After a while...
Karol looked devastated, questioning life itself:
"Are you sure it's 15 years?"
Sakazuki nodded.
"Trust yourself. Exclude the parts in the recording where you were asleep."
"You'll finish sorting it out in just a few years."
Karol's mouth twitched...
A few years... he really dared to say that.
Sakazuki chuckled.
"Don't look so miserable. Just record the general outline first."
"Get a basic understanding of how the government operates,"
"Sketch out the overall structure. You can fill in the details later."
Karol reluctantly nodded.
"I guess that's the only way."
"My god..."
...
The New World, an unknown sea area.
Onboard the Sun Pirates' ship.
Jinbei sat in the center of the deck, surrounded by a group of his men, holding and reading an official document:
"The Navy wants to invite me to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"What do you all think?"
A Fishman fighter polishing his weapon grinned.
"Your current bounty is already 250 million Belly."
"They must think your strength is far beyond that."
"They're probably afraid you'll pose an even greater threat to the government later."
A long-mouthed Fishman next to him spoke.
"They finally realized how powerful you are."
"Forget government."
"Let our infamy keep spreading far and wide!!! Jinbei-aniki!!!"
Jinbei set down the document in his hand, looking toward Fishman Island.
"No..."
"This time, I intend to accept."
He slowly closed his eyes.
At the very least, it could be a form of compensation to Otohime...
...
A few days later.
Fishman Island, Ryugu Palace.
Inside the grand hall, King Neptune and Jinbei sat facing one another.
Two rows of Fishman soldiers stood at attention on either side of the hall.
Neptune spoke first.
"So you've finally returned, Jinbei."
"I've heard about you becoming one of the Seven Warlords."
Jinbei looked at Neptune and said.
"If I become a Warlord,"
"The government will grant amnesty to Aladdin and the others—the Fishman slaves Tiger once freed."
"And for those Fishmen who no longer wish to be pirates,"
"They won't be hunted anymore."
"They can return to live on Fishman Island."
"And most importantly, if I gain this position,"
"Perhaps it can bring our people a little closer to the World Government."
"I caused Queen Otohime a great deal of trouble before... let this be my small way of making amends."
Neptune sighed.
"I am truly grateful."
"Her health is frail right now, and she cannot appear in public."
"On her behalf, I thank you for making this decision."
Jinbei's expression turned distant.
"For the two races to coexist peacefully, that was also Tiger's wish."
"After all, it was because of us,"
"That Fishman Island was barred from attending the Reverie."
"I will do everything in my power to protect Fishman Island."
Neptune shook his head.
"Do not trouble yourself."
"Attending the Reverie... it's merely about showing up."
"The relationship between humans and Fishmen hasn't changed in all these years."
"The future lies with the next generation..."
...
East Blue, nighttime.
A massive dragon-headed ship sailed across the sea.
Everyone aboard wore cloaks, shadows concealing half their faces.
At that moment, one of the Revolutionary Army's commanders—the Okama King, Emporio Ivankov—his enormous face looming large, looked toward the blazing inferno in the distance:
"They're going to burn down the towns and their people together."
"Truly insane."
"But then again... our intelligence network has grown this far, eh?"
"Even in the Goa Kingdom, few people probably know secrets like these."
Dragon chuckled lightly. He did not answer Ivankov directly, but said instead:
"Eliminating anything deemed unnecessary from this country,"
"And being praised by the World Nobles as a 'model'."
"This nation is the mirror of what the future world would look like."
"A world where the unwanted are casually discarded and destroyed will never know happiness."
"One day, we will change this world."
"But... even in a country like this, children will still be born."
In Dragon's mind appeared the image of the child he had once met—who said he felt ashamed to be born a noble...
The Goa Kingdom... truly deserved a great fire to reduce it all to ash...
As the ship slowly approached the shore, a raging dragon of wind surged forth from Dragon's body, charging straight into the sea of flames.
The violent gales tore through the towering wall of fire.
The massive trash heaps that had trapped countless people in despair were blown open, creating a clear, unobstructed path.
The storm winds pressed down and snuffed out the flames on either side of the road.
...
Inside the Gray Terminal.
Countless people, carrying their bundles and bags, stared at the miraculous escape route before them.
"This is..."
"It's a road!!!!"
"We're saved!!"
"Look! There's a ship at the end of the passage!!!"
"This road leads to the coast!"
"Before the fire spreads—run!!"
Countless people, tears streaming from the joy of survival, rushed toward the end of the path.
At the far end, watching the masses charge forward, Dragon's voice thundered across the sky:
"Those who are willing to fight for freedom!"
"Board this ship!!!"
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total