Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, Frank, and Brook disappeared on the spot alongside their ship, Going Merry.
While Law, Kuma, Bonney, and Bepo were left behind.
They knew what they had to do. Immediately upon their disappearance, Law took out a white transponder snail, connected it to the regular snail, and called a certain guy.
"Who's speaking?"
A voice came from the transponder snail as its face showed a round red nose.
"It's me." Law replied.
"Oh, Law! What happened? Why did you call me?" Buggy asked.
"Do you know about Captain's recent decision to sail to the East Blue?" Law asked.
"Yeah! Sanji filled me up on that. He said they spotted Liam there. Is that true? What exactly happened there?" Buggy asked.
But he hurriedly said.
"Wait, let me connect it to the White one."
After a while, Buggy spoke.
"I'm done. Can you tell me what exactly happened?"
"Nothing much I can tell you. Just know that Straw Hats will lay low for a while. We don't know the exact time, but from what I can tell, it will be two years."
"Oh! So, no New World then?" Buggy asked.
"No!"
"What about the Straw Hats Railway Project?" Buggy asked.
"It will continue the way it should. Kuma will be there to help you with any kind of tough opponents. Revolutionary will also be helpful."
"And, don't worry about pirates from the New World. Whitebeard and Red Hair will keep them busy for now."
Law replied.
"Is that so? Then, there is nothing to worry about. What about you?" Buggy asked.
"I will be training to hone my Devil Fruit and Haki." Law replied as he had planned to do that.
"Then, why don't you come over here? Kuma can continue to help the fleet stabilize while you can train with us."
Buggy said.
"You are also planning on training?" Law was surprised when he heard that.
"Hey, who do you think I am? I am the Great Buggy who once sailed with the Roger Pirates."
"How can I save my face if I don't even have the strength to fight an Admiral?"
Buggy proudly stated.
Law was speechless by his tone. As if Buggy had considered the Admirals as imaginary enemies.
But he wasn't wrong. Considering the forces of Holy Knights and Gorsei, the Straw Hats needed several Admiral-level powerhouses to fight them.
Unless they were willing to get help from other forces, which didn't seem like something Luffy would do.
If he could do it on his own, Luffy wouldn't go around asking for help. Even if he couldn't do it on his own, Luffy wouldn't go around asking for help.
But the interesting thing was that Luffy was not self-reliant on his crew.
Even if someone did offer help, unless he had no choice, he wouldn't accept it.
Whether it was defeating the alliance of Big Mom Pirates and Beast Pirates or fighting the World Government, Luffy never planned to ask for help.
But he needed to get Liam back. Only then could he be sure that the Straw Hats could fight anyone without backing out.
After a bit of silence, Law said.
"Alright, I will talk to Kuma about this."
"Okay!"
Clack!
They put down their microphones at the same time.
Law turned around, looking at Kuma, and asked.
"What do you think?"
"It is a good idea. You are not strong enough, and Bonney also needs someone to protect her."
"Come on, Dad, I am not weak." Bonney shouted angrily.
"Bonney, listen to me! You have been able to sail safely because I was looking over you. My agreement with the World government is nulled."
"So, if I have to go away, there will be no one to protect you. Only if you train harder, then can you become strong enough to protect yourself."
Kuma gently lowered down and spoke to his daughter.
"Okay, but you have to visit me once a week!" Bonney nodded.
"I will."
Kuma smiled and then looked at Law, asking.
"How did you know they would return in two years?"
"Fate, Kuma Fate!"
"In the original timeline, Straw Hats were separated and trained for two years before returning to the Grandline."
"In this timeline, they have gone to a new world, and there will be a huge time displacement when they return."
"And, I can think of nothing but two years for that displacement."
Law chuckled as he replied.
"Oh!"
Kuma didn't say much.
While he wasn't dumb, he wasn't given a proper education.
So, his knowledge about science came from Vegapunk. While he did know a few things, it wasn't as good as Law.
Soon, they bid farewell to the crew, and Kuma slapped them straight to the island in the Grandline where Buggy and the fleet were staying.
