Chapitre 85: 85. Crazy Plan, Fall, Cake Island
"Damn these guys," Sengoku muttered under his breath.
"Can't they just stay put in prison for once? Always running around," he grumbled.
The Cross Union is like the Straw Hat Pirates, causing chaos wherever they go, with no boundaries. They're strong and scary, but their motives are a mystery, according to Sengoku.
At least Bullet and World, the leaders, are driven by revenge. When revenge is the driving force, they'll do anything, even if it means causing widespread destruction.
What's frustrating is why they targeted the Shichibukai forces. This headache-inducing question bothers Sengoku.
It's bad enough that the World Government and the Marines are already weak in terms of combat effectiveness. The failed plan and the resulting imbalance have left them utterly drained.
And now, these guys have completely dismantled the already fragile Shichibukai system.
Gekko Moria, Dracule Mihawk, and former Shichibukai Jinbei—each of them has their story.
The crocodile was imprisoned after the Alabasta incident. Blackbeard replaced him. Moria was defeated by the Straw Hat Crew but remained a Shichibukai. Jinbei lost his position for openly siding with Whitebeard during the Summit War.
Blackbeard's defeat and rumoured death only added to the chaos.
Now, with the Cross Union's move, Hawkeye and Moria have abandoned their Shichibukai titles to join them. It's a big deal because being a Shichibukai means having a position sanctioned by the World Government. Joining the Cross Union means giving up that position.
So now, there are only three left in the Shichibukai: Doflamingo, Boa Hancock, and Bartholemew Kuma. But even Kuma, who was turned into a slave by the Celestial Dragons, was effectively out of commission.
Only two remain—a laughable situation, thinks Sengoku.
It's a sorry excuse for a deterrent.
With only two Shichibukai left, the system is practically nonexistent.
Sengoku wonders what the higher-ups plan to do. With Marines lacking the power to replace the Shichibukai and the Pacifistas being too weak, they're stuck.
No one seems to have a solution for the Shichibukai conundrum.
"What are those two idiots, Hawkeye and Moria, thinking?" Sengoku mused.
Meanwhile, on the Cross Union's iron ship, Hawkeye gazed at the sea pensively.
"Peace is hard to come by," he thought.
Back when he joined the Shichibukai, life was peaceful. But in this era, peace is a luxury.
After the Summit War, Hawkeye sensed the dawn of a new era. When the Straw Hats shook Marineford with their actions and Admiral Akainu was defeated, Hawkeye knew things were changing.
A few days after the war, Crocodile paid him a visit, and Hawkeye knew his peaceful days were over.
He had expected this shift, though. The title of Shichibukai was just a balance of power, a tool for the World Government. It only mattered when the seas were calm.
In this turbulent era, being a Shichibukai was more trouble than it was worth. It's either being a government lackey or facing the storm head-on.
Instead of being dragged into government affairs during this chaotic era, he found himself falling back into his old ways.
Furthermore, Hawkeye now had a reason to set sail again.
"Don't disappoint me, Roronoa," he murmured, taking a sip of his wine. His sharp eyes reflected the memory of Roronoa, the three-sword swordsman at the Summit War, who fought like a demon.
Originally, it was just a seed of boredom planted while travelling in East Blue. But unexpectedly, it grew into a towering tree so quickly.
It had been a long time since Shanks lost his arm, and Hawkeye hadn't felt this excited in a while. A fight with a swordsman of equal calibre was what he craved.
For a swordsman, the loneliest path was the path of the sword. But the ultimate goal was to find someone who could match their skill.
Shanks losing his arm played a part in Hawkeye's decision to live a peaceful life. Before that, no swordsman at sea could withstand his full strength.
But now, he had a strong feeling that he would meet the three-sword swordsman soon in the New World—the one they called the world's greatest swordsman.
In the observation room of the Sunny, Zoro swung a massive barbell with ease, each end weighed down with heavy iron.
Despite his already immense strength, Zoro persisted in his daily training regimen like a devoted ascetic.
His gaze was resolute as he thought about the Summit War and the man who moved with unparalleled grace but struck with devastating force.
Dracule Mihawk, the true swordsmanship genius, was no easy opponent. To surpass him, Zoro knew he had to push himself harder than ever before.
