CHAPTER 127

According to the Navy's calculations, it won't be long before Caesar and his crew arrive at Sabaody Archipelago.

Sabaody is a unique and highly sensitive location. It is too close to both the Holy Land Mary Geoise and Marine Headquarters. If the Caesar Pirates cause any chaos, the situation could quickly escalate into a large-scale conflict with severe consequences.

If not handled carefully, it could even lead to a war of unprecedented scale. Whether it's Mary Geoise or Marineford, both are likely to be drawn into the conflict. At that point, the Navy would be in serious trouble.

Beyond the immediate risks, the World Government and Marines would suffer an enormous loss of face. If the situation spirals out of control, high-ranking Marine officers could face harsh scrutiny, and even Fleet Admiral Kong might be held accountable.

If it were just an ordinary pirate crew, the Navy could dismiss the threat, sending a few Vice Admirals to handle it. But the Caesar Pirates are different.

According to the latest intelligence, every member of the crew possesses formidable strength, and many wield Devil Fruit abilities that provide both offensive and defensive advantages. Among them, Lily stands out, but she is not the only dangerous one. Arnold's expert marksmanship, enhanced by the Double-Speed Fruit, poses a serious threat, even to the Navy. Additionally, Gnali and the others are highly capable combatants.

Most concerning is Caesar himself. His ability, though not tied to a Devil Fruit, is extraordinarily powerful and difficult to counter. While he may lack the strategic genius of the Golden Lion, his ability is even trickier to deal with in battle. He can attack aggressively, yet also retreat with ease—making it nearly impossible to capture him at sea.

During their last skirmish, the Marines suffered heavy losses due to Caesar's abilities. His psychic power allows him to support multiple crew members simultaneously, tipping the scales in battle. While the Navy has conducted extensive research into his ability, they have yet to determine its exact nature. Initially, some speculated that it was similar to Rocks D. Xebec's abilities, or even a variation of the Float-Float Fruit. However, these theories were ultimately discarded. Others suggested that Caesar possesses an invisible force, akin to an unseen giant hand capable of manipulating objects and defending against attacks. But even this remains unconfirmed.

Despite their frustrations, the Navy understands that Caesar's power is unlike any Devil Fruit ability recorded. It remains an unsolved mystery.

Following a high-priority meeting, Fleet Admiral Kong personally contacted Mary Geoise.

"The Caesar Pirates are expected to arrive at Sabaody soon," he reported. "We are currently spread thin. If the Celestial Dragons continue to visit the Archipelago freely, there could be... complications. It would be best to advise them against unnecessary travel in the coming days."

His words were blunt but truthful. The Navy's focus was currently on suppressing major threats in the New World, leaving fewer resources available to handle unpredictable elements like the Caesar Pirates.

The Five Elders (Gorosei) were furious upon hearing this. It was humiliating to admit that a single pirate crew warranted such concern. But they also understood the reality—Caesar was once part of the legendary Rocks Pirates. While his tenure was brief and he never officially held a high-ranking position, he carried both the name and the reputation of a Rocks Pirate.

Despite their outrage, the Gorosei reluctantly agreed to Kong's request. They knew that Caesar's abilities made him incredibly difficult to capture at sea.

Meanwhile, the Celestial Dragons were incensed upon hearing that their movements might be restricted. They berated the Gorosei for failing to eliminate a mere pirate crew. But the moment they heard that Caesar was linked to Rocks, their bravado vanished. Their demands shifted—they still insisted that the Caesar Pirates be dealt with swiftly, but they quietly abandoned any plans to roam Sabaody.

As always, the Celestial Dragons were quick to bully the weak but cower before true threats.

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[135] Furious Hades, the Mermaid to Be Auctioned

With the situation temporarily settled, high-ranking officials like Fleet Admiral Kong and the Gorosei felt a slight sense of relief. If the Celestial Dragons had insisted on wandering Sabaody, it would have made matters even more difficult for the Navy.

Meanwhile, aboard the Rex…

After several days of sailing from the Florian Triangle, the Caesar Pirates finally caught sight of the Red Line—and with it, Sabaody Archipelago.

Sabaody's location was crucial. It was the last stop before entering the New World via Fish-Man Island and a frequent gathering point for pirates. Due to its proximity to both Mary Geoise and Marineford, it was also a well-patrolled area. Despite this, many pirates visited the Archipelago, but all knew one rule: never provoke the Celestial Dragons—unless they were prepared to face an Admiral.

The island had its share of stationed Marines, ensuring that weak and reckless pirates stayed in check. But when the Caesar Pirates arrived, the reaction was different.

Their reputation had grown significantly, but now, people could witness their strength firsthand. Many had previously dismissed them as just another pirate crew, but seeing them in person changed that perception.

Among veteran pirates and local merchants, whispers spread:

"They're the real deal. A top-tier pirate crew."

Unlike massive armadas such as the Whitebeard Pirates, the Caesar Pirates were a smaller crew, prioritizing quality over quantity. Yet, their compact numbers made them even more intimidating—every member was known to be powerful.

The Rex slowly docked at Grove 41.

As the crew disembarked, many of the usual bullies and minor crime lords of Sabaody suddenly became meek, recognizing that they stood no chance against this crew.

Caesar's decision to stop at Sabaody wasn't due to a lack of resources or the inability to coat the ship. Eli, having learned from Tom the Shipwright, was more than capable of handling the coating process. If they wished, the Rex could dive toward Fish-Man Island at any time.

Instead, Caesar had another goal.

Sabaody was one of the world's most active trade hubs, particularly for Devil Fruits. Many of the grand auctions held here featured rare and powerful Devil Fruits, attracting buyers from around the world.

Perhaps today, luck would be on their side. If they could find a Devil Fruit suited for Weina or Regina, their crew's power would grow even further.

After all, in battle, the most crucial factor wasn't just raw power—it was compatibility. Even a weaker Devil Fruit could be devastating in the right hands. Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit was a prime example: its true strength was unlocked because it perfectly suited its user.

But Devil Fruits weren't the only reason for the visit.

The crew also wanted to enjoy the vibrant commerce of Sabaody. The bustling markets here offered luxuries beyond what Skypiea or other remote islands could provide. Lily, Weina, and Regina in particular were eager to explore the fashion and jewelry shops.

So, as was customary for the Caesar Pirates, they disembarked and split into three teams, ensuring that each group maintained a strong balance of combat power.

1. Caesar accompanied Lily, Weina, and Regina to Shopping Plaza No. 30.

2. Gnali, the second-strongest crew member, led Yakexi and Eli, ensuring their safety.

3. Brad and Hades—the third and fourth strongest—took Arnold and Brook.

With this setup, no matter what happened, each team could hold their own until reinforcements arrived.

As they stepped onto Sabaody's soil, they had no idea that events were already set in motion—and that a certain mermaid would soon be at the center of an explosive conflict.

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