"That technique…"
Watching the sea gradually calm down, Sengoku furrowed his brow. The woman who had suddenly appeared reminded him of someone—a long-deceased person. Or rather, a long-deceased enemy.
"That was Roger's technique and ability, wasn't it?"
Thor joined Sengoku, also staring at the flowing sea. Wearing a mask, he softly said, "This world will never know peace."
Sengoku's face darkened. In his final encounter with Roger, he felt the same sense of being seen through. Roger had effortlessly broken his Buddha Palm with minimal force. Now, Anne's fusion power only intensified this déjà vu.
But it shouldn't be possible. Roger was dead. They all saw him die. How could he return?
Moreover, the intruder was a woman. Roger couldn't have been a woman.
Sengoku was increasingly perplexed, but he knew one thing: they were in for a severe reprimand.
Although Robin hadn't yet shown her full potential, the World Government feared her ability. Her power to make Ohara vanish completely—almost like it never existed—was terrifying if uncontrolled. Even as a child, Robin's power was a significant threat.
Putting aside her powers, the fact that an important asset was taken from Pandora Island was a massive blow to the World Government.
Pandora Island, the most crucial research facility of the World Government, held countless secrets. Losing a vital subject, there was a direct challenge to their authority.
Despite the woman's strength and immunity to seawater, there was no excuse for their failure.
"Prepare for the consequences," Thor said, flickering with electricity. "Though it's a slim chance, we might find traces of them nearby."
With that, he transformed into lightning and vanished.
Sengoku, equally disgruntled, departed with his men.
As expected, in Mariejois, the Five Elders were furious upon hearing Robin had been taken.
"What is Makima doing?!"
One of the Five Elders thundered, "Nico Robin has a god-like power, potentially erasing all records of the Void Century. If such power goes unchecked, it's a grave threat to the World Government."
"It's too late to lament now. We need to focus on mitigation," the sword-wielding elder said. "Makima has deployed the Black Order for the hunt, but we know nothing about the woman who took Robin."
"According to the reports, she might be connected to Roger."
Mentioning Roger's name brought a moment of silence.
Roger, the first man the World Government couldn't control, had unparalleled strength and became the Pirate King. They never expected anyone like him to emerge again.
However, the reported abilities of this woman were eerily similar to Roger's.
Roger's Divine Avoidance, his supreme Observation Haki, the Fusion-Fusion Fruit ability, and the power to escape from two Admirals—these similarities were too striking.
But Roger was dead, and he wasn't a woman. Who was she?
"Notify the Navy. Initiate a worldwide search for Nico Robin and that woman. Investigate what Roger did in the year he disappeared," one of the elders ordered. "All World Government branches, including CP, the Navy, the Black Order, and even the Holy Knights, must mobilize. We must retrieve Nico Robin."
"How should we explain this to the public?" another elder asked. "Robin's power cannot be revealed. It would be disastrous if ambitious individuals exploited it."
The first elder thought for a moment. "Declare her as a demon child, escaped from the Black Order, with a bounty of…"
He paused before naming a figure.
"150 million Berries."
Though Robin's actual value exceeded 150 million Berries due to her potential to erase the secrets of the Void Century, they knew a higher bounty would attract dangerous attention.
In the New World, many opposed the World Government. They might have helped her despite the government if they knew of a valuable girl.
A bounty of 150 million was high but not extraordinary, attracting significant but manageable interest.
Satisfied, the elders issued the bounty for the demon child Nico Robin.
Meanwhile, Anne successfully returned to her room.
Seeing that everything was still calm outside, she sighed in relief. The orders from the Five Elders hadn't reached yet; she made it back in time.
Quickly, she changed out of her wet clothes, donning her Navy uniform and letting her blue hair down from its disguise.
She considered growing her hair long after Roger's death, but it proved inconvenient for combat. So, she reverted to short hair, knowing long hair during her rescue mission would have been a giveaway.
After drying her hair, she heard Navy personnel outside.
Just in time…
It must be the Five Elders' orders.
Anne smiled slightly, then composed herself before stepping out confidently.
