The news about Moria's defeat, because of the special nature of Thriller Bark, did not spread out, and the sea remained calm as always.
After several battles with the Shichibukai, the Straw Hat crew had spent a few days lying around like corpses. Once they were wrapped in bandages, they recovered quickly, and immediately prepared to head toward their next destination.
On the Sunny, everyone was busy with their own tasks.
Zoro was doing handstand push-ups with weights, Sanji was cooking, and Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp were playing games.
Only Robin sat under a parasol, long legs stretched out, reading the newspaper.
Yet her expression didn't look very good.
Luffy and the others ran past Robin while horsing around, grinning widely, having a great time — but Robin stopped them right then.
Her tone was serious and stern.
"Luffy, as Captain, I think there's something you absolutely have to know."
"Eh? Nani??"
Luffy froze with a blank face. Usopp and Chopper also stopped where they were. Even Zoro, who was still training, and Nami, who was drawing charts, looked over.
Everyone gathered around for a small meeting.
"Luffy, do you know whose turf the Sabaody Archipelago — our next destination — belongs to?"
Seeing the fear lingering in Robin's expression, Nami frowned, her face filled with shock.
"No way?? Don't tell me it's another Shichibukai!!!"
You couldn't blame her for guessing that. On their journey so far, they had encountered more than half of all the Shichibukai — from Mihawk to Crocodile, then Moria and Kuma.
Every time they met one of those monsters, the whole crew almost died.
Robin's pupils trembled a little, but she finally shook her head.
Seeing this, Nami, Usopp, and Chopper sighed in relief and leaned on each other, patting their chests.
That's good~
But unexpectedly, Robin followed up with a name engraved deeply in their memories.
"That place does not belong to any member of the Shichibukai, but to the one who commands them… the base of Black Gun Orin."
As her words fell, the ship fell into momentary silence.
Luffy and the others looked like they finally processed it, mouths wide open, the three main fighters equally shocked.
Nami and Chopper were practically turned to stone, nearly cracking apart.
Only Brook stood elegantly with a cup of coffee.
"Black Gun? I've never heard that name before."
Franky explained beside him.
"That guy used to be one of Pirate King Roger's crew. He's a ridiculously strong monster. I met him once when I was little."
Now Brook seemed to recall something.
"Roger? I think there was a rookie with that name… or maybe not…"
No matter how the others reacted, Nami was absolutely the one who least wanted to run into Orin, especially since Luffy said those kinds of things earlier — and Orin heard him.
"Then… can we go around that island instead? Take another route…"
She pulled out the sea charts, only to despairingly discover that for pirates headed toward the New World, they had to get coated at Sabaody to go to Fish-Man Island.
Seeing no way to avoid it, Nami grabbed Luffy by the collar, baring sharp teeth as she warned him:
"Hey! Luffy!! Once we get there, you MUST keep a low profile! Don't attract ANY attention!!!"
"Okay~"
But seeing Luffy picking his nose while agreeing, Nami exploded.
"You didn't listen at all!!!"
Zoro and Sanji sighed, but still spoke up for Luffy.
"Save your breath. If Luffy ignored Vivi's and Brook's situations, that would be strange."
"Yeah… and after not seeing our father for so many years — we're not kids anymore. We're pirates now!!!"
Hearing the other two main fighters say that, Luffy pumped his fist in excitement.
"Alright!!! Off to the Sabaody Archipelago!!!"
...
"Man… that massage felt great!!!"
Sabaody Archipelago.
Two figures stepped out from a steam-filled room, wrapped in bathrobes. Wherever they passed, maids bowed respectfully.
"Regular massages can relieve the fatigue caused by sword training."
Mihawk clearly had his own philosophy regarding massages.
Orin curled his lip. He was already used to Hawk Eyes' swordman-mania. He casually sat on a comfortable couch.
His long black hair fell behind him. Seeing Sammi approaching, he waved away the women who wanted to serve him.
"Sammi, it seems pretty lively outside lately~"
Sammi nodded, though her face showed no urgency.
"Yes, Orin-sama. Many pirates have arrived on the island recently. Though… that's not unusual."
"According to intelligence, many of the Supernovas from the first half of the Grand Line will be arriving soon. There's quite a bit of security work to handle~"
Sammi rubbed her forehead helplessly, though not too stressed.
After all, countless rookie pirates passed through Sabaody — most couldn't stir up much trouble.
But Orin seemed quite interested. Leaning back on the couch, he tilted his head.
"I'm bored anyway. Let me go deal with them."
Sammi's eyes widened slightly.
She hadn't expected that such small fry could make Orin-sama personally take action?
"Since Orin-sama is in the mood, I hope you enjoy yourself."
Sammi saw clearly:
With Orin's personality, if he suddenly wanted to handle such trivial matters, it was just because he felt like playing.
But for those Supernovas, it was very unfortunate. Sammi held her face and shook her head.
To meet the final boss halfway through their journey — wasn't that too unlucky?
As for Orin's sudden enthusiasm, Mihawk had nothing to say. He simply wiped his black blade, feeling its joy.
"Then… I'll start preparing. The Marines have issued a mandatory summons for the Shichibukai, since technically they're still under the World Government's command."
Orin had no objections. He knew what the matter was, so he allowed the Shichibukai to attend.
But just as Mihawk reached the door, he paused, turning his head toward Orin.
"For this major event the Marines are organizing… will you go?"
"Perhaps~"
...
"So this is the Sabaody Archipelago!!!"
The Sunny slowly entered the harbor. Seeing the island made from massive trees and filled with floating bubbles, everyone's hearts were filled with excitement.
"Yeah~"
Hachi, Camie, and the others who had met the Straw Hats earlier introduced the scenery of Sabaody.
But before they could disembark, their bodies suddenly froze.
Very quickly, they realized — they couldn't move at all. Only their terrified eyes could express their feelings.
At this moment… unhurried footsteps echoed on the silent deck…