The Wailord transformed into a giant beast of the deep sea, roaming freely through the perilous waters of the Grand Line.
At the same time, a peculiar ship silently navigated its way into the East Blue Sea from the hazardous Calm Belt.
——
——
Onboard a ship disguised as a merchant vessel, a cute girl wearing a beret approached the bow. She had just received some intelligence and was scanning the horizon.
Soon, she spotted a blond boy standing by the rail, staring out at the sea.
The girl's face lit up with a sweet smile, but she quickly composed herself. Taking two steps forward, she said seriously, "Captain Sabo, we just received an urgent mission from headquarters. Before we continue our search for the dimensional merchant, we're to head to Hyde—"
"Hmm?!" she interrupted herself, noticing that the boy's gaze hadn't changed at all. She stopped and asked tentatively, "Captain Sabo, are you even listening?"
"?"
"Sabo!?"
"Ah… huh?!" Sabo, startled by the hand suddenly waving in front of his face, jumped back a step.
"Oh, it's you, Koala." He sighed, relieved, then flashed an easygoing smile. "What do you need?"
Koala's eyes widened, realizing she'd been ignored. She pouted and slowly leaned closer to Sabo until their eyes met.
"What's wrong?" Sabo asked, growing uncomfortable under her gaze. As he began to step back, Koala spoke up.
"What's wrong? I should be the one asking you that! Ever since we entered the East Blue, you've been acting strange. You didn't even hear what I just said."
"That's not like you!"
"Oh, that…" Sabo rubbed his cheeks, as if trying to appease a girlfriend he'd neglected, then quickly apologized: "I'm really sorry~"
"I don't know why, but ever since we arrived in the East Blue, strange images keep flashing through my mind…"
"Strange… images?" Koala's cute and fierce expression vanished in an instant. She realized something and cautiously asked, "By the way… I remember the leader said you were found in the East Blue."
"Could it be that you remember something?"
Sabo's brain had been severely damaged when he was struck by the Celestial Dragon's cannon, causing all his past memories to vanish. After he was brought back to the Revolutionary Army headquarters, he only remembered his name and nothing else. Thus, Sabo's past has remained a mystery within the Revolutionary Army.
"Memories…" Sabo frowned and shook his head.
"Unfortunately, I don't remember anything. Just like before, whenever I try to recall the past, my head hurts unbearably."
"I see." Koala looked at Sabo with concern, gently stroking his back. "Don't push yourself too hard. If you feel tired, take a break," she suggested.
Having grown up with Sabo in the Revolutionary Army, Koala understood that Sabo's past memories might not be pleasant. Despite losing his past memories, Sabo had continued to train himself relentlessly, pushing his limits. That terrifying intensity seemed ingrained in his bones.
It was hard to imagine someone with such a fierce personality having a happy childhood…
Yet, it was this very ruthlessness that stirred a different kind of admiration in Koala for Sabo. Whether this feeling of admiration had evolved into something more, perhaps even Koala herself wasn't sure.
In response to Koala's concern, Sabo gently shook his head and smiled brightly. "It's okay, Koala." He patted her beret in a familiar gesture, giving her a gentle head rub.
"By the way, you still haven't told me why you came to see me."
"…"
Koala pouted, sighed, and rolled her eyes at Sabo. "Forget it, I won't bother you anymore!" She dodged Sabo's hand, which was trying to comfort her, picked up the intelligence report again, and continued:
"Headquarters just sent word. Our intelligence division has confirmed a massive slave-trading operation in the Kingdom of Hyde in the East Blue Sea."
"This operation, led by the Wilson royal family of the Kingdom of Hyde, has captured and sold nearly 3,000 slaves over the years. Because of its secrecy, it has never been exposed."
"But recently, a duke from the Kingdom of Hyde was assassinated, and Hyde Palace was attacked by unknown assailants."
"Based on the soldiers' accounts, intelligence officers suspect that the attackers were traders of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce…"
"Judging by the timing and the power displayed, it's likely someone with access to a dimensional merchant."
——
About two weeks ago, World Economic News published an article detailing various methods to locate dimensional merchants. From that newspaper, the Revolutionary Army in the New World learned that although there are many dimensional merchant traders across the seas, only a few have the ability to contact the dimensional merchants.
