Chapter 104: Piero Arrives! (Please Subscribe, Recommend, and Vote)

At the Navy Headquarters, Sengoku was so furious upon receiving the report that he puffed out his cheeks and glared fiercely.

“What a Buffon! I never expected this kid to be hiding so deep. Forget about his identity as the White Ghost, he actually killed a Celestial Dragon—and under the protection of Princess Kiku! What’s most infuriating is that he managed to escape!”

Hawk, standing nearby, sighed regretfully. “We really should have… back then.”

Meanwhile, Garp, chewing on roasted meat, laughed carelessly. “This kid’s got my taste. If he hadn’t killed a Celestial Dragon, I’d personally go fetch him and put him in line—make him serve the Navy properly!”

Sengoku’s anger flared even higher. “Garp, and your favorite grandson too—he played a big part in the Alabasta incident!”

Garp burst into hearty laughter. “He’s got skills alright! No wonder he’s my grandson!”

Hawk saw Sengoku was about to confront Garp and quickly interjected, “At this point, we should focus on how to respond to the World Government’s inquiries. Knowing Princess Kiku’s nature, she won’t let Buffon go and will pursue him relentlessly. If the World Government decides to issue a Demon-Slaying Order, what then?”

Sengoku calmed himself and slowly replied, “According to the World Government’s protocols, this incident probably won’t be made public. As long as Buffon has some sense and doesn’t spread this worldwide, they won’t issue that order. We must send admirals—more than just one!”

Hawk pondered Sengoku’s words deeply before responding, “Indeed. We don’t know the specifics of CP0’s mission in Alabasta, but it’s unlikely to be good. To avoid another Ohara-like disaster, Sakazuki shouldn’t go. Kuzan should be sent to Alabasta, and Borsalino to pursue Buffon!”

Garp raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Isn’t that a bit over the top?”

“If he could kill a Celestial Dragon under Princess Kiku’s protection and escape, even sending all three admirals wouldn’t be excessive. As for the wanted order, we’ll decide once the Government weighs in,” Sengoku said firmly before issuing commands. Besides dispatching the two admirals, he ordered all forces in the nearby waters to be moved to Alabasta.

He trusted that this time, the transfer would not be blocked as it had been when Smoker requested reinforcements days earlier.

Yet, when he tried calling the Den Den Mushi aboard Hinai’s ship, no one answered for a long time.

“Could it be that this Buffon has stirred up some new trouble again?” he muttered.

***

At the Sandora Canal, under the Navy’s pursuit, the Juventus was nearing Iruma, where it encountered the just-departed Golden Merry.

As the two ships passed, over thirty Navy vessels appeared at the river’s mouth, forming a blockade.

Luffy looked at the fleet and exclaimed, “So many warships! Getting out won’t be easy!”

At that moment, another ship at Iruma’s harbor stirred—a pirate ship adorned with a swan figurehead was preparing to approach the Navy fleet.

Passing closely by, a group disguised as members of the Straw Hat crew and the Juventus crew shouted to Funkley aboard the ship, “Captain, we’re going! One last escort for you! Find the New Okama Paradise and give our regards to Ivankov-sama!”

Funkley, tears in his eyes, shouted back, “Thank you, my boys!”

Buffon, seeing an okama disguised as himself on the opposite ship, mentally sighed in disbelief.

Reiju, noticing Buffon’s strange expression, told Funkley, “Send your people off. We’ll get through this blockade without any trouble!”

No sooner had she spoken than the Navy ships opened fire.

Smoker, aboard the Straw Hats’ ship, ordered Hinai, “Attack the Golden Merry and don’t let the Straw Hats escape!”

As Hinai prepared to issue orders, Buffon leapt from the Juventus toward them.

Before he could land on deck, Hinai used his Kankankaku fruit’s power to imprison him in an iron cage.

When the cage touched down, the two finally saw who it was.

“Sand Crocodile, and four high-level agents!” Hinai muttered through his cigarette, surprised.

“Are they sending us military honors in exchange for letting them escape?” Smoker whispered.

But Hinai’s mind was elsewhere. Since uncovering Buffon’s identity as the White Ghost, she increasingly felt he was not an ordinary pirate.

Not only had he earned military merits, but his efforts to aid Alabasta’s civilians shocked her. Just like when Buffon stitched up Navy corpses and beat Spandam mercilessly, his actions embodied the justice she believed the Navy should uphold.

With this in mind, Hinai spoke, “Maybe we should let them go this time?”

Smoker recalled how Buffon’s crew had saved him in the rainy terrain and everything Buffon had done for Alabasta. He sighed before feigning reluctance: “Capturing Buffon’s crew should be the admirals’ job. We’ll focus on the Straw Hats and imprison those causing chaos in Alabasta!”

They then directed their cannon fire toward the Golden Merry.

Caught between two forces, Chopper, Usopp, and Nami panicked aboard the Golden Merry, but the other three seemed unfazed.

Luffy inflated his body like a giant balloon to bounce the cannonballs.

Zoro and Sanji, ever rivals, took turns using their sword and kicks to shatter or kick back any that slipped past.

Meanwhile, aboard the Juventus, Buffon positioned a cannon powered by the Inu Inu fruit at the bow and aimed it forward.

