"Keep up the training with me—no one is allowed to slack off!"
"You are the future of Shandia. To protect our lost and finally regained home, you must become stronger!"
"The glory of Shandia needs you to inherit it, to guard it!"
"Did you hear me clearly?"
"Yes——!"
From afar, the stern voice echoed like a whip.
Led by Kamakiri and Braham, Ren and Carina pushed through the lush jungle until they reached an open clearing.
There, a group of young Shandia children were drenched in sweat, fists flying as they trained relentlessly.
At the front stood their instructor—a bare-chested young man in a grass skirt. His body was tall and powerful, his face fierce, small wings folded tightly against his back. Tattoos coiled around his left eye and shoulder, amplifying his ferocity.
His unsmiling, severe expression gave him the aura of a ghost—murderous, intimidating.
Even at a glance, one instinctively wanted to keep their distance. The children certainly did. None dared to play or slack off under Wiper's watchful eye.
"Wiper, Raki—guess who's here!" Kamakiri called out, waving.
"Hmm?"
Wiper, cigarette clenched between his teeth, turned sharply. His pupils narrowed when he spotted Ren among the group. "Ren…!?"
"Ren——!"
At the same time, a delighted voice rang out.
From the distance, a young woman with a black ponytail and lavender clothes looked up from her weaving. Her heroic spirit shone in her posture, but her eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before her.
When realization struck, her face lit with joy. She dropped her work and rushed forward, her gaze fixed on the Blue Sea man who had saved her and made her dream possible.
"Raki, we meet again!"
Ren greeted her with a warm smile, his tone gentle yet confident.
"Ren…"
Raki's cheeks flushed. She turned her head shyly, unable to meet the fiery intensity of his gaze. Her beautiful face glowed with a rosy tint as she bit her lip and whispered softly: "Didn't you leave on an adventure? Why come back here again?"
Ren's smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with warmth. "Can't I come back just to see you?"
It was naturally impossible for Ren not to notice the thoughts of the beautiful Shandia warrior, and he never considered rejecting them.
Because he was a playboy, he had always lived by the principle of "no one will be refused."
However, he would never tie himself to a single tree and abandon the entire forest.
He was a man who aspired to become the King of the Sea.
"Thump, thump…"
Suddenly, Raki's heartbeat quickened.
Her face flushed so red it seemed she might start smoking.
But she quickly stamped her foot, glaring at Ren with embarrassment. "Damn Ren, you're joking again!"
"Snort…"
Seeing Raki's shy expression, Carina widened her eyes.
She puffed her cheeks and muttered with displeasure under her breath: "There's definitely something going on between those two…"
"Ren, didn't you return to the Blue Sea to continue your adventure?"
At that moment, Wyper—the strong and imposing warrior—approached.
"It's like this. For certain reasons, I've left the Straw Hat Pirates. Now I'm ready to find new, like-minded companions…"
Ren explained briefly, then looked directly at Wyper with a smile. "So I came back to Sky Island to ask you—do you want to follow me? To see the vast Blue Sea for yourself?"
"Although Enel was strong, I believe that once you're tempered in the Blue Sea, Wyper, you won't be any weaker than him!"
"The Sky Island is too small. Staying here will only limit your future."
Wyper—the man known as the War Demon.
It was said he was the descendant of Kalgara, the great warrior revered as a hero and symbol of faith by the Shandia clan four hundred years ago.
Not only the strongest warrior of the Shandia clan, Wyper was also the leader of their next generation. Powerful, brave, and relentless in battle, his tenacity was terrifying. No matter how many times he was wounded, he would rise again, driven by the wishes in his heart.
He was the kind of fighter who grew stronger the longer he fought, a man who became braver with every clash.
To Ren, Wyper was the one he most wanted to bring into his crew—a warrior with astonishing potential.
In Ren's eyes, whether in raw talent or indomitable will, Wyper was no less than the "Pirate Hunter" Roronoa Zoro. He was a someone born to fight.
Perhaps now, in the Blue Sea, there were many stronger than him. But that was only because Sky Island had limited his vision and stunted his growth.
If Wyper were to hone his skills in the New World for a few years, Ren believed his future achievements would be immense.
"...Oh?"
Wyper raised his eyebrows at Ren, surprised. "You quit the Straw Hat Pirates?"
Raki, Kamakiri, Braham, and the others were equally shocked when they realized Ren's true purpose—he wanted to invite Wyper to join him as a companion and venture into the Blue Sea.
"Ren, you mean to invite Wyper to be your partner?"
All eyes turned to Wyper, waiting for his answer.
"Do you want me to follow you to the Blue Sea?"
Wyper's expression grew solemn. He raised his clenched fist to his chest and struck it hard, speaking in a deep, steady voice: "You are the great benefactor of the Shandia clan. If I can do anything for you, I will gladly do so!"
