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Although the Flying Pirates had been completely subdued, with the Golden Lion securely imprisoned in a water cell, having such a significant threat aboard the ship was not ideal.
Therefore, after resting and regaining some strength, Zyhark contacted the Navy via Den Den Mushi to explain the situation briefly. Then, he piloted the Endless Dream through the White Sea clouds toward Marineford, the Navy Headquarters.
With the current power of the Endless Dream, a round trip between Sky Island and Marineford would take no more than a day. As a result, only the clumsy goddess Aqua and Escanor accompanied him, while the other companions stayed behind on Angel Island to await further news.
This was Zyhark's precaution; even though the Navy Headquarters could barely be considered an "ally" at the moment, taking the whole crew wouldn't pose a significant risk. However, he preferred to have an extra layer of security.
There was also a reason for choosing his traveling companions. Aqua, who frequently caused a ruckus, was an obvious choice. Without her nearby, Zyhark always felt a sense of unease, as if something dangerous loomed behind him. This was a feeling not even the Gorosei or the Holy Knights could inspire!
It seemed he really couldn't do without Aqua—though knowing this would undoubtedly make the clumsy goddess blow her top.
As for Escanor, he naturally needed to understand the Navy's faction, having only recently crossed into the One Piece world. It was currently early morning, and by the time they reached the Navy Headquarters, it would be midday, the peak of his strength, ensuring unexpected situations would remain manageable.
For example, if the Golden Lion suddenly escaped or if the Navy Headquarters had set a trap.
With Aqua on the trip, she could also suppress any uncontrolled heat Escanor might generate, making them an ideal pair.
Meanwhile, Meowth stayed busy on Angel Island, simultaneously refining gold and combining it with Wapol metal to forge the perfect "divine weapon" for Escanor based on Zyhark's specifications.
Kanna and King in his second-gen. mech remained on Sky Island as the primary combat force, ensuring absolute security.
After a somewhat tedious aerial journey, the imposing crescent-shaped island of Marineford appeared on the horizon below. The "Justice" emblem engraved on the towering buildings stood out distinctly, striking fear into the hearts of ordinary pirates, who would flee at the mere sight of it.
Whether it was the notorious Four Emperors, the cunning Shichibukai, the steadily rising Revolutionary Army, or the scheming Underground World, these formidable groups were certainly fearsome, but...
The undisputed ruler of the seas, at least in the current era, was undoubtedly the Navy!
"However, what's with all those potholes and signs of an attack?"
Zyhark keenly noticed that Marineford, which was usually as solid as a fortress, had numerous large and small craters scattered across its main headquarters and the residential areas behind. Workers in hard hats were busy with repairs and maintenance.
This discovery caused Zyhark to frown in confusion. Normally, anyone in their right mind wouldn't be foolish enough to attack Marineford, right? Even if someone did, it shouldn't have caused such extensive damage!
With this thought in mind, Zyhark deactivated the Endless Dream's flight mode for the final leg of the journey, opting for a more conventional nautical approach toward Marineford.
Even though the goddess flag of the ship fluttered atop the mast, suddenly descending from the sky might still raise the Navy's alert level.
Since he had notified them in advance, the Endless Dream's straightforward approach was unimpeded, slowly sailing into Marineford's inner bay and docking at a designated harbor.
As soon as Zyhark disembarked, a squad of Marines, exuding an invisible aura of pressure, approached. The word "Justice" emblazoned on their cloaks billowed in the sea breeze.
Surprisingly, all those present were officers ranked commander or higher!
At the forefront stood an old acquaintance of Zyhark, Fleet Admiral Sengoku of the Marines.
Beside him was Vice Admiral Tsuru, with Admiral Candidate Sakazuki (Akainu) and several notable Vice Admirals standing slightly behind.
Even Zyhark hadn't expected such a grand lineup from the Navy.
But on second thought, considering they were here to take in Golden Lion Shiki, a fugitive pirate, this level of security made sense. After all, the title of a legendary pirate carried significant weight; in the original story, even a single attack by an aged Whitebeard had required over 100,000 soldiers to be mobilized in full defensive readiness!
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Zyhark."
Sengoku was the first to speak, his words tinged with deep emotion.
When he learned that Zyhark's group had defeated the Flying Pirates and captured the Golden Lion alive, his initial reaction was disbelief.
As a veteran of the old era, he knew Golden Lion's strength and character all too well. Even if defeated by Zyhark's crew, Golden Lion would more likely fight to the death than surrender.
"I didn't expect to make another trip to Marineford either, Mr. Sengoku," Zyhark replied with a smile, greeting Sengoku.
While speaking, he subtly shifted some of his attention to Akainu behind Sengoku.
During the battle outside Water 7, Zyhark had not encountered this future Fleet Admiral. Setting aside his controversial methods, Akainu's combat power was undeniably formidable and might well make him the Navy's most powerful adversary in the future!
Seemingly sensing Zyhark's gaze, Akainu lifted his eyes to meet his.
