novelno Chapter 296 - 295: Perona and Kuma’s Death
Chapter 296 - 295: Perona and Kuma’s Death
For the first time, Zephyr truly felt Sakazuki's determination.
He couldn't put his feelings into words.
But the fire in his heart, which had lain dormant for so long, was suddenly reignited.
Perhaps… in his lifetime, he really would live to see that day...
Zephyr suddenly laughed.
There was a trace of relief in his smile:
"What do you need me to do, Sakazuki."
"This old man can still fight on the seas for another twenty years."
"After teaching students for so many years, my bones are getting rusty… my hands are itching to move again..."
Morris shook his head with a smile beside him:
"At your age, you still refuse to accept it."
"Can you beat Kaido now, or can you beat Charlotte Linlin?"
"Another twenty years on the battlefield? Just teaching the students properly is the greatest help you can give Sakazuki."
Zephyr's face stiffened a little:
"You bastard…"
Though what Morris said was true… they'd started their usual back-and-forth.
By the window.
Sakazuki, who had turned around, looked at the two bickering men and smiled:
"Enough, you two."
"Vice Admiral Morris is right. The World Military Draft is about to begin."
"The training of the new recruits is also a top priority."
"I'd like to ask the two of you, along with some Vice Admirals and department personnel, to compile a few books to pass down."
Morris and Zephyr both stopped bickering.
"Books?"
Sakazuki nodded:
"That's right."
"They'll be divided into three volumes: first aid, survival, and military."
"The table of contents must be detailed."
"The first aid book will cover various common illnesses and emergency medical treatment."
"The survival book will teach how to survive in different island environments."
"As for the military book, it will contain basic combat knowledge, strategies, and formations — allowing ordinary people to quickly grasp them."
Morris and Zephyr's expressions turned serious.
A very practical idea.
Though the content of the three books sounded simple, the knowledge contained within would be extremely rich and useful.
If an ordinary person could look things up in the index and quickly master first aid, survival, and even basic military knowledge, it would greatly increase their chances of survival.
Once published, it would spread across the world like wildfire.
But if mass-distributed… pirates would inevitably get their hands on it too...
Seeing the hesitation in their eyes, Sakazuki said:
"Don't worry. Before the pirates are eliminated, these books will only be distributed to the branch offices in the Four Seas. One set per branch."
Sakazuki's tone paused slightly:
"This is to ensure that..."
"If we fail, the branch offices in the Four Seas will have the ability to rebuild the Marines."
After all, pirates weren't their only enemies…
Even if the final battle was calculated to end in victory, an extra layer of preparation never hurt.
Morris's face was stern, and Zephyr was unusually grave as well:
"Don't worry, Sakazuki."
"Leave it to us."
"We won't let you down."
...
Night.
Former Marineford — now G-1 Branch.
Sakazuki stood at the fortress wall, looking down at the brightly lit island.
Soldiers were busy, constantly moving supplies onto ships.
Relocating the base wasn't something that could be done in a short time.
Step, step, step—
Footsteps approached.
Karol walked over:
"The warships are ready. Shall we depart now, Fleet Admiral?"
Sakazuki nodded:
"Let's go."
He turned and headed toward the staircase leading down the fortress, Karol following close behind.
Their figures slowly disappeared down the stairs.
Only their fading voices remained:
"Issue the Warlord Summons."
"Within five days, all must assemble at the Navy branch on the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Draw additional forces from the Grand Line branches…"
Their voices finally disappeared completely.
Before long, several warships slowly sailed out of the harbor, heading toward Sabaody Archipelago.
...
South Blue, Sorbet Kingdom.
Inside the brightly lit royal palace, Queen Mother Connie and Bonney's eyes were swollen red from crying.
They clung tightly to Bartholomew Kuma.
Kuma remained silent, allowing them to hold him.
Sabo sat on the rooftop of a distant palace, covering one eye with his hand as tears streamed down his face.
Bang!
His fist almost smashed through the roof.
"Is there really nothing we can do…"
"Kuma is such a gentle man… why…"
Dragon stood silently, expressionless, though the bulging veins on his clenched fist betrayed his inner turmoil.
Save one person, and a kingdom dies.
Sacrifice one person, and a kingdom lives.
There's no right answer to such a choice — only the question of whether that person is willing to give everything...
In the distance.
A guard came running in panic, gasping for breath:
"No! This is bad!!!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki has issued the Warlord Summons!"
"All must arrive at Sabaody Archipelago within five days!!"
Though the announcement had only been made half a day ago, the entire kingdom already knew — their king had sacrificed himself to become one of the Warlords, to protect them.
Queen Mother Connie, still holding Kuma, suddenly lifted her head:
"Outrageous!!!"
"It was seven days before — now it's only five!!!"
"I… I…!!!"
Her face turned pale, nearly fainting from rage.
Kuma and Bonney quickly comforted her, patting her back to steady her breathing.
"No… don't go, Kuma."
