Cover Page Serial — Rob Lucci Arc: "You took leave just to do this, Lucci?"
— In the jungles outside Enies Lobby's CP9 base, Blueno, Kalifa, Kumadori, and Fukurou stared dumbfounded at Rob Lucci, who had just climbed up a tall tree. After rummaging around in a bird's nest for quite a while, he finally found a pigeon egg — and smiled in satisfaction.
...
"Counterproductive?"
Fleet Admiral Veil's expression instantly darkened.
"Hmph, what's a little noise compared to that? If we really let those slaves all escape, then you— no, we, the entire Marine Headquarters — would become a global laughingstock!"
"But…"
Vice Admiral Tsuru frowned, just about to respond, when Veil suddenly waved his hand sharply, cutting her off mid-sentence.
"Enough! No further discussion! Ten warships — that's the minimum show of strength our Headquarters must make! Understood?"
"..."
Tsuru froze for a moment. Her lips moved slightly, but she ultimately said nothing, sitting back down in silence.
This scene made almost everyone else in the room frown slightly.
After all, Tsuru wasn't just the Chief of Staff of Marine Headquarters — she was also a living legend among the older generation. Having served for over sixty years, nearly every Vice Admiral present was technically her junior and held her in deep respect.
Even Kong, now the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's armed forces, always treated Tsuru with warmth and courtesy. None of them had ever seen anyone dare to speak to her so rudely.
A wave of silent indignation rippled through the room.
Aokiji and Nao both narrowed their eyes, a quiet anger rising in their chests.
But Veil paid no attention to the tense atmosphere building around the table.
"In addition, I'll need five Vice Admirals to lead the operation."
He glanced down at the document in his hand, then began calling names one by one in a cold, clipped tone.
"Barker.
Lonz.
Yamakaji…"
He named four officers in a row, then fixed his gaze sharply on Akainu (Sakazuki).
"And finally, Sakazuki — you will serve as the chief commander of this capture operation. The five of you will divide your tasks, coordinate seamlessly, and ensure that not a single slave escapes. Do I make myself clear?"
Ten warships. Five Vice Admirals.
That wasn't just the scale of a Buster Call — it was even greater.
Everyone in the room knew it: though Akainu's current title was still Vice Admiral, his combat strength had long surpassed that level — easily matching a full Admiral.
Even a real Buster Call rarely required a powerhouse like him to participate.
The named Vice Admirals stiffened immediately.
Akainu narrowed his eyes, meeting Veil's gaze for a few seconds before finally nodding slightly.
"Understood, Fleet Admiral."
He straightened his cap and began to rise from his seat—
—when suddenly, a calm, almost lazy voice drifted from behind him.
"Fleet Admiral… perhaps it'd be better if I went on this mission instead."
"…Hm?"
Akainu paused and turned his head.
All eyes in the room shifted toward Nao, who sat across the table, still holding his teacup.
"This search operation, even in the best-case scenario, will take several days," Nao said, sipping his tea unhurriedly.
"Sakazuki, as the commanding officer of G-1 Branch, has heavy responsibilities in the New World. It's not ideal for him to stay here at Headquarters too long. Now that his reassignment review has been completed, he should return soon to oversee operations there."
"As for me, I've been on leave for quite some time — I'm free anyway. And besides," he added with a faint smile, "my Devil Fruit ability makes me particularly suited for a wide-area pursuit like this."
He put down his teacup gently.
"So, I believe it would be more appropriate for me to take charge of this operation instead. What do you think, Fleet Admiral?"
For a brief moment, the conference room fell silent.
Akainu's expression softened noticeably. He gave Nao a barely perceptible nod — his way of saying: I owe you one for this.
Indeed, as Nao had said, being suddenly summoned back to Headquarters had already irritated Sakazuki to no end. His mind was preoccupied with the pressing affairs of the G-1 Branch in the New World. He had no patience for this petty, politically motivated mission just to make the new Fleet Admiral look good.
