A while later.
Holding the audio recording device, Carlo looked completely defeated. "Are you sure it's fifteen years?"
Sakazuki nodded. "Believe in yourself. If you cut out the parts where he's asleep on the recordings, it'll only take a few years to sort through."
Carlo's mouth twitched. A few years…
Sakazuki smiled. "Don't look so gloomy. Just start with the basics and get a rough outline of how the government operates. Put the main framework together first, then fill in the details slowly."
Carlo gave a helpless nod. "There's no other way. Oh god…"
* * *
New World, an unnamed sea.
On the Sun Pirates' ship, Jinbe sat in the center of the deck. Around him a group of crew members gathered.
Scanning the formal notice in his hand, he spoke, "The Marines have invited me to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea. What do you all think?"
A fish-man fighter, busy polishing his weapon, grinned. "Your bounty has already reached 250 million Berries. They must think your strength is greater than that. They're afraid you'll become a bigger threat to the government in the future."
Another, a long-snouted fish-man, sneered. "They finally realize how strong you are. Ignore those government people. Let our name spread even farther, Captain Jinbe!"
Jinbe put the paper down and looked toward Fish-Man Island. "No. I will accept it."
He closed his eyes. At least he could use it to make amends to Queen Otohime.
* * *
A few days later. Fish-Man Island, Ryugu Palace.
In the grand hall, King Neptune and Jinbe sat facing each other. Two rows of fish-men soldiers stood tall on either side of the chamber.
"You're finally back, Jinbe," Neptune said. "I've heard about you becoming a Warlord of The Sea."
Jinbe met his eyes and answered, "If I take this position, the government will pardon Aladdin and the others. Those fish-men who do not want to keep being pirates will no longer be pursued. They can return to life on Fish-Man Island. Most importantly, my status might bring us fish-men a little closer to the World Government. We've caused the Queen a great deal of trouble already. Consider this a small way of making up for it."
Neptune sighed. "Thank you. Her health isn't good, so she can't come here in person. On her behalf, I thank you for your decision."
Jinbe broke into a soft reverie. "Peace between the two races. That was also Big Brother Tiger's wish. It was our actions that led to Fish-Man Island being banned from the Reverie. I will do everything I can to protect the island."
Neptune shook his head. "No need to worry. Going to the meeting is only ceremonial. The relationship between humans and fish-men hasn't changed in all these years. That work will fall to the next generation."
* * *
East Blue, night.
A huge dragon-headed ship cut through the dark sea. Everyone aboard wore cloaks that threw half their faces in shadow.
Among them stood Emporio Ivankov, the Revolutionary officer with the large face. He watched a blaze on the horizon.
"They're burning towns and people alike. That's madness," he muttered. "Still, our intelligence network is getting better. I doubt many in the Goa Kingdom even knew this would happen."
Dragon chuckled and spoke, "A nation that discards anything it deems useless is praised as a model by the World Nobles. That kingdom is a mirror of the world to come. A society that casually eliminates those it no longer wants will never know true happiness. One day we will change this."
He fell silent for a moment, then added, "But… even in such a country children are born."
His thoughts drifted to a child he'd met who felt shame at being a noble.
As their ship neared the shore, Dragon summoned a long storm dragon from his body and plunged into the inferno. The raging wind pierced the towering flames. He cleared away the piles of wreckage that had trapped countless people. The wind pushed the fire back on both sides, opening a path with no obstacles.
Inside the waste depot, people laden with bundles stopped and stared at the miraculous escape route.
"This is..."
"It's a path! We're saved!"
"Look. There's a ship at the end of the passage!"
"It's the way to the coast. Run before the fire reaches us!"
Tears and relief mixed on their faces as they rushed toward the opening. They pressed forward through smoke and ash, desperate for the light at the end.
At the passage's mouth, Dragon looked at the crowd swelling toward him and roared.
"Those willing to fight for freedom. Board this ship!"
* * *
When the last of the survivors climbed aboard, hope finally lit their faces. Yet the great ship of the Revolutionary Army did not set sail. Ivankov strode over, puzzled.
"What are we waiting for, Dragon?" he asked.
A faint smile curved at Dragon's lips. "Yes. We're waiting for one more... a child who will one day carry the banner forward."
He had already sensed that child's presence.
* * *
The path of salvation carved out by the storm began to reignite. Flames crept back in, licking at the edges of the passage. Right then, a boy darted out from the shadows. Gasping for breath, gripping a steel pipe in his hand, he sprinted down the blazing road toward the coast.
Behind him, the fire chased like a living beast. But when his eyes caught the faint outline of the massive ship waiting at the shore, he grinned. Strength surged through his weary limbs, enough to push him onward. He ran faster, leaving the flames behind as he charged toward the vessel.
That boy was none other than the future Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo.
But his path was not the same as in the original story. Though he had still run away from home and lived in the Gray Terminal, this time Ace's disappearance left him to survive alone. His dream, however, had not changed.
He longed to escape his false country and family. He dreamed of the sea, of freedom, of becoming a pirate, sailing across the world, and recording what he saw in books to pass down through generations.
But when he witnessed the nobles order a fire that consumed lives for nothing more than saving face, the last shred of hope in his heart shattered. To him, these nobles were beyond redemption.
He had tried to warn the people of the terminal, but soldiers blocked his way at every turn. It was in that moment of despair that he crossed paths with Dragon.
And through that meeting, a new purpose took root within him. Not just to run away and sail freely. He would change this world.
A sudden gust swept through the flames, swirling into a powerful current that lifted Sabo's small body high into the air. The wind carried him safely upward, hurling him toward the shore.
On the deck of the ship, Dragon saw the boy's form approaching, smiling.
"Set sail!" he commanded.
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