Camie swam to the side of the ship and enthusiastically introduced the island to everyone. "This is the Sabaody Archipelago! The whole island is actually composed of 79 of these Yarukiman Mangrove trees. Each tree has a number! Look at the front one it says 44GR. That means Grove 44."
She pointed ahead. "We're approaching Grove 44 right now. That's the civilian port. The whole archipelago is divided into different numbered areas, each with different functions. Because it's so big, there are places even the World Government can't control like Groves 1 to 29 in the center. That area is called the Lawless Zone. It's full of dangerous people: bounty hunters, kidnappers, underworld forces—they all operate there."
"Bounty hunters?"
Hearing this, Luffy grinned and elbowed Zoro beside him. "Hey, Zoro, they're your old colleagues!"
"Ha. Looks like it might get interesting." Zoro crossed his arms and smiled.
He had set out to sea as a bounty hunter. Who knew that before long, Luffy would drag him onto a ship to become a pirate?
"The bounty hunters here aren't all law-abiding. Many of them also do robbery and work as kidnappers. Pirates are fair game here they have a price on their heads. Everyone needs to be very careful." Hatchan added.
The shore of Grove 44, the entrance to the Sabaody Archipelago, gradually came into clearer view. They could already see some anchored ships and bustling figures on land.
Hatchan took a deep breath, turned to Luffy and the others with unprecedented seriousness, and said, "Luffy, Nami, everyone... there's something I must ask you to promise me, no matter what."
Seeing how serious he was, everyone stopped smiling and looked at him.
"After you enter the town, you might encounter the World Nobles the Celestial Dragons! No matter what happens, please, I beg you, do not clash with them! Even if... even if someone is killed right in front of you by them, please pretend you didn't see it!" Hatchan said in a low voice.
The smile disappeared from Luffy's face.
Celestial Dragons?
"Why?" he asked calmly.
"Because they are Celestial Dragons! They are the most noble beings in this world! If you offend them or even just resist them slightly the nearest Marine Admiral will be dispatched immediately! No one can withstand an Admiral's wrath!" Hatchan's voice carried a hint of barely noticeable fear.
Everyone on the Sabaody Archipelago had witnessed the horrors of the Celestial Dragons. But no one dared to lay a hand on them.
"The most noble beings?"
"Yes."
"You mean they're very important to the World Government?"
Hatchan nodded instinctively. "Yes, extremely important! The Celestial Dragons are the descendants of the twenty kings who founded the World Government. They are gods!"
Luffy nodded thoughtfully and did not ask further.
He didn't care about gods or not.
But the information that they were very important to the World Government was very important to him.
If that was the comparison, it seemed the Celestial Dragons were even more important than the Marine Admirals?
But from what Hatchan said, their power wasn't even a hair compared to an Admiral's.
In that case... they'd better not run into him.
After docking, the group quickly divided up tasks.
There was still a large amount of treasure from Moria and that conspicuous huge golden tablet on the ship. Someone had to stay behind to guard it.
After discussion, the main combatants Sanji, Zoro, and Brook stayed behind to guard the ship.
Franky and Usopp also temporarily stayed on the board, responsible for checking and replenishing the Thousand Sunny's power systems and various equipment.
Just after Nami finished carefully told the left-behind staff about safety and left—
Zoro, who had been napping in a corner of the deck, suddenly woke up. He yawned, and without a word, picked up his swords and headed straight off the ship.
"Hey, Zoro! Where are you going alone?!" Usopp quickly shouted.
Zoro turned around, looking completely natural. "For a walk. What's the problem?"
Usopp looked like he was about to collapse, clutching his head. "Don't go! Please!"
Sanji couldn't help but curse. "Give it a rest, you are so crazy! This place is made up of 79 islands! The terrain is horribly complicated. It'll be a pain to find you!"
Veins bulged on Zoro's forehead. He retorted, "Who would get lost?! How could anyone get lost in a place like this?!"
He pointed at the giant trees in the distance. "Isn't the number clearly written on each tree? If worst comes to worst, I can just ask for directions! Even a three-year-old could find their way back!"
Usopp looked at him in shock. "Y-you actually have that kind of intelligence?!"
Sanji was also taken aback, as if he hadn't expected Zoro to say something so reasonable. He scratched his head and softened his tone. "Uh, I think we underestimated you. Sorry. Well... be careful."
But he still added worriedly, "Be sure to ask for directions humbly! Do not trust your own sense of direction!"
Zoro's veins bulged even more. "How heartless!"
