On the deck of the Red Hair Pirates' New Red Force, silence reigned. The crew gathered along the railing, gazing toward the distant Sabaody Archipelago with varied expressions.
"Even after crossing the Red Line, just one last stretch away, and we still couldn't make it in time?"
Beckman clenched his cigarette between his teeth, his brow furrowed as he stared at the now-darkened Live Broadcast Transponder Snail in his hand. After a long silence, he exhaled a slow stream of smoke:
"...That guy's really gone mad."
Not only had he killed four Celestial Dragons in one go.
He had also openly declared his ambitions to the world, tearing apart any pretense with the World Government...
He shared Shanks' stance, not entirely approving of such reckless actions. Yet, he couldn't deny that the man's sheer audacity had even stirred something within him...
Lucky Roux had forgotten to take a bite of his chicken leg, still dazed by what he'd witnessed. It took him a while to snap out of it before hesitantly asking:
"Captain... are we still going?"
Shanks stood at the bow, one hand resting on the hilt of Griffin, his eyes tinged with concern.
Hearing this, he turned and shook his head slightly. "No need. Turn the ship around."
From the moment Xiano took that first head, there was no turning back. The storm of the new era was destined to sweep across the entire world...
"Aye, Captain."
The New Red Force immediately changed course, sailing toward Mariejois.
Shanks remained at the bow, his gaze profound as he stared into the distance. Suddenly, he felt an inexplicable weariness and rubbed his temples.
How unpredictable the world was.
The balance that had held for so long had finally been shattered ahead of time.
Now, in this turbulent new era, where would his own stance lie...
————
The Marine Headquarters had withdrawn.
The reinforcements had arrived swiftly, but their retreat seemed even faster.
Kizaru, who had just regained consciousness, stood side by side with Zephyr on the rear deck of the warship, covering the retreat and ensuring the safety of the main force.
The fading glow of the sunset stretched their shadows long, yet they never overlapped.
Once, they had been inseparable as master and disciple.
But now, they stood apart, as if separated by an invisible chasm.
The silence between them lingered, neither willing to break it—as if it had been far too long since they'd last spoken face to face.
"Speaking of which, that blind swordsman Issho... were you truly unable to break through him?"
In the end, it was Kizaru who spoke first. His eyes fixed on the distant white flag fluttering in the wind, he murmured as if to himself:
"The once-feared and renowned Black Arm, whose presence on the frontlines could have changed everything today... yet you were stalled by some nobody. If this report reaches the higher-ups, who would believe it?"
"That guy is no nobody."
Zephyr snorted. "I couldn't care less. I've long since stepped back from the frontlines—I could resign anytime without worrying about their opinions. But you? Getting knocked out cold by that brat in one kick—how do you explain that?"
"..." Kizaru's pupils constricted sharply.
"So that's how it is."
Zephyr chuckled softly, "Even you harbor resentment toward those above, don't you? That look of yours practically wishes they'd embarrass themselves more..."
But still so young.
Such terrible acting!
"Borsalino, when did this mindset of yours begin?"
"Now now, we shouldn't speak carelessly about such things, Teacher Zephyr~"
Kizaru glanced at his severed arm, his expression returning to calm as he turned back, speaking plainly:
"As a Marine Admiral, I'll naturally take responsibility for today's failure upon returning. As for you, Teacher Zephyr, constantly talking about resigning—don't actually leave the Marines and join the Curtain Closers."
"Impossible!"
Zephyr was momentarily stunned before scoffing, "That kid teaching the Celestial Dragons a lesson and slapping those higher-ups? I'd cheer him on gladly. But betray the Headquarters for that?"
Nonsense!
To him, the World Government and Marine Headquarters were clearly distinct. The former might be despicable, but the latter...
The latter hadn't done anything to wrong him yet!
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
He had no home of his own left—this was his final home! Those students he'd personally trained were his family!
"...Is that so?"
Remembering a certain matter preliminarily decided during his last meeting at Holy Land Mariejois, Kizaru turned away, his expression growing complicated.
—————
At the entrance of Sabaody Paradise.
Xiano was gathering personnel with his officers, accepting anyone willing to leave Sabaody and join the Curtain Closers—whether Marine soldiers or ordinary civilians. All would be screened upon returning to their territory: those willing to settle, those fit for combat roles, and those with ulterior motives...
"Big Bro Xiano! Hey! Big Bro Xiano!!!"
An excited voice interrupted his thoughts. Xiano turned to see a blue-nosed reindeer running toward him with tearful eyes, followed by a panting white bear.
"Oh?! Chopper!"
Xiano laughed heartily, lifting Chopper and spinning him around, "Long time no see!"
"Yeah! I finally finished my medical training and set sail!"
Chopper giggled happily while held aloft, "Now I'm an amazing doctor even Doctoress praised—I can help you now, Big Bro Xiano... um, probably?"
Here, he scratched his head, his confidence wavering.
During his sprint over, he'd witnessed Big Bro Xiano kicking a Marine Admiral away before cleaving the heavens with an upward slash.
After a year apart, Big Bro Xiano had become incredibly strong... and seemed to have established an organization feared across the seas.
Surely he already had many skilled doctors under him...
Would he still need a half-baked one like me...?
"Of course you can help."
Xiano smiled, ruffling Chopper's blue nose. "You came at the perfect time. Kuina's injuries are serious—tend to her first, then patch up those two big guys for me."
"Got it! Leave it to me!"
Chopper's eyes brightened as he adjusted his little backpack before scurrying toward Kuina with eager chirps.
Only then did Xiano turn to the panting Bepo: "And you are?"
With both mascots gathered here, he naturally recognized the other.
But questions still needed to be asked.
Bepo was busy cautiously scanning his surroundings, and only after confirming that the orange-haired girl he feared wasn't present did he pat his chest in relief.
Hearing Xiano's call, he immediately stiffened nervously, snapping to attention and saluting sharply:
"Reporting, my lord! I—I'm Bepo! The navigator of the Heart Pirates! Um, earlier, Chopper passed out after taking some sedatives, so I was following our Captain's orders to take him to safety. He just woke up and wanted to find his captain, so I brought him back…"
Xiano looked at the stammering white bear and couldn't help but chuckle. "No need to be so nervous. The Heart Pirates, huh… Where's your captain?"
"Law—" Bepo was about to answer when his eyes suddenly brightened. "He's coming! My lord, the Captain is heading this way!"
Oh?
Xiano turned around.
Just in time to see Law supporting a bloodied Sanji as they approached, followed by Zoro wrapped in bandages like a mummy and Ace, his face covered in soot and grime.
Clearly, Law had just given them all basic medical treatment.
"Hey, hey, hey, seriously, Mosshead, you still haven't answered me—how the hell did you get to Sabaody before me all by yourself?" Sanji limped along but still found the energy to taunt Zoro. "Don't tell me you poisoned yourself with your own cooking and slept for a whole month, waking up just in time to arrive here?"
"How did you—bullshit, damn Curly Brow!" Zoro froze for a second before exploding in anger. "Who cares how I got here? The point is, I made it as a Supernova this year. Meanwhile, I haven't heard a peep about you. Hey, what's your bounty? Show me your wanted poster!"
"F-Five hundred million Berries, what about it?!"
"You think I'm stupid? That old lady Shaki already said the highest bounty among this year's Supernovas is this freckled guy behind us, and he's only worth a little over three hundred million!"
"I said five hundred million, so it's five hundred million! Don't believe me? Guess I'll have to teach you a lesson so you understand the gap between us now!"
"Bring it on! Like I'm scared of you!"
Both of them were wrapped in bandages and casts, limiting their movements, so they resorted to swinging wild punches, brawling noisily.
"Idiots…"
Law massaged his temples, exasperated.
After enduring their nonsense the entire way, he was starting to regret helping them—even if they were fellow followers of Lord Xiano.
"Hey, Trafalgar!"
Ace suddenly slung an arm around Law's neck from behind, grinning. "Why walk ahead alone? Don't be so cold! We practically almost died together—that counts for something, right? By the way, your ability is super handy. I could really use a doctor—how about joining my Spade Pirates?"
"Let go, Ace-ya." Law expressionlessly pushed Ace's arm away. "I have zero interest in being someone else's subordinate."
But the next second.