These traders all have one thing in common: their transaction volume exceeds 2,000 points. In other words, only those who have traded over 100 million Beli are eligible to obtain the contact information of dimensional merchants.
For the Revolutionary Army, finding a dimensional merchant who travels the vast East Blue Sea, which occupies a quarter of the planet, is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Thus, locating a trader capable of contacting dimensional merchants is their main objective in the East Blue Sea.
——
Koala continued, "The leader wants us to head to the Kingdom of Hyde and investigate. Our goal is to dismantle the Wilson royal family's slave trade network or, at the very least, rescue the unfortunate slaves."
"Additionally, we need to gather information about the dimensional merchants."
"Those damn slave trade!" As soon as Koala finished speaking, Sabo slammed his fist onto the ship's railing, his eyes burning with anger. He still couldn't comprehend how the navy, which claims to uphold 'justice,' could allow such a grotesque industry to exist.
But in the next moment, Sabo quickly composed himself and gave Koala an order, "Set a course for the Kingdom of Hyde."
"We can put the search for dimensional merchants on hold, but we can't let anyone involved in the slave trade get away!"
Thanks to daily training with professional instructors, Sabo has maximized his potential. Both his Armament Haki and Observation Haki are well-honed, making him much stronger than Ace at this stage. He's essentially on par with the Shichibukai.
This is why Dragon feels comfortable entrusting Sabo with a mission to the East Blue Sea alone. In Dragon's mind, Sabo is already the second-most important figure in the Revolutionary Army. This mission to find the dimensional merchant is meant to give Sabo more experience.
"Sabo…" Koala's eyes shimmered as she looked at Sabo, who was exuding righteous anger. Her heart skipped a beat.
Even within the Revolutionary Army, no one knows…
That she was once a slave.
If not for the Fish-Man adventurer Fisher Tiger rescuing her from the Holy Land of Mariejois, Koala couldn't imagine what her life would have been like.
Unfortunately…
"Sigh." Thinking of that regrettable event, Koala sighed inwardly.
She feels immense hatred for those ignorant humans and herself for being so helpless at the time.
That's why she joined the Revolutionary Army—to save others from suffering and to change this corrupt world. It's the only redemption she can offer!
The Revolutionary Army's ships, carrying the banner of revolution, sailed towards the Kingdom of Hyde.
———
———
Three days later.
As the last ray of sunlight disappeared at the end of the horizon, thousands of lights lit up in the Kingdom of Hyde.
And at this time.
In a tavern in the capital of Kingdomn of Hyde, three mysterious people wearing linen cloaks were sitting in the corner of the tavern, drinking the drinks in front of them and looking around at the surrounding environment.
"It seems that the previous incident has alerted the Wilson royal family. The number of patrols passing by the door is obviously several times that of the last time."
Nami, whose face was hidden in the shadow of her cloak, watched the people coming and going at the door of the tavern and said,
"More than that!"
Under the other cloak beside Nami, Carina frowned slightly, her gaze resting on an ice cream vendor on the street, with a solemn look in her eyes.
"Not only has the number of patrols increased, but the firearms in the hands of those soldiers just now are also like I have never seen before!"
"But looking at the format, this should be a new type of musket unique to the navy!"
"You mean... "Nami frowned, "Has the Navy provided new weapons and equipment to the Wilson royal family?"
"No..." Carina shook her head and sighed softly: "It's not the Navy, but... the Celestial Dragons."
"..."
"…"
"..."
Carina's voice fell, and the scene instantly became quiet.
Celestial Dragon, this is a heavy topic that should not be mentioned at any time.
After a while, Nami suddenly picked up the juice on the table and drank it all in one gulp!
Then, she suddenly raised her head, her eyes glowing with confidence, and chuckled:
"Although Wilson's power has strengthened, our power is also different from what it used to be!!!"
As she said, She turned to look at the linen cloak on the other side of her.
"Am I right, Captain Kuro?"
The hood of the cloak slowly came off, revealing a very gentle gentleman's face, but it was different from ordinary gentlemen...
Under this gentleman's face, there was something hidden. Yes, but a pair of bloodthirsty and greedy eyes!
Kuro cracked the corner of his mouth, shook the wine glass, and said seriously:
"That's right."
"According to the information that Jango found out from Duke Dora yesterday, it seems that the new manpower of the Celestial Dragon has not yet had time to reach the Kingdom of Hyde."
