Mary Geoise, the Room of Authority.
"CP9 reports they've found traces of that woman!"
Warcury's two upturned mustaches twitched as he spoke, the document in his hand tossed onto the wooden table before him.
"In the East Blue, huh? She sure knows how to pick a place."
Nasjuro, holding his sword, opened his eyes slightly, tilting towards the document.
"What do we do now? Send the Marines again with a Buster Call to surround and suppress her?"
Mars, wearing a dark blue suit, sighed and tightened his tie.
"The last suppression led by Kizaru failed. She has spatial abilities, so it's not suitable to target her with large-scale force."
Saturn tapped his fingers one by one on his cane, gripping it tightly.
"The Knight Order can't make a move. That bastard Harald was already wary of us, arranged for his own death, and now they have to garrison Elbaf to monitor the giants' movements."
Ju Peter's face was gloomy as he helplessly looked up, covering his forehead.
"Coincidentally, the inspection tour is heading to the East Blue. Have CP0 disguise themselves as Jalmack's guards and carry out the assassination plan along the way."
"Kill the Ohara brat with her, and just keep her alive and bring her back to Holy Land. That Lord probably won't mind."
Stroking his bald head, Warcury said gravely.
"Hmm, we can also search for the hidden Ohara scholars while we're at it, killing two birds with one stone."
Saturn nodded in agreement.
The remaining three all concurred. Thus, an assassination plan was issued from the Room of Authority, and the CP0 guarding Holy Land Mary Geoise began to mobilize.
Without a doubt, a greater crisis was approaching.
But at this moment, Sakura in Windmill Village was completely unaware of the events over there.
"Hey, hey, tell me more about Shanks!"
On the country path of Windmill Village, the straw-hatted boy's arms stretched unnaturally, wrapping around Sakura's leg.
"Idiot, stop pestering her!"
Ace, behind him, couldn't stand it anymore. He stepped forward and punched Luffy on the head.
The straw-hatted head stretched out violently, hit the ground, and bounced back, causing a dizzy Luffy to let go and fall to the ground.
"And even if she's Shanks' friend, this person is a dangerous pirate!" Ace turned around, warily looking at the smiling Sakura. "Right, Witch Haruno Sakura!"
"A great pirate with a bounty of 600 million Berry..."
Sabo, walking at the back, lowered his hat brim, admiration and envy appearing in his eyes.
"Tell me, what is someone of your caliber doing here!"
Ace shielded his two younger brothers behind him, holding a pipe horizontally in front of Sakura.
"Well, let's say I'm here as a tourist, but..."
Sakura showed a mischievous smile and took a step forward.
She passed by the several boys at a speed invisible to the naked eye. By the time Ace's senses caught Sakura's movement, Sabo, who had originally been shielded behind him, was already grabbed by Sakura, struggling incessantly at her waist.
"After seeing you, I decided to play a game with you!"
Ace gritted his teeth, swinging his pipe as he charged forward: "You, give Sabo back!"
"Ahahaha, if you want him, come and take him yourself!"
Sakura's steps were nimble, and carrying a person didn't affect her Kami-e.
Every time Ace lunged at her, she could bend her body into strange angles to dodge, making Ace miss again and again.
"Damn it, as slippery as an eel!"
Watching Sakura take Sabo deeper into the forest, Ace chased after them extremely furious.
In the jungle, a certain pirate, in order to bully the young boy before her, even used a combination of Soru and Kami-e.
"Can't run anymore? At this level, you're not enough to protect your brothers!"
Stepping onto the trunk of a giant tree, Sakura looked down at the panting boy below.
"Shut up!"
Taking a deep breath, Ace directly threw the pipe in his hand, sending it spinning towards Sakura.
"Rule one, weapons are only most threatening when held in your hand!"
Just as the pipe was about to hit Sakura, she turned into an afterimage, suddenly appearing behind Ace.
"You..."
Cold sweat dripped from Ace's hair. He wanted to turn around.
But his movements were no matter what not fast enough to surpass Sakura's fist.
Thump!
Another Fist of Love smashed onto Ace's head, sending him flying backwards.
The boy's body crashed through the bushes, bounced a few times, and landed near the cliff edge by the coast.
"Damn annoying woman!"
Ignoring his exhaustion and the pain in his head, Ace trembled as he tried to get up.
Thud!
The girl's sandal stepped on his back, crushing all his efforts.
"Rule two, before saving others, learn to protect your own life first!"
At Sakura's waist, Sabo, seeing Ace being stepped on, struggled.
"Ace! You, let me go!"
His short legs and short arms flailed in the air. The strength of a human boy was insignificant before the strength of a Giant Royalty.
After struggling hard for a long time, Sabo, unable to escape, only managed to exhaust himself.
"Bastard, what do you want exactly!"
Ace, lying on the ground, forced his head to turn sideways, glaring at Sakura with furious eyes.
"I told you, didn't I? To play a game!"
Sakura shook out a scroll, and a Supreme Grade sword, sealed away for a long time, was taken out.
The girl drew the sword and flicked it. The sharp blade fell, grazing the tip of Ace's nose and stabbing into the soil.
"The game is simple. Only one of you two can live."
Saying this, Sakura, with an indifferent expression, released Ace and took a few steps back.
"So, will you sacrifice your brother to live, or offer your own life for your brother?"
A difficult choice even adults would struggle with was placed before the boys by the mischievous pirate.
"I..."
Ace reached out towards the Supreme Grade sword nearby. A cold sensation transmitted to his palm.
A chilling aura lingered on the blade. Without a doubt, this was a weapon that had killed before.
But it also indicated one thing: this female pirate before them might truly harm Sabo.
"Ace, don't listen to her, quickly... Mmm!"
Sabo's mouth was covered, and a cluster of sharp thorns slowly approached his neck.
Ace's black pupils reflected his brother's life entering a countdown. A flame surged in his chest, burning all the way to his throat: "Stop it!!!!!"
An unwilling will burned. A clear soul released the cry of a young king.
Conqueror's Haki erupted so unexpectedly, darkening the bright coast.
"Ahahaha! That's the spirit I'm talking about!"
Sakura laughed heartily. A rebellious will broke through the limits of her body, resounding roaring.
Dark lightning surged and flowed from the collision of wills, shaking the earth and stirring the sea.
The shockwaves spread in all directions, galloping, spreading, enveloping everything.
Making the demands of the Conquerors the only sound in the world.
"Haah... Haah!"
On the quiet coastline, Ace's panting was clearly audible.
Sabo, who was being held, had fainted the moment their auras collided.
"Finally looking somewhat decent."
Sakura stared at Ace before her, her smile growing even wider.
The Haki erupted from forgetting identity, discarding bloodline, with the purest will, allowed Sakura to see his true inner desire.
This boy, who had been exuding self-destructive tendencies since they met, deepest craving was simply a place to belong.
"Brat, remember this feeling!"
"Before you truly step into destruction, think about whether there are still people in this world who expect you!"
Casually tossing the Sabo she was holding next to him, Sakura also placed the sheath of the Supreme Grade sword down.
"You... what is your goal really!"
Supporting Sabo, the freckled boy angrily questioned the person before him.
"Well, who knows!"
Sakura, walking back towards the jungle with her back to him, slightly turned her head.
"Oh, and that sword is one of the twelve Supreme Grade Swords, named Ace!"
"It's the beloved sword of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!"