Olvia Makes Plans, and Redfield Heads for Wano

As for Teach, Caius decided to leave him for another time. There would be opportunities later. He should still be able to find him aboard Newgate's ship.

Teach would become a formidable fighter. For now, though, Caius would rather find the Dark-Dark Fruit. It was an interesting power. He would like to try it.

Would he hand it over to Teach once he had it?

Not a chance. Once it was his, it would stay his. Being Captain Rocks's son did not entitle Teach to Caius's help for nothing. Caius saw no need for that sort of generosity, and it was hardly in his nature.

First, he would finish the matter at hand and take a quiet look at Roger.

...

In the latter half of the New World, the fleet continued onward.

The Marine ships had already been spotted. Everyone was curious about their destination, but no one moved to stop them.

Aboard the Fleet Admiral's ship, Kong was listening to Tsuru's report.

"Tsuru, you're saying Caius appeared at Sabaody? And killed three Celestial Dragons there?"

Kong sounded taken aback.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral. He also visited the North Blue. No one there dared approach him, so we have no reliable report of what he was doing."

Tsuru continued gravely.

To her, that was more significant than the incident at Sabaody. A man with Caius's power and position would hardly visit the North Blue without a reason. Something they knew nothing about must be waiting there.

The unknown was always the most frightening part. Unfortunately, saying that the Marines were no match for Caius was already giving them too much credit.

Even with Caius away from Wano, the country still had at least one limit-breaking fighter, perhaps two. That was before counting its Emperor-level combatants.

Anyone foolish enough to attack Wano now would be in for a nasty surprise.

"Have our people investigate. Send a report to the World Government and ask them to look into it too. We can't afford to be caught off guard if something happens in the North Blue."

Kong frowned as he gave the order.

He did not even want to discuss the three dead Celestial Dragons. He had no energy left for that.

After a few more remarks, the two ended the call.

Kong sat distractedly. With someone like Caius on the seas, life was growing harder for the Marines by the day.

When would Sengoku, Zephyr, and the others finally break through? A few more limit-breaking fighters would make their position far more stable. They would not be able to kill Caius, but at least they would have something to rely on.

"One thing at a time. If we can get rid of Roger, at least, the situation should improve."

"But we still haven't seen his ship. Have they spotted us?"

Kong's thoughts went in circles, leaving him increasingly uneasy.

...

Elsewhere, another ship pressed onward.

The Roger Pirates continued their voyage.

By now they knew the Marines were chasing them. A force that large entering the New World was hard to miss, and its purpose was hardly a mystery.

"One problem after another. I didn't think they'd find us this quickly. Those Marine hounds never let go!"

Roger was seething.

"Hahaha! Come on, Roger. The Marines couldn't have done this on their own. That's the World Government at work. We've made it through worse over the years. We'll get through this too."

Rayleigh offered the reassurance with a smile.

It was only a pursuit. The Rocks Pirates had hunted them far more ruthlessly in the old days. Never mind Caius; Rocks alone had been far beyond them.

"Hahaha! True enough. But keep Shanks and Buggy hidden. Those two can't be seen. Let the Marines chase us."

Roger was smiling again.

They had no way back now. Turning around would not make the Marines or the World Government let them go. They possessed the route to the final island, and that alone was enough.

The Government had spent years trying to conceal that place. Roger's actions were bound to provoke it.

They owed all of this to Nico Olvia's help.

Without her, collecting every Road Poneglyph would still not have told them where to find Laugh Tale.

That help had made Olvia a wanted woman in the eyes of the Marines and the World Government. Roger's actions had also put Ohara in a difficult position.

Roger and his crew regretted that. They showed no intention of intervening, however.

They were pirates. That was what pirates were like.

Roger valued loyalty and affection, but not enough to take an action that could endanger his entire crew.

Olvia understood his reasoning and said little. He might be a charismatic pirate, but scholars approached things differently. She did not blame him outright. That did not mean she felt no resentment.

She would never have worked with pirates if not for the chance to see Laugh Tale and the history of the Void Century recorded there. Once this was over, she would leave and find someone powerful enough to protect Ohara.

What could she offer in return? Everything she learned on that island.

The thought brought a slight smile.

"The strongest man in the world... I hope the Void Century interests you."

No one was paying attention to her. Her final task here was to reach Laugh Tale and record everything it held.

...

Redfield took one last look at his castle before leaving with his maids. He doubted he would ever return.

He led several dozen women away with him. They had chosen to follow him for life. He would not treat them like possessions to be discarded.

Before long, the powerful figures watching his movements recognized the direction he was taking. Redfield was heading to Wano.

News that he had chosen to serve Caius spread across the seas, stunning everyone who heard it.

"Gurararara! So Redfield's decided to follow Captain Caius too?"

"Jihahahaha! Redfield always did know which way the wind was blowing. Going to Wano now..."

The Marines soon received the report. Back at headquarters, Tsuru felt her spirits sink.

She could not understand why the solitary pirate had chosen this moment to join Caius. He had turned down every other powerful figure who approached him, Roger included.