"No matter what, Kuma must be rescued."
Ivankov's tone left no room for debate. Even knowing Vegapunk's situation, nothing outweighed Kuma in his mind at this moment. Not even Rolan's knowledge mattered to him.
Koala glanced at Sabo. "Did Rolan request this?"
Sabo shook his head. "No. Rolan didn't say anything about it. But since we're already heading to Mary Geoise to rescue Kuma, we might as well check if we can rescue Vegapunk too."
That was all he knew, Vegapunk was being held under house arrest in Mary Geoise and had already reached out to Rolan for help.
Betty crossed her arms, thinking it through. "With Vegapunk's value and intelligence, the World Government shouldn't want to eliminate him so easily, right?"
Sabo exhaled slightly. "We don't know the exact reason."
Karasu spoke next, his voice low and steady. "Since Rolan isn't rushing to act, this situation is probably more complicated than it looks. Kuma should remain the priority. Even if Rolan confirmed Vegapunk's situation, there's no guarantee the information wasn't manipulated."
That reasoning quickly gained everyone's agreement.
After hours of discussion, the plan was finalized.
…
Several days later, a ship coated in black memory alloy arrived beneath the Red Line.
Only five people stood on board, Sabo, Ivankov, Karasu, Morley, and Lindbergh.
Ivankov's presence had been heavily opposed during the meeting, but his persistence won out in the end.
Sabo tilted his head up, staring at the massive continent stretching endlessly above them. "I've seen the Red Line many times, but today it feels different. Like it's pressing down on the entire world."
As members of the Revolutionary Army, they had traveled across countless seas, yet the Red Line had never felt this oppressive.
Standing before it now, everything else seemed insignificant.
Karasu's voice broke the silence. "If the world really sinks beneath the sea one day, then this will be the only thing left above it."
He believed it without hesitation.
Based on historical records and what Rolan had said, the sea level could rise nearly ten thousand meters, a height matching the Red Line itself.
If that future came, then this continent alone would remain.
Morley showed no interest in their reflections. She stepped forward and pressed both hands against the Red Line, forcing a massive tunnel open.
She turned back. "Enough talking. Move. If we're late, Kuma dies."
Ivankov immediately dove in. The others followed without hesitation. Lindbergh guided the ship into the hollow space.
Once everyone was inside, Morley sealed the entrance behind them.
A metallic click echoed as Lindbergh switched on a fluorescent lamp, lighting up the underground passage.
Without delay, Morley activated her ability, pushing everyone upward through the earth.
Then suddenly,
Buruburu, Buruburu.
The Den Den Mushi rang.
Sabo pulled out a mechanical Den Den Mushi. It shifted instantly, forming Rolan's face.
"Rolan."
Rolan's voice came through, direct and steady. "Sabo, you're heading to Mary Geoise to rescue Kuma, correct?"
Sabo gave a faint, resigned smile. "Nothing gets past you. Yes, we are. We've already reached beneath Mary Geoise."
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Sabo frowned slightly. "Rolan?"
"You're already that close. Stopping you now is pointless. But listen carefully."
Sabo's expression tightened. He knew this mattered.
"Speak."
"Your objective is Kuma. Nothing else."
"Yes."
"Once you secure Kuma, leave immediately. No matter what you see, do not interfere further."
The group exchanged looks.
The weight in Rolan's voice made it clear, something disturbing was waiting above them.
Given what they knew about the Celestial Dragons, it wasn't hard to imagine.
Still, this felt different.
Sabo nodded. "Understood."
"If the situation turns against you, withdraw. Don't force it."
"Got it."
…
At the same time, on a distant island garden, Rolan lowered the Den Den Mushi, his brows slightly furrowed.
Things were already deviating.
In the original course of events, the Revolutionary Army's infiltration of Mary Geoise happened during the Reverie. That operation had triggered major consequences, including the death of King Cobra.
But now, the timing was off.
Cobra wasn't even in Mary Geoise.
Yet the infiltration was happening anyway.
Rolan's gaze darkened.
Inside Pangaea Castle, the true danger wasn't just the Celestial Dragons. The existence hidden at the top, along with the five elders and their monstrous forms, made that place far more dangerous than it appeared.
Sabo had grown stronger, far beyond his original level, but facing them alone was still suicide.
Robin's voice came from behind him. "Time to prepare?"
Rolan gave a small nod. "Yeah. It was going to happen sooner or later."
Robin leaned in, brushing a light kiss against his forehead before turning away.
Rolan remained where he stood, eyes narrowing slightly.
"I just hope this doesn't spiral out of control."
…
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
In a quiet, isolated street, the ground suddenly shifted.
The surface bulged, cracked, and split open as a massive head pushed its way out.
"This should be Mary Geoise."