"Gion-chan, how about we make good use of this time and go on a date?"
Shing!
In the next instant, Tokikake felt a cold chill on his neck.
A razor-sharp blade was already resting against his throat.
He immediately raised both hands in surrender and gave an awkward laugh.
"J-Just joking, sis!"
And so, the world fell into a strange, fleeting silence.
But everyone knew—that silence was nothing more than the prelude to a coming storm.
Not just the monsters of the New World, but anyone in the world with even a shred of awareness was quietly waiting.
Waiting for the moment the war would begin.
Could the Cross Guild withstand this full-scale assault by the Marines?
If not, then everything would be over.
But… if they survived this attack—then without question, no one would dare doubt their emperor's position.
The Four Emperors… would become the Five.
It wouldn't be long now.
The storm was coming.
In fact, Ian didn't have to wait long at all.
Just one week and a day later, CP had already reached a conclusion.
"Sleepy Ancient Town."
Stussy immediately reported to Ian.
"It's an ordinary small town located at the front end of the New World. It used to be an abandoned island, but residents began moving there gradually a few years ago. Calling it a town is a bit of an overstatement—it's more like a small village."
"There are many ancient ruins on the island, and the caves in the mountains are home to many bats."
"Oh?"
Ian's eyes lit up.
Even though he hadn't played the game, he still remembered some things from watching playthroughs.
The Vampire Fruit had indeed been hidden in an ancient ruin.
Redfield had even relied on a clone of Robin to finally obtain the Vampire Fruit.
"According to the original inhabitants who were scattered off the island, there were legends of vampires passed down there."
Stussy continued, "It's said that a demon who drinks blood and steals lifespans was sealed within the ruins of the island. Every night, it descends riding the darkness."
"Perfect!"
Ian grinned widely.
Everything matched up.
The vampire form's user could indeed drink blood, steal lifespans, and manipulate darkness.
Then, this had to be the place.
"Has this information been passed on to the Cross Guild yet?"
Ian asked.
"Not yet. The higher-ups want to investigate the island first to confirm what's really there."
Stussy shook her head.
"Besides, the Marines also want to set up a perimeter before making any big moves."
"Excellent!"
Ian was even more pleased.
That meant he had plenty of time to act on his end.
Well then, there was nothing more to say—gather the crew and head out.
At the same time Ian began his preparations—
Over on the Marine fleet's side—
"The upcoming battlefield is far too dangerous."
Zephyr looked down at the disciples standing on the deck and spoke seriously, "You all will temporarily relocate to the G-5 base. Once the war is over, I'll return and regroup with you."
No matter how much he wanted to train them, there was no way he could bring them into a battlefield this dangerous.
They were still a group of fledgling eagles, needing care and guidance before they could truly grow.
"Yes!"
Though the disciples felt somewhat disappointed, they could not argue against Zephyr's orders. One by one, they responded weakly and without much spirit.
Zephyr almost wanted to laugh.
You still have a long way to go.
However, in the future, it would indeed be up to you all to fight against evil.
These young people were truly the future of the Navy.
Only while nurturing these young talents could Zephyr feel his own sense of justice burning fiercely.
He wanted to raise heroes.
After arranging his disciples, Zephyr gave the command, and the fleet set sail, heading toward Sleeping Ancient Town.
As for why it was his command and not Marine Hero Garp's—well, that was probably because the legendary hero was at that moment snoring loudly somewhere.
The fleet that set sail was not alone.
To ensure a decisive strike that gave the Cross Guild no chance to resist, Admiral Aokiji, who was originally stationed at the G-5 base, had also led his team to depart, heading toward Sleeping Ancient Town as well.
Next, the Navy would quietly form a perfect encirclement there, then capture the Cross Guild in one fell swoop as soon as they stepped inside.
Unexpectedly, before the government had even found a way to pass the news of Sleeping Ancient Town to the Cross Guild, the guild had already gotten wind of it.
"Sleeping Ancient Town?"
On the terrifying three-masted ship, Redfield—who had been training to restore his strength—turned back with surprise to look at Crocodile, who had come personally to deliver the news.
"Are you sure?"
Crocodile glanced at Redfield. "My men contacted the island's survivors and learned from them the legend of vampires rumored to exist there."
"In the ruins on the island is sealed a demon that drinks fresh blood and steals life itself. It appears at night, riding on darkness."
Before heading to Impel Down to break the prisoners out, he had spent nearly a year in the New World.
During that time, he had established an assassin company, gaining a fearsome reputation in the underworld.
He still had some intelligence agents under his command.
"My men have already gone to Sleeping Ancient Town to verify the information," Crocodile said.
"We'll go there directly."
Redfield said firmly, "There's no mistake! The features of that legendary Devil match perfectly with the ability I'm after!"
Crocodile nodded lightly, "Good."
If the old man said so, what was there left to oppose?
So, the terrifying three-masted ship set sail, heading toward the Sleeping Ancient Town.
But not long after, Crocodile sensed something was wrong.
He immediately gathered all the leaders. "My men found something off in the Sleeping Ancient Town. Some mysterious outsiders are active there."
"You mean...?"
As a former member under the World Government, Shiryu immediately understood.
"Probably the World Government has already gotten there ahead of us."
Crocodile sneered, "Who else could it be but them?"
"What should we do then?"
Moria furrowed his brow, "Give up?"
If we confront the Navy's large fleet head-on, the odds are slim.
Crocodile glanced at the frowning Redfield.
There was no way they would give up.
If they gave up now, the Cross Guild would be all but abandoned.
"Don't rush. Let's play along with them."
Crocodile said coldly, "The Navy's plan is probably to arrive near the Sleeping Ancient Town first, lay an ambush, then leak the information to us. They want to trap us when we show up."
A smirk appeared on Redfield's lips, "But they didn't expect we got the news first and guessed their plan."
"That makes things simple."
Crocodile said, "Let them think their plan succeeded. Meanwhile, we go to the Sleeping Ancient Town ahead of them! Once we get the item, we leave immediately!"
"Then that's what we do!"
Redfield decided firmly.
This was about the Devil Fruit he wanted most — cooperation or not didn't matter anymore.
"Hahaha! This is so thrilling!"
Shiryu trembled excitedly, "Leaving Impel Down with you guys was definitely the best choice!"
Not long after, the terrifying three-masted ship appeared in a certain country.
While the pirates went ashore to resupply, they unexpectedly met immigrants from the Sleeping Ancient Town, and learned about the legend circulating on that island.
**********
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