"Now will be the best time for us to attack Wilson!!!"
Regarding today's action, Kuro expressed full confidence, and his confident eyes were revealed under the clear lenses.
If you want to ask why he is so confident...
we have to start talking about it after they were rescued by Leo a month ago.
The three who were successfully rescued, did not dare to disturb Leo who was trading with Aokiji after they woke up. Instead, they directly took the Black Cat Pirates ship and left the Kingdom of Hyde.
But although the people have left, the hearts of the three of them will stay there forever!
Neither Nami, who wanted to destroy the slave trade, nor Kuro, who was obsessed with the treasury of the Kingdom of Hyde, gave up on infiltrating the Kingdom of Hyde for the second time.
The two groups hit it off immediately and formed a cooperative relationship!
During this month, they did not continue to look for other profitable businesses.
Instead, they found an uninhabited island and conducted emergency training.
Under the guidance of Butterfree-sensei, who has king-level vision, Pikachu and Purrloin become stronger day by day.
Pikachu, who became stronger due to the explosion of psychic power, has now reached the terrifying level 32!
Although Purrloin has slightly lower qualifications, after a month of hard training, it unexpectedly completed its evolution and became Liepard.
The strength has been amazingly improved, reaching level 28!
At this point, Nami and Kuro have truly seen the amazing growth ability of Pokémon!
After possessing enough power, their eyes naturally aimed at the place where they had been defeated!
"Sigh, I really lost to you!"
Looking at the confident looks of the two trainers, Carina shook her head helplessly.
But Nami stood up from her seat, patted her shoulder with one hand, felt the tender touch with her fingers, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Carina, after today, I will help you contact the dimensional merchant..."
"By then, you will have your own Pokémon!"
Nami has not forgotten...
because of her willfulness, Carina almost died with her in the palace.
But even so, after waking up, Carina didn't complain at all, and instead tried her best to help her plan her second infiltration.
This is the first time Nami feels that the power of her partner is so powerful!
However, she will not make the same mistake twice!
"Then... we'll go first, Carina!"
"Be more careful!"
Carina nodded and smiled encouragingly at Nami.
This time, she did not plan to follow Nami and Kuro into the palace.
Without Pokémon, she knew that her joining would only cause trouble for Nami and the others.
So she took the initiative to stay in the town as a support.
Anyway, she has done what she should do.
Within a month of Nami's special training, Carina took the Black Cat Pirates to visit this area.
It can be said that the nearby sea area has been completely explored.
A lot of information was collected.
And all this is mainly to prevent the accident that day from happening again!
Under Carina's investigation, she can say...
near Hyde today, not to mention the passing naval warships...
even the commander of the nearest naval base was transferred yesterday afternoon for unknown reasons.
The new naval base commander won't arrive until tomorrow.
In other words...today will be the day when the Hyde Kingdom's defense force is the most relaxed! !
As long as Nami and Kuro successfully sneak into the palace and assassinate King Wilson, the Kingdom of Hyde will be temporarily leaderless.
In this way, no one will pay attention to the slave trade business line, and naturally someone will find out... that the king they are loyal to is actually doing these beastly things behind the scenes! ! !
Then Nami and Kuro ransacked the palace's treasury, and followed the route planned by Carina, so they could escape.
Everything was planned so perfectly!
Carina never believed that...
the same accident would happen twice, right?
——
——
at the same time.
A low-key ship slowly docked at the port of the Kingdom of Hyde.
A pair of handsome men and women slowly walked out of the ship.
"Is this the capital of the Hyde Kingdom?"
Sabo stared at the city in front of him.
No one could have imagined that in such a brightly lit and beautiful city, such a dirty business as the slave trade could be hidden.
"That's right." Koala, who was beside Sabo, nodded.
"According to intelligence, after Duke Gordon was assassinated, the Wilson royal family moved the location of the slaves to the palace."
"That is to say…"
"If we want to release those slaves, we must first find a way to sneak into the palace."
"Well, it's not that difficult!"
Sabo responded in a deep voice.
Based on their strength, sneaking into a palace in the East Blue Sea is simply a piece of cake.
What really embarrasses these revolutionaries is that...they still don't know how to clean up the darkness in people's hearts and the distortion of human nature...
(End of this chapter)