Chapter 121 121 A Warlord of the Sea?
"Is this Sky Island?" Dodo asked.
The ship's vibration caused Nico Robin to sprout several pairs of arms from her legs, bracing herself against the deck to steady her body.
As the azure ocean was replaced by a vast expanse of white, she stared blankly at her new surroundings.
This white sea was none other than the White-White Sea where Sky Island was located.
At this moment, the spot where the New Riding the Wind and Waves landed was right next to Ancient Jaya and Angel Island.
During their previous time on Ancient Jaya, Zane had delved deep into the Door-Door Fruit's capabilities and successfully developed a 'lite' version of the Warp Door.
As long as he set the unique coordinates within the Door-Door Space beforehand, he could arrive instantly upon opening a door.
Just like right now.
To return to the Grand Line from the West Blue...
Zane didn't need to pass through Reverse Mountain again at all.
By using the coordinates he had set, he used the Door-Door Fruit: Warp Door to bring the entire warship back to Sky Island.
"Half a day of shore leave for everyone."
The warship docked at Ancient Jaya.
Seeing Nico Robin's intense curiosity about Sky Island, Zane gave the order with a light chuckle.
It wasn't just Nico Robin.
People like Bones, who had recently joined the hunting team, were also filled with curiosity.
Besides them, Wyper and the others were thrilled to be home, disembarking to reunite with friends and family.
"Captain, could I trouble you to show me the Poneglyph you discovered here?" Nico Robin approached Zane, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"Sure!" Zane agreed readily.
"I'm coming too!"
Seeing their captain about to leave alone with Nico Robin, Baby 5 decisively followed them.
Zane naturally didn't mind, wrapping his arm around Baby 5 as she leaned in.
Then, the three of them left the ship and headed toward the temple where the Golden Bell was kept.
"It's been a while; the Master of the Sky's injuries should be healed by now. This is a perfect chance to test how much I've improved since obtaining the Repelling Fruit."
Muttering to himself, Manlong also strode off, entering the forest to find his 'old friend.'
Half a day passed quickly.
After reunions and sightseeing...
Everyone returned to the warship, feeling satisfied.
*Dong! Dong! Dong!*
Accompanied by the tolling of the Golden Bell...
The New Riding the Wind and Waves set sail once more, carrying the hunting team away as the long, clear chimes echoed in the distance.
Just like last time.
With the help of the Octopus Balloon...
The New Riding the Wind and Waves descended through a rift in the White-White Sea, eventually returning smoothly to the Blue Sea of the Grand Line.
*
*
*
Walls never stay airtight in this world.
Whether it was Crocodile or Chinjao...
Both were renowned figures on the high seas.
There was no way their deaths could remain silent.
As time passed, the deaths of Crocodile and Chinjao were soon discovered by those who were paying attention.
Likewise, Zane—the man who had taken them both down—was identified, becoming the central focus of interest.
"First Doflamingo, and now major pirates like Crocodile and Chinjao. I didn't expect this Three-Eye to possess such strength."
"Zane of the Three-Eye Tribe... this man can no longer be viewed as prey. He is a man-eating lion. We must avoid him at all costs from now on."
"Two Warlords down in a row. It seems the World Government's judgment isn't all that impressive."
"There's news! The Three-Eye Pirates, who vanished from the West Blue, have now reappeared in the Grand Line."
"..."
Zane was no longer a nameless nobody.
When the New Riding the Wind and Waves reappeared in the Grand Line, it took only a few days for news of him to reach various factions.
Including the World Government.
"So, you want to invite me to become a Warlord of the Sea?"
In a certain stretch of sea, the New Riding the Wind and Waves sat motionless on the water, with a Marine warship anchored nearby.
On the ship's deck, Zane sat calmly on his golden throne with his legs crossed, looking at the three people across from him.
These three were Gion, an Admiral Candidate, and two World Government officials dressed in black suits.
Not long ago...
The New Riding the Wind and Waves had encountered the warship Gion was traveling on during its voyage.
Because the other party had signaled their peaceful intent beforehand, they weren't driven away or intercepted.
When the two sides met...
Gion and the two World Government officials were only allowed to board the New Riding the Wind and Waves after Zane gave his permission.
"That is correct. Your strength is sufficient to fill the vacancy left by Crocodile. We hope you will consider it carefully," Gion said in a low voice, her gaze subtly scrutinizing Zane.
He was handsome, and his physique was exceptionally impressive.
A man like this was undoubtedly attractive to women.
But unfortunately, he was a pirate.
A flash of disgust flickered deep in Gion's eyes.
She might be an older woman, but she had never wavered in her stance.
She had never been one to compromise her principles.
Although she had gone to Mock Town previously to recruit Zane...
Ever since she failed to find him and later learned he had killed a Marine Vice Admiral...
Gion had firmly labeled Zane as a vicious pirate in her heart.
Even for this visit, if it hadn't been for orders from her superiors, she would never have come to interact with a pirate.
After all, the Warlords of the Sea were never allies to the Marines; they were a stain on justice.
"Three-Eye, you should cherish this opportunity. On this sea, countless people would kill to become a Warlord. You should properly thank the Five Elders for this chance."
"Indeed. If the Five Elders hadn't personally selected you, someone with your lack of seniority would be far from qualified to become a Warlord."
As soon as Gion finished speaking, the two officials who had boarded with her immediately cut in.
Though their words were meant to be an invitation, both their blatant arrogance and their tone betrayed a sense of condescending charity.
'These two guys...'
Gion's expression changed at the sudden interruption.
Hadn't she agreed with them on the way here?
She would handle the communication for this recruitment, and they would simply act as witnesses for the World Government. Why did they have to butt in?
Why did the Marines send Gion, an Admiral Candidate?
It wasn't because Gion was idle; it was because the Navy—or rather, Sengoku—was extremely wary of Zane.
Zane's record proved that his strength was beyond what a typical Marine Vice Admiral could handle.
If the recruitment failed or a conflict erupted, at least an Admiral Candidate would have a chance of ensuring the team's safe retreat.
Killing intent!
Intense killing intent instantly swept over Gion and the two officials.
The two officials, who had been putting on an arrogant front just a moment ago, immediately turned pale under the pressure, their faces filled with terror.
Gion also immediately moved to shield the two officials, her face grim as she watched Zane and the figures like Manlong standing behind him.
The killing intent didn't come from Zane.
Instead, it emanated from Manlong, Baby 5, and the elites of the hunting team like Wyper and Bones, who were subtly surrounding the three of them on the deck.
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