"But those Super Rookies you're planning to ally with..."
"We'll just have to talk about that after entering the New World."
Drake's expression remained calm, "If they can survive, that is."
"Oh? From the sound of it, you're pretty confident you'll survive?"
A lazy, teasing voice suddenly came from above, and Drake shuddered, looking up sharply.
He saw Admiral Kizaru leisurely sitting cross-legged at the top of the mast.
"Long time no see, Drake."
Kizaru spoke with a smile, "I really didn't expect it; the first one I run into after coming ashore is you, the Fallen Rear Admiral rumored to have defected from Navy Headquarters..."
Swish!
He raised his index finger, and a golden light flashed.
Before Drake could react, his chest was pierced through, his eyes widened, and with a muffled grunt, he collapsed to the ground unconscious.
"Sorry, but the Ancient powers are terrifying just to think about. It's best to end the fight before you transform; I really don't want to face a dinosaur or anything."
Kizaru casually threw down this comment, not even glancing at him again, as he leisurely stepped over Drake's body amidst countless gazes and set foot on the island.
Then, he looked toward a certain direction in the alley.
"Oh? Over here, it seems..." Kizaru tilted his head and spoke.
The next second, in the alley, Cavendish, who was squatting in the corner sneaking glances at the dock, was suddenly kicked in the back and smashed into the center of the open space, losing consciousness.
"...there's another Super Rookie here."
As the second half of his sentence was uttered, photons gathered again to form Kizaru's image in the open space.
"Blu-blu~"
The communication signal suddenly rang out, and Kizaru raised his brows in surprise, connecting the call with the Radio Snail.
"Hello! Old man, where are you?"
"So it's you, Sentomaru."
Kizaru chuckled and said, "I just landed, you know. What's the rush with the call?"
"You're too slow, old man!"
Sentomaru said in a deep voice, "It's a lucky break here for me; Black Fist Ace and Roronoa Zoro were already exhausted when I found them, so it didn't take much effort to capture them. Plus, it's buy two, get one free; I caught another Super Rookie, Bartolomeo, over here!"
"And according to the battle reports from the other Peacekeepers, Kira has also been captured alive, but Kid, as expected, the strongest among this batch of Super Rookies, managed to escape."
"Well, it's their first live combat mission, after all. This level is already quite decent, and some oversights are inevitable."
Kizaru nodded slightly, "What about the Heavenly Celestial Dragons?"
"Rest assured, old man. They sent out the Peacekeepers the earliest, so there wouldn't be a problem... Oh? What a coincidence! Old man, PX-1 and PX-2 just reported in saying they've already subdued the Pirates attacking the Heavenly Celestial Dragons. The two Heavenly Celestial Dragons only got a slight scare, but they're unharmed!"
"Is that so?"
Kizaru clicked his tongue, "Even though I anticipated it, it seems this trip was in vain for me..."
————
Shampodi Amusement Park entrance.
"Commoners! Commoners! Commoners!"
Saint Pulminge screamed hysterically, whipping furiously with the long whip in his hand, "Dare to be arrogant in front of this Saint! Who gave you the guts to defy the gods!"
Beside him, Charulia Palace remained elegantly seated atop a slave's back.
"What a boring farce."
Charulia Palace yawned lazily, casting her gaze over Law clutched by Peacekeeper PX-1 and Sanji pressed to the ground by PX-2.
"Pulminge, have you had enough fun? It's about time we head to Auction House No. 1; I still want to buy a slave with Giant blood there."
"The auction house?"
Saint Pulminge snorted coldly, "Of course, we have to go, Charulia, but this Saint's white bear hasn't been found yet!"
"It's been half an hour since we sent out the Navy, and still no response. It seems we can't rely on those useless Navy."
He looked up at Sentomaru not far away, "Hey! The fatty over there, did you hear me? Now it's all up to you. Quickly take your men and capture that white bear for me: alive!"
Sentomaru's brows furrowed slightly.
Behind him, ten PX-model Peacekeepers stood in a line, chomping cigars silently.
Aside from the controlled Sanji and Law, Zoro, Ace, Kira, and others lay unconscious on the ground, all shackled heavily.
"Respected Saint Pulminge, firstly, I am also part of the Navy, albeit the elite silent type."
Sentomaru spoke seriously, "Secondly, our duty is to protect you until Old Man Kizaru arrives, as for capturing the white bear..."
"Go ahead, since you're here, you might as well satisfy the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, right?"
A slow voice drifted down from above.
Swish!
Golden light flickered as a figure clad in a white Cloak of Justice gracefully descended to the ground.
"Old man!"
Sentomaru breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went up to meet him, "You're finally here. Being alone with these Heavenly Celestial Dragons is really too uncomfortable..."
"Words like that shouldn't be said carelessly, Sentomaru."
Kizaru made a shushing gesture with a smile, "Take a few Peacekeepers and carry out Saint Pulminge's orders. As for here, with me on watch, it's fine."
"..."
Sentomaru glanced back, hesitated, then nodded, "Understood, PX-5 to PX-7, follow me. Target: Bebo of the Fur Race with a 1500 Belly bounty!"