When Crocodile returned with Enel, Don was already strolling through the streets of one of the earlier-numbered areas.
The Sabaody Archipelago was vast—so vast that even with his current mastery of Observation Haki, Don couldn't cover the entire island cluster.
He could only envelop a small fraction of it.
That alone spoke volumes about the Archipelago's sheer scale.
Within the range of his Haki, the atmosphere across these zones had grown… eerie.
In the area he was currently in, however, there weren't many Marines.
It made sense. Given Sabaody's chaotic nature, it was already impressive that the Navy and World Government could fully control even part of it.
After all, this place was the gateway to the New World, where all manner of forces entangled—pirates, merchants, slave traders, bounty hunters—countless factions with their own ambitions converging here.
The Marines trying to take full control over the early-numbered zones?
That wasn't exactly a sight most people wanted to see.
Even so, they hadn't stayed out entirely—Don could sense agents moving about.
Some were Marines.
Some belonged to the World Government.
Others—he couldn't tell which side they were on.
He didn't bother with them.
His Observation Haki was busy gathering information from the surrounding area.
Night had fallen over Sabaody.
Especially in the lower-numbered zones—lawless and infamous—the silence was almost unnatural.
Those who lived there year-round… few had clean hands.
And as for the pirates and slave traders who docked and lingered here, they were an even worse breed.
Don turned his gaze toward one direction.
If the areas within his perception were quiet, then Area No. 1, where the Human Auction House was located, was the complete opposite—boiling with activity.
"A bunch of reckless fools,"
Don murmured when he saw what was happening there through his Haki.
If his strength were that of an average pirate worth a few hundred million berries, he'd have left the island the moment he sensed the current state of things.
But greed was the nature of pirates.
Several groups were attacking the auction hall.
The auction hadn't even started yet—so the reason for the raid could only be one thing.
It must be what Crocodile mentioned earlier: the Devil Fruits had already been delivered.
And word had leaked.
If it were merely about Fish-men slaves, they wouldn't be going this far.
But Devil Fruits—that was different.
In the Four Seas, they were legendary.
On the Grand Line, however, many of the most powerful beings owed their strength to them.
And now, three Devil Fruits were gathered in one place.
For pirates, that temptation was irresistible.
Don had no intention of intervening. He was just about to turn back when he suddenly froze.
"Akainu… Sakazuki!"
His eyes narrowed slightly as he turned back toward Area No. 1.
Even to the naked eye, the sky above that area was glowing with fire.
His Observation Haki confirmed it within seconds
The pirates who had gathered to seize the Devil Fruits… were all annihilated.
The battle hadn't lasted long.
Once he confirmed it was over, Don turned and left.
"What's he looking at?"
"Toward Area No. 1."
"He's walking away."
"Hmm…"
A sudden burst of Conqueror's Haki swept across the street
Everyone spying on Don collapsed on the spot.
At the Harbor—aboard the Rose Hunter
Robin leaned against the rail, gazing at the Sabaody Archipelago under the night sky, a faint trace of worry crossing her face.
Though she couldn't see him, her unease was palpable—and Issho felt it clearly.
"With his strength," Issho said gently, "no one can stop him if he decides to leave."
His calm tone brought Robin back to herself.
She turned toward him.
"He's being too reckless," she pouted softly.
Issho chuckled.
"That's only natural, isn't it? He's one of the strongest men on this sea. If he wishes to go, then he'll go."
He recalled the time Don crossed swords with Mihawk
That overwhelming aura, even through Observation Haki, felt as if it would burn him.
Such power… it was monstrous.
Issho's standards were high, and he rarely acknowledged others' strength.
Yet what Don showed that day
That wasn't something a mere human could wield.
"I know," Robin said quietly, brushing her hair back before perching on the rail.
"I just can't help worrying."
"That only means your bond with him runs deep," Issho smiled, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.
"But we should follow his orders and set sail."
He knew she wanted to stay.
He also knew she was too intelligent not to understand why she couldn't.
"Ever since the West Blue, we've never been apart," Robin murmured.
"Can you help me grow stronger?"
Her tone turned serious.
"Of course," Issho nodded. "My fruit can indeed help you grow quickly… but it won't be easy."
"I'm prepared for that. I just want to be able to help him."
"Well…" Issho scratched his head, chuckling bitterly.
"Helping him in terms of strength might be a bit… unrealistic."
Still, he didn't have the heart to discourage her.
"We'll begin tomorrow," Issho said. "My current mission is to see you safely into the New World. We can't afford delays. Given Don's abilities, I doubt he needs to pass through Fishman Island anyway."
Robin thought of Don crossing the Red Line in flames—and nodded.
Then she turned and disappeared into the cabin.
Issho sat cross-legged on the deck, facing the distant lights of Sabaody.
Out at sea—aboard the Perfume Snake
"We're leaving already?"
One of the large snake sisters beside Boa Hancock asked.
"Yes," Hancock replied curtly. "I thought Rayleigh had run into trouble, but it seems that's not the case. Something's strange on that island—I won't risk you all."
"That man—was he Rayleigh's friend?"
another sister asked.
"He didn't seem like it. But it doesn't matter," Hancock said coolly, turning her gaze toward the archipelago.
"It has nothing to do with me."
If she could avoid it, she would never have come to this place.
"Set course for Amazon Lily!"
With a sweep of her cape, Boa Hancock gave the order.
END OF CHAPTER
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