At the same time, Sengoku, who had walked out, did not leave immediately.
He quietly stood outside the closed door. Only after he seemed to hear something did he let out a heavy sigh, then started walking again. As he walked, he shook his head and muttered to himself.
"A new era?"
But the so-called new era, to the World Government, was nothing more than an interesting memory within their long years.
…
West Blue, Ohara continent.
In the past few days since returning, Ian hasn't moved around much.
Most of the time, he's either accompanying his wife and children or basking in the sun.
When she saw the legacy left behind by the former Ohara, Robin's eyes immediately reddened with excitement.
Of course, Ian understood. After so many years, after wandering for so long, seeing the familiar things from those days again, how could there not be any emotional stir in her heart?
It was only because the children were still there that Robin tried her best to restrain herself.
Otherwise, he would probably have had to comfort her for several nights again.
After that, Robin brought Aria along… and this mother and daughter, who inherited the blood of Ohara's scholars, began organizing Ohara's legacy inside the library of the new Tree of Knowledge.
That's right. In order to house this batch of legacy, Ian specially had everyone search the seas for an ancient tree of the same species as the one in Ohara. Then, on the island, they built an enormous library and named it the new Tree of Knowledge.
Of course, this tree is merely the same species as the one from Ohara. As for its age, it's nowhere near the original Tree of Knowledge.
After all, the original Tree of Knowledge was already over 5,000 years old, while this one is only a little more than 2,000 years old.
Even with Binz helping to stimulate its growth, it still falls far short of the original Tree of Knowledge.
Even so, just to find this tree that had barely passed the 2,000-year mark required an enormous amount of time, manpower, and resources before they finally located it on a remote ancient island in the West Blue.
It was similar to Little Garden in the Grand Line, an island filled with all kinds of ancient plants and animals.
Although such well-preserved prehistoric islands are extremely rare across the seas, with enough luck, they can still be encountered.
And in order to bring this ancient tree back, the New Continent Plan had to be halted for a period of time.
There was no other way. To ensure the ancient tree's integrity and vitality, the only method was to have Avalo Pizarro slice off a piece of the entire island. Then it had to be transported little by little before being fused together again.
During this period, quite a few events also occurred across the seas.
For example, the Pirates Festival, known as the largest gathering in the One Piece World, was held.
Normally, the Pirates Festival should have taken place a year and a half later, before the Wano Country incident. But now, not only had the timing been moved forward, but it also happened after the battle at Egghead.
At the time, Ian also received an invitation letter, but he didn't go.
There was also the large-scale concert on the Island of Music, which Ian likewise did not attend.
Instead, Law and his companions, along with Ace, Enel, Bonney, and Kuma, even brought Aikes along and went to participate.
Although Ian clearly understood the true purpose behind the concert on the Island of Music, he wasn't too worried.
After all, with such a lineup, plus the Straw Hat Pirates, it would take a miracle for anything serious to happen. If an accident still occurred with that group, then Enel and the others might as well quit the seas entirely.
When they set off, Ian only briefly reminded Enel to keep an eye on the kid.
And just as he expected, after the concert ended yesterday, he had already spoken with Kuma on the Den Den Mushi.
Although a small incident occurred, everyone was safe, and Ace even met Luffy and Sabo.
The three brothers were finally reunited for the first time.
Of course, aside from the happenings across the seas, a piece of good news also occurred on Ohara's side.
Ain was pregnant too!
Although Robin's child had not yet been born, there was no doubt that before long Ian would welcome his fourth child.
When Zephyr heard the good news, he happily held a banquet that lasted three days and three nights.
Only today had it finally ended.
While Ian was sunbathing and resting, he seemed to sense some movement. His ear twitched slightly, but he didn't raise his head. Instead, he casually said, "I thought you'd stay in the research institute the whole time. You actually have time to come find me? What's the matter? Did something happen?"
"Although I'm already eager to realize the inspirations in my mind, coming to a new place means I still have to familiarize myself with it first."
Facing Ian's words, Vegapunk didn't mind at all. Sticking out his long tongue, he said with a cheerful grin, "Everyone has been really enthusiastic!"
Yet there seemed to be a faint trace of emotion hidden in his tone.
Thinking about it, even he hadn't expected that he would ultimately choose this faction that had only recently risen.
Back then, the Revolutionary Army had also invited him, yet he didn't follow them. Instead, he came to the West Blue.
Using a device in his hand, Vegapunk sprayed out a soft white cloud in front of him and directly lay down on it.
"You actually thought of expanding the island in this way. I've already looked into it, it's truly an extraordinary idea!"
If news of the New Continent Plan spread across the seas, the Stone-Stone Fruit and the Isle-Isle Fruit would surely skyrocket in value.
No wonder the sea calls him the God of Sun.
It's not just his strength, this guy… it seems he will also stir up a different wind in this era.
Thinking of this, Vegapunk couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"Perhaps Ohara really has a way to survive the disaster that's about to arrive."
Ian: "...?!"
Ian's eyelid twitched.