The sun had risen gently on the horizon, its golden rays bouncing off the polished black hull of the Bezan Black, the temporary ship that had become Enel and Tatsumaki's base of operations. The sea shimmered, docile for once, as if recognizing the resolve of the two figures who stood on the prow, eyes fixed toward the western skies.
Enel's arms were crossed, his sharp gaze narrowed. "We're headed to Sabaody Archipelago," he said coolly.
Tatsumaki, lounging lazily in the air beside him with her legs crossed mid-hover, lifted an eyebrow. "What's at Sabaody that's got you so focused all of a sudden?"
He turned slightly, lightning crackling lazily at his fingertips as he rested them on the railing. He was fidgeting with his powers, as there was nothing better to do on the open sea with a ship like this. "Two objectives. First, we're going to attend the auctions and secure a few… unique assets. Second, we'll be putting our names out there."
"Meaning?" she asked.
Enel's eyes glinted. "We need recognition. Prestige. We can't sail to either East Blue or the New World as nobodies. We'll target pirates or marines, claim their heads, and let the World Government slap bounties on our heads. Let them know who we are long before we arrive."
Tatsumaki looked mildly impressed. "Huh. That's actually a decent plan. Explains why we're not sightseeing. You're playing the long game."
He nodded. "Our goal isn't just to flutter around the Grand Line for amusement. We're building a legacy."
They sailed in relative silence after that, the soft hum of the ship gliding through the sea punctuated by the occasional sparring between them. Tatsumaki had started to use the ship's weight as psychokinetic training, manipulating the sails and rudder with delicate precision while Enel directed energy into charging various machinery they'd repurposed on board. The temporary ship might've been shoddy, but it was turning into an unlikely dojo for both warriors.
It took them nearly five days to reach Sabaody Archipelago.
As they approached the humid, foggy perimeter of the mangrove islands, Enel couldn't help but mutter, "No one ever accounts for the length of these damn voyages. In the stories they tell, it's just—'boom,' next island. But sailing from Water 7 to here? That's five days of humidity, stale bread, and you throwing seawater in my face."
"I regret nothing," Tatsumaki replied dryly, arms behind her head, floating beside him. "You deserved it. Again. At least you know we need a chef, this ship's kitchen -if it can even be called that- isn't fit for any kind of healthy cooking"
They finally anchored the Bezan Black beside one of the massive Yarukiman Mangroves that made up the archipelago. The port wasn't a viable option for them to dock, because they did have large Gold that they would be carrying that would mark them as an instant target.
They were here to fight and gain bounties, but they'd rather not do that with a 20 foot pillar of gold levitating beside them.
The sky shimmered overhead, the atmosphere thick with tension. Enel donned a cloak, its edges lined with a literal gold mesh, both as a shield against ambushes and a quiet mockery of the material most people craved..
Tatsumaki, equally hooded, floated down beside him.
"Two objectives," Enel said again. "The auctions will be crawling with all sorts of scum—pirates, nobles, merchants. But more importantly, information brokers."
"Information?" Tatsumaki echoed.
He nodded. "People talk. We'll learn who's sailing where, what bounties are hot, and who's worth either recruiting or crushing."
They moved toward the inner rings of the island. The bustling streets of Grove 1 through Grove 30 were chaotic but controlled, filled with laughter and the barks of pirates fresh from the Grand Line's 'Paradise' half.
Tatsumaki scoffed as they passed a group of pirates cheering and tossing drinks in the air. "So this is 'Paradise?' Doesn't look like it."
Enel smirked, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "In comparison to what lies beyond the Red Line? It's a damn vacation resort."
Tatsumaki gave him a side-glance. "You really think the New World's that bad?"
"I don't think," Enel said grimly. "I remember. And I'm not going back in unprepared."
They made their way to a discreet pawn shop tucked beneath one of the mangrove roots. Tatsumaki levitated a massive gold pillar behind them, wrapped tightly in iron-gray cloth. The store owner nearly fainted upon seeing the scale of the treasure.
"A…A whole pillar?" the old man stammered.
Enel simply crossed his arms. "Same price as Water 7. Don't get greedy."
After a few intense negotiations and a short show of Tatsumaki's powers levitating several heavy crates at once, the dealer relented and gave them their exchange: 3.4 billion in clean, untraceable Belly. Enough to buy entire fleets—if they were that shortsighted.
The two pirates then retreated to an inn near the auction hall, booking two rooms under aliases. Their names—Enel and Tatsumaki—weren't widely known yet, but with the kind of enemies they were about to make, anonymity was a fleeting luxury.
The following evening arrived with a sunset bathed in blood-red hues, casting long shadows over Sabaody. The auction hall was packed. Loud music played overhead while chandeliers swayed from the shifting roots of the mangrove trees above. Noblemen, underworld brokers, pirates, and disguised bounty hunters crowded the seats, all buzzing with anticipation.
Enel and Tatsumaki sat side-by-side in the upper viewing gallery. Their cloaks shielded their faces, but their auras—especially Enel's—sent shivers through anyone seated nearby. People instinctively leaned away, their instincts screaming that something dangerous sat in the back row.
"Ladies and gentlemen," bellowed the host, a flamboyant man dressed in gold-trimmed robes, "we welcome you to tonight's auction of dreams and decadence!"
"Sounds like a lunatic," Tatsumaki murmured.
Enel grinned. "They usually are."
The lights dimmed. On stage, the first items were rolled out—rare jewels, stolen paintings, ancient swords with whispered legacies.
"This is nothing," Enel muttered.
And then the host clapped dramatically. "Our next items, my lovely degenerates, are not objects, but people! The finest slaves money can buy!"
The hall erupted in applause and laughter. Tatsumaki's eyes narrowed, her fists clenching.
"They're clapping?" she growled.
Enel, in contrast, sat perfectly still. "Keep watching. This is why we're here."
The curtain drew back. A dozen individuals were led forward in chains—various races, fishmen, longarms, even a few children.
Tatsumaki stood halfway up. "I'll kill them."
Enel placed a hand on her shoulder. "Not yet. Let them bring out the final 'item'. I feel sick just saying that."
The auctioneer waved his hand. "And for our final treasure this evening, a rare race, with the ability to read poneglyphs with their special eye abilities!"
A tall, bruised woman with dark purple hair and a thick chain connecting her hip to the cage's bars was dragged into view. Her pale eyes locked with Enel's for a split second.
"A woman from the mysterious pale-eyed Clan! Just as rare as the three-eyed clan's members! Starting bid—five hundred million Belly!"
Enel recognized her immediately. It was Hyuga Hinata.
Tatsumaki looked at Enel. "What do we do?"
"We burn this place down." Enel cracked his knuckles as arcs of blue lightning danced across his fingers "Keep an eye on our cash. Judgement is about to strike."