one of the Yonko was his only viable long-term survival strategy.
But Oboro's true intentions differed dramatically from conventional pirate logic. His goals transcended simple survival or even personal power; he sought to overthrow the entire foundation of Celestial Dragon supremacy, regardless of the chaos such actions would unleash upon the world.
For such goals, the crystallized power structure of the New World offered more obstacles than opportunities.
Meanwhile, the world above continued its frenzied reaction to the news of the Godkiller's continued existence. Morgan's intelligence network had once again demonstrated its preternatural efficiency, somehow obtaining accurate information about naval operations that should have remained classified at the highest levels.
Big News Morgan operated from his mobile fortress in the sky, safely beyond the reach of conventional retaliation, while his reporters and informants gathered intelligence from every corner of the globe. The scope of his organization's capabilities spoke to an influence that rivaled even government agencies, built through decades of cultivating sources within every major power structure.
His latest reports had sent shockwaves through criminal organizations across the four seas. Headlines screamed about the Godkiller's apparent destination, not the New World as expected, but one of the "weaker" oceans where naval control remained absolute and escape routes were severely limited.
The strategic implications puzzled most observers. Why would someone who had demonstrated such extraordinary abilities deliberately choose the most inconvenient battlefield? How could he hope to break the naval blockades that controlled every major shipping lane?
These questions dominated conversations in pirate taverns and government offices alike, sparking speculation ranging from tactical genius to elaborate suicide. Everyone wanted to see if this legendary figure could pull off another impossible feat, or if his remarkable streak of survival would finally end in the confined waters of the four seas.
But Morgan's reporting served a purpose beyond mere journalism. His detailed exposure of recent events had inadvertently complicated the Four Emperors' recruitment efforts, making any attempt to protect Oboro a matter of public record rather than secret negotiation. The revelation that all four Yonko had an interest in the God Slayer turned potential alliance talks into transparent political maneuvering that the World Government could track and counter.
In many ways, the famed journalist had simultaneously elevated Oboro's legend while limiting his options for survival, a contradiction that spoke to the complex motivations driving the underground information economy.
On Whole Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin's anger at this development had manifested itself in characteristic destruction. The architecture of the throne room bore fresh scars of her fury, while her subordinates struggled to maintain their composure in the face of their captain's volcanic temper.
"That bastard Morgans," Big Mom growled through gritted teeth, her massive form radiating a murderous intent that made the very air oppressive. "He deliberately ruined our negotiations!"
The interference was more than mere journalism; it was strategic sabotage, forcing the Four Emperors to operate under unprecedented scrutiny. Any attempt to recruit Oboro would now invite immediate World Government intervention, potentially triggering conflicts that could reshape the entire balance of power in the New World.
"Find him anyway," she commanded her assembled children with imperial authority. "I don't care what complications arise. The God Slayer belongs in my collection."
Their determination spoke to the realization that individuals capable of killing Celestial Dragons represented resources too valuable to ignore, regardless of the political consequences.
Similar conversations took place throughout the New World as various power brokers evaluated their options in light of changing circumstances. The underground economy that linked pirates, revolutionaries, and criminal organizations buzzed with activity as players positioned themselves for the chaos that would follow.
Two weeks of intense searching brought nothing but frustration to the forces of world government. Every lead proved false, every reported sighting a case of mistaken identity or deliberate misdirection. The God Slayer had vanished as completely as if he'd never existed, leaving behind only the growing legend of his impossible escapes.
Finally accepting that conventional methods had utterly failed, the World Government updated its official bounty postings, a public admission that their target remained at large despite overwhelming efforts to eliminate him.
Oboro's new bounty climbed to 500 million berries, a staggering sum that placed him among the most dangerous criminals in recorded history. For context, even some members of the Seven Warlords of the Sea had lower official prices on their heads.
Dom's bounty increased to 50 million berries, reflecting his role as the Godkiller's chief accomplice and the enhanced abilities he'd demonstrated during their various encounters with government forces.
