81. Return of Ria and Fullbody

Chapter 81: Return of Ria and Fullbody

The world of One Piece is one of vast oceans, where the open seas serve as pathways to grand adventures and hidden treasures. The planet is divided into five distinct seas: the North Blue, South Blue, East Blue, and West Blue, separated by two immense barriers. The first, the Red Line, is a massive, unyielding continent of stone that encircles the planet vertically, splitting the seas into hemispheres. The second, the Grand Line, is a treacherous sea that cuts horizontally across the planet, intersecting the Red Line at two points and creating four quadrants. Known for its erratic weather and unpredictable currents, the Grand Line is the ultimate proving ground for pirates, navigators, and adventurers.

The Grand Line itself is split into two halves by the Red Line. The first half, often referred to as "Paradise," is where ambitious pirates begin their journey. Many legends have been forged here, but it is the second half, called the New World, that remains the most mysterious and dangerous. This region is less explored and far more perilous, home to the Emperor Pirates, powerful figures who dominate entire territories, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea, sanctioned privateers working under the World Government. The islands in this stretch are volatile, with unpredictable climates, hostile creatures, and unrelenting seas. Even the Marine Headquarters G-1, located at the threshold of the New World, stands as a bulwark against the chaos. It is a place where only the strongest survive.

Among the countless islands dotting the New World, one hosts a Marine Warship docked in a calm inlet. The warship is an imposing vessel, a testament to the World Government's might. Its dark navy hull gleams under the sun, adorned with the Marine insignia prominently displayed on its sails and flags. The ship is outfitted with rows of cannons along its sides, ready to unleash devastation upon its foes. The deck is a flurry of activity, with disciplined soldiers in crisp white uniforms tending to their duties. The figurehead, a majestic eagle, looms at the prow, symbolizing vigilance and strength.

Inside the warship, in a private chamber, sits Marine Lieutenant Fullbody. The room reflects a mixture of functionality and modest luxury, with polished wooden walls and neatly arranged furnishings. A desk cluttered with reports and maps lies to one side, while a window overlooking the island occupies the other. Lieutenant Fullbody is a man of striking appearance. His slicked-back pink hair shines under the warm light of the chamber, and his signature round eyes glint as they catch the sunlight streaming in. He wears the standard Marine uniform but with a personal flair, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms, and his tie slightly loosened, hinting at his casual demeanor.

Fullbody leans back in his chair, a glass of fine wine in hand. The deep crimson liquid swirls in the glass as he takes a leisurely sip. His gaze is fixed out the window, observing the lively scene on the island's docks. Workers move in choreographed chaos, loading and unloading crates from ships that bob gently in the harbor. Vendors line the streets, their stalls bursting with exotic goods: vibrant fruits, shimmering fabrics, and intricate trinkets. Children dart between the adults, their laughter ringing out as they play games in the sun.

A smirk tugs at Fullbody's lips. He finds the scene amusing—a bustling microcosm of life, entirely oblivious to the looming threat of the New World. For now, it is peaceful, a rarity in these waters. He savors the moment, letting the quiet before the storm settle into his bones as he raises his glass once more and watches the island's daily rhythm unfold.

Fullbody's leisurely observation of the lively docks was abruptly interrupted by the sudden and inexplicable appearance of a young woman. One moment, the chamber was silent, save for the faint hum of the ship's activity outside. The next, she stood there, as if she had materialized from thin air, her presence commanding attention like a lightning bolt striking in a clear sky.

The woman was stunning, her beauty radiating with an almost otherworldly intensity. She wore a sleek red one-piece dress that hugged her figure, the fabric shimmering faintly as it caught the light. The dress's design was elegant yet bold, with a slit running up one side, revealing long, toned legs. Her long, flowing hair cascaded like a dark waterfall, reaching down her back and moving gently as though caught in a breeze that wasn't there. Her piercing eyes carried a mix of weariness and ferocity, and her full lips were set in a subtle, determined line.

Fullbody nearly fell out of his chair. His face flushed, and for a brief, humiliating moment, he thought he might actually get a nosebleed. He straightened himself up, gripping the armrests of his chair as he tried to compose his thoughts.

"W-What the—?" he stammered, his voice cracking slightly before he caught himself. Shaking his head, he forced a more serious expression onto his face, though his cheeks still burned. "How did the meeting go?"

The woman said nothing at first. Instead, she strode forward with effortless grace, her heels clicking softly against the wooden floor. Without so much as a word of permission, she reached out, snatched the wine glass from Fullbody's hand, and downed its contents in a single gulp.

Her expression spoke volumes. The subtle furrow of her brows and the way her lips pressed together told a story of frustration and annoyance. Fullbody leaned back, his earlier embarrassment now replaced with concern as he watched her.