A burning determination and barely contained battle intent shone from deep within Akainu's eyes.
Having heard from his close friend Borsalino about this dangerous young man, he knew Zyhark was not someone to be compared to the other Shichibukai!
However, what irked Akainu was the absence of that peculiar little girl.
His brief encounter with Kanna still rankled him.
For the great Akainu, a candidate for Fleet Admiral, being punched away by a six- or seven-year-old girl was an enduring humiliation.
"Where's the Golden Lion?"
Sengoku, mindful of the current situation, didn't have much time for pleasantries and cut straight to the point.
"He's detained on our ship."
Zyhark turned to the muscular Escanor, "Escanor, could you take some Marines to bring the Golden Lion and the others down?"
"And who might this be?" Sengoku inquired curiously.
Even without using Observation Haki to sense it, the sight of Escanor's robust physique and the faint heat emanating from him indicated that this unfamiliar man was no ordinary person and certainly a formidable fighter!
"Escanor, a new companion who recently joined us," Zyhark answered honestly, waving his hand casually.
Hearing this, Sengoku lowered his eyes, falling into a brief silence.
He had either met or heard of most of the sea restaurant crew members, but this man named Escanor was entirely unknown to him!
"Your appeal really is unparalleled…" Sengoku sighed softly.
Compared to the Sabaody Archipelago, Zyhark's crew had grown significantly stronger, rivaling the strength of the Four Emperors who ruled the New World!
Such rapid growth left even Sengoku, a seasoned "Navy Strategist" who had seen it all, deeply shocked.
No wonder the Golden Lion's pirate crew had fallen to them!
After a brief introduction, Escanor led Akainu and the other officers aboard the Endless Dream.
As Akainu walked through the miraculous ship that could sail across sea, land, and sky, memories flooded his mind from his previous visit. He never expected to find himself aboard this vessel under such harmonious circumstances.
The accompanying officers were also filled with awe. Even the most ordinary ship cabin or deck could catch their attention.
Today, everyone knew of this ship, hailed as the most advanced miracle vessel.
It was rumored that the World Government had already invested heavily in building new warships with similar capabilities.
The thought of seamless missions on land, sea, and air in the future filled these Marines with undeniable joy.
Undoubtedly, this would significantly bolster the Navy's dominance!
A slight disappointment lingered as Akainu and Escanor, both men of fiery abilities, walked side by side in silence, with no verbal exchange.
Both had reserved, arrogant personalities, and with the current unclear status of ally or enemy, they naturally had little to say.
—despite being mutually intrigued by each other's aura.
As Akainu oversaw the transfer of the Golden Lion's pirate crew, the restless Aqua couldn't help but approach Sengoku to strike up a conversation.
"Hey, old man, thanks for holding back at the Sabaody Archipelago!"
With Aqua's vengeful nature, she was oblivious to the true circumstances at the Sabaody Archipelago. She only knew the whole story because Zyhark had later explained it to her and the others.
"…"
Such blunt gratitude made Sengoku's mouth twitch, nearly making him jump.
My goodness, this is the Navy Headquarters!
While I might not have fully held back at Sabaody, I at least turned a blind eye!
Why put me on the spot like this?!
Sigh…
With a pained expression, Zyhark pulled Aqua behind him.
There wasn't a single moment to let his guard down around this clumsy goddess…
Hearing such explosive news, the officers standing behind Sengoku turned their heads away, puffing their cheeks and pretending they hadn't heard a word.
They were both veterans and rookies brought up by Sengoku and Garp, well aware of what they could and couldn't listen to.
"Miss Aqua seems even more straightforward than the rumors say," even the usually unflappable Tsuru sighed, lightly shaking her head.
"Of course! This goddess has always been open and aboveboard!" Aqua proudly puffed out her chest.
Idiot, "straightforward" wasn't meant as a compliment!
Zyhark mentally groaned, unwilling to dwell on the topic. He casually glanced at the damaged areas of Marineford and asked, "By the way, Mr. Sengoku, I noticed the damage around here. Did something attack you?"
As the Navy's main base, Marineford was guarded by several Admiral-level officers and had formidable defenses.
Zyhark was highly interested in anyone capable of inflicting such damage on this fortress-like place.
A powerful enemy of the Navy might just become a valuable ally against the World Government!
Hearing this, Sengoku's expression turned serious, dispelling the light-hearted mood.
Realizing that this embarrassing situation couldn't be hidden and that Zyhark, as a Shichibukai, had a cooperative relationship with the Navy, he decided to be candid about the situation.
"To be honest, we currently don't know who is responsible."
"Late last night, several large landmasses suddenly fell from the sky over Marineford."
"Although Borsalino and Sakazuki, who were stationed here, reacted immediately and destroyed most of the landmasses, some debris still struck Marineford directly."
"Fleet Admiral Kong is furious and has tasked me with finding the culprits, but we have no clear leads so far."
Sengoku's brow furrowed deeply.
The most likely suspects were the Four Emperors in the New World. With their monstrous power, pulling off such a feat would be no trouble.
