"Vice Admiral Carl is coming over?!"
"Long time no see, Vice Admiral Carl!"
At 'Nobita's' excited words, Kefei, Emily, and the other Marine soldiers nearby perked up immediately.
Since Carl had been promoted and transferred to Marineford two years ago to take on a key post, he rarely returned to the Sabaody Archipelago, the chaotic chokepoint between Paradise and the New World. The entire island cluster had been entrusted to Bright and other local Marine units to oversee.
But with Carl's previous two sweeping crackdowns—where he personally neutralized numerous Supernovae and dismantled major underground forces—Sabaody had quieted. Even the infamous pirate crews making their way from Paradise had learned to keep their heads down upon landing.
In fact, Carl had only returned to Sabaody twice in the past two years.
Not far off Sabaody's coast, a Marine warship sliced across the sea, emitting a pressure that rippled the waves.
Lounging on a deck chair near the helm, Solomon Carl, clad in a Vice Admiral's cloak, puffed on a cigar with a calm, unreadable expression.
Standing tall at the bow was Yamato, arms folded and hair dancing in the wind, gazing at the endless horizon.
"You're still staring like it's the first time," Carl exhaled a ring of smoke lazily.
"You don't get it," Yamato replied, her eyes glinting with resolve. "For me, this sea is the symbol of freedom!"
Having been locked away in Onigashima for most of her life by Kaido, Yamato had never seen the vastness of the outside world until Carl freed her. Since then, she'd developed a habit of standing on the deck, letting the open sea stretch endlessly before her.
A spark of ambition lit up in her eyes. "I'm going to open Wanokuni's borders myself. Just like Oden wanted!"
Carl gave a faint smirk. "I won't stop you. It's true—Wanokuni's seclusion has run its course. With its rich seastone resources, it's a crucial node in the New World."
Just then, T. Penn, the ship's helmsman, stepped up. "Oak Dragon Vice Admiral, we're approaching Sabaody."
"I see it," Carl murmured, his eyes glowing faint red as his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) blanketed the island.
"There are quite a few notable presences," he added calmly. His observation range swept the archipelago like a divine net.
"Full speed ahead," Carl ordered, still reclining.
"Yes, sir!"
Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 46.
At that moment, Marines under Nobita's command were cleaning up the remains of a skirmish. A group of defeated pirates lay sprawled across the ground, some confirmed dead on impact.
The most terrifying aspect of the scene was the lingering shockwaves—the aftermath of a single blow that had caved in the pavement and shattered the surrounding structures. This level of destruction wasn't from Devil Fruit trickery. It was raw force.
These were the results of the infamous "Tyrant" attacks.
The man now called "Tyrant" didn't unleash his wrath on innocents. Instead, he funneled it entirely into suppressing pirates. That reputation, born from countless battles, had earned him the fearsome moniker across Paradise.
Meanwhile, over in Grove 13—Shakky's Rip-Off Bar—the door swung open.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji stepped inside.
"Luffy! You're finally here!" Chopper cried out, rushing to greet them.
"Usopp! Robin! You guys made it too!" Luffy beamed.
"Hahaha, we're not late!" Luffy grinned as he wiped his nose.
Nami eyed them warily. "What happened to your faces? You three look like you got steamrolled."
Indeed, the crew's top three fighters were all visibly banged up. Luffy's shirt was tattered, his face covered in scratches and bruises. He'd clearly been on the wrong end of some heavy firepower—perhaps even a Ursus Shock from a Pacifista or a real "Bear's Paw" strike.
Before anyone could reply, the door opened again with a creak.
A familiar voice spoke from the entrance. "Looks like you've had it rough."
Silvers Rayleigh, the former First Mate of the Pirate King, walked in with a knowing smile.
"Rayleigh!!" Luffy exclaimed, lighting up.
Rayleigh casually stepped to the bar, his presence steady and warm.
"It's been a while," he nodded at the crew before his tone turned serious. "Luffy, your luck's run out."
"Eh?! What do you mean bad luck?" Nami blinked.
Rayleigh's gaze swept past the bar's windows.
"The first half of the Grand Line… has changed."
He'd returned to Sabaody six months ago, after Luffy had completed the core of his training in Haki and combat. In that time, he'd quietly observed how the world had shifted.
And the biggest shift?
Solomon Carl.
