Chapter 229

"The Navy is going to publicly execute Ace at Marineford?!"

Sabo, upon hearing the news, widened his eyes, his pupils contracting sharply.

"Calm down, Sabo."

Dragon said to him in a low voice: "Think carefully—it's obvious the Navy intends to use this to strike at Whitebeard Pirates."

"That's right, and the execution is in fifteen days—we still have time to prepare."

Ivankov said to Sabo.

Sabo took a deep breath and gradually calmed down.

He looked at Dragon and asked: "Leader, what should we do?"

"Do you remember what Luo En said during that meeting?"

Dragon spoke.

Sabo and Ivankov both fell into thought, then simultaneously widened their eyes, their expressions filled with shock.

"Could it be… this battle… is the opening war he spoke of back then?!"

"Did Luo En… foresee this battle?!"

Sabo murmured dazedly.

"If one has an extremely deep understanding of the sea's political situation, it's still possible."

The man in the black robe, Dragon, looked at the two and said: "If this battle truly is the 'opening war' he mentioned, then everything is already within his control."

"Before we make any decision, it would be better to contact him first."

Dragon said, pulling a Den Den Mushi from his chest.

Sabo and Ivankov fixed their gazes on it.

…………

A small island near Seraphim Island.

Luo En, with long black hair flowing behind him, clad in black, a blood-red sword and a black sword hanging at his left waist, stared at the newspaper in his hand, a faint smile on his lips.

"Finally… is it beginning…?"

200, Tenghu and Lvniu, Navy forces mobilized! (Combined)

Not long after Luo En saw the news on the newspaper.

A Den Den Mushi in his pocket was dialed.

It was Dragon calling.

After connection, the Den Den Mushi mimicked Dragon's expression and tone as it spoke to him.

"Luo En, you've heard about Ace's public execution, right?"

"Just saw it in the paper."

Luo En smiled at the Den Den Mushi.

"Is this event… the opening war you mentioned before?"

"Correct. I already told you—I would demonstrate power capable of challenging the World Government during a war gathering the top forces of the sea, then formally declare war on them. Whitebeard Pirates must already be moving. The strongest man on the sea, the Four Emperors, and the Navy—there's no better stage for this battle."

On the Revolutionary Army's side, Dragon, Sabo, and Ivankov all felt a slight tremor within.

Sabo couldn't help asking the Den Den Mushi: "So… Luo En, you knew from the start that Ace would be captured?"

"Correct. He went alone to capture Blackbeard, who is stronger than him—only defeat was possible."

Luo En's voice came from the Den Den Mushi, causing Sabo's eyes to widen slightly as he asked: "Then why didn't you stop him?!"

"Because it was unnecessary."

Luo En said calmly, "And this situation is precisely what I—no, what we—need."

"Trust me, Ace won't die."

Listening to Luo En's calm, confident voice through the Den Den Mushi.

Sabo clenched his teeth, his fist tightening slightly.

He trusted Luo En, but with Ace's life at stake, he still couldn't remain calm.

Dragon asked: "Do we need to do anything?"

Luo En, dual swords at his waist, stood on the island's beach holding the Den Den Mushi.

The sea wind stirred his long black hair, his black coat flapping.

"This war is still only the opening act of our plan—you don't need to appear. If Sabo wants to join this war, let him come with Ivankov."

Immediately, Sabo's shout came from the Den Den Mushi.

"I'm going! I want to join!"

"Then head to Sabaody Archipelago first. Contact me once you arrive—I'll tell you what to do next."

"Understood."

After ending the call.

Luo En gazed at the vast blue sea ahead, thinking silently: "I wonder where Luffy and the others are now—have they reached Sabaody Archipelago yet?"

He shook his head and stopped dwelling on it.

Luo En's vast, ocean-like ocular power subtly shifted, emitting a brilliant gleam.

The space around him twisted.

His figure vanished instantly.

When he reappeared, he stood beside the Traveler, moored at the shore of another island.

A distance of a hundred li—just an instant.

Lei Li had returned to Sabaody Archipelago; how he got there? Of course by swimming—the old man's physique is incredibly robust—he can take on giant Sea Kings single-handedly in the ocean.

Luo Bin and the others were loading onto the ship the large quantities of meat and fruit that Hancock had sent from Nine Shedao.

Luo En stepped forward, soundlessly walking behind Bonnie—who was sitting cross-legged behind the fruit pile, brazenly sneaking food—and quietly watched her stuff fruit into her mouth one after another like a hamster, not even bothering to spit out the pits.

Watching the way she ate, Luo En couldn't help but find it rather funny and amusing.

It was hard to imagine why, eating the way she did, her lower belly showed not the slightest bulge, and her waist looked even slimmer than Conis's and Luo Bin's, who both paid attention to their figures.

Luo Bin caught sight of this scene, covered her mouth with a light laugh, and did not go disturb her.

Kung Fu Sea Lion Little Seven, upon spotting Luo En, called out to him without a second thought:

"Master."

Bonnie, hearing this, twisted her head to look, and at once spotted Luo En standing behind her. She got a fright on the spot, nearly choking.

"C-C-C-Cap... Captain?!"

Luo En bent down, reached out and tapped her head, and said softly: "Everyone else is working, and here you are hiding to eat. I'll punish you for this later."

"Punish..."

Hearing his words, Bonnie seemed to think of something, her cheeks flushing faintly, yet a flash of anticipation crossed her eyes.

"Luo En kiss!"

The hat-wearing Carrot suddenly pounced onto Luo En's back, her arms wrapping around his neck, her chin resting on his shoulder. Turning her head to look at his profile, she asked: "When do we leave this place and go out on an adventure?"

"We'll leave this place today."

Luo En reached out and patted her head.

Carrot's face was full of bliss.

Luo En looked toward Luo Bin: "Where is Kuina?"

"She went to spar with Hancock, and she still hasn't come back yet."

Luo Bin said.

Somewhere on this island, a pale-blue slash shot up into the sky, slicing straight through the peak of a mountain. The peak of that mountain slid down slowly along the smooth, straight cut.

Luo En looked over that way and smiled: "Lei Li really knows how to teach people."

It turned out that although Kuina had already reached the realm of a Great Swordsman, her control over her power was still a little lacking. But after two months of Lei Li's guidance, she had now completely drawn her power into a single line.

Kuina's current combat power was absolutely at the level of an Admiral-candidate.

Conis and Kung Fu Sea Lion Little Seven were next, their combat power on par with a Vice Admiral.

And Luo Bin, Bonnie, and Carrot—who had mastered Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Breath techniques—were on par with a Marine Rear Admiral.

Even Sisi the Cloud Fox, who had eaten the Bird-Bird Fruit of the Animal type, had developed a second form and gained some combat power.

This time's top war.

The strength of the Calamity of the Sky Brigade should make the world drop its jaw...