Chapter 70: Sabaody & Preparations

"Damn it! that maniac went to the Sabaody Archipelago!"

Sengoku, upon receiving Luo Ning's whereabouts, found his eyelids twitching wildly. In the past, such news wouldn't have fazed him, but Luo Ning's declaration of wanting to capture Celestial Dragons and head to Sabaody sent shivers down his spine.

The Sabaody Archipelago, a frequent haunt of the Celestial Dragons due to its proximity to the Red Line and booming economy, was precisely where Luo Ning was now. Sengoku was utterly terrified by the implications. An attack on the Celestial Dragons by Luo Ning would bring about unimaginable consequences.

"This is becoming a real nuisance!" Tsuru too, now considered Luo Ning a madman. In the world of One Piece, a madman knows no bounds.

"My, my, this is quite frightening. Is he truly planning to make a move against the Celestial Dragons?" Kizaru chimed in from his office chair. Aokiji's combat prowess had been significantly hampered after a long period of excruciating pain. Sengoku had initially hoped that even if Aokiji couldn't recover fully, he would eventually become numb to the pain and learn to adapt.

However, he had completely underestimated the effects of soul trauma. Even Aokiji's strong will faltered in the face of it. His condition had only worsened with time.

"Kizaru, you'll be heading to Sabaody Archipelago to garrison next. Remember, avoid conflict with him at all costs, unless he makes a move against the Celestial Dragons!" Sengoku felt helpless. He desperately wanted to avoid a fight with Luo Ning. The man's abilities remained a complete mystery, and their intellectual brainstorming had yielded no results.

They were flying blind when it came to Luo Ning's strengths and weaknesses.

"This is truly troublesome," Kizaru sighed. He, too, understood the gravity of the situation. To put it bluntly, Sengoku was tasking him with becoming the Celestial Dragons' bodyguard. If Luo Ning attacked the Celestial Dragons, Kizaru would be forced to restrain him.

While Luo Ning possessed immense strength, Kizaru's speed was truly terrifying. Even if he couldn't restrain Luo Ning, he could still ensure the safety of the Celestial Dragons by fleeing with them.

"Recall Garp and the others," Tsuru said after Kizaru left the anti-nausea room. "We need Sakazuki as well. A major battle may be imminent. Luo Ning's strength and abilities are truly formidable, so we must deploy all our forces now."

Sengoku nodded. "Of course I know. I sincerely hope we don't reach that point. This Fleet Admiral position is truly demanding. Perhaps this will be my last act in this role."

Sengoku then went to contact Garp and the other high-ranking Marines. Facing an opponent like Luo Ning, vice admirals and lower-ranking personnel would be nothing more than cannon fodder.

Sengoku was well aware of the ineffectiveness of regular soldiers against an ability similar to Conqueror's Haki. It would be better to keep them out of harm's way entirely.

***

With the Marines on high alert, it was clear Luo Ning's trip to the Sabaody Archipelago this time involved taking action against the Celestial Dragons.

"The two of you should head to Sky Island for a while," Luo Ning said to Nami and Robin. "The events to come are not suited for your participation."

Luo Ning truly intended to take drastic measures against the Celestial Dragons. Nami and Robin would undoubtedly hinder his actions, so sending them to Sky Island was the most logical decision.

There was an avatar in Cocoyashi Village, rendering a vice admiral's presence unnecessary. As for admirals, it was highly unlikely the Marines would dispatch one to Cocoyashi Village. Even a vice admiral's deployment was improbable.

"Are you really going to take on the Celestial Dragons?"

Robin looked at Luo Ning with some confusion. She had never thought that anyone would dare to attack the Celestial Dragons.

"I've planned this for a long time. To be honest, I think it's too early to find you. I should have come to you after I dealt with this matter. However, Nami's situation isn't very good, so I just had to come to Nami first."

"By the way, I also brought you here, but it's not a big problem. As long as you go to Sky Island, that place is easily accessible except for Kizaru. It's a perfect refuge for everyone else"

Luo Ning said with a smile, and then bade farewell to the two. Nami, basically Luo Ning's ward, was very worried about him, but Robin didn't say much, although they had gotten along well for a while.

However, she didn't completely regard Luo Ning as her own, but going to a place like Sky Island seemed appealing to Robin. At an altitude of 10,000 meters, basically no one could go there.

Afterwards, the two were taken away from the warship by two of Luo Ning's clones and headed to Sky Island.

The jailers on the warship didn't know what Luo Ning was talking to Nami and Robin about. After all, the distance was a bit far away, and the information they reported was limited to what they knew.

But seeing Luo Ning's avatars leaving with Nami and Robin, they also knew it was a big deal. Otherwise, why would Luo Ning send people away? As for where they went, they didn't know, but the news was quickly reported to Sengoku.

***

"Have Nico Robin and Nami been sent away? Damn, this guy is going to come for real!"

Sengoku's previous defense was just a precaution, but now Luo Ning's behavior was equivalent to revealing his worries. In this case, Luo Ning must be planning something big.

Sengoku quickly reported the situation to the Five Elders, which was the best option now.

"We already know that the high-level Marine forces intercepted this guy at sea!"

The Five Elders had already reacted. Since Luo Ning intended to attack the Celestial Dragons, were they going to let him land on the Sabaody Archipelago? It would be better to intercept him halfway and kill him directly.

"I see!"

Sengoku's face was a bit complicated. All of Marine's high-end combat power was deployed, and it was only to deal with one person.

Counting the time, both Garp and Sakazuki would be back in time. Garp only had to cross the Calm Belt on his way back from the East Blue. To find Robin, Luo Ning went to Alabasta, which was not close.

Sengoku ordered the guards on Luo Ning's ship to slow down so that it would be enough time for the Marines to gather enough strength.

The gathering of high-end forces on the Marine side also caused a lot of noise. After all, the Marines were a big organization. With such a troop movement, all the people watching the Marines rushed over like sharks smelling blood.

Sengoku was also helpless, and he did not disclose the news. After all, Luo Ning was not a major pirate like Whitebeard. While they could pin a hat of piracy on Luo Ning's head, it would be somewhat far-fetched. Having so many high-level Marines fighting against one person would be ridiculous to say out loud. So, Sengoku did not disclose the news and even launched the Marine's power plan to block messages.