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Is Marine Soryu (Azure Dragon) famous?
It would be more accurate to remove the question mark entirely.
Whether it's the Aircraft Force or the Thunder-Lightning Stimulation Device, the slaying of Big Mom, or the capture of the Dragon— time and again, Soryu (Azure Dragon) has impacted not just the Marines and pirates, but the entire world.
He's arguably the brightest star of this era— without question!
Every person's life has been influenced, for better or worse, by his actions, and no one can ignore these changes.
One notable example: their captain, who used to boast about becoming the Pirate King, had to change his tune under the threat of that man.
Although later, they learned from Garp that Rowen's words were merely a joke— he had no real intention of killing all the villagers— it wasn't because he was merciful, but because he wasn't interested.
Yet Luffy, unwilling to simply revert back to his original goal, wanted to surpass Rowen and reclaim his dignity as a pirate in his own way!
"I didn't expect we were already so close to G-10..."
Robin silently pondered.
Perhaps it was time for her to leave.
This temporary refuge was never her true home... probably.
"So..."
At that moment, Luffy, picking his nose, asked in confusion, "Are we heading to Sky Island or Jaya Island next?"
"Listen to what I'm saying, you idiot!" Nami roared with sharp teeth showing, "Jaya Island is Sky Island, and Sky Island is Jaya Island! Because of the Knock Up Stream, half of the ancient Jaya Island was blasted into the sky, splitting it into two parts."
"If we keep heading toward Jaya Island, we'll definitely run into Marine Soryu (Azure Dragon) and get captured!"
Nami, who didn't have a clear understanding of "Marine Soryu (Azure Dragon)" before, began to grasp the gravity of the situation after their first major battle in Alabasta.
He is an opponent they currently have no chance against!
They are so far beneath him that they can't even begin to measure up.
"But the Log Pose points to Sky Island, right?" Luffy suddenly seemed to understand something. "Why would we go to Jaya Island?"
"I..."
Nami was at a loss for words.
Was she supposed to say that she had been secretly communicating with the Marines all along and had agreed to help capture the Straw Hats at Jaya Island?
But she got so caught up in the pirate life that she forgot the arrangement until just now.
"Luffy's right, Nami."
At this moment, Zoro stepped forward with a smile. "Since they're technically the same island, the Log Pose won't break. If we go to Sky Island, we can avoid Jaya Island, right?"
It's well-known that Rowen isn't a swordsman.
Faced with a non-swordsman powerhouse who could threaten the entire crew at any moment, Zoro had no interest in confronting him head-on.
"You guys... are so naive and adorable..."
Nami was speechless.
It sounded logical: head to Sky Island, avoid Jaya Island, and don't face an unbeatable enemy head-on. Simple, right?
But Sky Island had already established trade relations with the Marines, and there were many Marine troops stationed there!
And don't forget about the Aircraft Force that has emerged in recent years. Their existence made travel between the Blue Sea and the White Sea both safe and efficient for the Marines.
So, these two seemingly unrelated places were actually part of G-10's jurisdiction, forming an impenetrable stronghold.
If they trespass, they'd face complete annihilation!
Why else do so many pirates avoid the Fourth Route?
It's because G-10 stands firmly in their way, like an insurmountable cliff, blocking the tide of pirates.
"Don't worry, Nami. No matter how strong the enemy is, there are limits. Besides, we might not be unlucky enough to run into him," Sanji said, lighting a cigarette and taking a couple of drags to calm his nerves.
He recalled the day they encountered Rowen in East Blue. "Given his mobility, the Marines likely assign him plenty of tasks. I don't think we're unlucky enough to bump into him."
"Let's hope... that's the case," Nami murmured, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
---
**On the Qilin**
"Senior official, the Territory Manatee has detected an unregistered ship approaching!"
Just as they were preparing to return to base, a messenger came running up to report.
"Oh? Which direction?" Rowen asked.
"Following the current, the same route as the attacked battleship."
"What?"
