One Piece: General Blue

Red Tree Zone 13.

At the top of a small hill, Rayleigh, laden with bags of various sizes, smiled wryly at the woman behind him. She was still picking up random items from the small bar they owned.

"Shakky, that's enough! We need to leave the center of this storm immediately. If we delay any further, those Admirals from Marine Headquarters will encircle Sabaody. Three Celestial Dragons killed here, all at once—this is undoubtedly the craziest event in decades across the seas."

Shakky, dressed in a tank top with short hair, ignored him and continued rummaging as though she intended to take the bar's tables, chairs, and cleaning rags with her.

"Let's go already! If we don't leave now, we won't make it. I can feel fatal danger closing in," Rayleigh urged as he squinted, looking toward a certain direction in the mangrove forest.

"Hmph! Easy for you to say," Shakky retorted. "I've worked hard to build up this little place. You, a drunkard, could never understand the depth of my attachment to it."

She picked up a large bag from behind the bar, grabbed a broom near the door, locked the bar with a rusty old padlock, and sighed.

"Don't say that. I've contributed too, haven't I? Coating ships is a popular trade here on Sabaody," Rayleigh said, using his sword like a stick to balance his bags as he walked down the hill toward the inland sea beside the bar.

"Wait here. I'll bring the ship over," he added, dropping his bags, stripping off his shirt, and diving into the water.

Shakky turned to look at the small bar on the hill, sighed, and pulled out a cigarette from her pocket.

The slender lady's cigarette rested between her red lips as she gently exhaled a wisp of smoke.

"Are the new pirate supernovas really this daring now? Killing Celestial Dragons without hesitation... What a pity. I won't have the chance to meet such a 'hero' face to face," she murmured.

Lost in thought, she suddenly noticed bubbles rapidly emerging from the water's surface.

A massive shadow beneath the water quickly expanded, and moments later, a gigantic dome-shaped mass burst through the surface, scattering waves.

It was a massive three-masted ship, its surface coated in a shimmering soap bubble that glittered with light.

The ship had a deep red sail and a prominent red ram at its bow. Underneath the ram, two intricately carved mermaids stretched their arms to hold it aloft, with a dark cannon barrel nestled between their waists.

Shakky froze at the sight of this rare and luxurious vessel, her cigarette forgotten between her lips.

"How is this ship here?"

"Ha! After Roger passed, of course, the ship stayed with me. Do you think I learned coating here in Sabaody for nothing? Stop gawking and get aboard. We need to make a quick stop at Zone 1 before we leave," Rayleigh called, his wet figure grinning brightly.

He stroked the ship's mast with a nostalgic look in his eyes before tearing the bubble coating with a swift motion.

Pop!

The soap bubble enveloping the ship burst with a soft sound. Rayleigh grabbed a rope and pulled it taut.

Whap!

The massive crimson sail unfurled in the wind, revealing its name:

GOLD ROGER!

This legendary ship, known as the Oro Jackson, was crafted from the legendary Adam Wood by Tom the Fishman, a shipwright from Water 7.

Rayleigh, eyes brimming with emotion, unsheathed his sword and raised it high.

"Set sail! The Roger Pirates!"

Shakky shook her head, smiling at the spirited old man as she jumped onto the deck.

"At your age, don't get too caught up in those fiery memories. You'll give yourself high blood pressure."

"Hahaha! You always know how to kill the mood, Shakky," Rayleigh laughed, wiping away a tear before heading to the helm.

"I'll leave handling the sails to you," he added.

"Why are we stopping at Zone 1? To rescue those slaves?" Shakky asked as she adjusted the ropes.

Rayleigh nodded. "Sabaody is about to face a massive purge. Leaving those poor souls here would mean their end. Since we're abandoning this place anyway, we might as well take them with us. It won't take long. What do you say?"

"Do whatever you want," Shakky replied, smiling as she exhaled smoke. "You're the captain now."

"Hahaha! You're unusually gentle today, Shakky," Rayleigh chuckled.

Zone 1 Red Tree Area - Auction House

"You idiots! Why are you still here? Get the ship ready now! Forget about those damned slaves! This place is about to be destroyed!" Berkeley, the auction house manager, yelled at the guards still dragging around the slaves.

"But, Mr. Berkeley, these slaves belong to the Donquixote Family. If we don't keep them intact, we'll face their wrath," one of the guards said, stubbornly pulling a variety of slaves.

Berkeley cursed under his breath, grabbed a box containing a Devil Fruit and a sword, and ran.

"You guys can stay and protect those damn slaves if you want. I'm leaving!" he shouted, not looking back.

The chaos spread as news of the Celestial Dragons' deaths echoed across the islands. Fear gripped everyone, from pirates to merchants, all scrambling to flee Sabaody. Meanwhile, ordinary residents locked themselves indoors, bracing for the storm to come.

In the midst of the panic, the legendary Oro Jackson unfurled its sails once more, ready to make history.

On this vast sea, the most legendary ship—Roger Pirates' Oro Jackson!

Also known as the Golden Jackson!

The entire ship was built from the precious wood of the Adam Tree, crafted by the shipwright of Water 7, the Fish-Man Tom.

Seeing the sails of the Oro Jackson billowing once again, Rayleigh's eyes grew misty. He swiftly drew the long sword from his waist and raised it high.

"Set sail! Roger Pirates!"

Shakky looked at the suddenly spirited old man, shook her head with a smile, picked up her bag, and jumped aboard the deck.

