"Establishing diplomatic relations between our two nations is not something that needs to be rushed, nor is it such a simple matter."
The Den Den Mushi's voice rang out once more.
Hearing this, Neptune let out a sigh of relief. If he had been forced to answer immediately, he truly would not have known what to do.
An alliance with the Barut Kingdom was far too tempting, but betraying Whitebeard was likewise an enormous risk. One wrong step, and under Whitebeard's fury, Fish-Man Island could be annihilated in an instant.
The World's Strongest Man, those words were far more than empty praise.
"Then let us set the time… for the day the Nether Soul Pirates arrive at Fish-Man Island."
With that, the Den Den Mushi call ended.
Neptune remained dazed for a moment. After thanking Salo, he hurriedly departed.
This matter was too significant. He needed to return, think carefully, and discuss it with his wife. In terms of wisdom, Otohime far surpassed him.
The names Whitebeard and Barut continued to whirl through Neptune's mind, leaving him restless and conflicted.
He knew this was an opportunity for Fish-Man Island, but also a risk. One wrong decision, and everything would be lost beyond recovery.
Yet it could also mean that the entire island kingdom would ascend to a new height.
If Fish-Man Island could truly take that one step forward and participate in the World Council… then everything would change.
The scene shifted back to the Nether Soul Pirates.
North Blue - a small town.
The Nether Soul crew was walking toward the shore, followed behind by a crowd of villagers filled with gratitude and reluctance to see them leave.
"You're leaving already? Stay a little longer and let us properly host you!"
"Exactly! You saved our entire town, how can you just leave like this?"
"Big Brother Rojen, tell us more stories about your adventures! When I grow up, I want to become a pirate just like you!"
Voices rang out one after another behind them.
In response, the members of the Nether Soul Pirates all wore smiles, shaking their heads in refusal.
"We've already delayed for too long. It's time for us to head to the place we should be by now." Rojen said with a smile.
"Where are you going?" The villagers asked.
"The New World! That is the place where the entire world can truly be changed." Rojen leapt aboard The Logan, waving farewell to the villagers.
Despite trying every possible method, the villagers could not persuade Rojen's crew to stay any longer.
All they could do was express their gratitude as best they could, carrying local specialties and casks of alcohol aboard the pirate ship.
"If you have time, you must come back and visit us!"
"Don't worry, we'll definitely come back to see you all again! Hahaha!"
Chaporos stood at the bow, waving both hands, tears glistening in his eyes.
Only when The Logan had sailed far from the harbor did he finally lower his arms.
"Damn it! Why is it that every single time we help people, just when the villagers are thanking us… We have to leave?!"
"I can't bear to part with them! Such a lovable bunch of people!"
He complained tearfully.
During this period, the Nether Soul Pirates had wandered across the Four Seas. Whenever they encountered injustice, they stepped in to help.
As a result, they had earned the gratitude of countless people. Through these interactions, the crew had also begun forming deep bonds with the people of the Four Seas.
Chaporos, once a lofty and untouchable Celestial Dragon, still had not grown used to these repeated farewells even after so many experiences of sorrow and separation. Every time, he secretly shed tears.
"Oh? Is this still the same arrogant Celestial Dragon Chaporos? Crying over commoners now?" Daz Bonez whistled and laughed.
"Get lost! What do you know?" Chaporos snapped back.
"Celestial Dragons are people too! Why can't we have joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness? Wuuuu…"
Thinking of the two beautiful young women who had snuggled into his arms the previous night, Chaporos became even more heartbroken.
Compared to his former life of taking whatever he wanted by force, Chaporos had clearly fallen in love with this new way of living, helping others through his own efforts, earning gratitude, and winning over beautiful women through genuine deeds.
The life of a Celestial Dragon?
Eh? What was that puppet-like existence supposed to be?
"Alright, quit sulking. I know you too well, go get back to work." Trens walked over, gave him a kick, and scolded him with a laugh.
"Now, it's time to head for the Grand Line!"
Chaporos had indeed suffered quite a bit over the four years he had spent with them, and he had changed tremendously. From the arrogant, overbearing man he once was to the comparatively normal person he had become now, he had gone through far too much.
Trens trusted Chaporos completely.
The two had been through too much together; several times, they had relied on one another and only managed to survive mortal danger by supporting each other.
"Trens! Once I becomes an official crew member, I'm definitely going to deal with you!"
Chaporos cursed as he climbed to his feet, grabbed a broom, and started sweeping.
As for Daz Bonez, after mocking him, he had already picked up a watering can and gone to water The Logan's orange grove on the ship's roof.
Watching the crew bicker and fool around, Rojen shook his head and smiled.
The growing number of people aboard had made the ship much livelier. None of those present had calm or stable personalities; each one was eccentric in their own way, giving him headaches on a regular basis.
For example, Robin and Lordling were currently staring curiously at Nalene performing magic, clicking their tongues in amazement, eyes sparkling.
"Wow, that's incredible! One puff of smoke, and this fish is alive and kicking again!" Robin exclaimed.
"This is Healing Powder. It can heal minor injuries. It isn't magic." Nalene explained with a smile.
"Do you have anything else?" Lordling asked curiously.
Glancing at Lordling, Nalene nodded.
"There's also Virus Powder, which can cure some mild poison symptoms."
She said nothing further. The rest belonged to the secrets of her potion studies and could not be casually revealed.
Meanwhile, Jason was arguing with Crocodile over the battle they had just fought while rescuing the villagers. One shouted angrily, the other answered with cold sarcasm.
"What a headache…"
Rojen shook his head and went down into the storage room to fetch some North Blue liquor.
During this period, they had traveled throughout the Four Seas, helping many civilians and ordinary people. Naturally, they had received plenty of gratitude in return, local specialties, alcohol, food, and all manner of gifts piled high throughout the storeroom.
As for money, there was naturally plenty of that as well. At this point, not even counting the treasure stored in the warehouse, Rojen already had 1.8 billion in his system balance.
"Summon?"
After hesitating for a moment, Rojen gave up on the idea.
At the moment, there didn't seem to be anything that required using the system.
Carrying the liquor onto the deck, Rojen sat cross-legged at the bow. Recently, the crew had installed a fierce metal skull figurehead on The Logan, giving the ship quite a domineering aura.
The top of the skull was flat, making it the perfect place for Rojen to sit.
Pouring himself a drink, facing the sea breeze, Rojen emptied the cup in one gulp.
Looking toward the distant ocean, a smile appeared on his face.
"The voyage is truly about to begin. The seeds have already been planted; all that remains is to wait for harvest season."
Over a considerable period of time, Rojen had planted the seeds of piracy throughout the Four Seas.
Perhaps next year, perhaps many years from now, he would reap a vast number of pirates.
"Now, it's time to head for the Grand Line!"
"That… is where our true stage lies!"
(End Of This Chapter)
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