As Nami carefully guided the island cloud downward, all the residents gathered along the edge of the island.
They stood shoulder to shoulder, filling every available space.
This was no ordinary moment. It was the relocation of an entire island, something none of them had ever imagined witnessing in their lifetime. The idea of moving a city across seas felt unreal, yet here they were, watching it unfold before their eyes.
Nami slowly lowered Water 7 into the designated sea area that had already been prepared.
The moment the island touched the ocean, waves spread outward in steady ripples.
Cheers erupted across Water 7.
Although they had remained inside their homes while suspended in the sky, living as they normally would, the knowledge that they had been more than ten thousand meters above the ground had weighed heavily on them. One wrong step, one accident, and there would have been no return.
Now, with the sea beneath them once again, their hearts finally settled.
The firm sense of reality returned.
It felt as if their lives, which had been hanging by a thread, were finally back in their hands.
"Well, is this Peach Garden? The air itself feels different, almost like happiness is everywhere," Iceburg said, taking in the atmosphere with clear admiration.
He had high expectations for this place, and from what he could already sense, it would not disappoint.
As for whether it truly matched what Nami and Lina had described, there would be time to find out.
At that moment, Rolan appeared beside Iceburg and the others without warning.
"Iceburg, you have finally arrived. I have been waiting," Rolan said calmly.
Iceburg turned, slightly surprised. "You must be extremely busy. I did not expect you to come personally."
Rolan glanced across the island, his expression indifferent as he observed everything.
"You moved an entire city here. It would be strange if I did not come," he replied.
As their conversation continued, the young secretary standing nearby stared at Rolan without blinking.
Shock filled her eyes.
The man in front of her looked even better than the image printed in the newspapers.
"You… you are the Godslayer?" she blurted out.
Rolan shifted his gaze toward her, slightly amused.
He recognized her. She was the young secretary who would later take Kalifa's place.
"I am Rolan," he said simply. "You work for Iceburg, right?"
She nodded quickly.
Inside her mind, thoughts raced.
So he is not some terrifying monster. He looks normal, even gentle. Like someone you could talk to easily.
Rolan heard every word.
"You can think of me that way if you want," he said casually. "I do not mind having a younger sister."
Her eyes widened.
"Really? Then I will call you big brother."
"Do as you like."
A moment later, realization hit her.
She had not spoken those thoughts out loud.
Her expression froze as she stared at him in disbelief.
So this is his ability… she thought, both shocked and impressed.
"Rolan."
Lina's voice drew his attention.
She walked up to him, her eyes soft, filled with affection she did not bother hiding.
Because of the people around them, she restrained herself, but her feelings were obvious.
Nami stood nearby as well, her gaze lingering on him.
Being away from him for more than half a month had not been easy.
Rolan gave them both a brief nod, acknowledging their presence without much expression.
Then, without another word, he rose into the sky above Water 7.
All eyes followed him.
Silence spread as the young man hovered above them.
"Everyone," Rolan's voice carried clearly across the island, "I am Rolan, the master of Peach Garden. Welcome."
His tone was calm, yet it held an authority that made people instinctively listen.
…
New World, Wano Country.
Inside an inn in the Flower Capital.
Ace let out a tired sigh as he sat beside Yamato.
"Patrolling Wano is exhausting," he admitted.
Over the past ten days, the two of them had traveled across the country together.
They had seen everything.
In Kuri, the people treated them like heroes, lifting them into the air and celebrating their arrival.
In Bakura, the situation was the complete opposite.
Children threw stones at them without hesitation.
If not for their strong bodies, those stones might have caused real harm.
Even so, neither Ace nor Yamato fought back.
They had expected resistance.
Eventually, the local daimyo stepped in and stopped the chaos, but no apology came.
Even under those circumstances, they still had to stand there and speak to the people.
Now, they had finally reached the Flower Capital.
Once ruled by Kurozumi Orochi, it had been a place filled with fear and control.
Yet, unexpectedly, the people here showed strong support for Yamato.
They had suffered under Orochi for years. To them, anything was better than what they had endured.
Yamato's vision for the future, combined with her sincerity, gave them hope.
As the evening settled in, Yamato held Ace's hand tightly.
"Ace… thank you," she said softly. "I could not have done this without you."
Ace scratched his cheek, slightly flustered.
"What are you saying? We are together. That means I stand with you, no matter what."
He paused, then added more seriously, "Now, and in the future, nothing will change."
Yamato blinked in surprise.
She had not expected such direct words from him.
A faint blush spread across her face.
Ace looked at her and froze for a moment.
She looked beautiful.
Her cheeks were slightly red, her eyes soft, her expression gentle in a way he had never seen before.
Slowly, Yamato leaned forward.
Her lips met his.
Ace's eyes widened.
Neither of them had experience, and their movements were clumsy, unsure.
Still, neither pulled away.
After a while, they finally separated, both breathing a little faster.
Yamato lowered her head, her face completely flushed.
Ace stared at her, his heart beating harder than before.
"Yamato… you look amazing," he said honestly.
She responded with a quiet sound, then leaned into him, resting against his chest.
Ace looked down at her, noticing every detail.
Her smooth skin, her long lashes, the way her expression softened when she relaxed.
He hesitated before lifting his hand.
For a moment, he stopped midway.
Then Yamato reached up, guiding his hand to her cheek.
The moment he touched her, both of them reacted.
A subtle tension passed between them.
Ace felt his body heat up, his thoughts becoming less steady.
Yamato shifted slightly, then moved, pressing him down onto the bed beneath her.
Ace swallowed, his throat dry.
"Yamato… wait…"
Before he could finish, her lips met his again, cutting off his words.
I've been dealing with exams lately, so updates have been a bit slower than usual.