In the Calm Belt, Luo Yan's ship had its sails furled, propelled entirely by the ocean currents he controlled.
At this moment, the entire ship was rippling with waves like sunlight reflecting on water, emanating an aura of disaster.
It was as if the whole ship was brewing a catastrophe, giving off an extremely dangerous feeling.
This power originated from the sea itself, and the Sea Kings in the ocean were even more sensitive to this aura, so almost no Sea King would actively attack this ship.
Propelled by the currents, the ship was advancing at an incredible speed, reaching the vicinity of Nine Serpent Island in just one day.
From afar, Luo Yan saw a Marine Warship drifting not far away.
"It seems I'm not too late."
Luo Yan chuckled, not steering his ship closer, but instead flying towards the Warship on the wind.
All the Marines on the Warship had been petrified, the only one not petrified was the Marine Vice Admiral codenamed "Squirrel".
As soon as Luo Yan approached, Squirrel noticed him, immediately looking up warily, his eyes narrowing.
"Luo Yan?"
"Oh? You know me?"
Luo Yan chuckled softly, landing fearlessly on the Warship's deck.
Squirrel placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, but did not draw it.
"I've seen your bounty poster."
"Hehe, good thing it was just a bounty poster, and not a wanted poster."
Luo Yan joked, and the atmosphere eased slightly.
Squirrel's hand moved away from the hilt of the sword at his waist, but he still maintained his vigilance.
"What do you want?"
Luo Yan didn't answer immediately, but instead walked over to a petrified Marine and carefully examined the exquisite stone statue.
"If this wasn't a real person, it would be a nice piece of art.
How long have you been here?
When were they petrified?"
Squirrel frowned slightly, but still didn't hide anything.
"We just arrived today.
They were petrified two hours ago."
"I see, I understand.
Don't worry, Hancock will definitely agree to the summons."
Squirrel's frown deepened, and a shadow fell across his face, his hand once again resting on his sword hilt.
"What exactly is your purpose?"
At this moment, Luo Yan's spiritual sense gave a warning, meaning Squirrel had already considered making a move.
"Hmph!"
Luo Yan immediately let out a cold snort, which was like a clap of thunder in Squirrel's ears, making his brain buzz and causing him to lose focus for a moment.
"Are all Marines so arrogant?
How have I offended you?
Do you really want to fight me?
You better think it through, at sea, I fear no one!"
A terrifying aura emanated from Luo Yan.
At this moment, he was like a walking disaster, as if he could erupt at any moment.
Squirrel's gaze narrowed slightly, and he slowly lowered the hand that was on his sword hilt.
"Why are you here?"
Seeing Squirrel drop his stance, Luo Yan also reined in his aura, a smile playing on his lips.
"Just passing by."
As he spoke, Luo Yan glanced at the crimson sunset in the sky and the sun about to sink below the horizon.
"It's getting late, it seems you'll have to spend tonight with a bunch of rocks."
Luo Yan changed the subject with a mocking tone.
Squirrel's expression didn't change, and he remained wary of Luo Yan.
"That's not a big problem.
Why do you say Hancock will definitely agree to the summons?"
"A premonition.
My premonitions in this regard are always accurate, so I think you can trust me."
"Heh!"
Squirrel scoffed, offering no reply.
Luo Yan was about to speak when he suddenly sensed something, looking up to see a slightly plump black bat flapping its wings and flying towards him.
Luo Yan raised his right hand, and the bat immediately landed in his palm, then surprisingly opened its mouth and spoke in Xia Tali's voice:
"Captain, it's time to go."
"Got it, I'm coming."
Luo Yan lightly tossed the bat in his hand, but the bat didn't fly away; instead, it directly transformed into a black light, dissipating and vanishing.
"My companion is urging me, I should go.
Goodbye."
Luo Yan smiled, was lifted by the wind, and quickly returned to his ship, but Xia Tali was not on the ship.
As soon as he saw the Warship, Luo Yan had already sent Xia Tali to Nine Serpent Island to find Luffy.
The code Xia Tali just said was
if she found Luffy, she would say "It's time to go" , and if she didn't find him, she would say "Where are you?"
The code brought by the bat was "It's time to go," meaning Xia Tali had found Luffy.
Luo Yan steered the ship around to the other side of Nine Serpent Island, so that his ship and the Warship were separated by the entire island, ensuring that his meeting with Luffy would not be discovered by Vice Admiral Squirrel.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Xia Tali brought Luffy to the shore.
Accompanying Luffy were two members of the Kuja Pirate Crew, one stout and one thin.
Luo Yan found them a bit familiar, but couldn't recall their names.
"Luo Yan! Haha! This is great! Luo Yan, can you take me to Sabaody Archipelago?
My companions and I agreed to meet there."
Upon seeing Luo Yan, Luffy immediately made his request without any pleasantries, not being polite in the slightest.
Luo Yan tried to smile, but could only manage a wry one.
"Luffy, first take a look at this newspaper."
Luo Yan casually tossed out a newspaper, and the wind automatically carried it to Luffy's front.
Luffy paused, his smile quickly fading as he became serious.
He unfolded the newspaper and immediately saw the news of Ace's capture and impending execution.
This news had been published yesterday, but because this was the Calm Belt, the newspaper hadn't arrived as promptly.
Luffy still didn't know about it until now.
"Ace… execution?
What does execution mean?
Doesn't this mean Ace can't escape?!"
Luffy became agitated, shouting at Luo Yan, unable to control his emotions.
The two Kuja Pirate Crew members who came with him were both startled, not understanding why Luffy suddenly became so excited, but they were all very sensible and kept silent.
Luo Yan nodded, his expression very serious as he said:
"That's right, Ace has been captured, and he will be publicly executed in six days.
He should be sent to Underwater Prison first, and then escorted to Marineford."
"I'm going to save Ace!
Please!
Luo Yan!"
Luffy pleaded with Luo Yan with utmost sincerity, but Luo Yan shook his head.
"Even if I could take you to Underwater Prison, I wouldn't be able to help you get in.
Pirates can only enter Underwater Prison by being captured."
"Even if that's the case, I still…"
"Luffy!
Don't worry, I can't get you into Underwater Prison safely, but someone can.
She's on this island, the Empress here, Boa Hancock.
Go ask her, she will definitely help you."
Luo Yan had a long-lost charlatan's smile on his face.
Luffy paused, seeming a little disbelieving.
"Hancock can help me get into Underwater Prison?
Why?"