However, reports from the surveillance ships indicated no movements from their side.
Despite racking his brain, Sengoku couldn't figure out which fool would be stupid enough to provoke the Navy!
"Rebuilding Marineford will require significant funds, and the Golden Lion's bounty is quite substantial, so the Navy may not be able to pay the full amount in one go."
Now that the topic was broached, Sengoku took the opportunity to bring up Fleet Admiral Kong's directive—asking for credit.
However, when he looked up to gauge Zyhark's reaction, he noticed an odd expression in the young man's eyes.
Aqua, standing beside him, had even turned her head, whistling awkwardly.
The self-proclaimed righteous Water Goddess was visibly nervous.
"Zyhark?"
Sengoku, thinking Zyhark might reject his proposal, probed cautiously.
"Ahem."
Zyhark cleared his throat awkwardly. "No, it's fine. We're still allies, after all. A slight delay in the bounty payout is no big deal."
"On behalf of the Navy, I sincerely thank you!"
Despite some lingering doubts, Sengoku felt a sense of relief.
At least he could report to Fleet Admiral Kong that he had successfully completed his task.
"One more thing, please keep this confidential."
Bounty rewards had always been a primary method for the Navy to suppress pirates.
If word got out that they were asking for credit, the repercussions from the profit-driven bounty hunters could be unpredictable!
"Don't worry, I understand."
Zyhark nodded solemnly, his expression more sincere than ever. "I've calculated the total bounty for the Golden Lion's pirate crew; it amounts to six billion, eight hundred fifty-three million."
"We've known each other for a while, so let's just round it to an even six-point-eight billion."
I've rounded off the figures for you, so if you discover anything about those islands that crashed into your headquarters, you can't come back asking me for compensation.
?? Such an agreeable attitude left Sengoku somewhat bewildered.
Was this the same profit-driven Zyhark, who had shown no respect even to the Gorosei and the Holy Knights?
It seems my reputation still carries some weight, after all~
Sengoku's worries over the attack on Marineford eased significantly, his mood much lighter.
After smoothly completing the handover of the Golden Lion's pirate crew, Zyhark, feeling guilty, declined Sengoku's invitation for tea in the office.
After loading the 4 billion Beli given by Sengoku onto the ship and finalizing the payment schedule, he and Aqua, who was also feeling guilty, and the clueless Escanor hastily boarded the Endless Dream, raising sail and leaving the place of trouble.
"Strange, why do I feel that boy is hiding something from us?"
Watching the Endless Dream take off almost as if fleeing, Tsuru, her eyes deep with suspicion, murmured softly.
"I'm sure he's up to something spectacular again. This boy will turn the whole world upside down sooner or later," Sengoku sighed deeply.
It was the truth. After several interactions with Zyhark, Sengoku sensed in him a potential rivaling, if not surpassing, that of Roger!
"Jihahahaha! Sengoku, Tsuru, have you also sensed the power within that boy?!"
A rough, familiar laugh interrupted their conversation. Turning to look, they saw Golden Lion Shiki, completely bound by Sea Prism Stone chains.
He hadn't overheard the earlier conversation between Sengoku and Zyhark about the falling islands.
"Shiki, to be honest, I never expected to see you again under these circumstances."
Seeing his old adversary, Sengoku couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia.
Scenes from the bygone era flashed through his mind.
Golden Lion caught the meaning in Sengoku's words and smiled calmly. "To have lost to a man like him, I have no complaints."
"Our era is bound to be replaced by fresh blood. You must feel it too, the sense of powerlessness?"
"Save the meaningless drivel for the Warden at Impel Down," Sengoku dismissed, signaling for Sakazuki to escort Golden Lion to the underwater prison.
This was the decision made by the high-ranking officers upon learning of Golden Lion's capture.
In the current state of upheaval in the New World, with factions vying for power, publicly executing the Golden Lion would only further strain the already overburdened Navy.
Secretly executing him wouldn't have the desired deterrent effect and would waste the substantial bounty.
And so, having just arrived at Marineford for less than three minutes, Golden Lion was escorted onto a pre-arranged Marine warship.
There was a dedicated express route between Marineford and Impel Down.
Passing through the Gates of Justice and navigating the ocean currents at full speed, the warship led by Sakazuki soon reached Impel Down.
Magellan, the Warden at the time, lined up to welcome them, escorting Golden Lion to the unknown Level 6 of the prison, where the most heinous pirates were confined.
Returning to this dark and damp place, Golden Lion couldn't deny feeling dejected.
However, as he settled his complicated emotions and looked for a corner to sit quietly, a massive shadow in the neighboring cell caught his attention.
"It seems we've got quite an extraordinary old-timer here…" the figure spoke in a low, rumbling voice.
Even as a prisoner, the sheer dominance and pressure in his words sent chills down one's spine.
"You… you're the rookie from Roger's ship…"
Golden Lion's eyes narrowed slightly. "Douglas Bullet?!"
(End of Chapter)