The New World, Ed Wood Sea Area.
Above an unknown deserted island, the deserted island was no longer there.
In its place was a volcanic eruption crater nearly a kilometer in diameter.
After sensing it was sufficient.
Sakazuki fell into the erupting crater, using his ability to suppress the magma.
Then, just before being swallowed by the sea.
He burst out.
The sea surface now only showed boiling seawater, indicating what had happened here.
No one would know where that sky-high tidal wave came from.
Because no one would care about a deserted island that had disappeared...
Sakazuki nodded at the vanished crime scene.
Then he shot into the sky to rendezvous with Barrett.
---------------
The Grand Line, Jaya Island.
When Monkey D. Dragon's warship arrived here, several other warships were already docked at the port.
It looked like they had been temporarily conscripted as well.
The island was not large.
It was visibly surrounded and being searched by the Navy.
At the port.
Spandam, wearing a striped cloak, was discussing something with several Navy generals.
As Dragon's warship entered the harbor, the group beckoned him over.
Dragon walked over and politely greeted them:
"Rear Admiral Leo, Rear Admiral Kit, Vice Admiral Field."
The group nodded, and Field said to Dragon:
"Dragon, let me introduce you."
"This is Mr. Spandam, an official of CP9 under the World Government."
Dragon extended his hand and shook Spandam's.
"Hello."
"Hello."
After getting acquainted, Dragon inquired about the mission objective:
"Vice Admiral Field, the mission data shows the target is a group of scholars."
"Why such a large mobilization?"
Spandam spoke up:
"Let me explain to Rear Admiral Dragon."
"This group of scholars is not an ordinary illegal organization."
"Their purpose is to research the World Government's taboos."
"The organization itself numbers over a hundred people."
"And many individuals have been brainwashed by them."
"Joining this illegal organization."
"It seriously threatens the safety of the world's people."
"This arrest was directly ordered by the Five Elders."
"You can imagine its danger level."
Dragon pondered, then nodded:
"I see."
"There's no time to delay."
"I'll join the search party as well."
He said, then headed into the town.
Everyone was taken aback. Field chuckled:
"Young people are so energetic."
"Eager to earn merit."
"You two should learn from him!"
"........."
Inside a civilian house in the town.
A person in a white suit, wearing a simple white mask.
Was searching through the corpses on the ground.
Suddenly, he sensed something.
He concealed his presence and walked to the window.
Perceiving the outside.
After a moment, he detected nothing.
Turning to look at the bodies on the floor, he paused.
It was as if the face behind the mask furrowed.
Then his fingers moved.
A series of finger guns shot out.
Documents turned into flying confetti.
He then pushed the door open and stepped out.
He shot into the sky.
A gentle breeze blew through the quiet house.
A few minutes later.
Whoosh!
The CP member in the white suit appeared on the rooftop of a nearby house.
After confirming there was no one around the previous house.
He flickered and vanished again.
An unknown amount of time passed.
The gentle breeze slowly condensed, and Dragon's figure appeared.
He frowned, looking at the spot where the CP0 member had disappeared:
"Why is CP0 involved?"
Dragon, who had been using his Devil Fruit ability to probe, unexpectedly discovered this.
He had a premonition that something was wrong.
So he concealed his presence and investigated.
He hadn't expected the CP0 member to be so vigilant.
Fortunately, he had maintained his Devil Fruit ability.
Only after the CP0 member completely disappeared from Dragon's perception did he reveal himself.
Looking at the paper scraps on the floor, the breeze swirled.
The paper scraps danced and coalesced, falling into Dragon's hand.
Vaguely discernible were words like "Government," "Truth."
"Government, huh..."
Dragon seemed lost in thought.
He was no longer the young and passionate Marine of the past.
Over the years, he had witnessed too much darkness and helplessness.
It had greatly impacted the values he had developed since childhood.
Some people, upon witnessing darkness, acted to change it; others would become despondent and complain...
He wanted to make a change but didn't know how.
"Will you give me the answers..."
Looking at the scraps in his hand, the revealed words seemed to point Dragon in a direction.
The most important thing was to act...
Only by taking action would he discover the truth and find a solution.
The scraps in his hand condensed and fell into his pocket.
Footsteps sounded from a distance, and Dragon could no longer stay.
He turned to leave but suddenly stopped.
He looked at the backpack that had been broken open without being searched by CP0.
A corner peeking out looked like a notebook.
He quickly walked over and took it out.
"Oppression and Resistance..."
He read softly.
With no time to flip through it, the footsteps grew closer.
Dragon stuffed the notebook into his chest.
He transformed into a gust of wind and vanished.
"Captain!"
"There are some bodies here!"
"What!"
"Where, where!"
"Quickly search the vicinity for anything!"
"Hurry up and look!"/
-----------------
Inside a tall building in the distance.
The CP0 operative in the white suit stood behind a window.
Watching the search party below.
He took in everything that had just happened.
Including the notebook Dragon had taken.
He then took out a Den Den Mushi.
And made a call...
After a few rings.
The Den Den Mushi was answered.
Sakazuki's voice came from the other end:
"How is it, Carol?"
Carol chuckled lightly:
"Done."
Sakazuki's voice sounded:
"Were you discovered?"
"Was that suit useful?"
Carol said:
"Not discovered."
"The suit is excellent, completely blocking Observation Haki."
"I didn't expect the materials collected from the Sky Island ruins to be so effective."
Sakazuki's voice came through:
"Good, hurry up and leave."
"Just in case."
Carol said:
"Understood."
Hanging up the Den Den Mushi.
Carol instantly vanished from the building.
An afterimage streaked through the air, flying away from Jaya Island.
After an unknown distance and time, a pile of white clothing scraps fell from the sky.
Melting into the sea and disappearing...
-----------------
On the other side, the New World.
Within the territory of Golden Lion.
Sakazuki hung up the Den Den Mushi.
He looked at Barrett and his Roar Commando:
"Direct decapitation, destroy Golden Lion's subordinate forces on various islands as quickly as possible."
"Destroy as much as you can."
"Withdraw in three days."
Barrett and his team changed into all-black uniforms:
"Yes!!!"
Sakazuki nodded:
"Go."
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...
Several sounds of air being ripped apart rang out, and Barrett's entire squad vanished instantly.
-------------
Sakazuki took out a larger package from the speedboat.
The bulging backpack was stuffed with fake newspapers...
The cover of the newspaper bore a massive headline.
"Golden Roger Battles Pirate Admiral Golden Lion! Flying Pirate Fleet Annihilated, Golden Lion Slain!"
Below were blurry photos of a large pile of wreckage...
He chuckled.
Sakazuki secured the backpack, activated his ability.
And flew towards the sea area between the Big Mom Pirates and the Steam Pirates...
------------
At a gathering place for Golden Lion's subordinate forces on an island.
Barrett looked at the gate and grinned ferociously.
Buzz—
Instantly, the Oni God mode activated.
His blue-green skin coupled with blood-red eyes was exceptionally terrifying.
Behind him were elite assault team members arranged in two columns.
His frenzied, bloodthirsty voice rang out:
"Crush them!!!"