Bullet chuckled, then suddenly thought of sothing and asked, "Could these missiles be mass-equipped by the Marines?"
Such weapons were far too convenient. One shot and an entire pirate crew was gone. Compared to the old-fashioned explosive shells the marine ships were still using, this was a hundred tis more powerful. If every marine had one, it would save an imasurable amount of trouble.
Enel shook his head helplessly. "No. This is sothing only we can play around with. The power is too great. The governnt wouldn't allow it to be produced in bulk."
He gestured toward the distant explosion sites. "You've seen the blast radius yourself. If weapons like this were widely distributed, what fortress in the world could withstand them?
"An ordinary soldier firing just one missile could annihilate a warship built by the World Governnt. As for common pirate ships, they'd be blown to pieces instantly. The force of these missiles is sothing not even many vice admirals could endure.
"Not everyone has the monstrous Haki reserves that you do, Bullet. That's why the seas are still filled with those antique cannons. Even the most advanced navies only have slightly longer range, nothing more. The governnt doesn't let real technology spread. Any sign of it, they imdiately snuff it out.
"The technology on these seas hasn't advanced for centuries. Hundreds of years ago, they used these sa cannons, and they still do now."
Bullet frowned deeply. "I see…"
Enel shrugged. "That's the cruel reality. It's not like there aren't kingdoms researching technology. Take Teacher's holand for example. They'd already developed things like animal modifications and missiles ages ago. But their land was too remote, so the knowledge never spread. And once Teacher joined the governnt's science division, they stationed armies all over his island.
"That's just the official side. In the underworld, there is the Vinsmoke family of the North Blue. Their tech and military power aren't bad, but they can't even conquer simple farming nations. Why? Because the governnt secretly intervenes every ti. I don't know if Judge's brain's been fried by his own research, but he still hasn't figured it out. And now he's just working like a loyal dog for the governnt."
Bullet scoffed. "Tch. That really pisses
off…"
Enel smiled. "Don't worry. The ti's almost here. Uncle's plan is nearly complete. All that's left is one opportunity."
Not far ahead, an uninhabited island ca into view. It was several tis larger than Loguetown nearby.
* * *
At the island's harbor.
The closer they sailed, the more Enel marveled. "Well damn. That big, huh? No wonder he was called a powerhouse of the old era. He dragged ten islands out of the New World, flew them all the way here to the East Blue, and fought Uncle. Though... he died pretty miserably."
Bullet let out a low laugh, but he too looked serious. One-on-one, he didn't fear any pirates. But so feats were only possible with a Devil Fruit.
Like the massive landmass before them. Shiki had been able to rip entire islands from the ground with his power. Then he carried several across half the world and dropped them into the East Blue.
That wasn't sothing human strength could ever achieve. No amount of training without a fruit could get one to lift an island, and no technology could either.
Sakazuki leapt directly from the harbor onto the warship. "Co on. Head back to Loguetown. We'll rest there for the night and set out tomorrow."
Enel brought his fingers together and waved forward. "Understood!"
The warship slowly turned.
He then motioned to two soldiers to drag out the captured pirate captain. With a grin, he looked at Sakazuki. "Uncle, guess what we found along the way."
Eyeing the half-dead pirate lying on the deck, Sakazuki nudged the man with his boot, finding nothing unusual. "What's so special about him?"
Enel smirked. "This guy should be the user of the Float-Float Fruit. Unfortunately for him, luck wasn't on his side."
That piqued Sakazuki's interest. He crouched down, studying the unconscious man more carefully.
"Interesting," he muttered. "Keep him alive. Make sure he doesn't die."
He straightened and continued, "When things settle here, we'll initiate the Fruit Recovery Program. Devil Fruits are too dangerous to be scattered across the seas. Better they're collected and distributed by the future governnt alone."
Enel tilted his head. "How much longer, Uncle?"
Sakazuki's lips curved slightly. "Not long. Carlo's swept through the North and West Blue. The ideas of the Revolutionary Army have also spread and are growing stronger. Still, their influence on the World Governnt is minimal for now, so no one has paid much attention to it. Once the purge operation ends… give it two years. After the new generation of youths set sail in droves, the governnt will realize sothing's wrong. But by then, it'll be too late."
Unlike in the original story, where Dragon was just beginning to form ideas, in this era he already held a complete set of revolutionary doctrine. He had been developing them for years now. That power had been building steadily, waiting only for the right mont to be unleashed.
Hearing Carlo's na, Enel blinked. "So that's how it is… Co to think of it, it's been forever since I've seen big brother Carlo."
"You'll see him soon." Sakazuki replied. "Let's finish up the mission in the East Blue quickly, then regroup with him on the Grand Line. This operation has dragged on far too long. It's gone far beyond what I planned."
A sigh escaped him. The purge operation was ant to end within two years. But with every adjustnt and new layer of planning, it had dragged on until now. Robin herself was practically raised by Carlo since childhood.
That bond… was a complication.
* * *
Nightti. North Blue, an unknown island.
Atop a densely forested mountain, Carlo sat by a fire in front of two tents. He poked at the flas with a stick, watching sparks drift into the night air. The location was perfect. When the sun rose the next morning, the view of the sunrise would be breathtaking.
Sensing through Observation Haki that Robin was sound asleep, he rose quietly and slipped away.
A short while later, he stood on another peak. Taking out a Den Den Mushi, he dialed. The line clicked after a few seconds.
"Admiral Sakazuki," he greeted.
Sakazuki's deep voice rumbled back. "Be ready, Carlo. The operation here will be over within a year. We'll rendezvous on the Grand Line. No issues on your end?"
Carlo gazed at the faint glow of Robin's campfire in the distance. "No issues. I've taught her everything she needs to know."
Silence hung for several seconds before Sakazuki finally said, "…I wasn't asking about her. I ant you."
Carlo answered calmly, "I'm fine too. Relax. I know what matters most. It's just… hard to let go, that's all."
Sakazuki's voice lowered, carrying a rare note of guilt. "I'm sorry. This was my mistake."
Carlo laughed. "No need to apologize, Admiral Sakazuki. If I let emotions weigh
down, then I'm unfit for my role. After all, you're the one carrying the greatest burden. As your deputy, how could I allow myself to fall short?"
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