The training ship broke through the darkness of the deep sea, and the moment it surfaced, the world suddenly changed color.
The sky was swallowed by lead-gray clouds, and pea-sized hailstones fell without warning, pounding against the deck.
The sea was no longer azure blue but churned like black ink, rolling up waves dozens of meters high as if trying to smash the training ship to pieces.
"Waaaah! We're gonna die! We're gonna die!"
Usopp and Chopper clung to each other, tears and snot flying everywhere as they rolled around the deck with the ship's violent rocking, like two out-of-control furballs.
"W-what kind of weather is this?!" Nami's face was pale as she tightly gripped the ship's railing.
"Hold on tight!" Koala quickly composed herself.
Having seen worse situations on Revolutionary Army ships, she loudly warned everyone while skillfully helping secure loose items on the deck.
"Damn these huge waves, I'll cut them down!" Zoro gripped his sword hilts, his eyes sharp.
"Idiot! You'll sink the ship!" Sanji kicked him back toward the cabin. "Go adjust the sail counterweights!"
"SUPER!" Franky stood at the helm, shirtless, letting the cold rain and sea waves crash against his body. Far from being afraid, he roared excitedly.
"Come on! New World! Let this super man see how tough you really are!"
At the ship's bow, Luffy spread his arms, facing the storm, laughing louder than anyone.
"Hahahaha! This is what adventure's all about! I'm gonna be the King of the Adventurers!"
Amid the chaos, Usopp and Chopper, who had tumbled into a heap, ended up crashing right at someone's feet.
Hawkins sat on a crate in the corner, his body swaying with the ship's motion, yet his expression remained utterly unchanged.
Usopp clung to his leg, wailing, "Hawkins! Do a reading! How much longer do we have to live?"
Hawkins glanced at them unhurriedly, his face impassive as he flipped over a Tarot card.
"Relax," he said calmly. "The mortality rate for this voyage is zero."
Some time later, after the training ship had miraculously navigated through the thunderstorm-ridden sea unscathed, the view suddenly opened up before them.
The sky was a clear, azure blue, and the sea was as smooth as a mirror.
The trainees collapsed one by one onto the deck, gasping for breath as if they had just escaped from the depths of hell.
....
Several days later.
The training ship slowly sailed into a bustling port.
This was Wats Country, one of the World Government-affiliated nations in the New World.
Looking around, the streets were lined uniformly with architecture in the style of Wano Country—upturned eaves and intricate brackets, exuding an antique charm.
But unlike Wano, the streets here were broad and smooth, with passersby dressed in elegant attire, their faces glowing with prosperity and confidence.
There was no oppressive atmosphere of isolationism in the air, only the vibrant vitality brought by openness and prosperity.
This was the fourth "Land of Dreams" in the New World, following Wano Country, Dressrosa, and Whole Cake Island.
At the port, a group had long been waiting.
At their head was the former Warlord of the Sea and now the inaugural mayor of Wano Country, Crocodile.
Dressed in a sharp black suit with his hair meticulously slicked back, the former rogue's air of menace had been replaced by a profound authority.
Beside him stood the World Government commissioner sent to oversee Wats Country, standing respectfully half a step behind him.
When the training ship's flag appeared on the horizon, the entire port stirred.
"It's the Fleet Admiral's ship!"
"The legendary Fleet Admiral, Orion-sama, has arrived!"
The news spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys.
Shoppers, store owners, patrolling soldiers—countless people dropped what they were doing and spontaneously flocked to the port from all directions.
The crowd converged, forming an endless river of people behind Crocodile and his entourage.
When Orion appeared at the ship's bow, the entire port fell silent in an instant.
He descended the gangway, his steps unhurried.
Crocodile and the government commissioner immediately stepped forward, while all the soldiers behind them snapped to attention in unison.
"Salute!"
Crocodile's voice boomed as he led with a crisp, standard Marine salute.
Behind him, the tens of thousands—even hundreds of thousands—of citizens who had gathered upon hearing the news straightened their backs in unison, mustering all their strength to roar in a voice that shook the world.
"Loyalty!"
The overwhelming roar resonated deeply within every trainee's heart.
They had witnessed grand scenes before, but never anything like this.
This was not fear born of coercion but genuine adoration and faith from the heart.
"Is this the influence of the King of the Marine?" Nami clenched her fists, her eyes gleaming with an unprecedented light.
"One day, I'll become a figure like Orion-sama!"
"You can't become the King of the Marine," Usopp chimed in, puffing out his chest and pointing proudly at himself.
"Because the second King of the Marine will be me, the great Usopp!"
Thump!
Nami delivered a merciless iron fist to his head.
Luffy tilted his head and asked curiously, "What's the Second Marine King? Can I become one?"
"You've got no chance," Ace pressed down on his straw hat and laughed, "Isn't your goal the King of Adventures? The title of Second Marine King belongs to me."
Amid the chattering exchanges of the interns, Orion looked at Crocodile standing before him and spoke with a smile.
"It hasn't been that long, yet the former Sand Crocodile has completely vanished. In his place stands the renowned first mayor of Wano Country, famous even in the New World."
Crocodile's expression turned serious as he withdrew his military salute, speaking earnestly.
"It's because the Fleet Admiral recognized my potential. Moreover, compared to being a pirate, I enjoy everything I have now much more."
"Well done, you've even learned how to flatter!" Orion chuckled, changing the subject: "Are you here in Wats Country for an official visit or political exchange?"
"Both." Crocodile maintained his serious expression: "Since we're expanding the Wano model to other nations, many matters require my personal attention!"
Orion nodded: "The capable bear more burdens. Let's go, since you happen to be here, we must have a banquet tonight!"
Crocodile stepped aside and bowed: "After you, Fleet Admiral!"
Walking through the path voluntarily cleared by the citizens, the group headed toward the municipal building.
On both sides of the street, countless women of various appearances crowded at the front lines, their eyes showing no fear but only fanatical admiration.
"Orion-sama, look over here!"
"Oh heavens, he's ten thousand times more handsome than in the newspapers!"
"Orion-sama, I love you!"
Countless flying kisses and heart-shaped gestures flew from the crowd, creating an unprecedented large-scale fan meeting scene.
Hancock, walking beside Orion, could barely maintain her haughty smile.
She subtly pressed closer, almost hanging her entire body on Orion's arm, while casting a sharp glare from her mesmerizing eyes that seemed to look down upon all mortals at the women who were cheering the loudest.
One overly excited woman, dressed flamboyantly, tried to break through the guards' blockade to get closer to Orion.
Hancock seemingly accidentally stretched out her foot with a cold smile on her lips.
"Ouch!"
The woman immediately lost her balance, falling to the ground in a clumsy heap, causing a minor commotion.
Satisfied, Hancock withdrew her gaze, cursing inwardly.
'What a lowly creatures, how dare they covet this queen's man!'
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