“Pierrot, fire!” he commanded.

“Pierrot” was the name Buffon gave the cannon.

Pierrot launched football-shaped bombs, which Buffon kicked with precision toward the Navy ships.

His aim was impeccable, striking the masts of ships hundreds of meters away without fail.

Without skilled crews, the dozens of ships quickly lost power.

At that moment, Reiju in her battle suit pulled Robin and the miniaturized Lily toward the Navy fleet.

In no time, these three formidable women sank several ships, creating a large gap in the blockade.

Seeing this, Nami directed Usopp to speed toward the gap.

The Juventus followed closely, blocking cannon fire as they rushed through.

As they passed through, the three women returned to the ship.

Under the watch of thousands of Navy personnel on dozens of ships, Buffon unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki, knocking them all unconscious.

Smoker and Hinai, hot on their trail, sighed in unison, “Saving the Navy comes first!”

When news reached Navy Headquarters that Carocdar’s crew had been captured while Buffon and the Straw Hats escaped, Hinai and Smoker received new orders: to stand by and await the admirals’ arrival.

***

After escaping the blockade, the two ships slowed after half a day of swift sailing.

The Straw Hats, grateful to be alive, gathered on the Juventus for a celebration.

Everyone drank and sang happily, except Nami, who stared anxiously at the navigation compass.

Robin noticed Nami’s worried behavior and asked, “Navigator, is something wrong?”

Nami felt nervous instinctively, recalling Robin’s past—how she had destroyed Icarum’s ship at Whisky Peak, and her former position as Baroque Works’ top commander.

Still, trusting Buffon, Nami showed Robin the compass.

That glance stirred a storm inside Robin.

She solemnly declared, “The compass isn’t moving upward—it means its magnetic force has been taken by Skypiea!”

Her voice was loud, drawing everyone’s attention as Luffy’s crew crowded around to look.

Buffon showed little surprise; the outcome was exactly as he expected.

Four hundred years ago, the Apayado, originally part of Gaia Island on the Blue Sea, was swept away by a massive sky current to the White White Sea.

Montblanc Norland, a North Blue navigator, had visited the intact Gaia Island and befriended its inhabitants, promising to return.

Upon his return with the king, the island had split apart, and the golden city was gone. Norland was executed for deception but died still insisting the golden city existed.

The Sky Islanders, never having seen land, regarded Apayado as sacred, occupying it and renaming it “God’s Island.”

The exiled Shandia waged a 400-year war against the Sky Islanders to reclaim their home and ring the golden bell, fulfilling their promise with Norland.

Meanwhile, a Poneglyph also exists on Skypiea.

Buffon reviewed this knowledge mentally before calling Robin into the cabin.

The room previously holding Baroque Works captives now displayed the very Poneglyph he had taken from Alabasta’s burial temple.

Robin, amazed, asked, “Is this the one from the burial temple? How did you manage that?”

Buffon shook his head seriously. “There should be another beneath the golden bell in Skypiea.”

“Do you study history too?” Robin asked, stunned.

Buffon waved his hand, feigning ignorance. “I can’t read the Poneglyphs.”

Robin guessed at Buffon’s intentions and cautiously inquired, “Captain Buffon, do you want to go to Skypiea with the Straw Hats?”

Buffon shook his head. “I killed a Celestial Dragon. If the Navy can’t find me at sea, they might look for Moria instead. As long as they know where I am, Moria and his crew are safer.

I want to build a force that can break free from the rule of the privileged class. I can’t accept the Celestial Dragons’ code of conduct. I believe many pirates set sail because they’re driven by similar reasons.”

Robin fell silent, lost in thought.

Indeed, wasn’t Buffon voicing what she herself had felt? The Ohara tragedy was the result of that privileged class’s disregard for other races.

But could Buffon truly succeed?

Handling the Navy alone was enough to keep him busy. Robin, hunted by the World Government since age eight, knew this well.

Moreover, Buffon was not alone now. While with him, they were safe; but what if separated?

Seeing Robin silent, Buffon paused before continuing, “Have you thought about your future?”

After a moment, Robin spoke earnestly, “I want to join the Juventus Pirates and fight these privileged classes with you.”

Buffon shook his head calmly. “I think your best choice is to go to Skypiea with the Straw Hats. Besides me, Vivi is also wanted by the World Government. Adding you might trigger a Demon-Slaying Order.

If you go with the Straw Hats, you can help draw the Navy and Government’s attention, and continue pursuing your dreams.”

Robin nodded. “Alright! I’ll go to Skypiea with the Straw Hats.”

In the remaining time, Robin recorded the Poneglyph’s contents and explained them carefully to Buffon, revealing even the location of the Underworld without reservation.

Buffon, already familiar, nodded calmly. “I hope this is never activated.”

Exiting the cabin, Robin approached Luffy. “Luffy, I want to join your crew!”

The Straw Hats all gasped, “You!”

Sanji’s eyes sparkled with hearts as he leered, “Welcome aboard, beautiful Miss Robin.”

Reiju sighed helplessly at her brother’s behavior. “Sigh…”

Robin then explained her reasons for joining, and Luffy responded seriously, “Okay!”

Chapter 104: Pierrot Arrives! Free to Read.