"Let's set aside the matter of breaking the massive barrier for now. Our first objective is to locate Pluton."
After a long silence, Sabo regained his composure and looked up at Robin.
"Robin, please continue studying the Poneglyphs. Even if we can't pinpoint the exact location of the Pluto Battleship, perhaps we can uncover its method of operation. After all, it's an eight-hundred-year-old battleship—who knows if the controls have changed?"
Robin nodded silently and returned to the red Poneglyph.
Karasu gazed at the seawater outside and said gravely.
"Since Kozuki Sukiyaki stated that Pluton lies within the territory of ancient Wano Country, it must be within these enclosing walls. Everyone we've brought to Wano Country is a Devil Fruit user—none of us can dive to search for it."
"We could enlist some Wano samurai to search underwater," Lindbergh suggested.
But Ivankov shook his head at this idea. "No good. The water here is at least several thousand meters deep. Humans can't reach such depths—we'd need Fishmen. Hack and his people are still on Saint Diego Island. Sabo, contact Dragon immediately and have him send Hack and the others here at top speed. Ideally, Dragon should come too—his ability can speed up their arrival. Delays could be dangerous. The Beast God Pirates' strength rivals our Revolutionary Army's main force."
Sabo nodded in agreement.
He immediately pulled out a black Den Den Mushi and dialed Dragon's private number.
The Den Den Mushi rang for a long time, but no one answered.
There was no signal here.
"Our location is equivalent to the deep sea. The Den Den Mushi won't get a signal here—you'll need to go up to make the call," Lindbergh reminded him.Sabo stood up and nodded to the group, saying.
"Stay here for now and protect Robin. Be prepared for any unexpected developments."
Karasu remained expressionless, giving a slight nod.
Nearby, Robin, who had been studying the Poneglyph, suddenly tensed.
Was Sabo having her watched?
'Pluton has been confirmed to be here, so my own importance seems negligible now.'
Holding Hiyori in his arms, Ivankov sighed inwardly, sensing that Nico Robin might be feeling uneasy.
Outwardly, he appeared rough and rugged, a man of crude demeanor.
But in truth, Ivankov was meticulous and methodical, a trusted aide to Dragon.
Before Sabo had fully matured, it was Ivankov who had strategized for the Revolutionary Army.
Later, due to the Revolutionary Army's plans for Impel Down, Ivankov deliberately allowed himself to be captured by the Marines and imprisoned, where he successfully collaborated with Molly to establish a hidden paradise between the fifth and sixth levels.
Though Robin was experienced and shrewd, her subtle reactions couldn't escape Ivankov's notice.
Clearly, Sabo's act of killing earlier had unsettled her.
"Sabo-boy… perhaps he has grown."
Though Ivankov found Sabo's public execution inappropriate, he wasn't the type to be overly sentimental.
Having followed Dragon for years, he knew all too well the trials the Revolutionary Army had endured.
Ever since Dragon orchestrated the first revolution in the East Blue, the Revolutionary Army's rise had been accompanied by raging wars across nations.
The death toll—whether from direct combat, starvation amidst chaos, or post-war plagues wiping out entire towns by the tens of thousands—was something Ivankov dared not dwell on.
Only with an unshakable resolve and decisive action could one steer the Revolutionary Army's colossal ship!
Dragon was precisely such an exceptional leader.
Sabo had once seemed too green, but after witnessing his actions earlier, Ivankov suddenly felt that if anything were to happen to Dragon, Sabo could inherit the Revolutionary Army's vast legacy.
A leader could never afford to be indecisive or swayed by emotions!
Glancing down at the unconscious Hiyori in his arms, Ivankov's expression softened with pity.
"Such a delicate woman, forced to become the wife of a monster like Caesar… truly despicable. Don't worry—once we secure the Pluto Battleship, we'll have the power to destroy that lawless fiend. Wano Country will be…"
.....
On the ground, Sabo soon emerged and swiftly retrieved a Den Den Mushi, dialing Dragon's number.
"Sabo, any updates?" Dragon's deep voice resonated from the other end.
Sabo replied promptly. "Yes, Dragon-san. We've located the submerged ruins of ancient Wano Country. According to Nico Robin, the Pluto Battleship lies submerged several thousand meters below. I need you to dispatch Hack and his people immediately to search the underwater expanse and locate Pluton. If possible, you should come personally—this concerns Pluton, and we can't afford any mistakes."
"Understood. I'll head to Wano Country at once."
With that, Dragon's form dissolved into a gust of wind, vanishing before reappearing deep within a cavern.
"Luffy, I'm heading to Wano Country. What are your plans next?"
In the cave, Luffy sat motionless, his eyes bloodshot, still immersed in the grief of Garp's death.
Hearing Dragon's words, the previously still Luffy finally raised his head, his voice hoarse as he said.
"Father, what must I do to defeat Caesar? I want to avenge Grandpa!"
Dragon reached out a large hand and patted Luffy's head.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke solemnly.
"Go to the East Blue. Start from there and retrace your journey. Gather the companions you want by your side to face powerful enemies. When you set foot in the New World again, you might find the answers you seek. Begin from Windmill Village!"
Luffy's slender body trembled violently, his body shaking slightly.
"Retrace my journey? Alright!"
Luffy's gaze gradually grew resolute as he stood up and bowed deeply to Dragon.
Dragon nodded approvingly.
"Go on. Choose a ship at the harbor—someone will take you to the East Blue."
Watching Luffy leave, Dragon then vanished, reappearing on the other side of Saint Diego Island.
On the beach stood a row of houses, where fish-men in long robes practiced punches on the sand.
Seeing Dragon appear, Hack, who was instructing his clansmen in Fish-Man Karate, hurried over.
"Leader!"
Dragon nodded.
"Hack, select ten of our most capable fishmen to accompany me to Wano Country."
Hack swiftly carried out the order, soon returning with ten capable fish-men in tow.
With a wave of Dragon's hand, a fierce gust of wind lifted them all, soaring high into the sky.
----------------------------
Please read my new fic : One piece : Scum of the Marines!
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator