Boom!
Boom!
Amid the roaring explosions echoing in his ears, Arthur stood silently, watching the battlefield below with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Hahaha…"
A figure stood beside Arthur, speaking softly with a hint of awe.
"My King… A new world. A new future. New people. And when everything becomes new again… new life rises like the morning sun."
Arthur didn't look back. Instead, he teased:
"When did you become such a poetic young man? Don't tell me you've been hanging around Tristan for too long?"
"Don't! Don't say that, Your Majesty!"
The young knight with flax-colored hair shook his head frantically. No way did he want to become anything like Tristan — that would be too tragic.
Arthur chuckled. "If Tristan heard you, he wouldn't be pleased. Well, whatever. By the way… if I remember correctly, you haven't finished today's training yet, have you?"
"It's already finished."
"Armament Haki."
"Observation Haki."
"How could I possibly fail to master them?"
As he spoke, the young man raised his arm and clenched his fist. A layer of jet-black Armament Haki instantly coated his forearm.
The practice time was obviously short, but the mastery he'd already reached in such little time was unquestionable proof of his top-tier talent.
"Well…"
Arthur continued watching the battlefield below.
"You still need to push harder. This isn't over yet. What's coming next… are the real monsters."
"I understand."
The young knight answered seriously.
And at that moment, the battle below finally came to an end. The curtain had fallen.
Rumble…
RUMBLE…
Hugh, Max, Wei, and Bohr didn't quite understand why, but the fight felt almost blessed by the heavens. Victory came far too easily — unreasonably easily. It was as if fate itself favored them.
In just a short span of time…
The eight former subordinate officers of the Rocks Pirates were already defeated beneath the four warriors' combined might. Every pirate that came along with them had been wiped out by the Fish-Men.
It was shocking — but undeniable.
"Whew…"
Max exhaled deeply, sighing.
"Is it because we've followed the King…? It feels like my life has entered a second spring. To defeat them this easily… it doesn't feel real."
"HAHAHAHA!"
Hugh twirled his massive naginata, laughing boldly.
"Damn, that was exhilarating! It's been ages since I fought like that!"
His bloodline roared again, echoing the overwhelming power once equal to the Blue Ogre and Red Ogre he used to stand alongside.
"Who knows…"
Max shook his head, feeling oddly refreshed.
"Hahaha… not bad!"
The young Bohr tightened his fists, excitement burning in his eyes.
"That was satisfying! I want more battles like this in the future."
"Mmm."
Wei simply nodded calmly.
The four of them — as trainee Knights of the Round Table — approached training with earnest devotion.
"Hmmm…"
Arthur watched the four of them clearing the battlefield. His gaze drifted across the waterfall, across the Britannia Archipelago, his mind already running.
"My King," the young knight beside him asked curiously, "what are you thinking about?"
Arthur replied quietly:
"I need to find a master craftsman — someone who can connect every island in the Britannia Sea. Ideally, I want two massive elevators: one connecting Glacier Island, one connecting Volcano Island to the upper islands. But to make something like that… would be very difficult."
It was true.
Unless solved, transportation would become a nightmare as Britannia's population grew.
As for population?
Heh.
In this world, if you are strong and wealthy enough to build a safe nation — refugees from every corner of the New World will rush to you.
Just look at Big Mom's Totto Land.
Even with the price of lifespan, people still flocked there — because the alternative was dying at the hands of pirates.
At this moment, the four warriors ascended the mountain island and knelt respectfully.
"My King! All intruders have been eliminated."
Arthur smiled. "Your handling was excellent."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's praise!"
Their gratitude came from the soul. Once, they followed him out of repayment…
But now?
Now they followed him out of genuine reverence.
Living on Britannia changed them — subtly but surely.
"Hmmm…"
Arthur asked, "Do any of you know a craftsman capable of connecting the islands? Ideally someone who can build enormous lifts between Volcano Island and Glacier Island."
The four thought. Then Max stepped forward.
"My King, there is such a craftsman on Fish-Man Island. He calls himself a shipwright, but I know he's far more than that — a true master artisan."
Arthur blinked, then realized:
"Tom the shipwright?"
Max nodded.
"Yes. Tom and his team are currently on Fish-Man Island. But last I heard, he planned to move to Water 7 — he believes his talents can't flourish on the island."
Arthur nodded.
"People seek places where their potential can grow. Very well. When the situation here settles down, we'll go to Water 7 together and invite Tom."
"No!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Absolutely not!"
Max rejected the idea immediately.
"My King, I appreciate your kindness… but you cannot enter the Grand Line casually. You were once a member of the Rocks Pirates. If you enter the Grand Line now without overwhelming strength… endless trouble will follow."
Arthur paused, then nodded.
"…True. Then I'll leave this to you."
"My King, rest assured!"
Max pounded his chest.
"My name still carries weight. I'll bring Tom to Britannia."
Arthur trusted him completely.
Not only did he want bridges — he also entertained the idea of a Sea Train someday.
With Tom's genius, it was absolutely possible.
As he was thinking this—
Arthur suddenly lifted his head.
His Observation Haki told him:
A familiar presence had arrived.
"What a nuisance…"
Arthur sighed, though a smile crept onto his lips.
"So that guy came after all. What a headache."
The four warriors stiffened.
The young knight smiled excitedly.
Moments later—
WHOOSH!
WHOOSH!
Several massive pirate ships materialized in the sky.
Around a thousand pirates — but the atmosphere was entirely different from before.
These were monsters.
And among them floated a single man, arms crossed, golden mane blowing like a lion's.
Twin blades at his waist.
Old-fashioned clothing.
Clogs on his feet.
A presence like a storm.
The Golden Lion — Shiki.
After breaking from the Rocks Pirates, he built the Flying Pirates — one of the sea's true calamities.
"Jihahahahaha!"
Shiki burst into hearty laughter.
"Arthur! It's been a little over a month! And look at you — you've made quite the spectacle in that time!"
Arthur smiled lightly.
"Shiki… just as I expected. You're the first troublemaker to show up."
"Jihahahahaha!"
Shiki didn't mind the jab in the slightest.
He spread one hand toward Arthur and grinned fiercely.
"Arthur!"
"Become my right hand!"
"With you and me together… we can conquer this sea!"
His voice boomed across the ocean — clear proof of how highly he valued Arthur.
But Arthur's smile never changed.
And neither did his answer.
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