Roy removed the cloak he had been wearing and immediately extended his Observation Haki across the surrounding area.
After confirming that no Marine or CP presence was tracking him, he moved through the shadows of Sabaody’s district in rapid bursts, disappearing from sight within moments.
Meanwhile, in Area 13, Tesoro and Stella had taken refuge inside an abandoned warehouse.
Both were breathing heavily from exhaustion and tension, with Tesoro still showing traces of blood at the corner of his lips, evidence that his injuries from the earlier confrontation had not fully healed.
“…Boss… he succeeded, right…?”
Tesoro’s voice was uncertain, but before Stella could respond, the warehouse door suddenly creaked open.
Both of them tensed violently, almost crying out in panic, until they saw Roy step inside.
Only then did they relax slightly.
“Boss!”
Roy nodded calmly as he entered, scanning the room once before speaking.
“Relax.
I’ve shaken off the World Government agents.
For now, we’re safe.”
Without waiting for further questions, he walked toward a nearby crate, casually opened it, and revealed two Devil Fruits placed side by side.
One was completely snow-white, its surface marked with feather-like patterns, while the other was the very target they had risked everything for the Paramecia-type Nen-Nen Fruit.
Roy’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed them.
“Good timing,” he said lightly, a faint smile forming.
“This white one… it should be a Zoan-type.”
Without hesitation, he picked up the pink Nen-Nen Fruit and took a bite.
*CRUNCH.*
The taste was immediately unbearable worse than rotting waste soaked in seawater and fermented sludge combined, a sensation that violently assaulted his senses.
“Ugh… disgusting…”
Despite the repulsion, Roy knew better than to stop early.
Rumors in the Grand Line suggested that fully consuming a Devil Fruit strengthened its connection to the user, so he forced himself to continue, swallowing the remaining portion in one motion.
The moment the fruit disappeared into his body, Roy collapsed backward briefly, clutching his stomach.
However, before he could even request water, an invisible surge erupted from his body.
A psychic shockwave expanded outward instantly.
Tesoro and Stella were thrown backward violently, crashing through the warehouse wall and landing outside on the grass.
Across Area 13, civilians and residents suddenly froze in place, clutching their heads as if struck by an unseen force.
Stronger individuals instinctively turned toward the source, sensing something unnatural spreading through the air.
Inside Roy’s perception, everything changed.
His mental energy expanded dramatically, multiplying several times over.
His Observation Haki, which previously covered only half the island, now spread effortlessly across the entire Sabaody Archipelago and extended far beyond its boundaries into the open sea.
Roy slowly opened his eyes.
Outside, Tesoro staggered back to his feet, holding his head in confusion as he looked toward the broken wall.
“…Boss… what was that just now…?”
“That?” Roy replied calmly, stepping out from the warehouse.
“That’s the ability I just obtained.”
He paused briefly, then continued.
“Right now isn’t the time to explain.
Take Stella and leave this place.
Go wait for me at Shakky’s bar.”
Tesoro blinked in surprise.
“Aren’t you coming with us?”
Roy shook his head slightly.
“I still need to get the payment sorted.
The deal with Shakky is already in motion.”
Before Tesoro could respond further, he suddenly opened a second crate nearby, revealing stacks of cash inside.
“Boss, I checked earlier,” Tesoro said quickly, still shaken but focused.
“There are five hundred million Berries here.”
Roy’s expression brightened immediately.
“Hahaha… well done.”
Without hesitation, he accepted the box.
“Then we move.
We finish the transaction and leave Sabaody Archipelago.”
At the same time, far away at Marine Headquarters, Marineford, tension filled the conference room.
Fleet Admiral Kong sat at the head of the table while high-ranking Marine officers reviewed ongoing reports.
“Following the death of Rocks, his crew disbanded into multiple pirate factions,” one report stated.
“The New World has descended into chaos.”
“The Whitebeard Pirates have already occupied multiple islands around Sphinx Island in the central New World.”
“The Flying Pirates under Golden Lion Shiki are dominating the first half of the New World, continuously attacking Marine bases in an attempt to expel us completely.”
“Meanwhile, Wang Zhi remains entrenched in Hachinosu, while Charlotte Linlin and Kaido are rapidly expanding their influence.”
The room remained heavy with silence.
Even experienced officers frowned at the unstable situation.
Kong exhaled deeply before issuing a decision.
“For now, withdraw most Marine forces from the New World.
Focus on stabilizing the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line.”
“Only G-3 and G-4 bases will remain active in the New World.
Two Admirals will be stationed there to monitor pirate movements.”
“Yes, sir,” several officers responded, though hesitation lingered.
One Vice Admiral voiced concern.
“Will the World Government accept such a withdrawal?”
Kong’s expression darkened.
“If they have complaints, they can increase funding and manpower.
Our forces are stretched too thin.”
Suddenly
*Buru Buru Buru…*
A Transponder Snail rang sharply.
Kong picked it up.
A cold voice came through immediately.
“Kong.
A Celestial Dragon has been attacked at Sabaody Archipelago.
Deploy an Admiral immediately.
Capture the perpetrator and send them to the Holy Land.
Details will follow.”
Silence fell across the room as everyone sensed the shift in atmosphere.
Kong slowly hung up.
“…A Celestial Dragon was attacked.”
Moments later, a Marine entered with a stack of documents, quickly distributing them across the table.
The images showed only two cloaked figures.
A Vice Admiral frowned.
“There’s no clear identification… just silhouettes.
How are we supposed to track them?”
At that moment
“Puhahaha!”
Monkey D.
Garp suddenly burst out laughing.
“Someone finally punched a Celestial Dragon?
That’s hilarious!”
The room instantly stiffened.
Kong’s expression darkened further.
“Garp!!
Is this the time for laughter?!
Since you’re so amused, you’ll take the mission!”
Garp immediately stood up, stretching casually.
“Who has time to babysit Celestial Dragons?
I’ve still got Roger to chase.”
Without waiting for a reply, he threw on his coat and walked out, leaving the room behind.
Sengoku, seated beside Kong, calmly stepped in to defuse the situation.
“Garp is… Garp.
I will take responsibility for this mission.”
Kong finally exhaled, regaining composure.
“Very well.
You will handle it.
Once the perpetrator is captured, deliver them to the nearest Marine base.
Someone there will take over.”
Sengoku saluted firmly.
“Yes, sir.”
Then he turned and left the conference room.