In the blink of an eye, so many years had passed.
Shanu wondered how Junichi was doing now… The thought made him unexpectedly nostalgic.
He quickly shook it off and smiled.
"Perfect timing—the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Everyone can enjoy the scenery, relax a bit, and once we're refreshed, we'll head to the North Island and have a whole day of fun!"
The crew instantly burst into cheers.
"Yeah!!"
"I'm riding the Ferris wheel! Who's coming with me?!"
"That's boring! Roller coaster and Pirate Ship ride all the way!"
Amid the noisy excitement, the Curtainfall slowly pulled into the dock.
At the same time — Tor Island, North Island
The usually lively main street had fallen into dead silence. Only the heavy thud of Marine boots echoed across the stone pavement.
Marine squads kicked open the doors of casinos and taverns, dragging terrified tourists outside and comparing their faces to wanted posters one by one.
"Report! No targets found on Casino Street!"
"The theater's been checked, only regular visitors!"
"The amusement park is clear too. Only caught two small fry with a few million berries on their heads from the Ferris wheel!"
One disappointing report after another was relayed to the center plaza by the fountain.
In front of the fountain statue, Akainu paced slowly, expression dark. Fine cracks had already formed at his feet on the marble tiles, his anger was clearly building and barely contained.
Behind him, six people were cuffed on the ground, crying loudly. Beside them lay a meter-tall sled dog, whimpering miserably.
"We were wrong! We really were!!"
"We shouldn't have pretended to be those fearsome pirates just to scam free food!"
"Please, sir! Forgive us this once!"
The nearby Marines exchanged baffled looks.
These people were professional-level cosplayers. They had copied the Curtainfall Pirates almost perfectly.
Three men, three women.
The black-haired man in front carried a long sword on his back.
The white-haired man next to him had cigars strapped to his arm.
The one disguised as an elderly chef even had a steel-covered right leg…
If they hadn't immediately collapsed to the floor trembling and begging for mercy at the sight of Marines, they really could've fooled everyone.
In fact, they had.
The intelligence team stationed here had been completely tricked.
They had watched the group for days and found nothing suspicious.
If not for that…
"I wouldn't have crossed thousands of miles and rushed here at full speed."
Akainu finally turned, glaring coldly at them.
"You're not the targets. But based on past records, you're habitual scammers and extortionists."
"Normally, that wouldn't matter. A few years in prison and you'd be out. But this time… you just had to impersonate them… and waste so much of my time."
He lifted his right hand slightly. His arm began turning into molten magma, the heat twisting the air.
"Such wicked behavior, unforgivable."
Marine soldiers immediately stepped aside in fear.
The six cuffed people huddled together, screaming in terror.
"No—!!"
"Help us!!"
"We'll never do it again!!"
Akainu didn't acknowledge them.
Expression blank, he raised his arm.
"Great Eruption."
BOOM!
A torrent of blazing magma surged forward, engulfing the six people and the dog in an instant.
Their shrieks lasted only a single heartbeat before falling silent.
When the steam finally faded, there were no recognizable shapes left, only bubbling, scorched magma and charred residue.
So this… is Admiral Sakazuki's way of doing things?
So ruthless…
Even the surrounding Marines shivered.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Footsteps approached from behind. Akainu turned—two Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals had arrived, brought specifically to ensure the operation's success.
"Admiral Sakazuki," the one in front said with a cigar between his teeth.
"We've searched the entire town. It's now 100% confirmed, this entire incident was caused by those idiots exploiting the Curtainfall Pirates' name to eat and drink for free."
"The real swordsman Shanu and his crew never set foot on this island."
His name was Dalmatian, a long-serving Headquarters Vice Admiral, user of the Zoan-type Dog-Dog Fruit, Dalmatian Model. He maintained a half-beast form year-round.
"That's right," the tall female Vice Admiral beside him added with a playful grin.
"But we still caught over a dozen wanted pirates by accident. Not a total loss."
Her name was Bumaya, formerly a Major General and deputy commander of G-2, promoted to Vice Admiral just two months ago.
Not a total loss?
Akainu sneered internally.
Catching small-time weaklings, did that count as a "result"?
Could it erase the humiliation of this failure?
A Marine Admiral had personally mobilized a fleet of four massive battleships, over five thousand elite Marines, charging in with overwhelming force…
Only to come up empty.
Absolutely disgraceful.
Especially after the bold words he'd said before leaving headquarters…
He could already imagine Kuzan and Borsalino's reactions when they saw him again.
"Send a squad to escort those fools who faked intelligence to Enies Lobby's military tribunal. They are to be tried harshly."
Akainu forced down the fury in his chest and ordered coldly,
"As for the rest of the troops, begin withdrawal. Bring the bounty heads back to headquarters."
"Yes, sir!"
The two Vice Admirals saluted and left.
With orders given, the North Island immediately became busy, Marines escorting the captured pirates and preparing to depart.
It would take at least half an hour to finish.
Akainu didn't want to sit on a ship waiting, so he walked alone to the southern shore.
He planned to walk along the beach, let the sea breeze cool him, and calm his mind while looking at the cherry blossom–covered southern island.
South Island was a quiet countryside area.
When he first arrived on Tor Island, he had scanned it thoroughly using Observation Haki.
Mostly local farmers.
Nothing suspicious.
And now, It should've been the same
"…Hmm?"
Akainu's eyes narrowed sharply.
Just a moment ago, out of habit, he used Observation Haki and sensed multiple unfamiliar presences.
One of them extremely powerful.
Getting closer…
Closer…
Already within arm's reach.
He spun around instantly.
"Not here yet? I'm already at the bridge."
Shanu walked leisurely while speaking to the Den-Den Mushi.
"Hehe, not yet, bro," Nami's voice chimed with a giggle.
"We're collecting more petals so Chef Zeff can make cherry blossom mochi! Might take another ten minutes, wait for us, okay?"
"Alright, alright…"
Shanu sighed helplessly.
"I'll wait for you at the bridge. Then we'll all head to the North Island together."
"Okay!"
Just as he was about to hang up
A needle-like danger shot up his spine.
His brows tightened, and he instinctively looked up.
A tall figure in a dark red suit stood on the opposite side of the natural stone bridge.
A white "Justice" cloak billowed behind him in the wind.
The two of them stared at each other across only a few dozen meters.
The world fell silent in an instant.