The coated training ship slowly descended into the sea.
At the Coating Dock of Sabaody Archipelago, Rayleigh and Shakky stood side by side, watching as the training ship submerged and disappeared beneath the waves.
The sea breeze brushed past, carrying a salty, damp scent.
Rayleigh tucked the long-empty liquor flask back at his waist, shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile.
"Whether it's Rocks or Roger, in the end, their vision was just too narrow."
Shakky exhaled a wisp of smoke, looking puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"
"This era doesn't necessarily need the D clan," Rayleigh narrowed his eyes, as if seeing the distant past through the sea before him.
"Whether it's Rocks, Roger, or Joy Boy from eight hundred years ago, from another perspective, they were all acting for their own selfish interests."
"Calling their vision narrow is because they simply pursued freedom and equality for themselves, but never considered the common people of this world—those ordinary folks without any power to defend themselves. Or perhaps they simply didn't care."
"For ordinary people without power, all they want is three meals a day and a stable, safe living environment. As for who rules this world—whether it's the Celestial Dragons or someone else—they truly don't care."
"If the World Government can bring peace and stability to this world, then anyone who disrupts that situation is unforgivable."
Hearing this, Shakky remarked calmly, "Facts have proven that the World Government has long been rotten to the core. As long as the privileges of the Celestial Dragons exist for even a day, this world can never achieve true peace and stability."
Rayleigh nodded. "That's why I said both Rocks and Roger had too narrow a vision."
"When faced with such a corrupt situation, their first thought was to turn the world upside down, dragging countless innocent people into war, destroying homes and lives. There was no need to search for any historical truth or find Laugh Tale! They could have started by reforming the World Government!"
Pausing briefly, Rayleigh's tone suddenly carried a hint of self-mockery.
"Even if we uncover the truth of the eight-hundred-year-old history, it would be useless at best—merely filling in the blanks of that period. The reason Orion isn't interested in that void century is because what he carries in his heart isn't the world itself, but the people living in it."
At this point, Rayleigh turned to Shakky.
"When we were coating the training ship earlier, I said something: this era will become great because of Orion. Guess how Orion responded?"
Shakky raised an eyebrow. "I won't guess. If you want to say it, just say it."
Rayleigh chuckled, squinting his eyes again. "Orion said, 'In any world, in any era, as long as you hold the people in your heart, the people will naturally lift you up.'"
"While historical truth is important, we shouldn't sacrifice the people living in the present for the sake of the past."
Shakky's fingers holding her cigarette paused slightly as she blinked.
"That's a very philosophical perspective."
Rayleigh put away his flask and gazed back toward the horizon.
The sun was setting, its final rays dyeing the sky and sea a magnificent orange-red, merging into an endless expanse.
A sea breeze rose silently, stirring their clothes as they stood there, looking from afar like a beautiful oil painting.
"It's getting dark," Shakky said softly.
Squinting at the red sun slowly sinking below the sea, Rayleigh curled his lips into a relieved smile.
"Don't worry, the sun will rise again tomorrow."
...
...
Encased in a giant bubble, the training ship steadily navigated through the dark, cold undersea world.
"Wow! Such a big fish!"
"Idiot! That's a sea beast! Look over there—it even glows!"
Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp—the three lively troublemakers—pressed their faces against the bubble film, exclaiming in amazement at the bizarre deep-sea creatures outside the window.
Zoro dozed in a corner, clutching his three swords, while Sanji busied himself in the kitchen preparing deep-sea fish dishes.
Ace and Sabo leaned against the window, watching the outline of an island grow larger beyond the coating, both showing expressions of awe.
Soon, the training ship passed through the final bubble layer and smoothly arrived at Fish-Man Island.
Unlike the legendary lawless zone where pirates ran rampant and chaos reigned, the port of Fish-Man Island before them was orderly and well-regulated.
A brand new base bearing the massive Marine insignia was already taking shape, with numerous Marine soldiers and fish-man craftsmen bustling about in fervent activity.
When the training ship docked at the port, Jinbei, who had been waiting there all along, immediately stepped forward to greet them.
Behind him, an entire squad of Marine soldiers swiftly formed ranks, standing ramrod straight.
Orion led the trainees down the gangplank.
Jinbei took a step forward, his dark face solemn as he abruptly straightened his posture, his booming voice echoing across the entire port!
"Attention all! Salute the Fleet Admiral!"
Whoosh!
The neatly lined-up Marine soldiers behind him simultaneously raised their hands in salute, shouting in unison.
"Loyalty!"
Orion smiled and returned the salute, finally letting his gaze settle on Jinbei.
"Why hasn't Ryugu Kingdom relocated yet?"
Hearing this, a trace of helplessness appeared on Jinbei's face.
"Reporting to the Fleet Admiral, Ryugu Kingdom was prepared to relocate, but Princess Shirahoshi has been targeted by the captain of the Flying Pirates, Vander Decken IX. Recently, he's been using his Mark-mark Fruit ability to attack the Hard Shell Tower protecting the princess, attempting to force her into marriage."
"I've pursued him several times, but the guy is too cunning and always manages to escape."
"Oh?" A cold glint flashed in Orion's eyes. "Immediately send word to King Neptune of Ryugu Kingdom."
"Tell him to reply to Vander Decken IX that the Ryugu Kingdom agrees to this marriage proposal."
Jinbei was momentarily stunned but quickly understood.
Clearly, Orion intended to personally handle this trouble!
His face immediately lit up with joy as he nodded firmly.
"Yes! I'll go right away!"
Without any delay, Jinbei turned and sped off toward the direction of Ryugu Kingdom.
....
Inside Ryugu Palace.
When King Neptune learned that Fleet Admiral Orion had arrived at Fish-Man Island and was preparing to deal with the major problem of Vander Decken, the massive king was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.
He immediately personally penned a reply.
Soon, this letter bearing the "good news" found its way into the hands of Vander Decken IX, captain of the Flying Pirates lurking in the dark depths of the sea.
"Ohohohoho! Ohohohoho!"
Vander Decken IX looked at the contents of the letter and let out a mad, excited laugh, his ugly face filled with greed and obsession.
"Shirahoshi! My beautiful Princess Shirahoshi! You're finally going to become my wife!"
Pausing slightly, Vander Decken IX suddenly looked up, excitedly declaring.
"Set sail for Ryugu Kingdom immediately! I'm going to hold a grand wedding with Princess Shirahoshi!"