Since the Straw Hat Pirates' ship, the Golden Merry, sank directly into the sea after returning to Water Seven from Enies Lobby.
The Straw Hat Pirates finally replaced their ship with a new one, the Thousand Sunny, built by their new member and shipwright, Franky. It's a step up from the Golden Merry in terms of both power and durability!
After all…
Franky is an extremely talented shipwright!
Franky's teacher once built ships for the Pirate King!
"What a stroke of luck…"
Monkey D. Luffy stood at the bow of the ship, recalling the dangers of their escape from Water Seven, feeling a bit fortunate: "Grandfather and that red-headed woman actually tried to hunt us down…"
"That woman named Karin…"
Roronoa Zoro clenched his sword tightly, his face full of defiance.
Although Zoro didn't want to admit…
He was indeed not a match for Karin.
"Let's take a tour around the Shampodi Archipelago first…"
Nami took out her money pouch, planning to start spending for her companions: "You guys better restrain yourselves a bit, prices in the Shampodi Archipelago are quite high!"
"Money isn't important…"
Luffy shook his head, pressing down on his straw hat with his hand, and said solemnly: "Shanks told me to find the opportunity to get stronger here…"
That's what he and Shanks discussed when they parted ways after the Enies Lobby incident. Red-haired Shanks thought Luffy should become stronger and recommended he take a spin around the Shampodi Archipelago…
That's why…
They came to the Shampodi Archipelago.
"Luckily there are no Marines here anymore…"
Usopp glanced around, feeling relieved.
"Because the Shampodi Archipelago is the territory of the Konoha Pirates…"
Nico Robin observed the scenery of the Shampodi Archipelago, saying softly: "The news mentioned that the Konoha Pirates will remain here before entering the New World to avoid greater conflict, so the Navy has fully withdrawn from the Shampodi Archipelago…"
This sort of thing…
Is uncertain if it's fortunate…
Or an even greater misfortune.
At least for now, the people on the Shampodi Archipelago seemed to follow the rules well. No one caused trouble in this bustling, beautiful archipelago, with even Fishmen and Merfolk moving freely beneath the seas surrounding it.
The people here…
Seem to be even more numerous than when the Navy was around.
"So many people here…"
Nami raised her head, observing the busy port filled with people coming and going.
"It's likely because of the auction…"
Nico Robin's brow furrowed slightly, saying solemnly: "There's going to be a Heavenly Celestial Dragon slave auction here, likely drawing many people eager to watch the drama…"
To be honest…
Such a spectacle would be hard for anyone to resist attending.
There are too many weak individuals in this vast sea tormented by the Heavenly Celestial Dragons and World Government, who often can't seek revenge on their tormentors and instead find solace in watching their downfall.
However…
Undoubtedly…
Many of these weak individuals once tormented by the Heavenly Celestial Dragons become pirates, and quite a few pirates also gather at the Shampodi Archipelago, making this slave auction by the Heavenly Celestial Dragons a grand pirate event.
Many pirates, rarely seen otherwise, appeared on the Shampodi Archipelago eager to witness the historic moment of Celestial Dragons being auctioned as slaves.
Strangely…
The World Government and Navy took no action.
The world's rulers seemed to turn a blind eye, having no intention of intervening, not even symbolically.
However…
It's not that no action was taken at all.
The World Government internally had some response to the Celestial Dragons being auctioned as slaves, a reaction sounding somewhat ridiculous.
The World Government decided to send some CP0 agents hidden in the Underworld with money to buy back the Celestial Dragons from the Konoha Pirates' auction…
For instance, the Queen of Joy Street in the Underworld, Stussy, a prominent figure in the Underworld but secretly an operative for the World Government, has withdrawn a large sum of money and headed to the Shampodi Archipelago to attend the auction.
In addition…
The Celestial Dragons also took action.
Saint Saturn secretly met with Red-haired Shanks, hoping that during the slave auction, Red-haired Shanks would intervene to prevent any noble Celestial Dragons from becoming slaves.