Rayleigh had personally seen the storm that followed Carl's footsteps. Pirates, brokers, slavers—even corrupt nobles—had been driven out or crushed. The chaos that once defined Sabaody was gone.
"You probably saw him already," Rayleigh said, "or at least… his shadow."
"That cloaked figure you encountered earlier? He's one of Carl's men."
Rayleigh looked at Luffy and added quietly, "Even if you hadn't run into trouble earlier, it was only a matter of time."
The man known as the "Oak Dragon" had turned Sabaody from a pirate haven into a Marine stronghold. No longer an unlawful zone, the archipelago now stood firmly under Marine control—with a Vice Admiral's name that sent chills through Paradise.
And Carl?
He was the man who now stood at the gate to the New World—
Like a mountain.
Unshakable.
If pirates want to pass through Sabaody Archipelago, it all comes down to luck.
If the Marines decide to turn a blind eye, they might slip through unnoticed.
But if you catch their attention, your journey could end right there.
"In other words," Nami asked, resting her elbow on the bar counter, "if we want to leave here, we have to risk fighting the Marines stationed nearby?"
"Marines, huh?" Sanji muttered, lighting a cigarette, "The shadow we ran into earlier was already a major headache. If more show up, it'll be a serious problem."
"Hahaha, I don't care!" Luffy grinned from his seat nearby, full of energy. "No matter what's ahead—we're heading to the New World!"
Rayleigh chuckled softly, "That confidence is important. But shouldn't you worry about getting your ship back first?"
"Right!" everyone shouted in unison.
Back when they were ambushed at Sabaody Archipelago, Bartholomew Kuma had scattered them across the world.
The Thousand Sunny had remained at Sabaody, entrusted to the care of Shakky and hidden at Grove 13.
"So where's the Sunny now?!" Luffy asked urgently.
Rayleigh paused, eyes flickering. "I'm not sure exactly where she is right now. But I can help you secure another ship—"
"No way! Sunny's our nakama!" Luffy interrupted angrily.
"Yeah! She's part of our crew!" Usopp added, fists clenched with conviction. "We swore we'd never abandon a ship again—not after Merry!"
Everyone in the crew nodded in agreement.
After the tearful farewell to the Going Merry, they couldn't bear the thought of losing another vessel.
Rayleigh looked at them, exhaling slowly. "So that's how it is…"
"So you do know where Sunny is, right?" Luffy asked with determination.
"I do," Rayleigh said solemnly, nodding. "But getting her back won't be easy."
"Tell us!" Luffy said immediately, leaning forward.
Rayleigh's voice lowered. "The Thousand Sunny is currently held at the Marine Base in Grove 66."
"Alright, let's go get her now!" Luffy declared, fists raised.
"Sit down, idiot!" Rayleigh smacked him hard on the head.
Luffy crouched, rubbing his head, looking confused.
Rayleigh sighed deeply. "Listen, Sabaody's Marine base isn't like the rest. The port's Marines are well-trained, and if you rush in blindly, you'll get caught."
He paused, then added, "I'll create a diversion. When I take out the Marines guarding the port, you all rush to the ship and escape immediately."
"Move fast. Don't let the base pick up on the attack."
He looked even more serious now. "And remember one more thing."
He raised a finger. "If you run into a particular person—don't fight. Just run."
"Who?" Luffy asked, blinking.
Rayleigh's eyes hardened. "Marine Vice Admiral Oak Dragon—Solomon Carl."
Luffy's face changed.
That name brought back memories of Marineford—the man who stood like an immovable wall even amidst the chaos of war.
"I remember…" Luffy murmured, brows furrowed. "We're not ready for him."
Rayleigh nodded. "Good. You've grown."
Moments later—at the Marine Base Port in Grove 66—
The guards were unconscious on the ground.
Luffy and the crew sprinted aboard the Thousand Sunny, its familiar deck bringing instant relief.
"Thanks for everything, Rayleigh!" they shouted from the deck, waving.
"Keep moving forward," Rayleigh smiled from the pier. "The New World awaits!"
But just then, the air froze.
"Hey… Luffy," Nami whispered, pointing at the ocean ahead. "What is that?"
All eyes turned.
A titanic warship loomed in the distance, slowly cutting through the mist.
And on the bow—stood a man clad in a Marine coat of justice, arms crossed, wind billowing his cloak.
Rayleigh's smile faded.
"Solomon Carl…" he muttered under his breath, "No—Oak Dragon."
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