"What the hell are you doing! That's a refugee ship!"
Kuzan threw a punch at Sakazuki, but for Sakazuki, it was nothing significant; no Fruit Ability, no Haki, just a simple physical punch that did little damage.
Sakazuki caught Kuzan's punch with an unwavering tone.
"If you're going to eradicate, do it thoroughly. If scholars are hidden on the ship, then today's efforts would be wasted. The possibility of evil must be eradicated, Kuzan, your sense of justice isn't enough."
"Don't mock my sense of justice. Justice changes with one's stance, but you're attacking civilians!"
Kuzan didn't object to the Buster Call. Those scholars had broken the law, and he had asked Sengoku the same questions. As an Admiral Candidate, his status was different from Saul's.
Sengoku explained that it was for the safety of the entire world, which is why he was there to execute the Buster Call.
However, Sakazuki's actions clearly went overboard. The civilians who had been checked weren't within the target range.
"For the safety of more people, sacrifices are unavoidable. Those agents inevitably make mistakes; this is the most effective method."
"You bastard... When we go back, I'll report you to Marshal Kong! You're disobeying orders!"
Both being Headquarter Vice Admirals and Admiral Candidates, even though he was displeased with Sakazuki, they couldn't have a major fight here.
"Suit yourself. Who told you to stop? Keep firing until all the shells are used up!"
Kuzan jumped onto the sea, freezing a large portion of it as he rushed towards the refugee ship, wanting to see if there were any survivors.
Even Spandine, who had withdrawn to the East Coast, didn't expect the Navy to blow up the refugee ship too.
On the island where the Buster Call was executed, no ship could leave except for the refugee ships arranged by the World Government, which were meant for ordinary people to evacuate.
"These Navy... are too radical."
Meanwhile, in the sky, everyone looked at the scene below in disbelief.
No one expected this to happen.
"Father, that ship... isn't it a refugee ship?"
"It's a refugee ship; those onboard were also vetted, but their innocence doesn't matter—the truth lies only within the range of the cannon. In this world, whoever holds absolute power has the final say. Nowadays, the World Government represents so-called 'justice', but hundreds of years ago, they were just a group of rebels. What do you think, Dr. Clover?"
"We've found traces of the Giant Kingdom and the Divine Race in history, but we don't know much more... how fearful the World Government is of those things..."
The terms Giant Kingdom and Divine Race were unintelligible to Yamato, but this journey made her realize that power is indeed very important.
The subsequent events had nothing to do with them. After returning to the island where the ship was hidden, the group began to make their way back to Wano Kuni. The size of the Origin was large enough to accommodate even someone as large as Saul.
Looking at these scholars, Arceus had new plans for them.
"Omanyte, give Kaido a call."
"Got it!"
The Omanyte, also brought along for eavesdropping, curled its tentacles out from its shell after hearing Arceus's command, picked up the receiver, and dialed the number.
...
"What's going on?"
On Ghost Island, Kaido weighed a hollow iron ball, seemingly dissatisfied, casually crushed it into scrap iron, tossed it back into the forge, then picked up another newly crafted iron ball, and this one seemed to meet his requirements.
"Nothing much, a decent harvest, but I need you to do something. Your ability to move an island should be no problem, right?"
"Depends on the size and structure of the island. What do you want to do?"
"Find a new territory. Go see Ferren, have it take you to where they used to live, and bring that Little Sky Island back to the skies above Wano Kuni. You should be able to manage it, right?"
Ferren, who ate the Primitive Fruit, was the Thousand-Year Dragon capable of smooth communication, and Arceus's target was that Little Sky Island.
Sky Islands are movable. Large Sky Island Groups like Angel Island are fixed above Gaya Island due to the sea cloud connection to the Western Heaven Peak and the Blue Sea.
But people on Vesperia's Little Sky Island could maneuver the island anywhere. The Sky Island where the Thousand-Year Dragons used to live was similar.
Kaido would drag that Sky Island back above Ghost Island and secure it above Wano Kuni with gigantic plants grown from the Meadow Plate as a haven for these archaeologists.
They wouldn't have to worry about being discovered or other issues. It was a form of soft detention.
"A Sky Island? Shouldn't be an issue. By the way, let Yamato know I've prepared brand new training for her, so she should prepare herself."
This message didn't need to be relayed because Yamato already heard it. For some reason, a chill ran down her spine and she had a foreboding feeling.
Having achieved their goal, both the Origin and the Shadow Fox set sail towards the New World. A few days later, they reached the edge of the Windless Zone. Before entering it, News Birds brought the latest news.
"The demon of Ohara intended to destroy the world. The Navy demolished them with the force of a Thunderbolt."
Eradicating an island couldn't be justified by researching history; instead, it was claimed they intended to destroy the world. However, the destruction of the archaeological sanctuary filled other archaeologists worldwide with understanding, and the World Government essentially achieved its aim.
The scholars saw the newspapers delivered by the News Bird, understanding their current predicament through Ohara's destruction and the refugee ship's tragedy.
Clover's gunshot wound also improved. Pirates have different needs for doctors. These ship physicians weren't skilled with chronic illnesses but were experts at treating wounds from swords and guns.
Recovered, Clover came once more before Arceus, burdened with a question.
"Sir, I dare ask what your future plans for us are."
"You can continue your historical research, but you cannot leave at will. Tell us what you want to study, and our people will bring the materials back for you. That way, it's good for everyone. Your identities are no longer suitable for the eyes of the world.
We must know the results of your research. Additionally, the people on your two ships can't meet right now. Before reaching your destination, submit two copies of the translations of ancient texts, and be aware of any discrepancies or omissions."