The Sabaody Archipelago—also called the Soap Bubble Archipelago—was made from the giant mangrove trees known as the Yarukiman Mangroves. Their massive roots rose above the sea and intertwined to form the islands themselves.

But after experiencing Elbaf, the trees here seemed unimpressive to Rocks and the others.

"Lantern, you stay here and watch the ship. Rocks, you and Newgate gather intel on the giants listed here. Ripley, I sensed two strong presences to the east—likely the captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates from Elbaf. You and Linlin go check it out. Dean, I'll need you for the coating work. Toki, you're coming with me."

Magnus handed out orders the moment they arrived.

It was only a matter of time before their presence was exposed.

The Archipelago was the closest island to Marine Headquarters. Not only were there plenty of Marines stationed here, but CP agents were everywhere as well.

From the moment they set foot here, the operation had begun.

"Got it."

Thinking about the mission ahead, Rocks grinned, and Newgate looked just as eager.

"Leave it to me and Big Bro Rocks!"

"If Captains Dorry and Brogy have arrived, they'll probably be hiding. Finding them won't be easy," Ripley muttered.

Since the two had hidden their auras, even Magnus could only get a general location—and that was thanks to his recently enhanced Voice of All Things.

"Ripley, don't giants have some kind of secret signal to contact each other?"

"Captain, are you joking? Giants don't use such underhanded tricks."

She scratched her head.

"Forget it. Worst case, I'll just shout their names in a fight—they'll hear me."

Finding the two captains would be a bonus, but they weren't relying on them.

"Even without them, we're not weak!" Ripley laughed, pulling Linlin along. "I'm a 100-million-Beli pirate! Their bounties are only 100 million too!"

Over forty years had passed since Dorry and Brogy's prime. The Beli hadn't devalued too much, but inflation had exploded during the coming era of Rocks' generation—especially with the surge of powerful pirates.

If Magnus remembered correctly, the two captains were at around the 200-million level, stronger than most great pirates and able to stand against an admiral-class fighter in a duel. Together, they could give even an admiral a hard time.

Ripley, though formidable, was still far from their level.

"I'm going with Captain Magnus?!"

Toki's face flushed red, and she quickly hid behind her sleeve.

'Is this… a date?'

Magnus, of course, wasn't thinking that. Toki was the weakest in the crew and a woman—leaving her alone on the ship was out of the question.

The Sabaody Archipelago was dangerous for everyone, locals included. Human traffickers prowled everywhere, ready to snatch up any "prize" that caught their eye.

Magnus had struck at the traffickers before, but killing one batch only made room for the next. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt

Without buyers, there'd be no trade—

But the traffickers' biggest customers were the Celestial Dragons.

With their endless wealth from the Heavenly Tribute, many of them indulged in collecting slaves—strong ones, rare ones, beautiful women.

Toki's skill level meant she could easily be targeted.

"Toki, you need to train harder."

"I've been trying!" she protested, frustration creeping into her voice. Magnus was strict with everyone else, but almost polite with her.

Was it because she wasn't a full member?

She'd been with the crew for less than a year—barely enough time to learn to cut iron, let alone match the others.

Battle was the fastest way to grow stronger, but the White Wolf Pirates' fights were always far beyond her reach.

"Toki, do you remember our agreement?" Magnus asked, smiling at her disheartened look. "I said I'd take you to Wano. The others have begun their next journey, but yours isn't finished. You can't start a new one before ending the last.

"Wano is your journey's end—and your new beginning. When we get there, tell me what kind of voyage you want to take next."

Toki's talent might not have been exceptional, but her bonds with the crew were strong—and that mattered just as much as raw strength.

"…I understand!"

She knew now that she'd been conflicted. Going to Wano was her dream, but abandoning that path before reaching it would leave her with regret.

'The captain saw through me, didn't he?'

She'd wanted to go to Wano to prevent the prophecy she'd heard—to stop the nation's destruction. But here, with the crew, she'd already saved a country from slavery and was now fighting the world's tyranny.

'Maybe Wano doesn't matter as much anymore…'

Smiling, she looped her arm through Magnus' and said, "Let's go, Captain."

Before splitting up, Magnus gave their "new member" one last warning.

"Lantern, don't think about running. I can track you through the Pure Gold in your lantern. If you try, I'll make sashimi out of you."

The thirty-meter-long lantern fish bobbed its head like a chick in water, releasing a stream of bubbles.

'I definitely won't run, glub.'

Magnus didn't believe a word, but with Dean staying behind for the coating, the fish wouldn't get far.

If it did… sashimi it would be.

The thought made the creature shiver and abandon any escape plan.

"Of course, if you behave, we'll feed you well when we get back."

A stick and a sweet—perfect for a dim-witted but clever enough beast.

And Magnus' next stop?

The biggest slave auction house on the entire archipelago.

Not to buy—

But to tear it apart.

(End of Chapter)

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