This matter…
Shanks found difficult to refuse.
Because he also needed to purchase someone at the auction.
As for the Navy…
The Navy truly had no response.
Currently, they are busy making the most of the situation to capture some Great Pirates who escaped from Impel Down, seemingly adopting a strategy of avoiding heavier risks by hitting softer targets regarding the Konoha Pirates.
Marineford.
A group of Navy personnel awaited at the port to set sail.
This group belonged to Vice Admiral Fujitora of the Navy Headquarters, tasked with sweeping the First Half of the Grand Line and apprehending some Great Pirates operating there under Fujitora's leadership.
However…
Their commander, Fujitora, had yet to arrive.
Currently, Vice Admiral Fujitora was in the office of the Navy Admiral, engaged in a frank conversation with Sengoku the Buddha, the Navy Admiral.
"Vice Admiral Fujitora…"
Sengoku's eyes bore sharply into Fujitora opposite him, hoping to discern something from his expression: "Are you a spy planted by the Konoha Pirates within the Navy?"
"If you must say that…"
A trace of a smile appeared at Fujitora's mouth, not denying Sengoku's accusation. He slightly exposed his arm, where a clear black leaf pattern was imprinted.
That is the Curse Seal.
A standard feature of Konoha Pirates members.
All Konoha Pirates bear this kind of Curse Seal.
Sengoku squinted his eyes, clasping his hands together, speaking solemnly: "Your pirate crew is indeed reckless…"
"If I may…"
Fujitora slowly shook his head, smiling, "This should be an honor for the Navy, as at least those who pursue justice are free from the shackles of the Celestial Dragons..."
"Do you believe yourself to be one who pursues justice?"
Sengoku's elbow bent, his hand covering half of his face, intending to conceal his emotions from the blind man standing before him.
"Of course."
The smile at Fujitora's mouth grew more pronounced.
"Interested in talking more?"
Sengoku's interest piqued, attempting to replicate his approach with Akihara Kagura: "If you're a person with justice at heart…"
"Regrettably…"
Regrettably, Fujitora shook his head, thwarting Sengoku's intention to sway him: "I prefer using thunderous means in executing justice. Joining the Navy allows me to pursue justice, while joining Konoha lets me achieve the goal of eliminating the world's evildoers…"
"I understand the thoughts of Marshal Sengoku…"
"If you intend to extract information about the Konoha Pirates from me, I'm afraid I must apologize for that, as the weight I carry surpasses merely my own life…"
Fujitora felt some sighs within him.
If it were just him, he truly wouldn't care as much; yet, having communicated with Akihara Kagura enabled Fujitora to understand the gravity of his responsibilities…
If pressed to say…
Perhaps it truly concerns the whole world!
"It's quite a headache indeed…"
Sengoku shook his head, sighing: "Before departing, Kagura and Kizaru told me you admitted to being a Konoha Pirates member, so I thought you might reveal a bit of behind-the-scenes information to the Navy…"
"Admiral Kagura, huh…"
The smile on Fujitora's face relaxed, and his tightly closed eyes gently curved, as he smiled and said: "That's someone whose wisdom cannot be judged by age, a person worthy of respect from anyone. For the Navy to have obtained such a wise Vice Admiral is indeed a blessing as well…"
"You seem to hold him in high regard…"
Sengoku raised his head, surprised at Fujitora, realizing his sincerity rather than sarcasm, which surprisingly raised Sengoku's appraisal of Fujitora quite a bit.
Just successfully converting the first Konoha Pirates' undercover into a qualified Navy, Sengoku is also satisfied with his accomplishment.
Let's not mention anything else…
The intelligence and wisdom of Akihara Kagura certainly warrant this action.
The only pity is…
Akihara Kagura's combat strength has yet to reach its zenith.
Sengoku sighed heavily in his heart, having to pin hopes on Vegapunk for enhancing Akihara Kagura's strength: "Hopefully, Vegapunk can enhance Kagura's power soon, at least reaching the Admiral Level…"