Sanji froze for a long moment, his eyes fixed on the photograph before he silently tucked it back into the small box. He lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around his face as he spoke with cold determination. "I am sorry for Miss Pudding, but my life and my marriage will not be manipulated by that family. Baratie is my home, and I will never allow anyone to use my family as a threat against me!"
Luffy's response was immediate and boisterous. "That's it! Everyone, you heard him! We're heading for the North Blue right now to block the gates of the Germa Kingdom!"
With a collective roar of agreement, the Straw Hat Pirates set sail once again. After nearly a month of intensive training on the unnamed spring island, the crew's strength had reached unprecedented levels, and they were ready to make their presence felt across the seas. While they had received Big Mom's invitation to the Tea Party, they knew the truth behind it: Germa 66 was involved and intended to use the Baratie to force Sanji into submission.
Germa 66 was a power that dominated the North Blue, but they were about to learn that their influence meant nothing against a crew that rivaled the Emperors of the Sea. Under Nami's precise navigation, the Thousand Sunny and the accompanying submarine approached the Calm Belt.
Sanji took the lead in the transit, using his mastery over lightning and magnetic forces to lift both vessels high into the air. With the crew's ability to fly, the barriers of the world—including the Calm Belt—had become trivial obstacles. They possessed the power to strike anywhere, even the headquarters of the World Government or the Marines.
Meanwhile, the underworld of the New World was in a state of confusion. News of the Straw Hats' invitation to Big Mom's Tea Party had spread, and many were eager to see a clash between two major powers. However, the Straw Hats had vanished shortly after their encounter with the Big Mom envoys, leaving no trace for observers to follow.
This disappearance put Katakuri in a difficult position. He feared that the Straw Hats would suddenly reappear in an unexpected location, catching the Big Mom Pirates off guard and putting the stability of Totto Land at risk. He issued an urgent order to his subordinates: "Investigate immediately! I want to know exactly where the Straw Hats are!"
The Marines were equally tense. In the era of the Six Emperors, the pressure on Naval Headquarters was immense. They had hoped to benefit from a war between the Straw Hats and Big Mom, but the loss of surveillance on Luffy's crew made them nervous. They feared the Straw Hats might launch a direct assault on the Red Line or Marineford itself.
"How could our surveillance teams lose sight of a Yonko-level ship?" Akainu roared in the Marshal's office.
"Don't be too hard on them, Sakazuki," Sengoku said calmly, now serving as a staff officer. "No one dares to get too close to a crew led by Luffy and Carl. Their Observation Haki is too sharp. If they don't want to be found, they won't be."
Vice Admiral Tsuru agreed, noting that those tasked with monitoring the Emperors lived under the constant threat of death. Akainu suppressed his anger and turned to the legendary Garp, who was casually eating biscuits.
"Garp, where do you think those brats went?" Akainu asked.
Garp chewed thoughtfully before responding. "Just look at where they were last seen and then guess the most unlikely direction."
Akainu reviewed the reports. "The last sighting was near the Calm Belt. They couldn't have entered it, could they?"
"No," Tsuru interrupted decisively. "Garp is right. They didn't just enter the Calm Belt; they crossed it. They are heading to the North Blue to settle their score with Germa 66!"
The senior officers were stunned. Crossing the Calm Belt was a feat usually reserved for Marine warships equipped with Seastone. However, Admiral Kizaru reminded them of the Straw Hats' performance during the Summit War. "They can fly and navigate through the sky. For them, the Calm Belt is no obstacle at all."
Understanding the situation, Akainu's frustration turned to a grim satisfaction. With the Straw Hats likely to crush the Germa Kingdom and then move against Big Mom, the Marines had a rare opportunity to watch their enemies destroy each other.
"Block all news of this," Akainu ordered, leaning back in his chair with a sense of relief. "Let this war between the two imperial factions happen. No one is to interfere. This conflict serves the interests of the Marines and the World Government."
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