Koshiro let out a soft sigh:
"Even though I don't know what you've been hiding from all these years, Father."
"But Kuina really likes you."
"Please come back and visit often."
Looking toward Kuina's room, Shimotsuki Kōzaburō nodded gently and whispered:
"Mm...."
...
North Blue, Pado Island.
This was once an island that Dragon had set foot on.
It was also the final stop of Lorka and Robin's journey through the North Blue.
Everything here felt completely out of place compared to the martial culture of the North Blue.
There were no schemes or intrigues. Instead, all the people gathered here were those once persecuted by the Celestial Dragons, huddling together for warmth.
The ginkgo leaves flying through the sky made it feel like another world entirely.
Sitting at a table on the second floor of a restaurant, Robin gazed out at the people outside and sighed softly:
"What a place, like something out of a fairy tale."
"Everything is so beautiful, so peaceful."
"If only none of them had gone through such tragic pasts...."
Along the way, she had learned the tragedies each person carried.
And the cruelty of the Celestial Dragons filled her heart with chills.
How... could humans be this cruel?
Lorka, sitting across from her, spoke slowly:
"Why get so sentimental?"
"Most people in this world can't control their own fate."
"You, me — we're the same."
"These tragedies have already happened. They clearly can't be undone."
"But what we can do is prepare for the future."
"This world is already rotten. One day, a great fire will come to burn away all its filth."
Listening to Lorka's words, Robin fell into thought:
"A revolution, huh...."
Lorka gave a small laugh, saying nothing. But in his heart, he whispered:
"It's Sakazuki...."
...
Grand Line, first half.
On a massive battleship, Borsalino lay lazily on a sun chair, basking in the sunlight.
The warship drifted forward at an almost standstill....
Some officers even sat on the railing, fishing.
Buru buru~ buru buru~
The Den Den Mushi on the table beside the sun chair jolted Borsalino from his dream. Picking it up, he answered:
"Hello~"
Strawberry's strict and proper voice came through:
"Vice Admiral Borsalino."
"We've already tracked the Sun Pirates' trail."
"Do we take action?"
Borsalino replied weakly:
"Well~"
"Keep watching~"
"Don't launch a rash attack. After all, those fish-men are each as strong as monsters~"
"If we lose another battleship~"
"Then I'll have no choice but to step in~"
"This is such a rare mission that counts as vacation~"
Strawberry was left speechless.
"This... fine then."
Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Strawberry couldn't help but sigh.
Assigned to work under this kind of Vice Admiral... when would he ever get promoted?
He missed the days under Admiral Sakazuki.
Never any dithering there....
"Tell the surveillance team to pull back a little farther. Don't provoke the Sun Pirates."
"Wait for Vice Admiral Borsalino's orders."
The soldier standing at attention before the desk saluted.
"Yes, sir!!!!"
...
Grand Line, first half.
Yarksto Island, at the harbor.
A massive battleship slowly pulled into the port, towing behind it several pirate crews frozen solid into giant blocks of ice.
Once docked, the Marines lined up and rushed toward the pirate ships, starting to smash apart the ice and search for loot.
Kuzan lay on a sun chair, an eyepatch over his face, snoring away.
At this moment, the ship's adjutant came over and woke him.
"Vice Admiral Kuzan, there are two pirate ships docked at the harbor."
"Should we deal with them?"
Hearing the word "pirates," Kuzan struggled to sit up, glanced at his watch, and asked:
"Have they started looting?"
The adjutant looked at the pirates in the distance, hurriedly loading supplies:
"Uh... not at the moment."
But with no response from Kuzan, he looked at him in confusion as the Vice Admiral just stared at his watch.
"Vice Admiral Kuzan?"
Still no answer. After half a minute, Kuzan finally spoke:
"Alright, my shift's over."
"Since they haven't looted, let's just let them go for now."
"Don't bother me while I'm sleeping."
He lay back down and instantly dozed off again....
The adjutant opened his mouth but held back, sighing instead. Vice Admiral Kuzan was getting lazier every year....
...
Holy Land.
The Elders, rulers of the world, appeared unusually solemn.
The Elder with the sword spoke:
"That fruit has reappeared."
"Send someone to recover it."
The curly-haired Elder frowned.
"Just send a CP9 agent."
"It's a pointless effort anyway."
"For eight hundred years, every generation of the World Government has tried to retrieve it."
"But it has never fallen into government hands."
"As if it has a will of its own."
"The urgent task is stabilizing the chaos in the Grand Line."
The sword-bearing Elder's brow furrowed as well:
"Let chaos be chaos. Let a bunch of trash be culled."
"And yet they dare to raise complaints against the Government."
"There are countless nations eager to become member states."
"No matter what, the Heavenly Tribute must never decrease."
"Just handle the aftermath properly. The Government's authority cannot be diminished."
"We cannot allow such a precedent."
The others thought for a moment.
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
Unlike the four seas, temporarily suppressed by Sakazuki, the people of the Grand Line had broader horizons and wilder ambitions.
Countless youths chose to set out to sea and become pirates.
Born on the Grand Line, they had natural advantages.
Compared to the unseasoned pirates of the four seas, those here were stronger.
Several nations had already been toppled — not member nations, but at this pace, it was only a matter of time.
With so many youths going to sea, productivity in the Grand Line's member nations fell, but the Heavenly Tribute they owed did not. The pressure mounted unbearably.
Many petitioned for reduced tribute. If things went on like this, the collapse of their nations was inevitable.
Some were already on the brink of destruction....
...
Grand Line, Enies Lobby.
Spandine, still the chief of CP9, summoned one of their strongest agents, Fūzu Fū.
Looking at the rebellious face of Fūzu Fū, Spandine smiled faintly.
"Fūzu Fū, sit."
"I've called you here because the Elders have issued a mission personally."
"After much thought, I believe only you are suitable."
"Only you can complete it."
Fūzu Fū looked surprised at first, but once he heard it was a mission from the Elders, he immediately sat straighter, his heart racing. If he performed well, could this be his chance to advance even further....
From his fierce, defiant expression, it was clear he was not content to remain just a weapon.
After a while, Fūzu Fū left the office without hesitation, pushing the door open.
Just as he exited, a white-haired CP agent was about to enter. He caught sight of Fūzu Fū's faintly excited face — and of his boss's smiling expression.
Shaking his head, the agent sighed inwardly.
"Tch tch, so young."
"Always looking like he's itching for a promotion. This time, he probably won't come back."
"The last time the boss smiled like that..."
"...was when he sabotaged the previous CP9 chief, wasn't it...."
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