Sabaody Archipelago.
When the massive archipelago formed by the roots of the Yarukiman Mangrove trees came into view, the deck of the training ship erupted in irrepressible cheers.
"Ooh! So this is Sabaody Archipelago? It looks so fun!" Luffy leaned over the ship's railing, his eyes sparkling with anticipation for unknown adventures.
"Idiot Luffy! We're here to coat the ship, not to play!" Usopp scolded verbally, but his actions betrayed him as he pulled out a telescope from his bag of tricks and began scanning the surroundings.
"Bubbles! They're bubbles!" Chopper bounced around the deck in excitement.
The training ship slowly docked at the designated Coating Dock.
After Orion announced they were free to explore, the young people who had been cooped up for over a month immediately scattered in all directions.
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper—the three troublemakers—instantly teamed up and dashed off together.
Their goal was clear: to find all the delicious food and fun activities on the island.
Meanwhile, Ace, Sabo, Zoro, and Sanji formed another group.
"This is our first time here, and we're unfamiliar with the place," Sanji lit a cigarette and suggested,
"Should we find a local to guide us?"
"You idiot," Zoro snorted disdainfully upon hearing this, slinging Wado Ichimonji over his shoulder.
"It's just an island. What do we need a guide for? I'll lead the way."
Ace and Sabo exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of foreboding in each other's eyes.
But seeing Zoro's confident and unquestionable demeanor, they chose to remain silent.
Thus, under Zoro's leadership, the four of them set off with great vigor and determination.
Half an hour later.
"Hey, moss-head," Sanji said through gritted teeth, a vein bulging on his forehead.
"Are you sure this is the way to the town center? Why do I feel like we've been going in circles in this forest?"
The bubble cars and commercial streets had long disappeared around them, replaced by towering Mangroves, dim lighting, and tangled, winding paths.
"Shut up, curly-brow! A man should trust his instincts!" Zoro walked solemnly at the front, choosing the left path at a fork in the road without hesitation.
"I feel this is the right direction."
Sabo sighed lightly, holding his forehead.
"Zoro, we came from this exact path ten minutes ago."
"That's right," Ace added, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, his tone carrying a hint of despair.
"I even made a mark on this tree."
He pointed to a cross he'd carved into the trunk.
Zoro paused, glanced at the familiar mark, then said without changing his expression.
"Hmph, this just proves my sense of direction is precise. I always find the right landmarks."
Sanji: "..."
Ace: "..."
Sabo: "..."
The three of them finally snapped.
"You idiot moss-head! If you have no sense of direction, don't try to act tough!"
"I knew something was wrong from the start!"
"Zoro, let's just go back."
Meanwhile, in the commercial district of the island.
Nami, Nojiko, and Koala were following Hancock, enjoying the pleasures of shopping.
"Wow! This dress is so pretty!"
"This bracelet is nice too!"
The girls' innate nature was completely unleashed before the dazzling array of goods.
Hancock, meanwhile, carried herself like a true queen, merely following behind them elegantly.
Whenever Nami and the others spotted something they liked, she would hand over a stack of Berries with a haughty demeanor, as if saying 'Such cheap trinkets are barely worthy of being your rags.'
After shopping for a while, Nami suddenly stopped and looked around, somewhat puzzled.
"That's strange, Hancock," she asked. "Everyone says Sabaody Archipelago is the gateway to the New World, where pirates, slave traders, and other criminals gather, and that the order here is very chaotic. But why do I feel like the security here is excellent? The people on the streets seem very friendly, and even those Celestial Dragons don't seem as terrifying as the legends say."
Just moments ago, they had witnessed a Celestial Dragon pass by.
Although the commoners around instinctively made way, no one knelt.
The Celestial Dragon merely grumbled in dissatisfaction before walking away.
Hearing Nami's question, Hancock lifted her delicate chin slightly, her face showing unconcealed pride.
"Precisely because this is the transit point to the New World, Orion-sama had long ago ordered strict control." Her voice carried a sense of shared pride. "Several warships take turns patrolling the surrounding waters. Upon spotting any pirate ships approaching, they have the authority to eliminate them first and report later without needing to seek permission."
"The island's control is even stricter. Any slave traders or pirates discovered can be immediately pursued and executed on the spot by the stationed marines."
"As for the Celestial Dragons appearing on Sabaody Archipelago, they must have just come from the West Icehouse Grand Hotel!"
Hancock's tone was calm, yet it inexplicably sent a chill down the spines of Nami and the other two.
After finishing their stroll, Hancock glanced at the sky and suddenly smiled mysteriously.
"Come, this queen will take you to an interesting place."
A moment later, the four arrived in front of a bar named "Shakky's Ripoff BAR."
Pushing the door open, Shakky, who was wiping glasses, looked up.
When she saw Hancock, she visibly paused, then blew out a smoke ring and laughed.
"Oh my, isn't this Hancock? What a rare guest. I never expected you to follow Fleet Admiral Orion out to mentor these rookies."
"This queen is now Orion's woman," Hancock walked over and sat at the bar, her tone natural.
"It's only right to share the burdens of the one you love."
This statement made Shakky pause again.
She scrutinized Hancock carefully, ultimately confirming she wasn't joking.
"Where's Rayleigh?" Hancock asked.
"That old man," Shakky shrugged, "should be at the Coating Dock."
...
Coating Dock.
"Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh, the former vice-captain of the Roger Pirates and a legendary great pirate, was casually sitting on the steps, wearing work clothes stained with resin.
He took a cigarette offered by the young fleet admiral before him, lit it, and took a deep drag.
Ever since Orion launched his coup and became the fleet admiral, Rayleigh had been secretly observing this young man and the drastic changes he brought to the world.
When he saw pirate forces across the seas being crushed one after another by Orion's swift and decisive actions, and when he witnessed the slave trade being completely eradicated on Sabaody Archipelago, this legendary pirate simply gave up.
His daily routine consisted of working as a coating craftsman at the dock and killing time at the secretly operated casinos on the island.
Several times, after losing everything, he even considered selling himself to fund his gambling.
But in today's Sabaody, who would dare engage in slave trading? Casino owners would rather kick him out than take in this "hot potato."
Left with no choice, he could only devote more time to his coating work.
Rayleigh exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, his aged eyes reflecting a mix of emotions as he looked at the spirited young fleet admiral before him.
"Truly unexpected. In less than a year, the world has changed so drastically. Your achievements have far surpassed anyone's imagination."
He paused, as if recalling something, then continued.
"Back when Roger reached Laugh Tale, he always regretted not being born in the same era as Joy Boy. If he were alive today and saw all you've accomplished, perhaps he would no longer have any regrets."
Hearing this, Orion's lips curled into a faint cold smile.
"Stop glorifying Roger."
"If he were in this era, the first one I'd eliminate would undoubtedly be the Roger Pirates."
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