After Raleigh left, Enel sat alone under the large tree, gazing blankly at the sky.
Bradford noticed the conflict in Enel's heart and couldn't help but speak up.
"Enel, you're a good kid. You really don't need to keep thinking about protecting the people of Birka."
"Everyone on the island knows your original intention in setting out was good, but they all understand that your future won't be limited to just a small island in the sky."
Bradford leaned on his cane, looking out toward the sea of clouds.
"Actually, what that Marine officer said is right—the stage of this world is exceptionally vast, and the sky islands of the White Sea are merely a small corner of it."
"If you want to witness the wonders of this world, you must make an appearance on the world's grandest stage."
"Although this old man is aged, if I had known when I was young how enormous this world truly is, I might have set sail on a ship myself."
After saying these words, Bradford looked at Enel with warm, affectionate eyes, then slowly walked away with his hands behind his back.
He had said everything he needed to say to Enel, and that was enough.
A man's growth depends on his own understanding.
An elder can provide guidance and wise sayings along a man's path of growth, but what truly makes a man mature is overcoming his inner conflicts and making decisions he genuinely believes are right.
It is precisely because of this that there are so many freedom-loving people on the seas.
Each of them takes full responsibility for their decisions and exhausts every ounce of their life to pursue their beliefs.
This is why there are so many people with Conqueror's Haki among the top pirates.
They advocate freedom, they possess unwavering conviction—it is these qualities that form their spirit.
"Figure it out for myself?"
Enel placed his hands behind his head, watching the leaves on the tree gently sway in the breeze.
Enel had deactivated his Mantra ability at this moment.
What he needed to do now wasn't to continue listening to the hearts of Birka's residents.
Instead, he needed to use his Mantra ability to probe his own heart, to find his true inner thoughts.
This was Enel's reflection after hearing Raleigh's offer. That night, Enel seemed to mature significantly overnight.
In any case, when Bradford passed by the large tree the next day, Enel, who had been lying under the tree, had already disappeared.
And the warship by Birka's port had already begun to depart, its engines humming.
"That brat, left without even saying goodbye," Bradford said somewhat angrily, tapping his cane on the ground.
"What are you doing, Grandpa Bradford?"
Bradford turned around in shock to find Enel's confused voice coming from right behind him.
"Huh? Why didn't you leave with them?" Bradford asked curiously.
He thought that when the warship sounded its horn earlier, it meant the entire crew had set sail.
"Oh, that? I just went to see Raleigh-sama, and he said with my speed I had time to say goodbye."
Enel shrugged nonchalantly.
This distance was nothing to him—he could fly to the ship in an instant using his lightning speed.
"Alright, this old man doesn't need your concern. It's you, kid—don't disgrace Birka's reputation when you go out there."
Bradford's tone became serious. "The Marines are a major superpower, and I see this Raleigh-sama is a promising young officer too. You mustn't get arrogant when you get there; remember there's always someone better beyond the horizon."
"But this old man also believes that when you're out in the world, you shouldn't let others bully you, nor should you bully others. If life outside becomes unpleasant and you want to come back, just return to Birka for a visit."
"We will always be your support."
Bradford kept chattering instructions to Enel, covering every aspect for his departure.
Enel listened very attentively.
There was no helping it—Bradford was already very old.
In this current society with extremely underdeveloped transportation, if Enel followed Raleigh to capture pirates around the world, he might not return for two or three years.
If anything unexpected were to happen, this farewell might be their final meeting.
"Enough now, you brat. This old man's body is still strong and healthy. I'm still waiting to see you wearing that Marine Admiral's uniform."
Bradford waved his hand, signaling for Enel to hurry and leave.
Enel nodded, then turned his back to Bradford and walked toward the port.
As he turned around, doors throughout the small town opened one by one.
Faces full of pure sincerity appeared—they were all residents protected by Enel.
Truth be told, even Enel himself hadn't realized that his so-called "protection" had become overly restrictive.
Now, following Raleigh was the best solution.
If he didn't go with Raleigh, his so-called protection would eventually become chains binding all the residents of Birka Island.
If things had reached that point, then Enel, who originally protected Birka, would have become the jailer imprisoning Birka's residents.
This was why, in another timeline, Enel would eventually destroy Birka and become utterly indifferent to life.
But for now, thanks to Raleigh's intervention, the island residents felt more gratitude than resentment toward Enel.
"Make sure to eat well when you're out there!"
"Enel, when you come back, you must tell us all about what the outside world is like."
"Yeah, yeah! Big brother Enel, when I grow up, I want to join the Marines with you too!"
A young boy named Uso, who only reached Enel's waist, shouted this out.
His father, Blake, affectionately patted his head and added, "Then you better eat well. I heard the Marines don't accept malnourished children."
"Only by eating properly can you develop strong capabilities. You need to be as powerful as your big brother Enel to be accepted into the Marines."
After hearing his father's words, the boy clenched his fists tightly, as if making a solemn resolution in his heart.
Enel felt quite emotional after listening to this.
He walked back, formed his sandbag-sized hand into a fist, and made a fist-bump gesture toward the little boy.
The boy, seeing Enel's action, happily returned the fist bump with his tiny hand.
Enel said with full enthusiasm, "Uso, Uncle Blake is right. If you want to join the Marines, you must have a strong physique."
"I'll go to the Marines first and wait for you. Come find me in the Marines when you grow up."
At this moment, Enel felt full of hope for his future!