Nao had read the room perfectly — and by volunteering to take on this thankless task, he'd done Akainu a personal favor.
Nao smiled politely and nodded to Akainu — though the thoughts running through his head were entirely different.
"A favor? Yeah, right. I just don't want you going out there — if you lead the mission, not a single slave will make it out alive!"
The incident with Fisher Tiger setting fires to free the slaves — Nao knew it all too well. He even vaguely remembered that, in the original course of events, thanks to Shakky and Rayleigh's help, all the slaves managed to escape safely.
But now…
It was obvious that the flap of his butterfly wings had already changed everything.
He wasn't sure whether the Fleet Admiral in this timeline was supposed to be this "Veil,"
but one thing was certain — in the original story, Marine Headquarters had never mobilized such a massive force, let alone sent Akainu to lead the operation himself.
Otherwise, even ten Fisher Tigers wouldn't have been enough to escape.
"You're going?"
Veil narrowed his eyes, looking Nao up and down as his fingers rhythmically tapped on the table.
"That might be better… however, White Dragon, I'll repeat the order again — every last slave must be captured and brought back. No mistakes. If you fail…"
"Then I'll accept military punishment. Simple as that."
Nao lazily dug a finger in his ear, his tone casual.
"If I can't even handle a small job like this, then you'd really be underestimating me, wouldn't you, Fleet Admiral?"
"Good. Make sure you remember that."
Veil gave a cold snort, showing no pretense of politeness.
"I still haven't settled the score for last time. I was going to speak with you privately in three days, but now — consider this your chance to make up for it. Don't let the higher-ups down again. Understood, White Dragon?"
"Of course, Fleet Admiral."
Nao smiled brightly, stood up, gave a crisp salute, and walked out of the conference room without looking back.
The other Vice Admirals glanced at each other, then hurriedly followed suit.
...
At the harbor.
Ten warships stood ready to set sail.
Near the docked Thunder Hawk, Aokiji stood with furrowed brows, watching anxiously as Nao directed his subordinates to board the ship.
"What's with that look?"
Nao glanced over at him.
"You shouldn't have volunteered for this mission."
"Couldn't just sit by and do nothing."
Nao chuckled softly.
The two of them knew each other far too well — there was no need for extra words. A few short sentences, and each already understood the other's intent.
"After what you did in the North Blue, the higher-ups were already furious. They erased even your massive accomplishment of defeating Big Mom from the records."
Aokiji's tone was solemn.
"If you pull something like that again, it won't just be 'displeasure.' That old man Veil will explode. He's the Fleet Admiral now — if he decides to target you in the future…"
"Don't be so dramatic. At worst, he'll yell at me to my face. What else can he do?"
Nao smirked.
"You already forgot what I told you this morning in the courtyard?"
…
The creaking sound of a swinging seat.
Opposite him, in a sunlit wicker chair, a black-haired young man lounged lazily, basking in the warmth.
"I'm not who I used to be anymore. I've long since stopped dreaming about smoothly becoming an Admiral like I did as a kid."
"For the sake of your dream, you could endure any humiliation without losing your composure — so why would you suddenly let your temper flare and risk offending the Fleet Admiral himself?"
…
Memories from an hour ago flashed back rapidly in his mind.
Aokiji opened his mouth, about to say something, but saw Nao already waving his hand, turning to head towards the deck of the Thunder Hawk.
"Don't stand there like an idiot. Go back. I'm off now."
The white Justice cloak on his shoulders fluttered violently in the sea breeze.
From the harbor of Marineford, the broadcast of the port's dispatcher echoed out over the water.
Ten warships departed one after another, heading toward the Red Line.
Watching the ships grow smaller in the distance, Aokiji swallowed the words of warning he'd prepared and sighed.
"Not the same as before, huh? Still spouting the same nonsense as ever."
He shook his head with a wry smile.
"You haven't changed at all… not one bit."
...
Between the Red Line and the Sabaody Archipelago,
the sea stretched vast and open — but a fleet of several thousand escaped slaves was hardly an easy thing to hide.