Setting the glass back on the desk with a faint clink, she exhaled sharply, as if trying to dispel the tension from her shoulders. Then, she turned to Fullbody, her gaze locking onto his.

"He wants us to come in personally," she said, her voice steady but tinged with weariness.

Fullbody blinked, momentarily stunned by her words. "Wait," he said, leaning forward, his tone laced with disbelief. "The big guy himself?"

She shook her head, her flowing hair swaying with the motion. "No," she replied, her voice heavy with implication. "Only Fero. But he said Goku is close to something big."

Fullbody's expression darkened, the weight of the statement settling over him. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he processed the information. "I see," he murmured, his earlier carefree demeanor now fully replaced with the seriousness of a Marine officer in the New World.

Fullbody leaned back in his chair, his gaze narrowing slightly as he processed the woman's words. "He wants us to come in personally," he repeated, his tone tinged with unease. "That's not a good sign."

The woman, still standing before him, crossed her arms, her sharp features softened only slightly by the warm light filtering through the window. "You think I don't know that?" she retorted, her voice steady but with an edge of frustration. "I wouldn't have teleported halfway across the New World just to tell you if it wasn't serious."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication. The unspoken weight of their predicament lingered between them, and though the island outside the warship's window was bustling with life, the two Marines were locked in a moment of tense introspection. Fullbody leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk as he studied her expression.

"And it's… Fero?" Fullbody asked cautiously, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

"Yes," she replied, her emerald eyes meeting his. "It's Fero. He says Goku is close to something big."

A flicker of surprise crossed Fullbody's face, quickly replaced by a mask of composure. He tapped his fingers on the desk rhythmically, his mind racing. "That explains why they want us there," he murmured. "But why now? Why not let things play out?"

The woman let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "You know better than to ask that question," she said, her voice low but pointed. "We work for people who see the world in terms of opportunities and risks. If they think this is the moment to act, then it means the stakes are higher than we know."

Fullbody sighed and leaned back in his chair again, his earlier ease replaced with a palpable tension. He ran a hand through his blonde hair, his sunglasses slipping slightly down the bridge of his nose. "I don't like this," he muttered. "We're being dragged into something we don't fully understand. And for what? To keep their chessboard neat and tidy?"

The woman uncrossed her arms and stepped closer, her tone softening slightly. "You're not wrong," she admitted. "But if we don't play along, you know what happens."

He nodded grimly, the unspoken consequences settling over him like a heavy cloak. He glanced out the window again, his gaze sweeping over the bustling docks and the carefree islanders. "It always comes back to him, doesn't it?"

The woman tilted her head slightly, her expression inscrutable. "Goku," she said simply, the name carrying a weight that neither of them could ignore.

Fullbody chuckled humorlessly, draining the last drops of wine from the bottle on his desk. "Well," he said, setting the empty glass down with a decisive clink, "if we're going to meet Fero, we'd better be ready. Because if Goku's involved, nothing about this will be simple."

Fullbody leaned back, exhaling deeply as he studied the woman before him. "So, are we sailing there, or are you going to pull one of your tricks and teleport us?" he asked, the corner of his mouth quirking into a sardonic smile.

The woman shook her head, her flowing hair catching the light. "Sailing to Elbaf would take weeks we don't have," she replied curtly. "Time is a luxury we can't afford. I'll teleport us there. Don't worry about the giants—they won't notice a thing. I'll drop us where we need to be."

"Elbaf's a big place," Fullbody countered, his tone skeptical. "What part are we talking about?"

"The lowest," she said simply, her voice steady but carrying an edge of gravity. "That's where Fero is stationed. He's looking for one of them."

At her words, Fullbody's face tightened. He crossed his arms and leaned forward, his tone dropping. "And what about Goku? Is he close to finding one of them too?"

The woman hesitated, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossing her otherwise composed features. "Maybe," she said at last, her voice quieter but no less serious. "Fero didn't say, but we're not taking any chances."

Fullbody sighed, pushing his chair back and standing. "Alright," he said, brushing his uniform and adjusting his sunglasses. "Let's get this over with. Do your thing."

The woman extended her hand toward him. "Hold tight," she instructed, her emerald eyes locking with his. Fullbody grasped her hand firmly, her touch cool but resolute.

She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply, her features sharpening with intense focus. A faint aura of energy began to radiate from her, distorting the air around them. Fullbody felt a strange tugging sensation, as though the room itself were pulling away from them.

In an instant, the chamber dissolved into nothingness. The walls, the desk, the window—everything blurred and vanished, leaving behind a fleeting sensation of weightlessness. Then, with a soundless flicker, they were gone, disappearing as though they had never been there at all.

[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]