"I'll… I'll contact other nations…"
Kuma had already made up his mind. He shook his head:
"There's no need."
"This order came directly from the Elders. Even if you unite with other nations, nothing will change."
"The sudden Warlord Summons means something has happened."
"I'll go investigate first."
"I am still the king of Sorbet Kingdom. I'll be fine for now."
He turned to Bonney:
"Bonney, protect Grandma."
"From now on, Sorbet Kingdom will be in your hands."
He turned his gaze toward the darkness outside the palace.
Though no figures could be seen in the night, both Dragon and Kuma nodded in silent understanding.
Kuma smiled gently at his family, then patted himself on the chest.
Whoosh—
"Father!!!"
Bonney lunged at the spot where Kuma had been… only to embrace empty air.
She fell to her knees, pounding the floor again and again as tears dripped down endlessly.
...
Grand Line, Alabasta.
Rainbase, inside the Rain Dinners casino.
In the massive office, Robin was reporting on the Dance Powder operation.
She was interrupted by the ringing of a Den Den Mushi.
Crocodile picked it up, but after only two or three breaths, his expression darkened.
Whoever was on the other end said something — and then hung up directly, not giving Crocodile even a shred of respect.
Crocodile took a deep breath to steady himself, then calmly put down the Den Den Mushi.
Boom!!!
Still, he couldn't hold it back—
The table was smashed in half.
"Bastard!"
"Are you kidding me!"
"Five days to get to the Sabaody Archipelago!"
"They might as well tell me to fly!!!"
This was Alabasta... To reach the Sabaody Archipelago in five days, there was no way other than flying.
Robin shrugged.
"BOSS, you actually can fly."
Crocodile turned his head to look at Robin and gave a cold snort… Of course, did she need to say it?
He was just extremely annoyed. It had been a long time since he'd felt this sensation of being ordered around by someone else...
Reaching the Sabaody Archipelago in five days wasn't a problem, but it meant pushing day and night without rest.
The moment someone gave the order, he had to obey...
The more he thought about it, the more the fire surged in his chest. He quickly regulated his breathing.
"Huu—"
"Huu—"
Eyes closed, deep breaths, suppressing the rage...
"You take care of Rain Dinners for now."
"I'll deal with it when I get back."
Crocodile's voice was icy as he opened his eyes, walked to the window, and pushed it open...
His body turned into a swirl of sand and wind and shot out of the room.
Papers and documents scattered everywhere under the gust of wind.
Robin fell silent. There was only one person who could pressure Crocodile to this extent...
"Truly terrifying..."
"Sakazuki..."
...
The Grand Line, Kegesi Island.
Once a rich island blessed with dense forests and abundant resources.
But after Roger's army slaughtered over five thousand people, the prosperity was gone for good.
Although Roger's bloodline had been severed and vengeance taken, even with more than twenty years to heal...
Many children grew up without the guidance of their fathers' authority.
Smothered by mothers' fear of losing more loved ones, the younger generation of the island became nothing but delinquents...
Wasting their days, forming gangs, getting into fights—it was an everyday thing.
Ston Town.
The place where Sakazuki once fought Roger.
In a shabby, old wooden hut on the edge of town.
"You can't do this! Isaac!!!"
A young woman tightly grabbed the arm of a man who resembled her in appearance but was slightly older.
Isaac flung her hand away with force.
"Get off me!"
The young woman was thrown aside.
"Aliya, you're already married. Everything in this house belongs to me."
"You have no right to boss me around!"
Aliya shouted through tears.
"That's the living allowance the country gave to Mom!"
"You're even taking that! Are you even human!"
On the bed nearby sat an elderly woman, vacant and dull, muttering the word "revenge" over and over...
She had once followed the king's lead to the South Blue to seek vengeance...
But after that day of revenge... caught between overwhelming grief and joy... many had gone mad.
Thankfully, the king had been responsible—half of the nation's finances were spent on compensating these people.
That was also why Kegesi Island's economy had never recovered...
Isaac roared back.
"To hell with her!"
"She's the one who ran off to the South Blue for some stupid revenge!"
"Otherwise we wouldn't be like this!"
"She just sits there all day, blank and useless! She might as well die!!!"
"Revenge! Revenge!"
"You can't kill all the pirates!"
"So what if that guy Sakazuki declared war on the pirates!"
"It's just empty talk from people at the top!"
"Have there been fewer pirates these years?"
"Why did he have to save this island in the first place!"
"If he hadn't, no one here would be living in this hell!!!"
Smack!!!
Aliya's hand struck Isaac's face.
"He saved you! He saved me! He saved Mom! He saved this island!!!"
Isaac clenched his fists, face twisted as he slowly turned his head.
"Who asked him to save us..."
From childhood, enduring suffering after suffering, he'd often wondered...
If they had all died back then, wouldn't it have been easier...
Clatter—
The contents of the drawer spilled across the floor.