They were a glaring target.
Not long after leaving Marineford, under Nao's command, the ten warships split up, each taking a different search route based on the intelligence reports sent from Mary Geoise.
On the deck of the Thunder Hawk.
"Vice Admiral Yamakaji has taken responsibility for Sector 12, Vice Admiral Barkel for Sector 25, and Vice Admiral Lonz's group is also in position."
Momonga reported crisply, then hesitated for a moment before asking:
"Vice Admiral… should we really…?"
"We'll decide when we find them."
Nao's answer was vague, noncommittal.
"Go."
He tilted his head slightly and spoke softly.
The White Night Hawk perched on his right shoulder affectionately brushed against his cheek, then spread its wings and soared upward, turning into a streak of white light that shot off toward the southeast.
As for Nao himself — after a few more quiet instructions to his subordinate — his body too turned into a streak of azure-blue light, speeding in the opposite direction.
With ten warships searching simultaneously, time was tight — for Fisher Tiger, and for him as well.
He had to find the slaves' fleet before the others did
....
The setting sun dipped toward the horizon, bathing the sea in shades of red.
The lapping waves and the fleeting evening breeze all seemed tinged with a faint, drunken blush.
Everything felt warm and peaceful.
Thousands of meters above the ocean,
a streak of azure light streaked through the burning clouds,
its powerful Observation Haki sweeping over the waters below, scanning every stretch of sea along the way.
Then suddenly—
The streak of light stopped.
Behind a cluster of fiery clouds, Nao's figure appeared.
"Finally…"
He looked toward a distant point on the horizon, exhaled softly, and murmured,
"Found them…"
Five large merchant ships were sailing side by side beneath the setting sun.
On the wide decks, crowds of people filled the space. Several makeshift long tables had been pieced together, covered with dishes and bottles of wine. Around them sat men and women laughing, talking, and clinking glasses. The air was full of warmth and noise.
Clearly—
A grand celebration banquet was underway.
Joyful, scattered singing drifted with the sea breeze.
"Yo-ho-ho-ho-ho, yo-ho-ho-ho~"
"Bring Binks' sake, and take it to your friends~"
"Let the sea breeze carry us, sailing free and strong~"
"Come, let's sing a song, the song of setting sail~"
…
After a night of hellish struggle, the freed slaves who had finally escaped were now shoulder to shoulder on the decks—singing, laughing, and rejoicing in their hard-won freedom.
Clang!
Mugs of ale clashed together, frothy beer spilling over the rims. The sunset reflected in the amber liquid and glass, lighting up faces that still carried the disbelief and relief of survival.
"To our savior! I drink to you!"
"And to you, Brother Tiger!"
"I'll drink first, big bro—you take your time!"
…
A full day had passed, and by now Fisher Tiger's true identity was no secret. The freed slaves, grateful beyond words, affectionately called him Big Brother Tiger.
The banquet had only just begun, but already hundreds of people had come forward to toast him. Even with his legendary tolerance for drink, Tiger was starting to feel tipsy and overwhelmed.
"No more, really—no more drinks!"
When another group of young longarm slaves came to offer a toast, Tiger quickly covered his cup and waved both hands.
"If I drink any more, I'll be out cold! Everyone, celebrate, yes—but don't lose control. At the very least, don't get completely drunk. We're not out of danger yet!"
"Eh?"
A young mink girl—barely fifteen or sixteen, with soft rabbit ears—looked up at him, her cheeks flushed red from wine.
"But Big Brother Tiger, didn't we already shake off all the pursuers from Mary Geoise?"
"The World Government's dogs don't end with the CP divisions."
Tiger shook his head slightly, his eyes dark and heavy as he gazed out over the sea.
"There's still the biggest dog of all… and that one hasn't shown its face yet."
The lively mood around them faded, the laughter quieting.
"You mean…"
The rabbit mink girl's ears twitched nervously.
"The Marine Headquarters?"
...
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