The Marine meeting lasted a long time before Fleet Admiral Sengoku presented a plan.
"Akainu will soon head to the New World to observe the conflict among the Four Emperors, Aokiji is preoccupied, and Kizaru is busy dealing with Moris due to the issue with Vice Admiral Onigumo. The only available combat force we can dispatch is the Shichibukai."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you mean…?"
"First, negotiate. Have a Shichibukai make contact with the leader of the survivors and see if they can be persuaded. If she agrees, evacuate them from the island and inform her that the Marines are willing to provide them with an island to relocate to."
"Second, I'll have the science division accompany you to the island to study the situation and see if there's any way to mitigate the problem while ensuring the coastline remains sealed."
"Third, maintain ocean patrols. If the virus is indeed contagious, we absolutely cannot allow it to spread beyond the island. Report progress at all times."
Sengoku laid out three clear directives.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I appreciate that you didn't approve the Buster Call, but this is still the master's garden. If you interfere too much, it may not end well," Warren said with a frown. If his master lost his future viewing ground, he would likely be furious. That was why Warren forced himself to speak up.
"Have the Five Elders contact me directly. Right now, I'm cleaning up your mess. Do you think I enjoy this?" Sengoku replied coldly.
Warren fell silent. It seemed reporting the matter was his only option, but stopping Sengoku's actions was out of the question.
"The Shichibukai to be dispatched will be Bartholomew Kuma. He has recently been in close contact with the science division, is diligent in his tasks, and keeps his mouth shut. The other Shichibukai might cause trouble. I'll also contact Kizaru and have him go if possible. Hopefully, there won't be any more incidents. O'Neill, you go as well. Once this matter is settled, we'll discuss your punishment."
"Understood."
—
"Hey, old man and pretty lady, wandering around this island without paying protection fees is dangerous."
A few thugs blocked Rosen and his companion at both ends of a narrow alley, brandishing clubs.
"Perfect timing—I need a guide."
Rosen was momentarily surprised but quickly realized it was inevitable. There would always be small-time gangsters who didn't recognize the Shichibukai.
"What do you mean? Do you even know who you're—"
Before the thug could finish his sentence, a wave of sand swept his companions away.
"You talk too much. You'll be our guide."
Rosen left behind the most arrogant thug—the one who had just been shouting the loudest. He wasn't worth killing, but a little punishment was necessary.
Besides, Rosen needed a local guide to better understand the situation. From what he had observed, Lantis Island wouldn't be easy to approach.
The Marines' blockade would have covered the sky, sea, and even underwater routes—basic strategic measures.
Yet, the infamous Surgeon of Death, Law, was very likely on this island.
"P-please, my lord, have mercy!"
The remaining thug glanced around and instantly turned pale. He had seriously messed up. With a loud thud, he dropped to his knees, begging for his life.
Even small-time crooks had a survival instinct. They preyed on the weak and feared the strong—it was their nature.
"That depends on how well you perform. If you're useless, you'll be fed to the Sea Kings."
Rosen showed no mercy. He was keeping the thug alive solely because he had some value.
"I'll do my best! I swear!"
The thug nodded frantically. Damn it, he had told his boss that this old man looked terrifying and shouldn't be messed with, but the boss wouldn't listen. Said there was safety in numbers.
And now he had gotten himself into this mess just because he couldn't keep his mouth shut.
"First question—where's the most well-informed place on this island?"
"The black market," the thug blurted out.
"Second question—have you heard anything about a pirate named Trafalgar Law?"
"Yeah, he's pretty famous in this area right now."
Rosen and Robin were slightly surprised. They hadn't expected to find news of Law so quickly.
"Where is he now?"
Rosen was taken aback but pleased. If things went smoothly, it would be even better. He figured it was about time to head for Skypiea—he had two bold ideas regarding Enel.
After all, they had already acquired the route to Skypiea.
"I don't know, but people suspect he's on Lantis Island. They say he's a pirate who made a deal with the devil. A while back, for unknown reasons, he attacked a Marine base on a nearby island. The last place he was spotted was the black market on this island."
The thug quickly explained.
"And based on just that, you think he went to Lantis Island?"
Rosen frowned. This thug's knowledge was shallow—his intel was limited.
"Because he went to the black market. Almost everyone who goes there is a desperate outlaw looking to make a big score on the island."
Sensing Rosen's displeasure, the thug hurriedly explained.
"Oh? What do you mean?"
Everyone who went to the island was after a big score? But reports described it as a virus-infected island. What could possibly be worth looting? Were they just exploiting the disaster?
"You came to Frans Island to get to Lantis Island and strike it rich too, didn't you?"
"I'm the one asking questions. Answer properly."
"Y-yes! Lantis Island is rich in metal ores, even Seastone. Right now, apart from the Marine blockade, there's barely any security. So, pirates are looting the place—it's all valuable stuff."
The thug spoke with a hint of greed in his eyes.
"Why haven't you gone there yourself?"
Robin interjected. If the thug's words were true, Lantis Island was indeed a treasure trove.
Rosen, however, frowned. He vaguely recalled that Wano was the primary source of Seastone. He hadn't expected to find it here as well.
"I'd like to stay alive. Lantis Island is a death trap. I don't know exactly what happened, but I've heard rumors that everyone on the island is dead. The only ones left are the undead. And out of every ten people who go there to mine, only three or four make it back. The profits are high, but so is the death toll. Most of the looters are pirates and criminals from elsewhere. Us locals aren't that foolish."
The thug sneered.
"So, there's a way to get onto the island? Is the Marine blockade just for show?"
Rosen mused. This didn't match the intel. According to reports, the Marines had completely sealed off the island.
"It's real, but black market dealer Brant has his own tricks. He's also got people inside the Marines. As long as you don't bring any living creatures off the island, it's usually fine."
"Take us to this Brant. Don't refuse—refusal means death."
Rosen issued a timely threat. It seemed this thug was easily intimidated. A little pressure was enough to make him comply.
Sure enough, the thug hesitated but eventually nodded obediently.
"I'll take you there, but please, don't stir up trouble. If you do, I'll be dead as soon as you leave. My lord, please don't harm me. We may extort protection money, but we've never killed anyone. We're just trying to survive. Frans Island is full of criminals—without this, we wouldn't make it."
"Enough talk. Lead the way."
Rosen couldn't care less about the thug's morality. Whether he was good or bad was irrelevant.
His only concern was achieving his goal.
"Yes…"
The thug, Pitass, slumped in defeat.
He was doomed. He had run into a real monster. No kindness, no mercy. Even playing the victim wouldn't work.
If he took them to Brant, he might get killed afterward.
If he didn't, he might not survive the night.
(End of Chapter)
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