One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

The next morning, the two ships sailed away from Thor Island.

This time, the voyage went exceptionally smoothly without any interception—it seems the world government's attention was drawn to other matters.

On the evening of the third day, the waterfall in Wano Country came into view in the distance.

The Ark Maxim and the Beasts Pirates' speedboat, piloted by Roy, soared into the sky.

Arrive at the base next to Ghost Island before nightfall.

At the port, more than a dozen Beasts Pirates warships stood ready in formation.

All the cannons were pointed towards the sea.

"It seems Kaido was prepared."

Roy stood at the bow of the ship, his Observation Haki spreading out, instantly sensing the situation of the entire base.

Within the core research area, Dr. Gracia and his researchers are still working normally.

They knew nothing about what was about to happen.

Outside the base, the members of the Beasts Pirates were on high alert, with patrol teams passing by from time to time.

Roy directly controlled the ship to land. The Beasts Pirates members were not surprised by the golden giant ship falling from the sky.

Roy brought the boat to a stop and turned to Barrett beside him, saying...

"Barrett, I'll go first. Arrange for them to set up camp at the base and prioritize its protection!"

Seeing Barrett nod, Roy immediately leaped into the air and entered the Ghost Island in a matter of moments.

They appeared in the main hall of Ghost Island.

Inside the lobby.

Kaido, who was discussing intelligence with Jin Shang, was the first to spot Roy.

"Perfect timing." A hint of joy flashed in Kaido's eyes.

"Roy, you should take a look at this intelligence too."

Roy landed next to Kaido, took the information Kaido handed him, and quickly scanned it.

The reports were largely similar, all concerning Kozuki Oden's whereabouts over the past two days—visiting former subordinates, interacting with the local people, and even making several trips to villages on the outskirts of the Flower Capital.

But what really caught Roy's attention was the last one.

"Did Orochi secretly meet with an envoy from the World Government late last night?"

Roy looked up, his eyes sharp.

"Hmph, that good-for-nothing couldn't sit still after all."

Kaido took a swig of sake, a murderous glint in his eyes.

"The scouts only saw the messenger enter the general's mansion of Kurozumi Orochi, but they couldn't see who it was."

But to be able to infiltrate the City of Flowers so quietly, evading my notice, means you're at least a high-ranking CP0 agent.

"CP0..."

Roy pondered,

"The World Government has indeed taken notice of Wano Country, but I wonder how much they know about the base."

Jhin added from the side,

"What's even more troublesome is that the timing of Kozuki Oden's return this time is too coincidental."

"He had barely returned when the World Government's envoy arrived."

To say there's no connection between these events would be too much of a coincidence.

"You mean, Kozuki Oden may have reached some kind of agreement with the World Government?"

"That possibility cannot be ruled out."

Jin analyzed,

"Although Kozuki Oden was a pirate, he was also the former leader of Wano Country."

If the World Government could help him reclaim Wano Country, he might very well accept.

Roy shook his head.

Given the World Government's intelligence capabilities, they probably would have discovered Roger and his crew's arrival at the final island long ago.

The World Government will not let these people who know the truth about the "Void Century" get away with it.

"These are all just speculations. Based on my understanding of Kozuki Oden, he probably wouldn't cooperate with the World Government."

Roy put down the intelligence he was holding.

"We only have information about Kurozumi Orochi contacting CP, but we have no way of knowing whether these CPs have contacted Kozuki Oden."

"What's your opinion?" Kaido asked, taking a swig of sake.

"I think CP might be investigating the secrets of our research base, or they might be trying to get something the World Government wants."

Kaido's eyes narrowed:

"Sea stone processing technology?"

"more than."

Roy placed the intelligence on the table.

"The World Government has a long history of interest in Wano Country."

The processing technology of sea stone is only one aspect; more importantly, it's Wano Country itself—a country that has been closed off from the world for hundreds of years, harboring far too many secrets.

Roy paused,

"And don't forget, the World Government has been hunting down the Lunaria race."

"Jin, and your existence, are likely one of the reasons they covet you."

The flames behind the ashes rose slightly:

"If they dare to come, I'll make sure they don't leave alive."

"The question isn't whether they dare to come, but when and how they will come."

Roy walked to the window in the hall and looked towards the Flower City in the distance.

"However, we have too little information right now, so guessing here won't do any good."

"Now that my people have returned to Wano Country, I can confidently entrust the defense of the research base to them."

"Tomorrow, head directly inland and see what Kurozumi Orochi is up to."

"I'll secretly take action against the CP personnel and see what secrets they have."

"Everything else is easy to solve!"

Roy's decision surprised both Kaido and King.

"Didn't you say you didn't want to get involved!?"

"I'm just not directly confronting Kozuki Oden. What does the World Government and Kurozumi Orochi have to do with him?"

A glint of malice flashed in Roy's eyes.

"And with my abilities, I'm very well-suited for this kind of occasion."

After two years of interaction, they had gained some understanding of Roy's abilities. Jin nodded slightly.

"Indeed, Captain Roy's mental perception and manipulation abilities give him a unique advantage in tracking and interrogation. But do you need my cooperation in the capture?"

"Need not."

Roy turned to face the two of them.

"You will make a grand trip to the Flower Capital tomorrow and go directly to find Kurozumi Orochi."

"The bigger the show, the better. We need to let everyone know that the Beasts Pirates are watching the General's Mansion's every move."

"Leave the CP personnel hiding in the shadows to me."

Kaido grinned:

"This is something I'm good at! It'll be a good opportunity to teach that good-for-nothing a lesson and let him know who's in charge."

"Jin, have your men continue to keep an eye on Oden."

Roy continued to make arrangements.

"We don't need direct contact, but we need to know who he met each day, where he went, and what he said."

In particular, if he has contact with people from the World Government, this must be known immediately.

"Okay." The flames behind Jin flickered slightly.

The three discussed some more details and then left one after another.

The next morning, at Ghost Island pier.

Kaido stood on a large, ornately decorated warship, followed by Queen, Jack, and dozens of elite pirates.

"My lords!"

Kaido's booming voice echoed across the dock.

"Today we're going to 'visit' our beloved General in the City of Flowers! You all better be on your best!"

"oh--!"

The pirates echoed in unison, their momentum astounding.

The warship slowly sailed away from Oni Island and headed towards the Flower Capital.

The banners bearing the mythical beasts fluttered in the morning breeze at the bow of the ship, and patrol boats along the way gave way.

Shortly after Kaido's fleet left, King also took off with a group of men, flying towards Kuri.

Roy, however, had already left Ghost Island before nightfall.