The massive fleet cut long ripples across the sea surface. Dozens of ships were connected by thick iron chains. Titan pulled the entire fleet forward.
Ever since Titan joined, the sky island's monsters on the ships became as docile as mice seeing a cat, never daring to rampage again.
The pirates who noticed this change were thrilled. Although there was still risk when feeding the monsters, the chance of becoming a snack was much smaller. Thus, they all revered Titan as the [Snake God].
Whenever they docked for supplies, the pirates competed to clean its scales or offer carefully grilled giant sea beast meat.
As the fleet neared Loguetown, Setsuna stood at the bow of the flagship, looking at Ace. "Not planning to go down and look? This is the [Town of the Beginning and the End]."
Ace shrugged. "No need. Although I do despise that man, I have no interest in his burial place."
At that moment, the Loguetown Marine base was in chaos.
"They're coming! That [Giant Beast Fleet] is approaching Loguetown harbor!" A soldier's voice trembled.
"They've absorbed the Krieg Pirates and Black Cat Pirates. They're practically the strongest force in the entire East Blue!" A Lieutenant went pale.
"But I heard their leader eliminated the monsters ravaging the East Blue. There are also rumors they took out the Arlong Pirates. They should be good guys, right?" A young soldier whispered.
"But they killed Captain Nezumi! And many Marines!" Another Warrant Officer retorted. "Who knows if they'll attack us?"
The argument was cut off by steady footsteps. Smoker walked in, chewing a cigar, followed by fully armed Marines.
"Full mobilization. Prepare to engage," Smoker ordered tersely.
"But, Captain, Headquarters hasn't even issued a bounty for them. Do we really need to act?" A Lieutenant Commander tried to dissuade him.
"Right, their strength is overwhelming. And I heard there's a Logia user on that fleet," A Commander also advised.
Smoker blew a smoke ring. "Their leader has no bounty, but [Kuro of a Hundred Plans] does. At least capture Kuro. Besides, Logia isn't invincible. My Jitte can restrain him. No more discussion. Execute the order."
When Smoker led the Marines to the harbor, Setsuna's fleet was preparing to leave.
Many soldiers sighed in relief, but Smoker refused to let evil slip away. He transformed into white smoke and flew onto the flagship, his gaze piercing as he stared at Setsuna standing in the center of the crowd. "Hand over Kuro."
Setsuna looked at this genuine Marine whose life would be 'stolen' by his 'heroic, good junior' Koby, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes.
Smoker frowned slightly. "What's that look?"
Kuro stepped forward to introduce him. "Boss, this guy is supposedly from Marine Headquarters. He has the same Logia ability as Ace-sama."
"A Logia, huh?" Ace was eager. "Want me to handle him?"
"No need to waste time," Setsuna shook his head. Was he supposed to let Ace fight Smoker for half a day like in the original?
"It seems you have no intention of handing him over. Then I'll have to arr-" Before Smoker could finish, Setsuna punched him unconscious and threw him back to the harbor like trash.
Ace felt a certain empathy. After eating the Mera Mera no Mi, when he thought he could conquer the seas, Setsuna had also subdued him with a single punch like this.
"Take your boss back…" Setsuna had thrown Smoker towards the Marines, but they seemed afraid of provoking his wrath, scattering like avoiding the plague. As a result, Smoker landed face-down, crashing heavily onto the harbor pavement.
Only after Setsuna finished speaking did the Marines scramble to rescue Smoker.
Setsuna was both amused and exasperated, 'It seemed Smoker hadn't been transferred long, he was quite unpopular now.'
Under the awed gazes of the pirates, Setsuna ordered, "Set sail. Destination: Grand Line."
…
At the foot of the Red Line.
After a night's voyage, the massive fleet Setsuna had assembled successfully arrived at the entrance to Reverse Mountain.
The ocean currents leading to the summit were incredibly swift, but with Titan pulling them, it wasn't a problem.
In the captain's cabin, Kuro held a nautical chart to explain to Setsuna. "Boss, after passing Reverse Mountain, there are seven routes. Once a route is chosen, it's hard to change. Which route do you want to take?"
After all, he once aspired to enter the Grand Line and had done considerable research.
"We'll take the central route," Setsuna didn't bother with changes, choosing the route Luffy took in the original work.
Although Golden Lion 'helped' him grasp Conqueror's and Armament Haki, he still had no clue about Observation Haki.
Therefore, he planned to go to Skypiea to study their [Mantra].
Although Skypiea wasn't strictly on this route, it didn't matter.
Suddenly, the fleet shook violently.
Kuro, evidently expecting this, steadied himself. "Boss, it's said there's an island whale constantly ramming the Red Line at the exit of Reverse Mountain. Perhaps Serpent God-sama wants to eat it."
"Titan is probably just playing with it," Setsuna shook his head slightly. He had already warned Titan not to harm the whale.
But considering Laboon might be stressed, Setsuna walked out of the cabin. Sure enough, he saw Titan already wrapped around Laboon. Laboon's 400-meter colossal body was completely dwarfed by Titan.
Titan flicked its tongue, 'friendly' greeting Laboon. Laboon had never seen such a scene, letting out continuous, terrified cries.
"Titan, stop playing…"
As soon as Setsuna spoke, two vigorous old men jumped out from Laboon's mouth.
Hearing Setsuna say 'stop playing', they thought he meant for the giant serpent to hurry up and eat Laboon.
"Gaban, save Laboon!" The old man with hair like saffron stamens shouted anxiously.
"Relax, it's just a giant Sea King. I've killed them before," The old man wearing black sunglasses replied casually. An overwhelmingly powerful surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him.
Under the impact of the Conqueror's Haki, all the pirates foamed at the mouth and fainted. Only Setsuna and Ace remained standing.
However, Scopper Gaban paid no attention to the happenings on the pirate ships, staring in shock at the giant serpent before him. Titan also stared back with innocent eyes.
'My Conqueror's Haki… has no effect on it?' Gaban felt it was unbelievable. Even super-sized Sea Kings over 5000 meters deep in the ocean couldn't be completely unaffected by his Conqueror's Haki.
If Setsuna knew his thoughts, he would laugh.
Titan is Snake King's descendant. If one spoke of the qualifications of a ruler, Titan's potential was the strongest.