CHAPTER 266: A NIGHT IN SABAODY
Brett went to watch Tesoro film the movie. Preparations progressed remarkably smoothly. Shortly after the script's completion, casting finished. Following brief training, official shooting commenced.
In a darkly constructed room, white-robed, masked villains tortured a Fish-Man Island official they'd secretly captured. Honestly, this costume wasn't subtle anymore—anyone with ocean knowledge recognized its origin. This scene emphasized the spies' cruelty. Since this world lacked censorship boards, Tesoro spared no expense employing graphic violence to showcase the villains' brutality. Of course, these were special effects—the actors weren't genuinely harmed. All wounds came from makeup.
"Still no word on Zephyr?" Despite not playing the lead, Tesoro, directing between takes, turned to ask Brett quietly.
"Nothing," Brett replied. "They're hiding well."
"Obviously," Tesoro said casually. "If that man were so easily found, he'd already be in Impel Down by now."
Brett chuckled. True enough. The government certainly searched more intensely than Brett's own efforts. While Morgans' intelligence network was impressive, compared to the World Government it fell short considerably. If Morgans could locate Zephyr quickly, the government would be even faster. Actually, the lack of leads suggested Zephyr was doing well.
Brett believed Zephyr would head toward the New World. Both Paradise and the Four Seas were too dangerous—government presence too overwhelming. Only the chaotic New World offered safety for development. If they were bound for the New World, Fish-Man Island was their necessary route.
Likely, Brett merely needed to wait at Fish-Man Island for them to arrive. He'd already arranged with merchants in Sabaody. The moment Zephyr's group appeared for coating, Fish-Man Island would know immediately.
Though the government probably made identical arrangements.
Just a matter of who reacted faster.
Brett remained patient, quietly watching Tesoro film.
---
In Mariejois:
"Zephyr knows the Navy too well," a white-robed masked figure reported to the strongest shield. "Finding him through Navy channels is extremely difficult. He evades every base effortlessly."
"Relying solely on CP0, locating him resembles finding needles in the ocean."
"So what's the conclusion?" Zero asked.
"We're employing waiting tactics," the figure replied. "Government and Navy forces are strongest in Paradise. This is the region the World Government invested most heavily in eight hundred years."
Naturally. All three major government institutions operated in Paradise.
"Zephyr will be leaving Paradise. Most likely toward the New World, though the Four Seas cannot be ignored. We've positioned forces at every critical junction between Paradise and the New World, plus toward the Four Seas. Now we wait."
"Mm," Zero nodded lightly.
Only this approach remained viable now.
---
Time passed, day by day flowing onward.
One night, a ship arrived at Sabaody Archipelago. Unremarkable appearance—not a pirate vessel, but a merchant company flag hung from its mast. After docking, several cloaked figures with hoods drawn disembarked.
They moved with practiced efficiency, resupplying throughout the islands. While purchasing supplies, they also observed the surroundings carefully—specifically the coating shops. Their wandering path, if charted from a god's perspective, revealed no random movement. They observed island activity, particularly coating operations.
Sabaody had grown tense lately. Navy soldiers patrolled everywhere, apparently searching for something.
The figures returned to their ship.
"As expected?" Zephyr murmured quietly in the dimly lit cabin. "They won't let us reach the New World so easily."
"What do we do, Teacher Zephyr?" Ain asked anxiously. "Going to a coating shop now risks exposure."
If the government was monitoring the island, coating became nearly impossible. Coating wasn't completed quickly—building sufficient bubble-membrane for deep-sea navigation required several days. Certainly they couldn't delay that long without discovery.
"Are there pirate ships already coated, preparing to depart for Fish-Man Island?" Zephyr asked quietly.
Ain's eyes widened. Then she brightened. "I understand!"
If coating themselves risked too much, why not simply seize an already-coated vessel?
---
Hyena Johnnie was a pirate, bounty seven hundred eighty million—quite respectable in Paradise. After years operating in the Grand Line's first half, he'd finally decided: the New World called. He'd join the Beast Pirates, become one of Kaido's subordinates. As an animal-type user, even Kaido wouldn't refuse him, right?
Thus Hyena Johnnie arrived at Sabaody confidently, spent days coating, completed preparations. Now came the moment.
"Set out!" Nighttime, standing confidently at his ship's bow, Johnnie raised his hand. "Toward Fish-Man Island!"
Best to check out that island before reaching the New World, yeah?
But—
"Captain, another ship approaches!" the lookout suddenly shouted. "Appears to be a merchant vessel!"
"Merchant ship?" Johnnie scratched his head, confused. Since when did merchants approach pirate ships? Weren't they afraid?
"Someone! Someone's coming!" the lookout suddenly shrieked.
Johnnie turned—and saw a figure descend from the night sky, landing gracefully on his deck.
"Moon Walk?" Having spent years in Paradise, Johnnie recognized the government's signature technique.
Then he saw the figure's face clearly.
"You—you—YOU ARE—!!"
The pirate captain's voice trembled. How could such a monster appear before him?
"Get below deck," the newcomer said.
"Yes!!!"
The confident pirate captain transformed instantly into a terrified mouse.
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