he Lead
Two days after Roseveil, Robin slid a dossier across the Heaven's Embrace war table.
"This came from our new friends in the Alliance," she said. "A Government convoy left Mariejois under heavy guard. Six warships. Destination unknown."
Reiju leaned on her elbow. "And what's so important they're using six warships?"
Robin tapped the dossier. "The manifest is classified. But I cross-referenced the schedule with known Celestial Dragon movements. They're not moving a person… they're moving something the Elders don't want in open seas for long."
Vegito grinned. "So we steal it."
The Convoy
The target moved through a narrow channel between two cliff lines — the kind of place where ambushes were either brilliant or suicidal. Six Marine warships surrounded a central, heavily armored vessel with no visible armaments.
From the air, Vegito and Carrot hovered on the Embrace's starboard wing, watching.
"Looks like they're expecting trouble," Carrot said.
"Oh, they're about to get it," Vegito replied.
The Opening Salvo
The first move wasn't cannons. It was shadows.
Robin, already infiltrated via an underwater approach, sprouted giant hands along the hulls of the two lead warships, slamming their rudders into the rocks. Both ships veered sharply, colliding.
Bell-mère brought the Embrace into the channel at impossible speed, wings cutting through sea spray. Kuina and Tashigi stood ready on the bow, slicing incoming cannonballs mid-flight.
Breaking the Wall
Vegito didn't waste time. He dropped from the ship straight onto the roof of the armored vessel. Marines poured out to meet him — and were casually swept overboard by a single tail spin.
With one hand, he tore open the hatch like it was paper. Inside, the air was cold — unnaturally so.
The Cargo
In the center of the hold was a coffin-shaped container made of black Seastone. Runes etched into the surface pulsed faintly.
Robin emerged from below deck, eyes wide. "This isn't just a transport… it's a prison."
Before Vegito could reply, the container rattled. Hard.
The Reveal
With a single strike, Vegito shattered the Seastone casing.
Inside… was a woman. Tall, silver-haired, dressed in tattered ceremonial robes. Her wrists and ankles bore deep scars from shackles. Her eyes opened slowly — molten gold irises locking on Vegito.
Robin's voice was barely a whisper. "…That's a queen from the Void Century."
The woman spoke in a language almost no one alive should know — and yet, Vegito understood her perfectly.
"You are not of this world… yet you freed me. I am Nefertari D. Liora, last ruler of the Dawn Kingdom."
The Government Panics
On the cliffs above, a Den Den Mushi crackled in the hands of a Marine spotter.
"REPORT—"
"She's free! The prisoner's free!"
In Mariejois, the Five Elders were gathered when the report came.
Saint Topman Warcury slammed his fist on the table. "That prisoner was buried for eight hundred years for a reason! If she speaks—"
Saint Marcus Mars cut in. "If she speaks, the world will learn truths we've buried since the Void Century. And Vegito just handed her the loudest stage imaginable."
Escape Under Fire
The convoy regrouped fast. Rear Admiral Dobson — a hulking man with a jaw like a brick wall — led the charge from the remaining escort ships. Cannons thundered, and the channel erupted in flame and smoke.
Vegito scooped Liora into his arms. "Robin, clear us a path!"
Robin's giant hands smashed masts and tossed Marines into the sea as Bell-mère steered the Embrace out of the channel.
Reiju leapt from the deck to detonate poison bombs along the cliffs, collapsing stone onto the pursuing warships.
On the Open Sea
Once clear, Liora sat wrapped in a cloak, sipping tea Hancock had insisted on serving herself.
"You have questions," Liora said softly. "I have answers — but they will paint the World Government as the enemy of all peoples."
Vegito smirked. "They already are."
Robin leaned forward. "You know about the Void Century?"
Liora's eyes hardened. "I lived it. I saw the war that ended the Dawn Kingdom. I know why they fear the name D."
Comedic Beat in the Middle of Lore Dump
Carrot raised her hand. "Does the D stand for 'Dessert'? Because I feel like that's the kind of family I'd want to join."
Even Liora cracked a smile. "Not quite, little one."
The Promise
Liora looked at Vegito. "If you would protect me, I will tell the world what they've hidden. And I will swear my loyalty — and my kingdom's legacy — to your cause."
Vegito extended his hand. "Then welcome to the crew. Just one rule: we party after big rescues."
World State Shift
Back in Mariejois, the Elders convened with Imu in the shadowed throne room.
"This cannot stand," Imu's voice echoed, cold and sharp. "The Saiyan has taken from us a relic we cannot allow to speak. If Liora's truth spreads… the age of the World Government will end."
Sakazuki's voice came over a secure line. "Then give me the order. I'll sink his ship myself."
Imu's answer was chilling in its simplicity: "Fail, and you will join her in the depths."
[World State Updated]
Crew: +1 member — Nefertari D. Liora (Void Century queen, political powerhouse).
World Government: Emergency response level heightened; assassination orders issued.
Lore: First direct confirmation of a surviving witness to the Void Century.
Foreshadowing: Liora's truth will ignite revolutions if revealed.
Next Destination: Vegito plans a controlled leak of Liora's testimony to shake the World Government without giving them a clear target — while fending off the assassination strike team already inbound.