Initially indifferent to Robin's rescue, the Navy became alert under orders. They didn't know who Robin was; even Anne had just learned her name.
But orders were orders, and they had to be executed.
Anne thought her duties were over when Kong kept the three Admirals behind.
Zeph, Anne, and Astar looked curiously at Kong, unsure why they were held back.
"Zehp, are you still determined?" Kong asked once alone with them.
Kong's following words confirmed Anne's suspicions.
"What will you do after resigning as Admiral?"
Zeph was resigning again!
This time, it wasn't out of disillusionment with the Navy but because he was engrossed in studying the Emperor's Scripture. Having discovered profound insights, he believed understanding its secrets was vital to eradicating pirates.
With his mind set on deciphering the celestial patterns in the Scripture, being an Admiral seemed meaningless.
Kong sighed. "Actually, I should leave the Navy too."
?!
Leave the Navy?!
The three Admirals were shocked, staring at Kong in disbelief.
"The Five Elders plan to establish a Supreme Commander to oversee the Navy, CP, and the Black Order. I might be promoted soon, leaving the Fleet Admiral position vacant. The Navy's leadership
Is about to undergo a significant change," Kong explained.
Zehp stepping down and Kong's promotion meant a substantial shift in the Navy's highest ranks.
"The next Fleet Admiral won't be Zehp, and definitely not Garp. So, it's down to either you, Anne, or you, Astar. Do you have any thoughts?" Kong asked, looking at them.
Anne pondered. Being the Fleet Admiral would bring more responsibilities and limitations despite the increased authority and access to information. But as she contemplated, Astar spoke up first.
"If it comes to that, I also wish to step down from being an Admiral," Astar said.
!
Kong's face showed his surprise. What was going on? In the past, everyone fought to become Admirals. Now, no one wanted the position. Garp had refused it, Zehp wanted out, and now Astar?
"Originally, when Sengoku invited me, it was to lead the 'SWORD' unit. I only became an Admiral out of gratitude for Sengoku's mentorship. But the Admiral role conflicts with my principles. The ten-year period Sengoku mentioned is almost over, and I feel it's time for me to step down," Astar explained with a bitter smile. "I respect Sengoku deeply, but being an Admiral isn't for me."
Kong understood Astar's point. Astar despised the Celestial Dragons, believing in the justice of retribution. How could the wicked actions of the Celestial Dragons go unpunished?
Astar had avoided aiding the Celestial Dragons, and Kong knew his tolerance had limits. Now, Astar wanted to resign, and Kong couldn't object.
His expression turned even more sombre. Initially, only Zehp wanted to leave, but now Astar was joining him.
"Sengoku's ten-year tenure is ending, and he might not return to the Navy, enjoying his work with the Black Order. If you both step down, you can still serve the Navy in other ways," Kong suggested. "Zehp, you can continue as an instructor. Astar, you can focus on 'SWORD.' I'll grant you equal authority to an Admiral. We'll still be colleagues."
Kong looked at Anne. This arrangement made her the most likely candidate for the next Fleet Admiral.
Anne noticed Kong's gaze and realised she would probably be the next Fleet Admiral. The idea of the Pirate King becoming the Fleet Admiral seemed surreal, but she wouldn't refuse.
Becoming Fleet Admiral would put her on equal footing with Makima and grant her high-level access to valuable information.
"For the new Admiral candidates, I propose Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino. Though they're still young, they have potential," Anne suggested.
"Those three brats…" Zehp rubbed his chin, familiar with them. Sakazuki and Borsalino were Anne's contemporaries, and Kuzan, a few years younger, had been making a name for himself.
"They rely heavily on their Devil Fruits. Even if they're powerful Logia users, over-reliance isn't good," Zehp critiqued.
Anne smiled. "They're still young. I'll take them on more missions to hone their skills."
"If you all step down, the Navy's future rests on them," Kong said.
"You're not much older than them, Anne," Zehp commented. "The future belongs to you. Handing the Navy over to you, I'm at ease."
Anne nodded, accepting the responsibility. The Navy had entered an era of change, and she would be at its helm, guiding it into the future.