He turned around angrily and strode off, muttering to himself, "Just have to remember the numbers. We came from 44. This is Grove 1. If I can't find my way back, I'll just have someone take me to Grove 1."
Simple, right?
He walked confidently with his head down, completely failing to notice that a large colorful bubble had just floated past, partially blocking the number on the tree he was looking at. He only saw the "1." After the bubble rose, it revealed the number "41."
"Those guys, looking down on me like that."
Zoro walked along, thinking indignantly, muttering complaints. "Who would get lost in a place like this? They talk about me like I'm a hopeless direction idiot."
Meanwhile, Luffy and the others had boarded the Sabaody Archipelago's signature transportation—bubble cars.
These were fun little vehicles where a wooden board device was attached to a sturdy bubble. By pedaling, air jets from the back of the board propelled them forward.
Luffy rode one, with little Merry sitting excitedly on the front crossbar, her little hands gripping the handlebars tightly. Nami sat sideways on the back platform, her arms naturally wrapped around his waist.
Vivi, Robin, and Bonney shared another bubble car. Nika carried Chopper and Camie. Hatchan rode one by himself, carrying the fashionable starfish, Pappag.
Hatchan had strongly objected to Camie coming ashore, worried about her safety.
Even though she was disguised, there were plenty of sharp-eyed criminals on Sabaody who could easily target her.
"Leave the safety to me." Luffy smiled.
"Don't worry. He keeps his promises." Nami added.
Luffy had promised to take down Arlong and his crew, and he had—a complete home run.
Compared to that, Nami looked at the bustling commercial streets around her and could barely restrain her shopping soul.
After taking care of Luffy's business, she would invite Vivi and Robin to go shopping!
As they headed toward the place Hatchan had mentioned, they kept buying things along the way.
It wasn't until they left the commercial district and reached Grove 11 that Hatchan suddenly spoke, his expression serious. "Everyone, from now on, we need to be very careful."
"We've reached the so-called Lawless Zone?" Vivi glanced at the map she had bought.
"Yes. There are too many criminals on Sabaody. Even with Marine Headquarters nearby, they can't control them all." Hatchan said.
That was a bit ironic.
Criminals were so rampant right next to Marine Headquarters. Compared to this, the East Blue seemed peaceful.
What was the reason for that?
If you looked at it from a different perspective, it was quite clear.
Under the Buddha's feet was often where suffering was greatest.
Hatchan usually didn't dare to venture deep into these Lawless Zones. But remembering Luffy's strength gave him some comfort.
Sure enough, no sooner had their oddly dressed group entered a relatively remote road than they were targeted by several groups with ill intent.
There were bounty hunters looking for reward money, and slave traders drooling over the beautiful women.
The groups exchanged glances, then almost simultaneously swarmed from several directions, lunging at Luffy and the others with greedy, ferocious smiles.
"These are all top-quality goods."
"We've hit the jackpot!"
But they couldn't even get within ten meters of the bubble cars.
Luffy merely lifted his gaze and glanced at them.
An invisible, formless, yet mountain-heavy pressure swept through them like a storm!
HUM!
The dozen people at the front instantly froze. Their eyes rolled back. As if hit by an invisible heavy hammer, they collapsed without a sound, unconscious.
Those behind—either slower or slightly stronger—also felt a strong dizziness and palpitations, as if stared down by a primordial giant beast. Terrified out of their wits, they scrambled away, disappearing around the corner in an instant.
"Luffy-san!"
Camie's eyes sparkled like stars. "That was so strong!"
Bonney, sitting on the bubble car, felt that terrifying aura—which had an outburst and then instantly restrained—and couldn't help but be secretly amazed.
"This man's Conqueror's Haki is becoming more and more terrifying. And his control is frighteningly precise."
She glanced at Luffy's profile, which seemed completely unchanged, and felt a chill in her heart.
"He's our captain, after all."
"Having this kind of strength is only natural."
"I actually wanted to try my hand."
Vivi and the others were used to this. If anything, they were a bit disappointed.
In the shadows, more voyeuristic eyes witnessed this scene. They all retreated in fear, no longer daring to target this group.
Not long after this small disturbance settled, a bigger noise and crying came from another street nearby.
A tattered man with a collar around his neck came scrambling out. His face was full of terror and tears. He kept bowing and begging to passersby, pleading for someone to help him remove the collar from his neck.
"Please, help me! Save me! I don't want to die!"
Camie and Chopper, curious, wanted to get closer to look, but Hatchan sternly stopped them.
"Don't go over there. You absolutely must not go over there. It's best not even to look." Hatchan said, his expression grave.
***
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