Chapter 221

The pirates who had been lingering on Sabaody Archipelago immediately scattered in a swarm, fleeing the archipelago together.

……

【Traveler Luo En Appears on Sabaody Archipelago! Slays Three World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons!】

【The Ultimate Madman Waging War Against the Heavens! Huang Yuan vs. Luo En — the Navy Admiral on the Back Foot!】

【Navy Admiral Akainu's Arm Severed by a Single Sword Strike — Who in the World Is the World's Greatest Swordsman?!】

【Unrivaled Power! One Man Battles Two Navy Admirals Alone!】

The super-incident that took place on this island, fueled by the World Economic Journal, spread across the entire sea within a single day, shocking the whole world!

Year 193 — the Navy, lacking combat strength, launches a worldwide recruitment!

Navy Headquarters, Marineford.

Vice Admirals of the headquarters and all officers of that rank or above attended today's meeting in full.

Among the Navy Admirals, Aokiji was still in the New World and could not rush back.

Vice Admiral Garp, meanwhile, was on his way back after receiving the news.

"Clearly a Devil Fruit user — yet after being knocked into the sea, he still escaped?"

Sengoku crossed his arms, his expression grave.

"Just how did he manage it?"

"Who knows."

Huang Yuan shook his head; he couldn't figure it out either.

Akainu wore his cap and said nothing.

T-Bone and several other officers glanced at his right arm, a glint of gravity involuntarily flashing through their eyes.

Even a monster like Sakazuki had an arm chopped off…

Just how strong is that Traveler Luo En now?!

Could he possibly be even more powerful than an Emperor of the Sea?

Thinking this far, they all felt a chill creep into their hearts.

"Momousagi, you saw him on Sabaody Archipelago and were right there on the scene — do you have anything to say?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru looked back at Momousagi, who was standing behind her, and asked.

Sengoku and the others also turned their gazes toward her.

"I believe…"

Momousagi, draped in a Justice coat with a long sword at her waist, every inch the dashing figure, began: "This incident is very likely only the beginning."

Sengoku's eyes narrowed. "You mean he's still plotting something bigger?"

"Whether he's plotting something bigger, I can't say for certain. But he has already fully displayed his hostility toward the World Government. The previous attack on Mariejois could still be called an act of revenge, but now, killing Celestial Dragons… perhaps this is him declaring war on the World Government."

Momousagi said calmly.

"But… why?"

T-Bone asked in confusion. "It seems the World Government and our Navy haven't done anything to him in the past two years."

"That is true. But what if…" Momousagi's gaze swept over the others. "He wants to break the current rules?"

A jolt ran through everyone's hearts.

"Dissatisfied with the World Government's rule and the Celestial Dragons' privileges, wanting to break free of the shackles and shatter the rules…"

Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyes gleamed with the light of wisdom. "That is indeed very possible."

A flash of anger crossed Sengoku's eyes. "To think he wants to overthrow the World Government… that damn brat! Does he have any idea how chaotic this sea would become without the order and rules established by the World Government?!"

"That said."

Huang Yuan spoke while trimming his fingernails.

"Against that kid, numerical advantage is useless. You'd need at least Admiral-candidate-level strength to take part in hunting him down."

"The New World has the Four Emperors, and on this side of the Grand Line, new-generation pirates are popping up one after another. If he really is going to declare war on the World Government, can our current combat strength handle it?"

The assembled Vice Admirals all nodded lightly.

Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at him and said, "How about… we request the World Government to carry out a worldwide recruitment? The Navy does need to bolster its combat strength."

"Worldwide recruitment, huh…"

Sengoku's face took on a contemplative look.

"Understood. I'll go discuss it with Fleet Admiral Kong later."

…………

Over at Alabasta.

Just as in the original story, Luffy defeated Crocodile and saved Alabasta from its peril.

The news that Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, had usurped the kingdom and been defeated by an unknown Straw Hat Pirates crew spread abroad.

Although it amounted to nothing in the face of the grand incident Luo En created on Sabaody Archipelago, it was, after all, tied to one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and so it caused quite a stir.

The name of Straw Hat Luffy appeared on Sengoku's desk for the first time.

But right now, he had no heart to deal with Garp's grandson.

After discussing it with Fleet Admiral Kong and securing the World Government's approval, the Navy officially launched a worldwide recruitment.

Especially the recruitment of high-end combat power.

On an island in the Grand Line.

A Navy warship arrived here, announcing the worldwide recruitment to the townspeople.

A blind old man in a purple kimono, a cane-sword in hand, slowly made his way to the registration desk.

"A blind old man wants to join the military? What a joke."

A man beside him sneered mockingly.

The blind old man paid it no heed.

When his turn came, the people around him all cast mocking, derisive glances his way.

"Name."

"Ichimaru."

"Are you a Devil Fruit user?"

"Yes."

"Oh? Then show us your ability. Best to use your full power, so we can understand your strength."

The Marine sergeant said, looking at him.

"Understood."

The blind old man Ichimaru nodded, drew his cane-sword, and a wave of gravity surged skyward from the blade.

He sheathed his cane-sword.

"That's it?"

"Nothing happened at all."

"He's just bluffing. Old man, get lost!"

Some people jeered at him wantonly.

That Marine sergeant was also full of doubt: "Have you already used your ability?"

The blind old man Ichimaru said nothing.

Just then, someone noticed the disturbance in the sky, looked up, and went pale with horror.

"Wh-what is that?!!!"

The people who had been mocking him just moments ago all looked up, and upon seeing the disturbance in the sky, were utterly dumbfounded.

"That can't be real…"

The one who had mocked him most viciously earlier stared blankly as that meteor fell from the sky and slammed heavily into the distant sea.

The blind old man Ichimaru asked that stunned Marine sergeant: "Is that sufficient?"

He nodded frantically.

Under everyone's reverent gazes, Ichimaru boarded the warship leaning on his cane-sword.

He stood on the deck.

In his mind rose the argument about justice he'd had with that young man earlier, and that wager.

"The Celestial Dragons… the World Government… do they really think they're gods?"