This island was desolate before.
But with the wealth that Straw Hats held, they easily turned into one of the most luxurious places to live while still having many training quarters.
This island was almost five times bigger than Water Seven.
Except for the outermost layer of the island, other parts didn't change much. They were used as a training quarters.
.........…
Marine HQ;
"How much more do I have to wait? What are those agents doing? Can't they even give me some information about Straw Hats?"
Sengoku shouted while sitting on his chair.
"Bwahahaha! You are too anxious, Sengoku. You are about to retire. Just give yourself a break!"
Garp burst into laughter as he said.
"Garp, if it wasn't for your grandson, would I be this worried?" Sengoku roared at his friend.
"Calm down, Sengoku-san! There is no need to worry about Straw Hats. It seems like they are gonna vanish for a while."
Kuzan spoke while walking in with two papers in his hands.
"Oh! Do you have any new information about them?" Sengoku paused and asked.
"Not exactly about them! But rather about Whitebeard Pirates and Red Hair Pirates! It seems like they have communicated with the Straw Hats."
"They are preventing Big Mom Pirates and Beast Pirates from leaving the New World."
"We have even confirmed that Red Hair is personally sailing around the Onigashima, just to make sure Kaido doesn't fly to the Grandline."
"But surprisingly enough, Big Mom Pirates and Beast Pirates aren't making any moves either."
Kuzan replied as he stood in front of Sengoku.
Sengoku didn't look at the papers. Instead, his eyes kept staring at Kuzan.
Soon, he cracked a smile and said.
"Finally, you are out of that lazy justice of yours. Now, you can take the role of Fleet Admiral."
Kuzan shook his head and said.
"Let's hold on to that for a while. I would like to master Advanced Conqueror before taking the role of the Fleet Admiral."
Hearing that, Garp's eyes gleamed as he spoke.
"Then brat, I will be giving you a lot of lessons. Let's go find an island for your training!"
Sengoku, on the other hand, shook his head and said.
"Not now! You have to assume the role of the Fleet Admiral no matter what. Sakazuki's situation has been bad."
"While he is still down, you take the role of the Fleet Admiral and go off to train."
Hearing that, Garp narrowed his eyes and said.
"Sengoku, you don't think he can…"
"Garp, even I can awaken Conqueror Haki. Although I was mostly able to do it thanks to fighting some of the worst pirates of the generation."
"With Sakazuki's ambitions, it is only a matter of time before he manifests his Conqueror Haki."
"Although he has lost his arm, he hasn't gotten weaker. Even with one hand, he is still a powerful Admiral."
At this moment, Kuzan raised his hand and said.
"You are just like that guy, Sengoku-san."
He stared into Sengoku's eyes and continued.
"Don't underestimate me and my justice! I might not be as crazy as him, but my Justice is stronger than his."
"Protection is harder than destruction. As long as I can stick with my Justice, I will not lose to him."
At this moment, Garp burst into laughter.
"Bwahahaha! That's my student. Let's go, Kuzan! I will turn you into the finest Haki user in the world."
"After all, I am the man who has punched the world."
He said while showing off his fist.
Sengoku rolled his eyes, but this time, he showed a little bit more trust in Kuzan.
But he was surprised that even Liam thought Kuzan wouldn't win against Akainu.
At this moment, a new idea sprouted in his heart.
'Although Sakazuki is an adult, there is still something I can do for him. With the upcoming chaos, the world is about to face its greatest war.'
He suddenly stood up and said.
"Kuzan, Garp, we need a stronger shield and a spear. Kizaru seems to be slacking off too much."
"I will have Zephyr look after him, while I will do my best to help Sakazuki get stronger."
Garp and Kuzan were stunned by his reply. Because Sengoku clearly wanted Kuzan to be the next Fleet Admiral.
Seeing their stunned look, Sengoku explained.
"If the world is going to be destroyed, we need a powerful Justice to protect the people, and we need a powerful Justice to cremate the enemies."
"Marine's justice will save the people, not the world."