Chapter 96: Sabaody Archipelago
Chapter 96: Sabaody Archipelago
"But! We've offended Rocks this time. After we get the fruit, we will immediately leave the Rocks Pirates and return to Wano Country!"
Kurozumi Murasaki said firmly to her younger brother, Kurozumi Muramaru.
"Yes, Sister!" Muramaru nodded in agreement.
---
Charlotte stood on the deck, looking dazed as he gazed at the dreamlike island in front of him.
"Wow! Is this the Sabaody Archipelago?"
Elena, standing beside Charlotte, was amazed as she took in the scenery.
Three days had passed since Rocks' last call, and Charlotte's ship had finally arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.
Because they needed to coat the ship to proceed to Fishman Island, they would have to stay in the Sabaody Archipelago for a few days. Charlotte had promised his crew they could rest and explore for at least two days, and he decided to use this opportunity to relax as well.
After all, they had been sailing non-stop for nearly two months. While they had made quick stops at other islands to resupply, they hadn't stayed anywhere for long. It was time to take a break.
"Go ashore!"
The ship stopped at one of the islands, and Charlotte was the first to jump off.
Looking at the numbers carved into the tree trunks, Charlotte realized they had stopped at Island No. 8.
Charlotte recalled what he knew about the Sabaody Archipelago.
The Sabaody Archipelago, also called the Soap Bubble Islands, was situated right before the Red Line at the entrance to the New World. It was a vast archipelago formed by the roots of 79 giant mangrove trees known as the Yarukiman Mangroves. These trees secrete a special resin that forms bubbles, which rise into the sky. This unique environment made the Sabaody Archipelago one of the most distinct islands in the Grand Line.
The archipelago was divided into several numbered areas:
1 to 29: Illegal zones with human trafficking shops, auctions, and black markets.
30 to 39: Entertainment areas, including Soap Bubble Park.
40 to 49: Shopping districts and tourist spots.
50 to 59: Shipbuilding yards and coating workshops.
60 to 69: Navy bases and government facilities.
70 to 79: Hotel streets and accommodation areas.
As the final stop before the New World, the archipelago attracted pirates, merchants, and bounty hunters alike. It was also notorious for human trafficking and corruption.
Charlotte, however, didn't care about any of that—unless someone provoked him first.
---
After Charlotte jumped ashore, a ladder was lowered, and Elena carefully walked down. Her graceful movements and elegant beauty made Charlotte's eyes light up.
"Beautiful lady! Would I have the honor of inviting you to tour the island?"
Charlotte bent slightly, one hand behind his back and the other extended toward Elena, striking a gentlemanly pose.
Elena froze for a moment, startled by Charlotte's sudden display of manners.
"Hmph!" she snorted coldly, turned her head, and walked straight toward the center of the island.
Charlotte's hand froze mid-air, leaving him awkwardly standing there. His crew members—Paul, Isaac, and the others—tried to hold back their laughter but couldn't completely hide their amusement.
Charlotte shot them a glare, then quickly followed after Elena.
He couldn't let her wander off alone—this was Island No. 8, an illegal zone notorious for kidnappings and human trafficking. Elena, with her beauty and innocence, was the perfect target.
"Elena! How about we go to Island No. 30? There's a place called Soap Bubble Park. It's a specialty of the Sabaody Archipelago."
Charlotte caught up to her, smiling as he tried to divert her attention.
"Hmph! What does it matter to you where I go?" Elena replied coldly and continued walking toward the center of Island No. 8.
Charlotte's face fell. He turned to glare at Paul, silently blaming him for stopping the ship at this island.
Paul, who was following behind, looked confused. "What did I do?" he whispered to Isaac.
Isaac shrugged, equally clueless.
Meanwhile, Charlotte sighed and quickly followed Elena.
---
As Elena wandered through the streets, she looked around curiously. Her innocent expression and unfamiliarity with the surroundings made her an obvious outsider.
Charlotte, with his Observation Haki active, could already tell that several people had set their sights on her.
His expression darkened.
"Elena, we're being watched. Let's get out of here. There's nothing worth seeing here."
Elena looked at him skeptically. "Being watched? Don't be ridiculous! You're the only one here watching me! Hmph!"
Her dismissive tone made Charlotte feel helpless.
"You're probably the most dangerous person here anyway," Elena added sharply.
Charlotte had to admit she wasn't wrong. Of all the people on this island, he was likely the most dangerous.
He sighed bitterly and kept following her.
---
In an alley not far away, a group of shady men watched Elena closely.
"Boss, I think they've spotted us."
One of the lackeys whispered nervously to the burly man leading them.
"So what?" the boss sneered, his face full of greed. "What's one guy going to do? That girl's a beauty. If we sell her to the auction house, she'll fetch a fortune!"
His underlings exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing.
"Come on! Follow them. It looks like we're not the only ones interested in this prize."
The burly boss waved his hand, and the group quietly started following Elena and Charlotte.
---
Charlotte, of course, had already detected their presence. His Observation Haki picked up every word of their conversation, and his expression grew colder.
He turned slightly and gave Paul a subtle look.
Paul, who understood the signal immediately, whispered to a few crew members and quietly broke off from the group to deal with the thugs.
Meanwhile, Charlotte continued walking beside Elena, while Isaac and the remaining crew members followed closely behind.
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