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After Jason made his decision, everything became much simpler. All that was left was to decide when to set off.
Jason was unsure of his final destination, but he had already chosen his first stop.
There was one place he needed to visit: Windmill Village. After all, he had spent ten years in the East Blue and had grown acquainted with Luffy, the future Pirate King. Since he didn't know when he'd return, it was important to inform him. Plus, Luffy was seven years old now, and this year marked a pivotal moment in his life.
Shanks was also in Windmill Village at the moment and had been around for over a year. Witnessing the scene of wine bottles shattering and the 'Red-Haired' Shanks challenging the Bandit King Higuma was something not to be missed. Just thinking about it made Jason excited.
Jason shared his thoughts with Robin, who had no objections and agreed to follow his plan. The only question was when to leave.
Jason saw no reason to delay further and decided to bid farewell to Nami and the others before setting off. Preparations were minimal, requiring only a ship and provisions.
However, Jason had specific requirements for the ship. In the past, traveling alone was fine with just a small boat, but now he needed to accommodate Robin. He didn't want Robin to sleep in the open, preferring something comparable in size to the Going Merry.
That afternoon, Jason headed to the street. Previously, he would have either purchased a small boat or commandeered a pirate ship, but this time he aimed to create a future sea home for Robin and himself. He decided to hire someone to construct a new ship.
After some inquiries, he arrived at a shipbuilding facility and explained his intentions to the director, who welcomed him warmly.
Jason planned to build a dhow similar to the Merry. His only requirement: use the best materials available!
He paid a deposit of 5 million Berries, and the factory director promised to finish the build within two weeks, allowing Jason to host a launching ceremony then.
Jason skipped over the specifics, as the fortnight passed swiftly.
During this time, Bell-mère had consumed the Air Fruit, mastering its control. The air cannon was powerful enough to injure Jason despite his formidable defenses.
Jason's defense capabilities were known to be fearsome. Over the years, his systematic strengthening had amplified his physical prowess to rival that of the giants.
Additionally, a year ago, Nojiko ate the Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Puma. At first, Jason hesitated to offer it, fearing Nami might perceive favoritism. However, Nami was aware of the fruit and didn't want to eat it due to its strange appearance.
When Nojiko activated her fruit powers, she grew cat ears and a tail, along with fangs and claws—not quite the cat-eared girl Jason had imagined, leaving him slightly disappointed.
Two weeks later.
On the shores of Cocoyasi Village, Jason, Robin, Bell-mère, and others gathered.
Today, the launching ceremony of the "Devil" was taking place. Jason initially wanted to name it the "Robin Goddess," but Robin found it embarrassing and refused.
Eventually, they decided on the name "Devil," reflecting their titles—Devil's Son and Devils Guardian—as they anticipated re-encountering the Marines upon setting sail.
Thanks to Jason's incredible resources, all materials used were top-notch, aside from the legendary Treasure Tree Adam for the keel. The wood, a type of pine reputed to withstand the sea for millennia, was of the best quality.
Jason stood with a bottle of wine and hurled it towards the Devil with all his might.
"Bang!" The bottle shattered upon impact, prompting others to set off fireworks. According to pirate tradition, successfully breaking the bottle against the ship's bow was an omen of good fortune.
After the ceremony, Jason generously hosted a meal and procured vast amounts of food, including sea creature meat brought specifically from the sea.
"Cheers!"
Jason, as usual, drank his juice.
Post-banquet, they loaded all the pre-prepared provisions onto the ship.
Jason and Robin then visited Bell-mère's home. Upon seeing them, Bell-mère immediately deduced they had come to say goodbye since their ship was ready.
She made tea and sat with them.
"All set to leave?" she asked.
"Yes, we're ready to depart tomorrow," Jason confirmed.
"When will you return?"
"We don't know yet, but until then, we'll entrust our home to you!"
"No problem!" Bell-mère agreed with a wave, while Nami and Nojiko looked puzzled, unclear about the situation.
Nojiko, now 11, sensed it would be a long time before Jason and Robin returned. However, 8-year-old Nami didn't see an issue, accustomed to Jason's frequent voyages.
The only difference was that he took Robin with him this time.
In the end, Jason left Bell-mère a handsome sum of money. Initially hesitant, she eventually accepted, convinced by Jason's insistence that it was for taking care of the house during their extended absence, estimated at no less than 12 years.
The following day, Jason and Robin boarded the Devil and slowly sailed away from Cocoyasi Village, with Bell-mère's family seeing them off from shore.
Nami waved her small hand. "Come back soon, Jason!"
Little did she know it would be a decade before she saw Jason again, during which time he left her with a significant challenge.
On the ship, Jason manned the helm, while Robin diligently studied nearby. With only two aboard, Robin felt it essential to learn how to steer the ship, ensuring Jason didn't bear the full responsibility.
After some lessons, Jason allowed Robin to take the helm. To his surprise, she mastered it quickly, which impressed him. Indeed, she was a genius who had earned her history doctorate at just eight years old!
As they navigated towards the East Blue, the pair took turns at the helm. When night fell, they anchored to rest. Soon, they neared Windmill Village.
"Jason! There's a Sea King!" Robin exclaimed.
Jason turned to look and recognized it as the Lord of the Coast. Yet, the Sea King glanced at them briefly before retreating.
"Why did it flee?" Robin asked, amazed. Staying on Cocoyasi Island for years meant she hadn't seen such creatures before, only read about Sea Kings in books back in Ohara.
"I've fought it a few times before when I visited. It runs away when it sees me now, so there's nothing to worry about," Jason reassured her.
Robin chuckled. The two safely moored at the port of Windmill Village, with no pirate flag to cover up.