Somehow, their vacant, senile mother had wandered to the cabinet, opened the drawer, and fumbled inside.
She pulled out a small box and walked toward them.
Inside were scattered Belly—not much money.
But judging from the look of it, she had probably saved it up more than ten years ago, before going to the South Blue to avenge...
The siblings froze, unsure how to react.
Their senile mother, seeing they didn't take it, shoved it into Isaac's hands.
"Revenge... revenge..."
"Money... for... Sakazuki... sama..."
"Kill... pirates..."
"Revenge..."
"Revenge..."
She was clearly older than Sakazuki, Yet still addressed him with honorifics, like he was their savior...
For just a moment, her eyes almost cleared, but soon she was back to muttering "revenge" over and over again...
Isaac trembled all over, eyes bloodshot.
"Revenge?"
"To hell with that!!!"
Bang!
He hurled the box of scattered Belly to the ground.
And stormed out...
But when he reached the center of town...
The streets were full of celebrating people... celebrating Sakazuki's promotion to Fleet Admiral... celebrating the destruction of pirates...
Countless people, clutching money and goods, were walking toward the Navy branch base... just like his senile mother...
Isaac froze, fists trembling as he screamed.
"They're crazy... they're all crazy!!!"
As if every ounce of strength had drained from him...
Thud!
He fell to his knees, sobbing.
...
Five days later.
Sabaody Archipelago.
A massive, shadowy ship docked at the shore.
The newcomer was none other than one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea— Moria.
Moria stepped out.
"Finally here, damn Navy."
"Calling for some assembly order... what a pain."
"Perona, go to the island and gather some intel, see if there's any news about Absalom."
Perona, dressed like a terrifying porcelain doll, floated out.
"Got it."
"Horororororo..."
Moria nodded, walking alone toward the Navy branch base.
Absalom had disappeared without a trace for too long. Only then did Moria realize something had happened.
He hurriedly brought Perona along to look for him.
The main base was still being guarded by Hogback, so there was nothing to worry about.
After Moria left, Perona drifted aimlessly around the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Ah—"
"Where should I even look?"
"Seriously."
"That..."
Pop!
Like a shattered illusion.
Perona's ghostly form suddenly vanished into nothingness.
On the dark, massive ship—
Karol pulled out the sword buried in Perona's heart, gave it a flick, then stowed away the Devil Fruit Recovery Device.
"That was unexpectedly easy..."
Perona's ghost was actually her soul. Once her soul left her body, the body itself became an unconscious puppet, unable to do anything.
That was why she loved collecting dolls— No one ever thought she had a real body, let alone guessed it was hidden inside a doll.
Unfortunately...
Swish—
Karol disappeared.
Leaving behind a pile of struggling zombies... and Perona's headless corpse...
...
Navy branch base.
There was still some time before the meeting.
But inside the hall, only three Warlords were present: Jinbei, Crocodile, and the Kuja Pirates' representative—Gloriosa.
Moria hadn't dealt with Sakazuki before, so he didn't pay it much mind.
As for Bartholomew Kuma... he always showed up at the last second...
Swish—
As time ticked down, Kuma suddenly appeared inside the conference room.
Jinbei and Crocodile both tensed slightly... That ability...
Gloriosa didn't care much. Even if someone was strong, Amazon Lily didn't have the strength to worry about that...
Sakazuki cracked his neck.
"Put the cuffs on him."
"Someone from the World Government will be here shortly to take you."
Two soldiers walked up from afar, carrying the cuffs.
Sakazuki's casual attitude surprised Kuma slightly.
But after a brief silence, he still extended his hands...
His kingly title hadn't been stripped yet. The final judgment hadn't come. After a brief hesitation, Kuma gave up on resisting.
The soldiers fastened the cuffs.
A wave of weakness washed over him... Seastone... The thought flashed through Kuma's mind.
Seeing him cuffed in Seastone, Sakazuki nodded.
"Dark Hound."
Pchhk!
The sound of flesh being pierced rang out.
Sitting at the head of the table, Sakazuki's arm had silently turned into a blazing flow of magma—In an instant, it pierced through Kuma's chest.
Sakazuki shook off the magma, his arm returning to flesh.
He stood up and walked toward the fallen Kuma, whose chest now had a gaping, half–torso-sized hole.
"Idiot."
Kuma's usually emotionless face was filled with shock and disbelief. He never thought Sakazuki would dare...
Sakazuki glanced at Karol, who had returned at some point.
"Send him to Egghead Island for modification."
Karol smiled, nodded, and signaled two soldiers to carry Kuma away... Paw-Paw Fruit secured...
Sakazuki had no intention of sending him there alive...
Such a Devil Fruit was better kept under his own control.
Sakazuki's gaze swept across Jinbei and Crocodile, both drenched in cold sweat, alert and tense.
"What are you panicking for."
"You're still useful."
"You won't die."
His eyes slowly shifted toward the figure approaching from outside the base...that useless fool...
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total