"If you can truly accomplish everything I have advised, then even if turbulent tides strike the outside world in the future, Fish-Man Island will still secure its rightful place."
Shirogai exchanged a calm smile with King Neptune, easing the worries buried deep within the old king's heart.
"However, the future belongs to the younger generation. It should not remain in the hands of the old forever."
Shirogai lifted his gaze toward Prince Fukaboshi standing nearby.
"Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for your successor to gain experience. Delegating authority and guiding from behind may be wiser than carrying everything alone."
"Fukaboshi…"
King Neptune turned toward his eldest son, who was currently laughing and drinking alongside Luffy. The king fell into silence.
Perhaps it truly was time to step back.
If the Ryugu Kingdom was destined for a new era, it did not have to revolve around his own glory. Watching his children create achievements of their own carried far greater meaning than pursuing a flawless ending for himself.
…
Splash!
Towering waves surged violently across the sea, only to be cleanly divided by a flash of cold steel. The massive wall of water split apart before crashing back onto the ocean surface.
"109,990…"
"109,991…"
Amid the raging sea stood a green-haired swordsman balanced upon a drifting wooden plank. Four swords rested at his waist while his eyes remained closed, calmly sensing the next incoming wave.
"109,992…"
He lowered his stance slightly. Instantly, Armament Haki coated the blade in his hand. His eyes snapped open, sharp and focused.
"One Sword Style, Returning Wave."
Swish!
A precise slash struck the weakest point of the incoming wave.
Whoosh!
The enormous surge instantly collapsed, losing all momentum before crashing harmlessly into the sea.
"Still not enough."
Although the strike had easily cut through the wave, the swordsman slowly sheathed his sword, deep in thought.
"I used too much Haki. The output overflowed. My judgment during that instant still needs refinement."
"Help! Somebody help!"
A desperate cry echoed faintly across the ocean.
"Hm?"
His gaze shifted instantly toward the distance.
With Observation Haki spreading outward, the situation became clear. A pirate ship flying its flag had intercepted a merchant vessel and was carrying out a brutal raid.
"Save me! Someone please save me!"
On the merchant ship, a woman screamed in terror as grinning pirates slowly closed in on her. Sitting helplessly on the deck, she trembled while retreating backward.
"Pirates attacking civilians…"
Boom!
A faint surge of Haki radiated from the swordsman.
"I can't ignore this."
Whoosh!
The plank beneath his feet shot forward as sword energy blasted backward through the sea, propelling him rapidly toward the distant battlefield.
…
The captured merchant ship burned fiercely.
Crack. Crack.
Only scattered sounds of resistance and weak cries remained.
"No, no… please!"
A woman dressed in white stared in horror at the pirates who had slaughtered the crew. Step by step, they approached her with cruel smiles.
"Wuwu… don't come closer!"
Danica trembled while gripping a dinner knife, her voice shaking.
"If anyone comes closer, I will kill him!"
"Hehehe, little lady, have you ever killed anyone? Your big brother here has killed plenty."
The pirates laughed mockingly, staring at the tiny knife in her hand.
"That thing? It's barely useful for cutting food."
"Hahahahaha!"
Laughter erupted across the deck.
"I… I…"
Danica's hands shook violently as despair filled her eyes. She already understood what awaited her if she fell into their hands.
"I would rather die!"
With a desperate cry, she reversed the knife and drove it toward her own neck.
If death was the only escape, she would choose it herself.
Clang!
Before the blade could touch her skin, a pirate struck it away. The knife spun across the deck.
"Hmph."
The pirate sneered greedily.
"Trying to die? Not happening. We have been sailing for nearly a month before finally finding such a beautiful lady. If my brothers do not enjoy themselves, how can I maintain authority as captain?"
"Hehe! Long live Captain Bloody Plunderer!"
Cheers erupted as pirates surrounded one of the few remaining survivors.
Across the ship, other pirates had already rushed toward captured women without restraint.
The Great Pirate Era offered dreams of freedom and glory, yet for ordinary people it often brought only suffering.
Some pirates became heroes.
Most became predators.
"God… please save me…"
Danica's eyes lost all hope as the pirates closed in.
Captain Jovin, known as the Bloody Plunderer with a bounty of 47 million Berries, grinned as he reached toward her clothes.
Sizzle!
Suddenly, thunder roared overhead.
"Hm? The weather changed?"
Jovin immediately frowned and looked toward the sky. On the sea, a sudden storm could mean total destruction.
Rumble! Rumble!
Dark clouds gathered unnaturally fast as silver lightning flashed across the heavens.
"Strange… this came out of nowhere."
Jovin lowered his head again.
Then froze.
"Huh?"
The woman was gone.
His eyes widened as he stared at the empty deck.
"Bastards! Where did she go?"
"I… Captain, we didn't see anything!"
The surrounding pirates looked equally confused. They had only glanced upward for a moment.
Then she vanished.
"Heh…"
A c
alm, mocking voice sounded from behind them.
"How about a hint?"
"Try looking behind you."
===
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