Time returns to Alabasta. West Coast Port.
On Pain's ship, the sky was not yet completely dark. After receiving Pain's order, Reyno flashed back at extreme speed. Standing on the ship, he looked thoughtfully at the fleet slowly sailing away in the distance.
"The Marine fleet really seems to be coming for us... But why did they suddenly retreat?... This matter doesn't seem simple, does it?... Crocodile's death must have attracted the attention of the World Government..."
"But... who will they send?... It seems Pain fought where my Illusion Body appeared before..."
"Could it be..."
"Pain has already dealt with some enemies?"
Reyno quietly pondered the possibilities.
"If Pain has already dealt with some enemies... then the Marine fleet's retreat must be part of a scheme!..."
"No... I must inform Pain as soon as possible!..."
Reyno felt a sudden shock in his heart, breaking out in a cold sweat. Reyno decided to report the current situation to Pain using the Projecting Image Technique.
Alabasta. Somewhere on the East Coast. On the Floating Island.
Pain had already arrived on this island. The night in Alabasta was quite peaceful, and such a massive object flying over the residential areas did not attract attention. Pain looked around, and the feeling he got was one word: big!
Such a large "ship" could indeed meet the organization's personnel's needs for a ship, but searching for Oden by sight seemed like a waste of time. Pain prepared to use the "Rain Tiger at Will Technique" to find Oden. Just as he was about to form hand signs to cast the spell, Pain felt a ripple in the thought wave. Connecting to it, Reyno's Illusion Body appeared.
"Pain... When I returned to the ship, the Marine fleet did not attack... They have all retreated now... Did you encounter their people before?"
Reyno's Illusion Body spoke, asking about the doubts in his heart.
"Ah... yes..."
"Dealt with a Devil Fruit user," Pain replied calmly.
"If that's the case, then you'd best resolve the issue quickly and return... I suspect the Marine fleet's retreat isn't that simple; they must be planning something, and we have many precious Materials on our ship," Reyno's Illusion Body said with a hint of urgency.
"Understood," Pain said, then cut off the thought wave connection, and Reyno's Illusion Body dissipated. He formed hand signs and cast the spell, sensing Oden's location, and leaped towards it at extreme speed.
Alabasta. Marine Joint Defense Force Station.
Kalifa had already reported the investigation in Alabasta and Blueno's death to Lucci as planned, specifically mentioning the issue of the enemy's eyes. Lucci understood Kalifa's consideration for CP0 and could only temporarily hold back, waiting for Kalifa and her team to complete their mission. Gurgle gurgle... Gurgle gurgle... The Den Den Mushi on Kalifa's desk rang.
"Reporting, Commander..."
"The rain curtain around the enemy forces has dissipated for some unknown reason," the personnel responsible for monitoring from the submarine reported the real-time situation. After hearing the report, Kalifa checked the time and decided it was time to act. Kalifa and Kaku exchanged a glance.
Kalifa picked up another Den Den Mushi and relayed the operational order.
"Katz... Have your fleet enter battle readiness now... Directly surround the target!"
Then she ordered the submarine that once the target moved, it should be immediately sunk. The Marine Joint Defense Force in Alabasta operated at high speed under Kalifa's command. Kalifa and Kaku also headed towards the port where Pain and his ship were located. On the Floating Island, a major battle seemed imminent. Alabasta's peaceful night was destined to be anything but.
On the Floating Island, Golden Lion continued to drink, his back to Oden. Feeling a Saber Qi approaching from behind, Golden Lion slightly dodged to the side. After dodging the Sword Qi, Golden Lion roared in anger.
"Bastard!... Who disturbed my drinking?... Don't you want to live?!..."
"Hiccup... Hiccup..."
Golden Lion roared with hiccups. The Saber Qi getting close sobered him up halfway from his drunken state. Now, the more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He threw his sake gourd, turned around to face the person behind him, wanting to see who dared to attack him without wanting to live. Golden Lion turned and saw Oden, first startled, then rubbed his eyes in shock, and looking again, it really was Oden. Golden Lion stared at Oden in surprise, his mouth wide open, as if his jaw had dropped to the floor.
"Oden?..."
"Is it really you?..."
"Gyahahahahaha..."
"Weren't you dead?..."
"What's going on?"
Golden Lion transitioned from surprise to wild laughter as if rehearsed, asking Oden excitedly.
"It's me, Shiki. You finally noticed my existence, didn't you?... Really... Your old habit of answering beside the point is truly a headache!... Well... never mind, I'm here because I have something to discuss with you," Oden replied.
Golden Lion's emotions, from initial shock to wild laughter, then slowly returning to calm, were like an actor's performance, expressed to the fullest.
Hearing Oden say he had something to discuss, Golden Lion also happily said, "I also happen to have something to discuss with you, Gyahahahaha..."
"Originally, I had planned to live out my days like this... But your appearance has given me hope for revenge... Oden, do you want to help Roger get revenge?..."
"We can..."
"We can totally cooperate..."
"Gyahahahahaha..."
After hearing Golden Lion's words, Oden knew Golden Lion had misunderstood, but Oden couldn't directly refuse Golden Lion, because Roger's refusal last time had made Golden Lion furious enough to start a war between them.
Understanding Golden Lion's temperament, Oden decided to handle this tricky problem in a different way. Oden considered many issues: Golden Lion's strength, the exposure of his being alive, and the problem of a mutually destructive battle if they fought now. Thinking of these issues, Oden could only implement a delaying tactic first, to stabilize Golden Lion.
"Shiki... I do want to help Roger get revenge... But our current strength isn't enough for revenge... I have something more important to discuss with you... Since you mentioned cooperation..."
"I also think it's entirely possible... But I'm not the one in charge right now..." I can invite you to join our organization... Then we can seek revenge against the Marine together..."
"What do you think?..."
"Heh hahaha..."
Oden said with a smile, making such a proposal.
"Your organization?..."
"What organization?..."
"Can it be stronger than me?... We are both old, and I don't have the mind to join any organization now... But cooperation can still be considered..."
"I know our strength isn't enough..."
"But you know all the information about the Ancient Weapon 'Pluton'... How about we build 'Pluton' and attack Impel Down?... Release the prisoners inside..."
"Wouldn't our strength be enough then?..."
"Gyahahaha..."
Golden Lion laughed loudly and spoke happily, seemingly thinking his plan was perfect. Oden looked at Golden Lion, who was proposing such a crazy plan, with a helpless expression.
"Do you think 'Pluton' is that easy to build?... Really... Golden Lion explicitly rejected my invitation... I wonder what Pain will do to get this ship when he arrives..."
"This matter is really tricky, isn't it?... Such a tricky matter should be considered by the leader, shouldn't it?..."
"Pain... Where are you?..."
Oden did not answer Golden Lion's question about cooperation; he just thought about the headache of how to deal with the problem next, looking utterly dejected.
Just when Oden didn't know how to handle it, a light drizzle suddenly began to fall from above. Oden looked up at the sky, getting wet in the fine rain. He had finally arrived...