Sabaody Archipelago.
Inside a secret base of the Revolutionary Army.
Fisherman Haku burst through the door, addressing the Revolutionary Army's deputy strategist Koala with urgency.
"Koala, word is that the Godslayer Sora has appeared on the Sabaody Archipelago!"
Koala, who had been reading the newspaper, froze in surprise.
"Is that true? Where is he now?"
Haku took a deep breath and replied seriously, "The rumor says he's in Area 18, but it's unconfirmed."
Koala immediately stood up and put on her hat.
"Even if it's just a rumor, we have to check it out. It's our mission from Dragon."
"We can't miss the chance to obtain his flying ship technology!"
Without hesitation, she led the way out. Haku quickly followed.
Meanwhile…
In the bar where Katakuri was staying.
Sweet Commander Smoothie pushed open the door and spoke to Katakuri, who was reviewing intelligence reports.
"Big Brother, I heard the Godslayer Sora has been spotted. He's said to be in Area 18. Brother Daifuku and the others have already gone to check it out."
Katakuri immediately stood up and headed for the door.
"Is the intel accurate?"
Smoothie shook her head.
"We don't know for sure. But our men saw several CP0 agents from the World Government heading there. That's why Daifuku rushed over."
Katakuri frowned.
A rumor without a clear source was highly likely to be a deliberate distraction.
"If it's bait, it could be a trap."
He looked to Smoothie and instructed firmly, "Don't come with me this time. Go back and guard the ship. Be ready to set sail at a moment's notice!"
"This may be someone trying to stir up chaos."
"You think it's that fat bastard Queen?" Smoothie asked.
"Very likely," Katakuri replied. "But even if it is, I have to confirm it myself."
If others heard the same rumor, they'd rush there too. And if Queen had leaked the intel, it was a perfect example of an open trap—meant to lure everyone into the chaos.
"I got it. I'll secure the ship." Smoothie turned on her heel and dashed toward their anchorage.
Katakuri then led the Big Mom pirates toward Area 18.
Soon, he arrived outside a restaurant, where he found Daifuku and Oven already locked in a standoff with Queen.
Nearby, several Supernova—including Kid, Law, and Bonney—watched from the shadows with their crews.
They'd all heard of Sora's flying ship tech and were hoping for a lucky chance to grab it.
On a rooftop, masked CP0 agents silently observed the brewing chaos.
The World Government had stationed multiple CP0 agents around the archipelago in anticipation of capturing Sora.
In another dark corner, Koala and Haku silently surveyed the scene, searching for Sora's exact location.
Further away, Rayleigh and Shakky watched calmly from a distance.
As the former ruler of Amazon Lily, Shakky was very interested in the flying ship technology as well.
'So it wasn't Queen who spread the rumor?' Katakuri thought, his brows furrowing as he spotted Queen.
Peering through the restaurant window, Katakuri spotted someone inside.
There, calmly eating, was the man being called the Godslayer—Sora. He clearly had no fear of the chaos outside.
And beside him sat a blue-haired woman who looked remarkably like the kidnapped princess of Alabasta.
"Is that really the Godslayer Sora?"
Katakuri's eyes widened.
At the same moment, the CP0, Revolutionary Army, and Supernova agents also noticed the man inside. They froze for a brief second.
"Move aside, Queen!"
Oven yelled and charged forward.
"Hahaha, like I'd let you!"
Queen laughed wildly and transformed his right arm into a machine gun, firing relentlessly at Oven and Daifuku.
Shave!
Several CP0 agents suddenly appeared at the restaurant entrance, charging in.
Zing! Zing! Zing!
Without hesitation, Katakuri flicked several mochi bullets, intercepting the CP0 agents mid-rush.
The others watching from the shadows began to move as well.
A multi-party free-for-all had officially begun.
…
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
One of the Five Elders, the curly-haired Science Defense God, looked down at the kneeling CP0 agent and asked coldly, "You say the criminal Sora has appeared at the Sabaody Archipelago?"
"Yes, Elder," the agent replied respectfully.
"This was just reported by our stationed CP0 operatives. Sweet Commander Katakuri, All-Star Queen, and others are already fighting over him. Our agents are requesting reinforcements."
The bald Financial God polished his katana and said in a deep voice, "Then let the Navy send an Admiral."
The Environmental God, stroking his long beard, added, "Contact the Admirals directly."
"This is the perfect time to capture Sora before Ace's execution."
Due to the previous G-8 base incident—where a commander was killed by CP0—the Five Elders didn't want to confront Fleet Admiral Sengoku directly and escalate internal conflict.
"Then it's settled."
…
Marineford, Navy Headquarters.
Admiral Kizaru's office.
Purururu purururu...Clack!
"Moshi moshi~?"
Kizaru lounged on the sofa, lazily trimming his nails as he answered the call.
"Kizaru, this is one of the Five Elders."
"Sora has appeared at Sabaody. I order you to go and capture him—immediately! Understood?"
The call cut off before Kizaru could reply.
He frowned.
Trouble was on the way.
He sighed, stood up, and walked out of his office.
Just as he did, he saw Akainu and Aokiji stepping out of their rooms at the same time.
The three men exchanged looks and instantly realized—they had all gotten the same order.
Akainu stepped forward first.
"Let's move. We capture the criminal Sora quickly and get back here. Ace's execution is only days away."
Kizaru rubbed his chin and followed behind.
"All three Admirals deployed at once? That's rare."
Aokiji tucked away his sleep mask and muttered, "Well, it is the Godslayer we're dealing with…"
"Godslayer, huh? How scary~" Kizaru said with his usual languid drawl.
______________
P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to 30+ chapters for $5 and receive daily updates at p@treon.com/Betek (@->a).