It had been half a month since the Sabaody Archipelago incident.
The Marine Headquarters and Beasts Pirates had been searching the world for Ye Chen, but to no avail.
Even with the World Government and Marine Headquarters turning over every stone across the New World, the Grand Line, the East Blue, and the Four Seas, there was still no trace of Ye Chen.
It was as if Ye Chen had vanished into thin air.
On this day, inside the Fleet Admiral's Office at Marine Headquarters—
"Any news yet, Sengoku?"
A cold, heavy voice came through the Transponder Snail.
"Not yet," Sengoku replied, a bitter smile on his face.
In the past half-month, he had mobilized all of Marine Headquarters to hunt for Ye Chen.
But after all that time, they hadn't found even the slightest clue.
The World Government, meanwhile, was pressing urgently, leaving Sengoku with a splitting headache.
"Not a single lead?"
"None."
The Transponder Snail fell silent.
Clearly, they hadn't anticipated that even after so long, the combined might of the World Government and Marine Headquarters still couldn't track down one man.
"Continue the search. Notify me immediately if there's any news."
With that, the line disconnected.
…
The World Government and Marine Headquarters had searched thoroughly—
But they had overlooked one crucial area: the Calm Belt.
Deep within the Calm Belt, in the Daughter Country, Ye Chen lay flat on the ground in a forest clearing, drenched in sweat and gasping for air.
After witnessing Kaido's monstrous physique, Ye Chen had realized what he needed to work on.
Even though he had the unparalleled Ultimate Inner Ghost Sword Technique, physical endurance was still his weakness.
So, over the past two weeks, Ye Chen had been undergoing intense physical training—
While also waiting for updates about the Celestial Dragons and the Devil Fruit.
Ever since Ye Chen's attack on the Celestial Gold transport, information related to the Celestial Dragons had been tightly sealed.
Even their usual travel routes were no longer made public, for fear of encountering another daring rogue like Ye Chen.
In fact, the Celestial Dragons had stopped visiting their favorite backyard—Sabaody Archipelago—entirely.
As for the Devil Fruit, there was still no trace of it.
Lisa, the captain of the Kuja Pirates, had set sail ten days ago.
Ye Chen figured it should be about time for news to arrive.
Still, he wasn't in a rush.
Eventually, something would surface.
He didn't believe the Celestial Dragons could hide in the Holy Land forever.
And with those matters delayed, it gave him more time to train.
Time passed.
Before he realized it, the sun had begun to set, painting the sky with dusk.
"That's enough for today," he said, stopping his training as night approached.
…
Back at the palace—
With everything prepared by the maids—his bath, his meal—Ye Chen had nothing to worry about.
After eating and resting, Ye Chen was just about to resume training when Granny Zha suddenly arrived.
Seeing her, Ye Chen asked, "Is there news?"
Granny Zha hesitated.
"There's still nothing from the Celestial Dragons… but we did get word from Lisa."
Ye Chen's eyes lit up, a trace of joy on his face.
After half a month, there was finally some news about the Devil Fruit.
"Did she manage to buy the Devil Fruit?" he asked.
Granny Zha hesitated again, then suddenly knelt to the ground.
"Lord Ye Chen, please… please save Lisa and the others."
Ye Chen froze.
He had assumed the news would be good—
But instead, it seemed Lisa and her crew were in trouble.
"Get up and explain," Ye Chen said, quickly helping her up.
"Tell me what happened. If they're in danger, of course I'll save them."
Lisa had gone on this mission for his sake.
If she had run into trouble because of that, there was no way Ye Chen would abandon her.
Even if it meant storming Marine Headquarters or Impel Down—he would go.
Granny Zha briefly recounted the events.
It turned out Lisa's crew had approached Doflamingo to buy the Devil Fruit—
But instead of completing the deal, they were captured by him.
"When did this happen?" Ye Chen's expression turned cold, his eyes frosty.
He knew Doflamingo well.
A dangerous, cunning man with a volatile temper—
It didn't surprise him in the least that Doflamingo would double-cross Lisa and steal the money.
"I just learned about it," Granny Zha replied.
"Doflamingo's side said that if you show up at Sabaody Archipelago in person, they'll release Lisa and the others."
Ye Chen narrowed his eyes.
"How did Doflamingo know I'm in the Daughter Country?"
"I'm not sure," Granny Zha said honestly.
Ye Chen frowned deeply.
He couldn't figure it out.
Not even Marine Headquarters or the World Government knew where he was—
So how did Doflamingo know?
He didn't want to believe Lisa had betrayed him…
But the possibility lingered in his mind.
"Forget it. I'll find out when I get there," Ye Chen muttered.
If he couldn't reason it out now, he'd just ask Doflamingo directly.
"I understand. I'll rescue Lisa and the others for sure. You may go," he said to Granny Zha.
Hearing this, Granny Zha breathed a sigh of relief.
She had been afraid Ye Chen would suspect Lisa and abandon her to her fate.
After Granny Zha left, Ye Chen stepped out onto the balcony, looking up at the sky.
"Doflamingo… I'm curious to see what kind of trick you've got up your sleeve."
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]