"I personally have no objection… But Ren, you know the situation of the Shandia clan. As captain of the guerrillas, I must ask the clan leader and the others for their opinion."
Like all Shandia warriors, Wyper's gratitude toward Ren was sincere. If necessary, he would even give his life to repay the favor.
Since Ren wished it, Wyper would not refuse to follow him to the Blue Sea.
Especially after hearing of Ren's thrilling adventures there, Wyper's heart longed to see those wonders for himself.
Yet he could not easily abandon his people. The Shandia had only just reclaimed their homeland and were still rebuilding. Threats from Angel Island remained, and enemies were not limited to the natives.
Pirates from the Blue Sea might one day discover the Golden Bell and the Ark Proverbs stored here, and covet them.
If Wyper, the guerrilla captain, were not here to protect the bell and his clan, relying only on Kamakiri, Braham, and the others would be too great a burden. He could not rest easy.
"No, I have no objection…"
"Wyper, since Mr. Ren has come all this way to invite you, you should follow him to the Blue Sea and have your own adventure!"
At that moment, an old voice rang out.
Raki, Wyper, Kamakiri, and the others turned instinctively toward it.
They were all a little surprised.
"Patriarch…"
The one who arrived was an old man leaning on a cane, dressed in simple clothes. It was none other than the head of the Shandia clan, who had hurried over after hearing the news from his warriors.
"We Shandia have always repaid kindness. Since Mr. Ren seeks your strength, Wyper, you should not refuse…"
"Old Patriarch, please don't say that."
Ren raised his hand helplessly. "You don't have to force Wyper. If he doesn't want to, I won't compel him. I truly wish to recruit him, but not out of obligation. If someone follows unwillingly, even the greatest kindness fades with time. Sooner or later, they would leave."
"No, that is not my meaning…"
The patriarch shook his head and spoke firmly: "I recall, Mr. Ren, you once said that some great pirates, through sheer strength, could protect entire islands and nations from invasion. In truth, it was your warning that made the Angel Islanders hesitate, daring not to act rashly again."
"Old Patriarch, you exaggerate. It was nothing more than a small effort."
Ren smiled, refusing to take credit. "Even without me, with Wyper and the others, I believe this island can be defended."
The patriarch's expression grew heavy. "Perhaps. But how much blood would the Shandia shed in the process?"
He sighed, recalling history. "Kalgara, our great warrior, was mighty as well. Yet four hundred years ago, when faced with the vast armies of Angel Island led by their god, he fell with regret and sorrow. Unless one possesses power like Enel—or like you, Mr. Ren—no single warrior can deter enemies such as Gan Fall. Even after you left, they dared not move against us."
He paused, his gaze steady. "Sky Island is vast when seen as vast, yet small when seen as small. As you said, remaining here will only limit Wyper's future. Only by following you can he surpass Kalgara and become the true pillar of Shandia. Only strength brings true security."
Ren listened silently.
"For you, it may have been a small effort. But for us, it was a favor beyond measure."
The patriarch's voice trembled with emotion as he remembered centuries of blood and tears. "We cannot shamelessly enjoy your protection, only to abandon you when you need us. Moreover, I believe that even apart from the Straw Hats, you will achieve greatness. One day, you will be a pirate who rules the seas like the emperors you call the Four Emperors."
He leaned forward, eyes sharp despite his age. "If possible, I would borrow your flag, Mr. Ren, to deter those who covet Apayado and the Golden Bell."
He was not jesting. Having lived long and seen countless men, his judgment was keen.
Naturally, Ren knew the Straw Hats were pirates, but to him they were more like a band of youthful adventurers—full of ambition, passion, and naïve ideals.
Though young, Ren was powerful, with a mind far more mature than his peers. He was always decisive in battle, never hesitating when it came to killing.
Breaking away from the Straw Hats had not left him aimless or decadent. On the contrary, he appeared high-spirited, like an eagle freed from its restraints, beginning to reveal its true ambition.
He would surely soar into the sky in the future.
"Whee…"
Hearing the Shandia patriarch's words, Carina smiled proudly, her eyes gleaming with admiration.
"Then I'll take your advice, Patriarch…"
Ren looked at the wise old man and smiled. "If the Shandia clan ever wishes to borrow my flag in the future, just ask."
Turning to Wyper, Ren extended his right hand with a grin. "Welcome to the crew, Wyper!"
"Please take care of me from now on, Leader Ren!"
Wyper's face was solemn as he clasped Ren's hand firmly, sealing the bond.
Carina stepped forward, her smile bright. "Hello, I'm Carina, from the East Blue, and a navigator. From now on, we're companions!"
"Hello. I am Wyper, a Shandia warrior… I look forward to fighting alongside you."
Wyper gave her a slight nod, saying no more. His personality had always been stern and reserved—never one for idle chatter.
But his silence carried weight.