But the bounty announcements carried political overtones that revealed the psychological state of the World Government. Instead of acknowledging the specific crime that had prompted this unprecedented manhunt, the official announcements listed only "extremely heinous offenses" without mentioning Celestial Dragon's involvement.
This deliberate omission spoke more to institutional embarrassment than security concerns. The government preferred to maintain the illusion that its divine masters remained untouchable, even as evidence to the contrary was being discussed in every tavern on the four seas.
The face-saving measure fooled no one, but it preserved the bureaucratic fiction that nothing fundamental had changed in the world's power structure.
To pirates operating throughout the Grand Line and beyond, however, the new bounty levels sent a clear message about capability and threat. 500 million berries represented recognition as a force capable of challenging the established order itself, the kind of individual whose very existence destabilized governments and inspired revolutions.
When the massive Sea King finally broke the surface of the East Blue's crystalline waters, both refugees felt as if they were being reborn into a world that had changed dramatically in their absence. Sunlight on their faces and fresh air in their lungs served as powerful reminders that they had once again achieved the impossible, escaping certain death by methods that defied conventional understanding.
Oboro stood atop the creature's massive head as it opened its cavernous mouth, allowing them to step onto its tongue before swimming the short distance to nearby waters. The transition from their living sanctuary to the open ocean felt symbolic, emerging from the depths of the world's most dangerous waters into the deceptively peaceful environment of the East Blue.
"This is it," Oboro said with quiet satisfaction, surveying the horizon with a heightened perception that confirmed their successful crossing. "The hometown of pirate king Gol D. Roger."
The East Blue held a unique significance that transcended its reputation as the "weakest" of the four seas. While the overall level of pirate activity remained modest compared to the constant violence of the Grand Line, this ocean had produced some of history's most legendary figures. Roger himself had come from these waters, along with other names who had shaped the fate of the world through their choices and actions.
More importantly for their current circumstances, the East Blue's geography and political structure offered advantages that other seas couldn't provide. The scattered islands and independent kingdoms created a complex web of jurisdictions where fugitives could potentially find sanctuary, especially if they possessed the resources and knowledge necessary to navigate the local power dynamics.
"Logue Town," Dom breathed with a mixture of awe and apprehension, recognizing their destination from his study of maritime history.
The city where the pirate king Roger had been executed held special significance for every criminal who had ever dreamed of conquering the seas. It represented both the ultimate achievement, reaching heights that inspired legends, and the inevitable price that such ambitions often demanded. For many pirates, a visit to Logue Town served as a pilgrimage to understand what separated those who made history from those who were consumed by it.
But their arrival here had practical considerations beyond the symbolic. Logue City's strategic location made it a natural gathering point for information, resources, and contacts that operated throughout the East Blue's criminal networks. If they were to establish themselves in these waters, this city was the logical starting point for building the organization their survival would require.
The game was entering its next phase, and the stakes had never been higher. But for the first time since leaving the Sabaody Archipelago, Oboro felt truly optimistic about their prospects. The East Blue might be considered the weakest of the four seas, but weakness was relative, and sometimes the most overlooked territories offered the greatest opportunities for those bold enough to seize them.
As their Sea King transport disappeared beneath the waves, leaving them alone on the ocean's surface, both fugitives understood that their greatest challenges still lay ahead. The World Government's hunt would never cease, the Navy's resources were virtually unlimited, and every day brought new complications that threatened to expose their location.
But they had survived everything their enemies could throw at them. They had escaped the Sabaody Archipelago, evaded Admiral-level pursuit, and crossed the world's most dangerous waters using methods that redefined what was considered possible.
Now it was time to see what two of history's most wanted criminals could accomplish when they stopped running and started building something that could challenge the established order itself.
The East Blue was about to learn exactly what it means to harbor the God Slayer, and the world would never be the same.