Rowen was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized.
He was overthinking it.
The matter of the Celestial Dragon's death had not yet been made public. Even Dante and the others who had been part of the protection detail were under strict orders not to disclose it, or they and their families would face severe consequences.
So, it wasn't surprising if a pirate accidentally strayed into the G-10 sea at this time. Many people, before learning their lesson, always thought they were special and could overcome things others couldn't, stubbornly crossing the Fourth Route.
Then, they would be clearly dealt with by the G-10 soldiers through saturating bombardment!
"Dante, your new mission, take a team over there to check it out..."
The total area managed by the G-10 far exceeded the coverage of Rowen's Heavenly Network. After thinking it through, Rowen loudly called out, causing Dante to roll his eyes.
"Why is it always me?! Can't a workaholic have a break?!"
But he also understood there was no other way.
Currently, in the G-10, only he truly understood what Rowen was trying to do. At such a critical time, with someone entering the G-10-managed sea, and coming in from that particular route, it was very likely one of those collaborators.
Only by going himself could Rowen be at ease.
"I really want a vacation!"
Juggling two roles, constantly running between seas, even someone as relentless as Dante was feeling a bit exhausted, letting out a long sigh to the sky... Then, with a grim face, he gathered the soldiers and set off to the destination.
Complaints aside, the mission still had to be done.
Rank has its privileges!
"Everyone else, pack up, and have the Aircraft Force lead the way back to the port for repairs!"
"Yes!"
...
One hour later, at the edge of G-10 territory.
"Luffy, something's happening!"
Zoro, who was on the lookout, tensed up, his left hand gripping the hilt of his sword as he shouted down below.
"It doesn't look like they're just passing by; they're coming straight at us!"
"What? Have we been discovered?"
Usopp and Chopper hugged each other, trembling.
After hearing the stories about the Marine Azure Dragon, the two cowards almost mutinied, wanting to change their course. The only reason they didn't succeed was because they lacked the courage to do so.
"It's the Territory Manatee!"
Nami said with a grim expression, "The Marine Azure Dragon is not only incredibly powerful but also a major shareholder in Century City and Golden City, with enormous wealth. He's bred a large number of Territory Manatees in the seas around the base."
These magical creatures only lived in the New World, and bringing them back to the First Half and spreading them throughout the G-10 sea required a massive fortune.
So even Nami was surprised to find that they were being kept in such a remote area!
And they were the silent type of Territory Manatee, the kind that wouldn't send out warning signals to outsiders.
In fact, what she didn't know was that this kind of silent Territory Manatee was relatively cheaper. Rowen wasn't literally swimming in money, so the ones placed in the outer regions were the budget version.
The ones that could both send signals back and warn intruders with sound waves were only stationed near Gaya Island.
"Everyone, we have two options right now!"
Nami took a deep breath, hiding the pain on her face with a cold expression, and said, "The first option is to head for the Knock Up Stream. Battleships and aircraft can't approach it, and as long as we make it to the vicinity of Gaya Island, ride the Knock Up Stream, and reach Sky Island, we might have a chance to escape."
"But!"
"This move is extremely dangerous. Even without the threat of the Marines, riding the Knock Up Stream is a life-or-death gamble. If anything goes wrong, none of us will survive."
"And the second option?"
Sanji asked quietly.
"Turn around immediately, escape this sea, and use the vastness of the ocean to lose our pursuers, then think of another plan."
Nami knew the second option was basically unfeasible.
Because...
"Hehehe, turning back is impossible. Not in this lifetime!"
Luffy laughed while pressing his hand on his straw hat, his gaze unusually determined.
"Knock Up Stream? Sky Island? I smell adventure!"
"Nami, as the captain, I declare we proceed with the first option!"
"I... understand!"
As she watched Chopper, now in his humanoid form, turn the helm, Zoro, from his vantage point in the crow's nest, furrowed his brow ever so slightly.
Something's not right... It feels like we're missing something.
(End Of Chapter)