"Hey, Zoro, take a break. Nami says we're arriving soon," Luffy's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Zoro nodded, setting down the barbell and wiping the sweat from his brow. He headed to the bath behind the Sunny to freshen up.
After changing into new clothes bought on Sabaody, Zoro emerged onto the deck. Despite his rugged appearance, the new attire from the prosperous island made him look quite dashing.
"Is it finally coming?" Zoro made his way to the deck, gazing up at the sky with a furrowed brow.
The once-clear sky of the Grand Line was now shrouded in dark clouds, a common occurrence in this unpredictable sea.
"Is this really okay?" Jinbei, standing at the helm, seemed unsure. As a former member of the Sun Pirates, his navigation skills were exceptional, but even he hesitated at the bold battle plan devised by Nami and the crew.
"Don't worry, Jinbei. Nami's judgment is always spot on," Luffy reassured, flashing a confident smile from the bow.
"We've faced crazier things than this," Sanji added, calmly lighting a cigarette.
"Even so, I'd rather not go through it again," Usopp chimed in, clutching the mainmast tightly.
"Don't fret; Sunny can handle it. This ship is built to withstand anything," Franky declared, giving a thumbs up.
"I'm nervous, and I don't even have a heart to feel it!" Brook exclaimed with his trademark laugh.
"Trust the navigator's forecast," Nami said brightly, signalling Jinbei to make a left turn.
Though hesitant, Jinbei followed Nami's command without question, swiftly adjusting the ship's course.
Boom.
As the Sunny surged forward, a massive ocean current erupted from below, creating a spectacular display of water and spray.
And this was just the beginning.
Boom boom boom boom.
More currents emerged, thicker and more powerful than before, creating a breathtaking sight.
This phenomenon, known as sea snake weather, was both awe-inspiring and dangerous.
But Nami remained calm, guiding the Sunny expertly through the swirling currents with ease.
Even Jinbei, a seasoned pirate, couldn't help but marvel at Nami's skill in navigating the treacherous waters.
But Nami knew they needed more.
"Now, Jinbei, full right rudder, full speed ahead," she commanded, her eyes scanning the turbulent sea.
"Chopper, Franky, Sanji, furl the sails," she ordered quickly.
Without hesitation, the crew sprang into action, following Nami's instructions to the letter.
"Now's the time, everyone," Nami reminded them. "Hold on tight and brace yourselves for the incoming current. Set sail!"
As Nami's command echoed, a colossal sea snake current surged skyward directly in front of the Sunny.
Jinbei gripped the helm tightly as the Sunny plunged into the immense current, riding it upwards as if sailing into the heavens.
"Set sail!" Luffy shouted from the bow, his face lit up with exhilaration as the sea spray showered over him.
Meanwhile, Usopp and Chopper clung to the main mast, caught up in the thrilling ride, while Franky couldn't contain his excitement, bellowing about the adventure.
"Storm's up next! Let's rock out!" Franky declared, ready to play some music.
But before Brook could start, a powerful gust of wind nearly knocked him off balance. Thankfully, he managed to grab onto the railing just in time.
After the initial surge, a steady current kept them aloft, carrying them forward through the air like a highway of water.
"Ready, Franky?" Nami called out.
"You bet!" Franky grinned, bracing himself.
"Fire!" he yelled, and with a thunderous boom, Sunny's massive guns fired, propelling the ship forward and breaking free from the sea snake current.
As the ship soared, large wooden gliders extended from its sides, allowing it to glide smoothly through the air for a longer distance.
"How's that, Jinbei? Pretty wild, huh?" Luffy laughed from the bow, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Jinbei could only stare in awe at the audacious plan unfolding before him. Riding a massive updraft through the turbulent sea snake weather and then launching into the sky—it was madness, but it was working.
But Jinbei couldn't shake one nagging concern: what about landing?
"Landing? Ah, don't worry about it. We'll figure it out when we get there!" Luffy replied nonchalantly.
So far, their luck had held out on countless occasions. There was no reason to doubt it now.
Impressed by Luffy's confidence, Jinbei fell silent, contemplating their daring journey to Cake Island.
Meanwhile, on Cake Island, Perospero licked his candy cane, noting the absence of the Straw Hat Crew with a smirk. But Big Mom wasn't interested in small talk; she wanted her cake, and she wanted it now.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone