Looking at the surprised and puzzled expressions on everyone's faces, Yemu continued explaining,
"Much as I hate the thought of splitting up, I know that if all of you keep living under my protection and never get the chance to face challenges on your own, it'll only waste your talent and potential. Especially you three, Enel, Tiger, and Erik. All three of you have the potential to become rulers of these seas."
"If our next goal were to challenge the overlords of the old era, then there'd be no need for me to rush. But now that our goal has changed to building a nation, keeping you tied down by trivial matters like food, clothing, shelter, and daily living, the way you've been this past month, would just be a waste of your abilities."
"That's why I came up with this idea..."
"This way, not only will all of you be able to face challenges on your own and grow faster, it'll also strengthen our forces, protect our nation, and draw off the Marines' and the World Government's attention. Of course, the downside is that once we split up, the danger each of you faces will also increase."
At that, the eyes of the three Yemu had named all lit up.
Enel was thinking that he could finally roam the seas however he pleased. Tiger was thinking that maybe this would let him bring his fellow fish-men into their nation. Erik, meanwhile, was thinking of his homeland, Flevance.
"Of course, this is only my suggestion. If any of you have different thoughts, you can say so..."
The moment Yemu finished speaking, Enel impatiently blurted out,
"No problem! This makes things more interesting! But what about our pirate ships...?"
"Well, didn't I say before that we might be heading back to the first half of the Grand Line? Once we get to Water 7, we can ask Tom-san to build them for you. You can start preparing now. We already have a way to contact Tom-san."
"That's actually a pretty good idea!"
Enel was clearly tempted.
At that moment, Erza, standing nearby, seemed to think of something and spoke anxiously,
"But I don't want to be apart from Brother Yemu, and I don't want to be apart from Enel-sama either..."
Seeing that, Yemu looked at everyone and reassured them,
"Don't get the wrong idea. This isn't really separation. It's just to help all of you grow faster. We have the technology to sail through the Calm Belt and the technology to make ships fly. The Red Line and the Calm Belt aren't barriers to us, so if you want to come back, you can return here anytime."
At that, Erik thought of something and asked,
"Captain, do you mean we can go to places beyond just the New World?"
"Of course. I'm giving you absolute freedom. That means you don't have to keep your eyes only on the New World. Whether it's the first half of the Grand Line or the Four Seas, you can go wherever you want."
Erik looked even more moved.
"All right, that's everything I wanted to say. Go back and think it over carefully. Anyone who wants to go adventuring can sign up with those three. As for purchasing supplies for the island, leave it to Modlin and Dana."
"Mm."
Everyone nodded and left one after another, each of them seriously considering Yemu's proposal.
About two days later, the results were in.
First Division Captain: Enel + Erza + Kuromi
Second Division Captain: Tiger + Ron + Kuromu
Third Division Captain: Erik + Kurota + Kuroli
As for Yemu's side, Yemu + Flare + Ayala + Gaos + Lillilu remained behind on Wenmigudan Island.
However, just as the three of them excitedly began contacting Tom in Water 7 and making preparations for their own pirate ships, they received some bad news.
Still beneath the Rainbow Tree, Tiger came to inform Yemu after getting the news.
Once he finished explaining, Yemu understood.
"So the World Government has started making trouble for Tom-san?"
"Yeah. Actually, not long after we left Water 7, the World Government started giving Big Brother Tom trouble over the fact that he built a ship for the Pirate King Roger. But because of the Sea Train proposal, the ruling against Big Brother Tom was postponed, so he didn't have Iceburg inform us. But recently, people from CP found Big Brother Tom and have been pestering him nonstop. Really, Big Brother Tom... if we hadn't contacted him this time, he probably wouldn't have told us at all. What do we do now?"
"Looks like we'll have to move ahead of schedule... Let's get ready to leave in three days..."
"Mm." Tiger nodded and went off to make arrangements.
After Tiger left, Yemu raised his head and looked up at the Rainbow Tree above him, at its dense and brilliantly colored branches and leaves, and said,
"The time has come to take back my power!"
As soon as the words fell, the Rainbow Tree, as if it had a life of its own, parted its thick branches and leaves, revealing two Devil Fruits inside. One had flame-like spiral patterns, and the other had raised red spiral markings.
"Are you ready?"
Lillilu's figure appeared from within as well.
"Mm."
Yemu nodded, clenched his fist, and felt the power in his body as he said,
"Linlin's Lineage Factor really is incredible. This power feels like it was mine from the start, and it's grown far too quickly. In just a little over a month, the weakness from losing my Devil Fruit abilities has completely disappeared, and my body has returned to normal. If I kept training, I'd definitely gain even more from it, but obviously I don't have that kind of time. If I stay gone any longer, a lot of people are going to start panicking. It's about time I went back out."
"I understand. In that case, pick them yourself."
Yemu nodded, leapt up, and arrived in front of the two Devil Fruits.
He took one in each hand, then without the slightest hesitation bit into both of them and swallowed them down.
In an instant, it was as if an unbelievably powerful force had erupted from the deepest part of Yemu's soul.
But that wasn't the most important part. What felt even more incredible to him was that, at this moment, he suddenly had the sensation of becoming one with the world itself.
Especially with the Rainbow Tree before him. It felt as though something was connecting the two of them.
"This is..."
"So you felt it..."
Lillilu's voice rang out at just the right moment.
"From this moment on, you've truly become what Master wanted you to be..."
"Pure Gold no longer matters to you now. You finally possess the qualification to challenge the so-called gods of this world..."