He spotted Bepo on the grass ahead—and the man standing beside him, smiling in their direction…
"Lord Xiano."
In an instant, Law appeared before Xiano, bowing deeply, his tone respectful and sincere.
"I am Trafalgar Law, Captain of the Heart Pirates. I have long admired your reputation, and witnessing your feat of slaying a Celestial Dragon and declaring war on the World Government today has truly stirred my heart."
He raised his head, carefully choosing his words as he asked:
"Might you be willing to take in our Heart Pirates? Though our strength pales in comparison to your officers, my crew and I are willing to follow in your footsteps and contribute our share to ending this rotten era."
"Hey!" Ace couldn't help but bare his teeth in anger. "You bastard! Weren't you just saying you didn't want to be anyone's underling?!"
"This is different."
Law shook his head slightly. "Lord Xiano once did me a great kindness. The reason I entered the Grand Line was to repay that debt."
A kindness?
Xiano couldn't quite recall at first, until Law explained further, reminding him of that newspaper-reading king he'd once sliced in two.
This certainly made things easier.
Law's potential, whether in medical skills or combat ability, was top-tier, and his character was beyond reproach.
Xiano had been wondering how to recruit him when they met, never expecting the other would offer his allegiance first.
"Welcome to the Curtain Closers."
Xiano smiled and patted Law's shoulder. There was no reason to refuse such a willing recruit.
His gaze then swept over the battered Supernovas behind Law—Zoro and Sanji were still brawling in their casts, while Ace glared resentfully at the back of Law's head.
"Kuina."
Xiano spoke calmly.
"Leave it to me."
Kuina stepped forward expressionlessly; she'd long since had enough.
Thud! Thud!
Five seconds later.
Zoro and Sanji, ears burning red with three massive lumps each on their heads, knelt before Xiano in dogeza, tears streaming down their faces.
"We're sorry, Big Brother Xiano!"
"Even though this was such a rare reunion, we kept squabbling like children and ruined the mood! We're utterly thoughtless!"
"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on here?"
Ace watched dumbfounded. "Why are you two so scared of her? It's not that bad, she's just a woman after all—"
Thud! Smack!
Another figure joined the dogeza lineup. Ace knelt there with smoke rising from his head, sobbing, "I was wrong, okay? I'll never underestimate women again, please stop hitting me..."
This woman is terrifying!
"Now it's finally quiet."
Xiano gave a slight nod.
With Law being their first meeting, some polite words of encouragement were necessary. But for these idiots, no such courtesy was needed.
Especially Zoro and Sanji—they were practically like younger brothers. Had they not been too young back then, they would've surely been among the founding members of the Curtain Closers.
"Jack-of-all-trades Adventure Group? Chef Adventure Crew?"
Xiano frowned at the bounty posters Kuma handed him. "What kind of terrible names are these? You're embarrassing me. As of today, they're disbanded. You're both being incorporated into the main Curtain Closers force."
"Okay."
Zoro and Sanji nodded obediently.
"At least put up some resistance!"
Ace was dumbfounded and immediately couldn't sit still anymore. "What the hell? Just giving in like that? You two still dare call yourselves Captains? Are you worthy of your crew? I'm definitely not disbanding the Spade Pirates, nor am I joining the Curtain Closer!"
"Huh?"
This time it was Zoro and Sanji's turn to be stunned. Their primary goal when setting sail had been to join Xiano's crew, and they'd assumed this freckled guy was the same.
"Surprised?"
Ace turned his head, grinning at Xiano. "Big bro Xiano, it's been a long time! I still remember all those times you beat me up! Not that I can take you on yet, but once we enter the New World, things will change. When I get stronger, my first dream is to defeat you fair and square!"
"Idiot," Jack rolled his eyes.
"How ambitious," Kuma smiled, adjusting his glasses.
"Nothing but foolish talk," Kuina sharply commented.
Xiano didn't take it to heart, chuckling as he said, "That's truly ambitious. In that case, I'll be waiting."
His relationship with Ace wasn't as close as with Zoro and Sanji, and he hadn't expected the proud young man to voluntarily join the Curtain Closer.
"Deal!" Ace laughed heartily, baring his teeth.
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