With Sakazuki's inaugural address concluded,
Under the government's promotion and the press's dissemination, the news spread across the seas that very day.
Even the remote corners of the Four Seas received the newspaper.
Sakazuki's speech served as an effective calming agent for the world's populace,
Eradicating their fear of this era.
However, the fear of pirates would require the Navy's demonstrated actions.
The newspaper's conclusion stated that Admiral Sakazuki would lead a two-year operation titled "Four Seas Sweep."
----
Naval Headquarters, Marineford.
At the port, Barrett was directing the loading of supplies.
Following Sakazuki's promotion to Admiral, Barrett was directly promoted to Vice Admiral, commanding Sakazuki's former warship.
Sakazuki would now serve as the overall commander,
Leading ten warships, including Barrett's fleet, into the Four Seas for a cleanup operation.
The primary targets were the new generation of pirates who had emerged in the past two years.
Sakazuki's Residence.
Enel gazed at the Admiral's cape hanging on the study's coat rack.
"Wow, look at the thickness."
"And these epaulets!!!!"
"So cool ahhhhhh."
This was Enel's first time observing an Admiral's cape up close.
After all, previously, the Navy only had Sengoku as an Admiral, and although Rosinante was his subordinate,
He couldn't just go to his place to look at a cape.
Sakazuki smiled and said to Karoo,
"Has the survivor of Ohara, Nico Robin, been found?"
Karoo nodded:
"Found, and under constant surveillance."
"Based on the government's general intelligence last time,"
"Upon discovering her whereabouts, five members were dispatched directly from Barrett's Roaring Assault team."
"They located her with utmost speed."
"We absolutely will not lose her."
Sakazuki pondered for a moment:
"Disguise yourself and become her teacher for two years."
Karoo looked confused:
"A teacher?"
Sakazuki nodded:
"Indeed."
"The main goal is to teach her how to survive and to instill certain ideologies."
As he spoke, he tossed several worn booklets onto the table.
Karoo's brow furrowed as he looked at "On World Order," "On Aristocracy," "On Liberty and Equality," "On Revolution..." on the table.
Sakazuki casually flipped open a book:
"Dragon cannot be contacted directly from now on."
"The general path has been laid out for him; his development from here depends on himself."
"His abilities are pervasive."
"That kid isn't foolish; someone clearly assisted him this time."
"Next time, he'll likely be more covert and cautious."
"Even specialized cloaks can be shielded from Observation Haki, there's still a risk of exposure."
"Therefore, contact is forbidden from now on."
Karoo looked at the table with understanding:
"So these are..."
Sakazuki closed the book and tossed it aside:
"Ohara and the Revolution are bound to have some connection."
"Dragon's initiative is merely a nascent form."
"If he relies solely on his own exploration, it's uncertain when it will mature."
"As for Nico Robin, she is his experience pack."
"Someday in the future, when the two converge,"
"The spark ignited will instantly engulf the world."
Karoo's brow furrowed:
"Indeed."
"But in this manner, won't things become uncontrollable?"
"If these ideologies are widely disseminated by the Revolutionary Army,"
"It will surely cause the government immense trouble."
"At that point, dozens of rebellious nations might arise."
"If it cannot be contained, we might still have to send Marines to engage them in battle."
Sakazuki said:
"That's precisely why I'm asking you to teach Nico Robin."
"They will indeed collide, but not now."
"Dragon will never imagine that an eight-year-old child would possess such knowledge."
"This world, though composed of ninety-nine percent ordinary people,"
"Is ultimately ruled by the strong."
"When they finally clash,"
"They will attract the government's attention, yet remain within our grasp."
Sakazuki chuckled, his fingers tapping incessantly on the table as he mused...
"Twenty years from now..."
----
Several days later, North Blue.
Ten massive warships were lined up at Reverse Mountain.
Accompanied by warships from various North Blue branch bases, totaling several dozen smaller vessels.
Gazing at the North Blue sea chart, they calculated the distances.
The ten main headquarters warships dispersed,
Each followed by several smaller ships, forming a line.
The warships were spaced several nautical miles apart, ensuring mutual visibility.
Sakazuki took out a Den Den Mushi:
"Commence the sweep."
The commanders of dozens of warships simultaneously gave the order, and the warships began their sweep across the North Blue.
Sakazuki, Barrett, and Enel, stationed on the third, fifth, and seventh warships respectively,
Were positioned to handle any emergent situations on either flank directly.
From an aerial view, although the formation covered only a portion of the North Blue,
A few more passes would completely screen the entire region.
----
West Blue, a certain small island.
It had been raining continuously for a week.
But Robin, hiding in a corner, enjoyed the rainy days.
Because of the rain, there were few people on the streets, and her pursuers wouldn't come out.
She could boldly search for food.
A rustling sound of rummaging echoed.
Suddenly, Robin felt a shadow fall over her head, blocking the rain.
Seeing the silhouette on the ground, her heart leaped.
*Damn it, when did...*
But Robin dared not turn around or run.
If her identity were discovered by turning back, it would be even worse, yet the path ahead was a dead end.
Robin watched the shadow raise its hand and nervously closed her eyes.
However, the expected beating did not come.
A warm hand gently patted her head.
A gentle male voice spoke:
"Such a pitiful child."
"My name is Rolka, a traveler."
"What is your name?"
Robin turned her head, stunned, almost blurting out her real name.
She quickly reacted and used a pseudonym:
"Elida."
"Konny Elida."
The gentle male voice boomed from above:
"Would you like to come with me?"
"I'm still missing a..."
"Little assistant."
----
South Blue, Kingdom of Soba.
Within the royal palace, the two who returned via Kuma's ability were debriefing.
Although they had succeeded,
This single attempt had exposed too many issues.
An uprising as porous as a sieve.
The King, CP, and it was still unknown if there was a third faction.
Because Dragon discovered that the King's Den Den Mushi had not been dialed; otherwise, they would not have succeeded.
But why it wasn't dialed remained a mystery.
Why...
Could there be a third force...
From the moment he embarked on this path, Dragon realized that nothing was as simple as it seemed.
Just like this uprising, it was a failure within failures.
Their success was purely by luck.
However, there was also good news: they had successfully recruited Kuma.
From the data stolen from the Navy, Dragon had selected many individuals.
And Bartholomew Kuma was the one he valued most, not only for his abilities but also for his experiences.
Although he was known as a tyrant to the world, from certain experiences, Dragon deduced that he too was searching for a path...
Searching for a path to liberation and freedom...
----
Grand Line, Underwater Prison.
As the jailer left after delivering the day's meager ration, just enough to prevent starvation, to Shiki's cell,
Shiki's eyes suddenly snapped open, his fierce gaze unmistakable.