"One Piece:The True Codex"Chapter 370: A Promise from the Past
Yusolin Heller stumbled through the forest, running frantically. He had walked this path to the private dock countless times before, but the distance between the dock and the outpost had never felt so insurmountable.
Blood poured from the wounds in his right hand and left shoulder, staining his clothes. The branches and weeds scraping against his injuries only made him groan in pain, but he dared not slow his pace. Behind him, the constant rustling of footsteps reminded him that the Marines were still in pursuit.
Yusolin had no idea where he could go or what he could do next. Once a young man who aspired to rise through the Marine ranks, he was now a fugitive, hunted by the very organization he once served. His future was no longer his to grasp.
But at the very least, Yusolin knew one thing—he didn't want to be caught. He didn't want to be falsely accused of crimes he didn't commit and spend the rest of his life rotting in a prison cell.
Panting heavily, Yusolin finally heard the familiar sound of waves crashing against the shore. Through the overgrown grass, he caught a glimpse of the small boat bobbing gently with the tide.
As he reached the shoreline, the view opened up, leaving him exposed. Gritting his teeth, Yusolin pushed himself to sprint toward the boat with every ounce of strength he had left.
Ensign Daddy emerged from the edge of the forest, breathing only slightly heavier than normal. Seeing the open terrain ahead, he raised his rifle, already loaded and ready to fire.
Yusolin zigzagged as he ran, trying to make himself a harder target to hit. But to Daddy, he was still nothing more than a large, moving target. With practiced ease, Daddy locked the rifle's sights onto Yusolin's back. No matter how Yusolin tried to evade, the crosshairs never wavered.
And yet, Daddy didn't pull the trigger.
Not until Yusolin reached the boat and leapt onto the deck did Daddy finally fire. But just before pulling the trigger, he abruptly lifted the barrel, sending the bullet harmlessly into the sky.
Yusolin landed heavily on the boat's deck, rolling twice before coming to a stop. Blood from his wounds streaked across the planks, leaving two vivid red trails.
The sound of the gunshot made Yusolin flinch, his entire body trembling. Unsteady on his feet, he crouched low and looked himself over, realizing he hadn't been hit. Overcome with relief, he let out a ragged gasp and hurried to start the boat.
As he pulled at the ropes and anchor, his wounds reopened, and blood seeped through his hands, staining the lines. Yet when the boat finally began to move, Yusolin, his once-pristine white Marine uniform now soaked in blood, couldn't help but laugh aloud. His laughter was filled with the joy of narrowly escaping death.
But as he laughed, he turned to look back at the shore. There, the figure of a man in a white Marine uniform stood tall, watching him from a distance. Even from far away, the silhouette was unmistakable. Yusolin's laughter turned into sobs, tears streaming down his face.
On the shore, Ensign Daddy shaded his eyes with his hand, watching the small boat drift farther out to sea. Even at this distance, he was confident he could take Yusolin down with a single shot. But he chose not to.
Daddy let out a sigh and muttered to himself, "A pirate becomes the government's honored guest, and a Marine becomes a wanted criminal. What kind of twisted world is this?"
When the other three Marines, who had been trailing behind at a leisurely pace, finally arrived at the shore, they found Daddy standing alone.
"Ensign Daddy..." The three exchanged confused glances. Knowing Daddy's reputation as a sharpshooter, they couldn't fathom how Yusolin Heller had managed to escape.
"I missed," Daddy said casually, tossing the rifle back to one of the Marines. His tone was light, as if it were no big deal.
Some time earlier...
While Dampier was still locked in a heated debate with the Five Elders, and the World Government was preparing its announcement to address potential controversies, William had already entered the New World.
Upon arriving in this unfamiliar sea, William's first target wasn't the famed "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate or "BIG MOM" Charlotte Linlin, who had once invited him to join her family. Instead, he sought out a "familiar face"—"Red-Haired" Shanks.
In the New World, ruled by the Four Emperors, meeting these powerful figures was both simple and difficult. Their names were like magnets, drawing everyone's attention. Many knew their names, their whereabouts, and even the locations of their strongholds. But reaching them was no easy task. Strangers often had to overcome countless obstacles to get an audience.
William wasn't entirely sure if he and Shanks could be considered acquaintances. However, the two had crossed paths in the East Blue, and the impression they left on each other was positive.
William's understanding of the New World was limited. In this dangerous and unfamiliar sea, he had no reliable sources of information and couldn't afford to wander aimlessly.
He couldn't very well march into Whitebeard's territory and say, "I want to be your son!"
William needed someone who understood the New World and could potentially serve as a guide.
To ensure Shanks remembered their brief encounter in the East Blue, William had prepared a special gift for this meeting: the corpse of the legendary swordsman Ryuma from Wano Country.
Wano Country, located in the New World under the rule of the Four Emperors, was not a member of the World Government but maintained a degree of independence. This alone made it noteworthy. According to Hogback and Perona, the samurai Ryuma held significant meaning to Wano.
With the New World divided among the Four Emperors, this corpse might prove useful to Shanks in some way.
To William's surprise, after giving his name, he was swiftly escorted to a tropical island. In a disorganized jungle camp filled with makeshift tents, he met Shanks, now one of the Four Emperors.
Perhaps it was the countless trials Shanks had faced since leaving the East Blue and retracing the Grand Line, or perhaps it was the aura he had developed over years as an Emperor. The once unassuming Shanks, who had looked like an ordinary fisherman, now exuded a commanding presence. Even as he lounged lazily on a wooden crate, he resembled a tiger resting with its claws retracted. His mere posture radiated an unshakable Haki.
Yet when Shanks saw William, his weathered, stubbled face broke into a boyish, carefree grin. In that moment, William could see the same Shanks he had met in Maple Village—a man whose warmth and charm made him impossible to dislike.
"William, you've finally made it to the New World!" Shanks laughed heartily as he stood up, his enthusiasm surpassing that of William, who had come seeking his help. "Back in the East Blue, I said I'd treat you to a drink. I didn't think it'd take you this many years to find me!"
(End of Chapter)
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