Somewhere in the first half of the Grand Line, laughter boomed across the deck of the Oro Jackson.
"I told you that guy was something else!" Roger roared, slapping his knee. "But to think he actually sent Garp flying!"
Rayleigh was stunned. Having fought Garp countless times, he knew better than anyone how strong the Vice Admiral truly was. The idea that someone could go toe-to-toe with him—no, overpower him—was absurd.
And to make it worse, Toji had done it barehanded.
Roger stood on the upper deck, both hands gripping the railing as his laughter echoed through the sea breeze. "The world really never disappoints! Boys, we can't fall behind—let's shake things up too!"
The crew erupted in a unified roar.
...
When Garp saw the newspaper, his temper exploded. He punched an entire mountain on a deserted island until it crumbled, the air crackling with the force of his Conqueror's Haki.
With one last punch that split the ground, he turned toward his warship, still seething.
The newspaper's description of him was unbearable—humiliating, even.
"Set course for the Sabaody Archipelago," he barked. "Sweep the whole place—zones one through seventy-nine!"
His adjutant swallowed nervously. "V-Vice Admiral, sir… most of the underground dealings are between zones one and twenty-nine. Maybe we can, uh, skip the rest for now?"
Even an admiral wouldn't dare pull something like a full sweep of Sabaody. Some "victories" weren't worth the cost.
Garp grunted, glancing back at the mountain he'd just demolished. "Fine. Start with one through twenty-nine."
He didn't know it yet, but Toji's actions had just saved him another fierce clash with Roger.
.....
Time passed quietly, as it always did.
After Ginn's… mistake, he'd made amends with Toji over the next few days—three, to be exact. And so, the lectures stopped.
Early one morning, Aiden dragged Toji and Ginn through the streets of Water 7.
Toji yawned. "You could've gone by yourself. Why drag us along?"
"I wanted you to share the moment with me," Aiden said cheerfully. "Besides, Ornn's interested in meeting you two."
He kept urging them to hurry until they reached a newly opened forge. It still smelled of fresh wood and molten metal.
A massive figure lounged out front in a chair, lazily fanning himself.
Toji blinked in surprise. "Oh, thank God—it's just the same name." The tension in his chest eased. For a second, he'd thought it was that Ornn.
The blacksmith before them was still an intimidating sight—built like a mountain, with dark, rugged skin that looked more like iron than flesh.
His massive frame was hunched, muscles corded and scarred from years at the forge, his arms thick as pillars, fists broad as millstones. Even his legs, though short, looked like they could shatter stone.
When Aiden approached, Ornn stood and handed him a long blade, grinning with pride.
"The materials you gave me were top-tier. Even for me, it took three days to finish. She's at the level of a Great Grade Sword—though if I had rarer metals and stronger flames, I might've pushed her to Supreme Grade."
Aiden could see the faint disappointment in Ornn's face and smiled gently. "Don't worry about it. I'm more than satisfied."
Ornn waved a hand. "With proper Haki tempering, it's only a matter of time before it becomes a Supreme Grade Blade."
Toji chuckled, resting his hand on the hilt of his own sword, the Soulrender. "You should count yourself lucky. It took me ages to raise mine to Great Grade. Yours is practically there already."
Aiden smiled and drew the blade. Under the sunlight, its edge shimmered with a faint crimson hue.
The handle was black streaked with dark gold, and the sheath matched—black as night, encircled with glimmers of gold like a serpent's coil.
Ornn admired his own craftsmanship with satisfaction. "Your sword—have you named it yet?"
"Vengeance," Aiden said quietly, sliding it back into the sheath. He bowed slightly. "Thank you."
As Aiden walked out, Ornn murmured to himself, "Vengeance, huh? To seek a life with vengeance… another blade destined to bear a heavy burden."
.....
Today was also the day their new ship was completed. The three of them made their way toward the shipyard, chatting idly.
"What about your old sword?" Toji asked. "You've had it a while. Gonna try dual-wielding?"
Aiden shook his head. "I'll keep it in my quarters on the new ship. One blade's enough."
From afar, they spotted Tom's bright yellow skin glinting under the sun. The shipwright was waving his short arms excitedly.
"Toji! You're just in time!" Tom shouted. "She's done! I swear, this ship won't lose to the Oro Jackson itself!"
Toji grinned and gestured to Ginn, who placed a heavy chest at Tom's feet. "A small token of gratitude from the Infinite Pirates."
Tom's eyes sparkled. "You sure know how to say thank you!" He quickly barked orders, calling over two giants to begin the launching ceremony.
"This ship's gonna make waves across the sea," Tom said. "You got a name for her yet?"
They'd argued about that for days back on their old junk ship, coming up with one terrible name after another. But this time, Toji just smiled.
"The Black Pearl."
Tom nodded approvingly. "And the old one?"
That question hit a somber note. Toji's expression didn't falter, but there was a faint sadness in his eyes. "Burn it."
They unloaded the supplies and treasure beforehand. Then, as the old vessel bobbed quietly on the waves, Toji tossed a lit torch. Flames consumed the ship as it slowly sank beneath the sea—a fitting end.
The past was gone. Ahead lay their true beginning.
.....
The Black Pearl was a two-masted ship, its bow carved into the fierce head of a black dragon.
The foremast carried a square sail, the mainmast a tall triangular one, with a lookout tower perched high above.
The flag of the Infinite Pirates fluttered proudly—its emblem a skull pierced through by a crossed hammer and sickle.
Tom stood on the pier, watching the ship sail into the horizon, a satisfied smile on his face. Of course, the treasure chest might've had something to do with it—but he still admired them.
"The Black Pearl… a symbol of freedom. Let's see what you can do," he murmured.
On deck, Toji, Aiden, and Ginn explored their new home with childlike excitement.
Every corner gleamed—the equipment was top-class, the rooms exquisitely furnished. If not for the gentle rocking of the waves, they could've mistaken it for a mansion on land.
The deck itself was covered in a lush green turf native to Water 7—short, soft, and resilient against sea salt.
After touring the ship, they chose their rooms. Toji's grin widened. "First stop, Sabaody. We'll get her coated, then head for Fish-Man Island and the New World."
"Leave it to me!" Ginn declared proudly, pounding his chest.
The Black Pearl surged forward with incredible speed, cutting through the sea like an arrow.
Back in Sabaody, a few leaders of the underground world sat nursing their wounds after Garp's rampage. But as they chatted, a shiver ran down their spines.
Something told them that worse things were yet to come.