"You're so old now. Stop reminiscing about those fiery youthful days, or you'll end up with high blood pressure."

"Hahaha, you really know how to spoil the mood, Shakky."

Rayleigh discreetly wiped away the moisture at the corner of his eye, sheathed his sword, and walked to the helm at the bow of the ship to take control.

"I'll leave the handling of the sails to you, Shakky."

Shakky nodded, grabbed the rope hanging from the mast, and looked at the old man's back. "Why are we heading to Red Tree District No. 1? Are you planning to rescue those slaves?"

Rayleigh nodded.

"Sabaody is about to face a massive purge. If those poor slaves stay here, they'll meet a tragic fate. Since we're already abandoning this place as our retirement haven, why not take these pitiful souls with us? It's just a small effort and won't take too much time. What do you think?"

"Do as you please," Shakky said, taking a puff from her cigarette with a smile. "After all, you're the captain now."

"Hahaha, you're surprisingly kind today, Shakky."

...

Red Tree District No. 1, Auction House.

"You idiots! What are you still doing here? Get that ship out of here now! Forget about those worthless slaves—this cursed place is about to be destroyed!"

The auction house president, Berkeley, his face still bruised and swollen, yelled furiously at the guards who were still dragging the slaves around.

"But, President Berkeley, these slaves belong to the Donquixote family. If we don't preserve them intact, we'll face retaliation from the Donquixote family," one of the guards stubbornly argued while dragging a group of diverse slaves, clearly not fully obeying Berkeley's orders.

It was obvious that while Berkeley might be the nominal president of the auction house, the Donquixote family was the true controller behind the scenes.

The eloquent Mr. Berkeley was merely a pawn working for them.

Seeing the guards' stubbornness, Berkeley stomped his feet in rage.

Suddenly, he turned around, snatched the box containing the Bug-Bug Fruit and the renowned blade Shigure from a burly guard, and ran off.

"Fine! You can stay here and safeguard Doflamingo's property. I'm leaving first!"

"Oh, by the way, President Berkeley, are you going to notify the Young Master about what's happening here?" a guard called out, without trying to stop him.

"I will! Just stay here and protect the slaves!" Berkeley shouted while running, cursing inwardly.

Notify Doflamingo?

Like hell I will!

The conversation between Saint Rosward and Doflamingo at the auction earlier had made it clear to the sharp-minded Berkeley that he had thoroughly offended the fiery-tempered Young Master.

Even if the incident with Saint Rosward's family hadn't occurred, Berkeley's future was already bleak.

What's worse, Doflamingo might have killed him as a scapegoat anyway.

Since that's the case, he might as well grab some treasures and escape on his own.

Berkeley glanced at the fruit and blade in his hands and thought of the missing mermaid. His heart ached slightly.

"What a perfect mermaid… If it weren't for that damned Rosward interfering, I could've sold her for over 1 billion Berries by now."

He looked at the golden box in his left hand, then at the famous blade in his right, and suddenly had an idea.

"That's it! I'll eat this Devil Fruit myself, take this weapon, and find a safe sea. I can seize a small island and live a noble life there."

"If I eat this fruit, I'll gain powers comparable to a Superhuman. As long as I avoid the Grand Line, I'll definitely dominate in any of the Four Blues."

Thinking this, Berkeley took a bite of the Bug-Bug Fruit from the box.

Forcing himself to swallow the first bite of fruit flesh, he gazed out at the sea.

"Of the Four Blues, the East Blue is the weakest. I'll go there, become a local tyrant, and enslave those lovely country girls. Heh, just thinking about it excites me."

...

Meanwhile, the news of the Celestial Dragon's death spread across every district of the Sabaody Archipelago.

Instantly, an icy fear enveloped the entire island.

At that moment, whether they were slave traders, pirates, or merchants engaged in illegal dealings, everyone fled in panic, taking their valuables and escaping from Sabaody.

The ordinary residents of the island, however, retreated into their homes, locking their doors, trembling as they awaited the arrival of those who would decide their fate.

.....

In Soap Bubble Park, Old Tommy pushed his cart, looking at the chaotic scene of tourists and shopkeepers fleeing in screams. He was at a loss.

"I shouldn't have been greedy. I should've gone home last year. Margery and Emily have been waiting for me to return."

Touching the bulging Berries in his pocket, he thought of the cheerful young pair he'd met earlier.

"I wonder how that young man and woman are doing now. I hope we'll meet again someday."

Taking a deep breath, Old Tommy let go of his trusty cart, a companion of many years. A look of relief crossed his face. "It's decided! I'm going home tomorrow—back to Water 7!"

"I'll bring them some Sabaody specialties. It'll cost some Berries, but it's worth it. They'll be so happy to see me when I arrive."

"It's a shame the unique bubble products of Yarukiman Mangroves burst outside the island. Otherwise, I'd bring them a bubble bike."

"Margery and Emily, I miss you so much!"

Old Tommy grew emotional.

Finally, he was going home!

.....

Swoosh.

A dazzling slash of sword light tore through the sky, severing the massive red tree, splitting the ground, and slicing the towering Ferris wheel and roller coaster into two.

A black-robed elder with a crescent-moon hairstyle gracefully descended from the split treetop, landing in the park cleaved in half by his sword. Slowly, he sheathed the blade at his waist.

"Fugitives will be executed without mercy."

Rumble.

An abandoned cart rolled down the hill and fell into the dust.

(End of Chapter)

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