Following the chaos caused by the Vankov Brothers, Gamenio and Gasparde, it was evident that Water 7 was no longer a safe haven.
As the saying goes, 'too close to heaven, too close to the devil'.
Water 7's proximity to Marineford was dangerous. If a Navy Admiral were to show up, things could get very messy.
Once everything in Water 7 had settled down, Rokuya set sail under cover of night with Kalifa, Perona, Sadi and Domino.
Their vessel? None other than the ship previously owned by the Figarland family.
To Rokuya, this was merely an interest payment on the blood debt owed by those who had plundered the entire kingdom all those years ago. The real reckoning would come later, when he was strong enough and his fists were mighty enough to make the Heavenly Dragons pay for the annihilation of his homeland with their blood.
The grand ship sailed out of Water 7's port, bearing a new name: The Crimson King.
Its figurehead was carved from solidified blood crystal. Its sails flowed like rivers of blood. The helm bore an inverted cross forged from the melted crowns of the twenty royal families that formed the World Government — an omen of what was to come. The day would come when those self-proclaimed rulers would be dragged from their thrones and beheaded.
Every aspect of the vessel reflected Rokuya's identity as the Vampire King.
It's worth noting that Rokuya flew no pirate flag.
In this world, the World Government labelled anyone it deemed inconvenient a "pirate".
Anyone who dared to sail without their approval was automatically treated as such.
And Rokuya? He had no interest in asking for their approval.
He wasn't a pirate.
He was a survivor of a kingdom that had been destroyed by the Celestial Dragons' so-called 'research expedition'. He was a prince from a nation that had dared to defy the tribute tax and paid the price in blood.
So why would he lower himself to hoist a pirate flag? It served no purpose.
If the government chose to brand him a pirate, so be it. But he would never call himself one.
Not until he had enough strength to crush them outright.
—
As the ship cut through the night-time sea, the four women on deck were visibly excited.
'Hehehe~ Finally, our own ship! It even smells like blood — I love it!' Perona skipped across the deck, her eyes gleaming.
Rokuya sat back with Domino and Sadi leaning into his arms. Kalifa, who had just changed into a new outfit, stepped out of the cabin.
She wore a sleek black bodysuit over fishnet mesh, matched with fishnet stockings and stiletto heels. With her golden hair, glasses, and confident gaze, she looked like a sensual executioner.
"So, master… where are you really from?" she asked, curiosity dancing in her eyes.
Rokuya chuckled.
"Me? I'm the last prince of the Atlanta Kingdom."
'You probably haven't heard of it. Ten years ago, it was a thriving little nation on the Grand Line — peaceful, rich in resources and proud of its independence."
'But then we couldn't pay the tribute.'
So the World Government chose us as the 'study destination' for the Celestial Dragons.
That's when the nightmare began."
He explained.
He didn't go into full detail, only mentioning the "Heavenly Dragon Hunting Games".
That was enough.
'The Celestial Dragons... called their massacre a school trip?' Perona's voice trembled with rage.
'They wiped out whole kingdoms just to play God?' Kalifa's brows furrowed.
'Every three years, they slaughtered another kingdom in secret. And the Marines helped cover it up?" Sadi's tone darkened.
Their reactions were exactly what Rokuya had expected. Most government personnel, even former agents like Kalifa, had never heard of such things before.
The World Government had kept it buried.
Kill the witnesses. Erase the records. Rewrite history.
Classic tactics.
'That's why the Atlanta Kingdom isn't on any maps anymore,' said Rokuya. 'They erased it completely.'
His voice was calm. But his clenched fists betrayed the fury boiling beneath the surface.
Eventually, he would erase every trace of the World Government.
—
'Especially those Marines…' Perona growled. 'They pretend to be justice, yet aid and abet those monsters.'
Kalifa, sensing the mood darkening, quickly changed the topic.
She mentioned her time undercover and revealed some interesting facts about the government.
Naturally, the name Franky came up — a man known to possess the Pluton blueprints.
But apparently, he hadn't been in Water 7 lately. Not even Iceburg knew where he was.
Nevertheless, Rokuya wasn't concerned. He already knew that the real Ancient Weapon Pluton was hidden beneath Wano Country.
If he couldn't get the blueprints, he'd take the real thing instead.
When the time came, he would use it to blast Marineford to the bottom of the sea.
---
As the four of them continued chatting, light laughter returned to the deck.
Just when the atmosphere was beginning to loosen up...
Buru buru buru—!
The Den Den Mushi on Kalifa's hip rang.
Rokuya gestured for her to answer it.
As soon as the call was connected, an urgent and familiar woman's voice came through.
"Sister!"
"Are you safe right now?"
Kalifa's eyes widened slightly.
Even Rokuya looked surprised.
Her sister?
The person on the line was Kalifa — Kalifa's little sister.
And she was calling at the most curious of times.
—