Chapter 119: Stay Right Here, Don't Move
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Got the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Quite a lot of unexpected gains from Sabaody this time."
Inside the office, Roy drank a mouthful of cola happily, muttering to himself. "Next, just get that Celestial Dragon off Sabaody."
As he thought, he heard panicked voices of Marines outside the door.
"Hey, did you hear? On Sabaody Archipelago, a Celestial Dragon was..."
"Of course I heard! As expected of 'Yuji' from The Zodiac—last time he robbed the Heavenly Tribute, this time he kidnapped a World Noble directly!"
"I heard Fleet Admiral Sengoku already ordered an Admiral to go there..."
Hearing this, Roy wasn't panicked. He calmly finished the last sip of his cola.
Yes.
Celestial Dragons often visited Sabaody because no one dared touch them there.
Marineford and Mary Geoise were both very close, and both had Marine Admirals stationed.
Roy knew that currently, 'Aokiji' Kuzan was stationed at Mary Geoise, and 'Kizaru' Borsalino at Headquarters.
But undoubtedly, even if both Admirals mobilized...
"Mary Geoise is closer; taking the lift gets you near Sabaody, but Aokiji isn't known for speed. It'll take at least ten minutes."
"Marineford is further. Even if Kizaru uses his ability to travel, it takes a similar amount of time."
"With Yuji's speed, they won't arrive in time to stop him from leaving."
Roy had calculated this clearly.
But...
"Yeah, I didn't expect Admiral Sakazuki's warship to be in the nearby waters. It's a lifesaver."
"Right? I wonder if they can catch Yuji this time..."
As the Marines' voices reached this point, the office door opened abruptly.
"Vice... Vice Admiral Black Judge!"
Seeing Roy, the Marines showed looks of admiration and respect.
Since the Tri-Force Demonstration, Roy's fame and prestige at Headquarters were extremely high.
"Mm."
Roy nodded, looking at the Marines. "You just said... it's confirmed that 'Yuji' attacked the Celestial Dragon?"
He asked calmly.
"Y-Yes!"
The Marines were stunned for a moment, then realized—for such sudden events involving Celestial Dragons and The Zodiac, Fleet Admiral Sengoku wouldn't have time to issue a general announcement immediately. It was mostly word of mouth among Marines.
And Vice Admiral Black Judge, as the Detention Unit Commander, kept a low profile usually, so it wasn't strange he didn't know.
"Admiral Sakazuki has gone there?"
Roy continued asking.
"Yes—the Admiral had just captured a pirate in nearby waters and planned to refuel at the Sabaody Marine Branch. Hearing the situation, he rushed over immediately."
The Marines nodded. "According to the report from the Branch on Grove 66, he's almost at Sabaody."
"...That's good."
Roy nodded, forcing a smile. "In that case, I can go on patrol with peace of mind."
With that, he turned and left.
"...Patrol?"
The Marines were surprised—Vice Admiral Black Judge rarely left his office for patrols, especially this late.
"Makes sense. I heard he sent his subordinates on missions alone to train them. The Detention Unit is indeed short-staffed right now."
"Oh, true."
Amidst the Marines' discussion, they didn't know.
After leaving the Tower and reaching an unnoticed corner, Roy stopped abruptly.
"Hope I make it in time."
A door opened in the air.
He stepped in and vanished.
At the same time, Sabaody Archipelago.
Grove 3, inside a hidden forest.
"Lord Yuji, please rest a bit..."
Looking at Yuji, whose aura was clearly weak, Alan said.
"No, we must leave immediately!"
But Yuji stood up without hesitation. "Or it'll be too late."
Although the side effects of 'Ancient Form' draining his stamina hadn't dissipated and he was indeed vulnerable...
Clearly, realizing the situation wasn't developing as planned, leaving immediately was the priority.
"...Okay!"
Hearing Yuji's rare stern tone, Alan nodded and didn't ask further.
Yuji transformed quickly, his body becoming a massive Tyrant Pteranodon. "Where are your clones?"
Naturally, the one before him was Alan's main body.
Alan climbed onto Yuji's back. "Don't worry about them—they can distract the enemy. If necessary, I'll have them jump into the sea."
He said firmly. "Maybe fate let me eat that fruit for this moment."
"...Good."
Hearing this, Yuji looked deeply at Alan.
Then, he flapped his wings, preparing to take off.
But...
"..."
The next moment, he froze.
"My Lord?"
Alan asked in confusion.
Then he noticed Yuji looking at the sky.
Alan looked up too.
And...
His expression froze as well.
Through the unique bubbles of Sabaody and the branches of the Yarukiman Mangrove, he saw something in the dark sky.
At first glance—they looked like ominous, crimson meteors.
Piercing through the dark clouds and night, they were falling toward this direction!
But looking closely—they weren't meteors at all.
They were fists made of burning magma.
A terrifying spectacle like an underwater volcanic eruption.
[Great Eruption]
The next moment...
WHOOSH!
The intense heat burst the bubbles of Sabaody instantly and ignited the mangrove roots.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Violent explosions and fire swept across the entire island instantly.
It was a strike far exceeding the power of Enel's lightning.
"Truly... reckless guy."
Yuji spoke gravely.
Then...
"Alan, plan change."
He looked into the distance—the source of the countless magma meteors, a warship approaching on the sea.
With Yuji's vision, he could even see the figure standing on the warship.
The crimson suit, the fluttering Marine coat, and the flag on the mast.
It was...
'Akainu' Sakazuki.
"As agreed—you stay right here, don't move."
Yuji adjusted his Bird Mask, seemingly grinning.
"I'll be right back."
☆☆☆
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