Shanks and his crew docked their ship at a different location to avoid the sudden return of Garp, whom Shanks now appeased with food offerings. Jason and Robin made their way to Makino's Tavern.
The tavern was bustling with activity; Shanks' crew and Luffy were present, with Shanks mercilessly teasing the young Luffy. The seven-year-old was beside himself with indignation, which only fueled Shanks' amusement.
As Jason and Robin entered, they drew everyone's attention. Jason had frequented the tavern often over the past six months, so the crew knew him well, but many were curious about the beautiful woman accompanying him.
"Hey, there's a party!" someone shouted.
"Jason! You came at the perfect time!" Luffy exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he spotted Jason. He was about to vent his frustrations, but Shanks stuffed a piece of meat into Luffy's mouth, distracting him from his complaints.
"Come join the festivities, Jason! And who might this be?" Shanks inquired, curious. But before Jason could introduce Robin, Shanks waved it off. "Never mind, if you brought them, they must be friends! Brothers! Let's celebrate!"
"Yeah, let's party!" echoed the others.
Jason first ensured Robin had a coffee and found her a seat, before joining the revelry himself.
"Hey, Jason's sticking to juice. Doesn't seem manly, huh? Scared to embarrass yourself in front of the ladies? Haha!" someone teased.
"Nonsense! What's so special about wine? Juice is the real deal! And besides, Robin's my future wife! Can't embarrass myself!" Jason retorted.
"Yeah right! I'll believe it when I see you drink!" Shanks quipped, laughing, as Jason's frustration was evident.
As Jason, Shanks, Luffy, and the others disputed over wine and juice, Robin observed with amusement. She was seeing a side of Jason she hadn't before.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to Robin: was this relaxed, jovial Jason the real him? She wondered if he previously held back because he was with her, making her appreciate their bond even more.
As evening came, the group staggered outside, arms around each other. Shanks and his men led the way.
"Shanks, when are you heading out? We're gearing up for the Grand Line!" Jason called out.
"Oh? To the Grand Line, eh? Planning to join my crew? Sorry, no ladies aboard!" Shanks replied with a grin.
"No, just curious!" Jason answered.
"Ah, not sure when we'll leave, honestly."
"That's fine."
"Jason, going to be a pirate on the Grand Line?" Luffy piped up, intrigued by their talk of the Grand Line. He was already dreaming of becoming Pirate King.
"We're heading there, but no plans to be pirates yet. Being a captain's a hassle!"
"Then join my crew in the future! I'll be Pirate King!" Luffy announced boldly.
"What, you little squirt? You'll need a ship first! Pirate King, at your age!" Jason teased, with Shanks agreeing playfully.
"Don't underestimate me! I'll gather a crew and find the One Piece! You'll want to join!" Luffy insisted.
"Alright! Let's see when you set sail!" Jason replied nonchalantly, understanding that even casual agreements were serious to Luffy.
Luffy, satisfied, glanced at Shanks, who simply laughed.
...
After the party dispersed, Jason and Robin continued living on their boat for the next month, awaiting the event Jason eagerly anticipated. Shanks and his crew remained at Windmill Village for nearly a year; Jason knew the moment he was waiting for was imminent.
While watching a tavern brawl one day, the door burst open. A tense silence filled the room as a scruffy, bearded man entered. Jason trembled with anticipation before regaining his composure.
He'd arrived—Bandit King Higuma! The man famous for eliminating captains, with the Four Emperors as the only exceptions.
Events unfolded as in the anime: Higuma tried to buy sake, only to find Shanks' crew had emptied the tavern save for one bottle. The bandit king, infuriated, smashed the bottle, its contents splattering Shanks. He then boasted about his 8 million bounty as he left, berating Shanks.
Shanks and his crew laughed it off, knowing Higuma wasn't worth their trouble, similar to gang members dismissively laughing when threatened by someone insignificant.
Only Luffy was furious. He glared at everyone, demanding why they didn't fight back. He turned to Jason.
"Jason, aren't they your friends? Aren't you angry too, even if they're outnumbered?"
Jason, taken aback, thought: This isn't my problem, I'm just here for fun!
Shanks eased Luffy's ire with an explanation, but the boy wasn't swayed. His attention soon shifted to a nearby strange fruit.
Jason urged silently: Eat it, eat it!
Just like in the original tale, Luffy consumed the Gomu Gomu fruit. Shanks attempted to make him vomit it up, only for the boy's body to stretch comically.
After Shanks explained the fruit's effects and its permanent consequences, a disbelieving Luffy ran off.
Jason couldn't contain his laughter, finding the interactions between Shanks and Luffy hilarious.
"Hey! Jason, what's so funny?" Shanks asked.
"Hahaha, nothing. Just you and Luffy were too funny!"
"Oh, is that all? Luffy's a riot indeed!"
Their laughter continued, ignoring the fact that Luffy ran out bent on revenge against Higuma.
Minutes later, Makino rushed in to report that Luffy had been captured seeking vengeance. Shanks and his crew rushed to rescue him.
After defeating Higuma's men, an oversight allowed Higuma to capture Luffy. Shanks, with no hesitation, leaped into the sea after them. Jason understood what would come next and stayed back.
Not long after, Shanks returned, cradling a crying Luffy, but missing his left arm.
Jason: ...
Now Luffy's resolve to sail was unshakeable, though, due to Shanks' sacrifice. Jason pondered Shanks' formidable aura; he couldn't believe someone like Shanks would lose an arm unless it was intentional to save someone.
Reflecting, Jason concluded that it was deliberate—a gesture of strength and responsibility.
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If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Phoenizbeelze
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