Chapter 46: Chaos in Sabaody

With the terrifying escalation of Teach's power, the predicament facing the Whitebeard Pirates had reached a critical point. Not even the esteemed commanders of the eleventh, tenth, and ninth divisions, nor powerhouse fighters like Marco or Jozu, could confidently confront Blackbeard. A direct encounter with Blackbeard, especially with an incomplete grasp of the Dark-Dark Fruit's capabilities, risked an outcome similar to that which befell Ace. Such an event would not just be a setback; it would be catastrophic for the Whitebeard Pirates.

Moreover, the vast expanse of the first half of the Grand Line made locating Blackbeard akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Venturing out in such circumstances posed a significant dilemma: with the Paramount War approaching in just seven days, who would remain to fight?

Lin Yan was an the exception to these concerns. Endowed with the Thunder-Thunder Fruit, his unmatched speed within the Whitebeard Pirates and particular fascination with the Dark-Dark Fruit positioned him uniquely within the crew. He was eager to test the full extent of the power that Teach had coveted enough to spend his life secretly embedded within the Whitebeard Pirates for. More critically, Lin Yan's abilities meant that even if the Paramount War commenced, he could return to the Whitebeard base at a moment's notice—a strategic advantage not to be underestimated.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Whitebeard Pirates reached a consensus. The dual responsibilities of rescuing Ace and tracking down Blackbeard would be entrusted to Lin Yan. With an assured nod and an OK gesture, he departed from the crew that very day, propelled towards the first half of the Grand Line. "Teach, huh? Locating him is going to be anything but straightforward," Lin Yan pondered as he surged through the skies, the relentless wind whistling past his ears and the boundless ocean sprawling endlessly behind him.

Every seasoned warrior harbors a few tricks, and Lin Yan was no exception. His first stop was Shakky's bar in the Sabaody Archipelago, renowned among those in the know as a nexus for crucial information, where secrets could be exchanged for the right price. Shakky, the manager and an old hand at the information trade, ran the only establishment of its kind across the entire archipelago.

Yet, as Lin Yan neared the Sabaody Archipelago, chaos erupted. The streets were awash with fleeing residents and desperate traders. On the horizon, a formation of navy soldiers marched into the turmoil, amid the cacophony of explosions, gunfire, and frantic screams that filled the air. This upheaval was a direct result of the incident involving a Celestial Dragon—Monkey D. Luffy had severely beaten the arrogant Saint Charlos, triggering a shockwave throughout the Sabaody Archipelago.

In response, the World Government's fury was swift and severe. An emergency dispatch from Marineford sent Admiral Kizaru, accompanied by ten warships and a legion of navy soldiers, to extinguish what they viewed as an era of rampant evil. This massive mobilization aimed to decisively end the era that had emboldened so many to challenge the world's balance.

Seeing the burgeoning conflict, Lin Yan remained detached. His immediate priority remained unchanged: he needed to reach Shakky's bar. However, his path took an unexpected turn when he spotted a woman with long pink hair, looking visibly distressed as she ran towards him. It was Jewelry Bonney, one of the infamous eleven Supernovas, with a staggering bounty of 140 million belly. She was desperately fleeing from at least five hundred navy soldiers.

Exhausted and overwhelmed, Bonney glanced back at the relentless navy soldiers pursuing her. "Damn it, can't shake them off?" she muttered under her breath. Normally, escaping such a force wouldn't be daunting for her, but the sheer number of soldiers and her depleted stamina from previous encounters had left her vulnerable. As she continued her frantic escape, Lin Yan suddenly appeared before her, a lucky encounter that could change the course of her flight.

Catching sight of him, Bonney hesitated for a moment before shouting, "Brother, I've done what I had to do, now this situation is up to you!" As soon as her words fell, she brushed past Lin Yan, her heart heavy with the choice she had made to divert their attention.

Misinterpreting the situation, the navy soldiers speculated Lin Yan's involvement. "Another accomplice?!" they exclaimed. "No wonder she ran in this direction!" Deciding to alter their pursuit, they surrounded Lin Yan instead of continuing after Bonney, their faces set in grim determination, ready to confront another chapter of this chaotic saga at the Sabaody Archipelago.