On a sea cliff along the coast of the Goa Kingdom…
Iggy didn't know how long he'd been crying—his voice was hoarse, his throat raw from sobbing.
After placing the final stone, he stood back, the makeshift grave now complete. Sabo's broken body would never be seen again.
"Sabo… this is the sea you loved so much. I hope you like the view."
He gently stroked the grave's surface, and once again, tears spilled down his cheeks.
The assassination at the Holy Land. The tragedy at sea. The death of his mother. Sabo dying in front of him.
These images kept replaying in his mind like a cruel loop.
The ocean roared in the background—wild, angry, like it mourned with him.
"Am I really not meant to have a family… or friends?"
He looked down at his hands. Though the wounds from the fight had already healed, faint blood stains remained.
He sighed. Even with power far beyond that of normal people, he had failed to protect the ones he cherished.
Right now, Iggy hated everything—himself, the enemies, fate… even the world itself.
"Mother… Sabo… I swear, I'll avenge you, by killing all those skums."
He carefully placed Sabo's blue cap and goggles atop the grave. The sea breeze lifted the hat slightly, as if it too were paying tribute.
Iggy stared at the endless horizon.
Seagulls cried out as they soared overhead, and in his eyes, sorrow slowly gave way to resolve.
"Then… I'll join you on this journey."
---
Near noon – Dadan's hideout on Mt. Colubo
"Damn it! There were so many guards in the city today!"
Ace burst through the door and slammed his metal pipe on the floor, the clang echoing in the room.
"I have to find Sabo next time!"
Luffy followed him in, sporting fresh bruises. He looked just as frustrated, clearly still no match for the city's royal guards.
"We happened to get caught up in the Celestial Dragon's visit… Let's eat first and plan later!"
Dadan entered with a group of mountain bandits, only to find the others snoring on the ground or drooling in their sleep.
"You idiots! Wake up! Is Iggy back yet?!"
She punched one of the bandits awake and demanded an update.
"Ugh… didn't he go with you?"
Still half-asleep, the bandit wiped his mouth.
"We haven't seen Iggy," another one added.
Dadan frowned. She called out Iggy's name as she pushed past them, checking each room.
Then—
"Hey! Everyone, come here!"
Luffy's shout led Dadan to the kids' dorm.
When she walked in, she saw that Iggy's bed had been cleaned out. All his belongings were gone.
There was a note on the bed.
Dadan picked it up and read aloud:
> "Sabo is buried on the sea cliff – Iggy."
---
The destruction of the Celestial Dragon's ship sent shockwaves around the world.
Within a single day, news of the incident spread like wildfire.
The Four Emperors. The Seven Warlords. The Revolutionary Army.
All were stunned by the death of a Celestial Dragon and an entire naval unit.
But no one reacted more urgently than the World Government.
---
Marine Headquarters – Marineford
In the grand office, Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp sat in silence.
"The King of Goa has submitted his resignation to the World Government," Sengoku said. "He's requesting that the Outlook family serve as temporary regents."
He handed the documents to a nearby goat, which promptly began eating them.
"There's intelligence from the kingdom's guards," Sengoku continued, "indicating that this assassination is tied to a few children living on Mt. Colubo."
He paused, staring at Garp.
"This afternoon, I'll be calling a mobilization meeting… to issue a Buster Call."
Garp stayed silent until the last words hit him.
Then his fist slammed down on the desk, cracking the wood.
"No! You know Ace and Luffy are still there!"
Sengoku let out a heavy sigh.
"A Celestial Dragon and an entire marine force were wiped out, Garp. The political fallout is immense..."
"You and I both know," Garp said sharply, "that this whole thing started when that scum of a Celestial Dragon killed Sabo!"
He stood up, eyes burning with the memories of Ace, Luffy, Sabo—and Iggy's resolute face.
"If you go through with the Buster Call, you won't find that kid. You'll only end up slaughtering innocent civilians. All to protect garbage like the Celestial Dragons?!"
His fists were clenched tightly. The desk creaked beneath the pressure.
"Have you already forgotten what happened at Ohara? Have you forgotten Robin?!"
Sengoku didn't reply. He didn't have to. They both knew.
The darkness of the World Government's rule had long been a burden the Navy carried. And the Celestial Dragons had made them enemies of the people over and over again.
But for the sake of "order," for their roles, they had always compromised.
Neither man wanted another Robin… another tragedy.
"The Five Elders already gave me a direct order," Sengoku finally said, his voice low. "This comes from the top."
Garp's expression didn't change.
"Fine. Then I'll go talk to them myself."
He turned to leave.
"I'm willing to give up any promotion, even the title of Admiral—if that's what it takes to vouch for that kid."
He closed the door behind him, leaving Sengoku sitting in silence, staring at the space where his old friend had stood.
---
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