The original purpose of forming the World Pirates wasn't to oppose the World Government.
When Byrnndi World was still a child, he and his frail, sickly older brother Byojack made a vow.
To go to the other side of the sea, see more sights, experience more new things.
They were originally a team similar to the Straw Hat Pirates, more like an 'adventure group'.
The few remaining crew members now were all key members who joined during the team's initial formation.
They were not only fiercely loyal to Byrnndi World but also adhered to the dream shared with their captain.
However, as the World Pirates grew larger, the crew members who joined became a mixed bag.
Perhaps there were some who identified with Byrnndi World's ideals, but more were those who wanted to use the name of a great pirate to pillage and plunder.
Yet, with Byrnndi World suppressing them from above, this group couldn't make much trouble.
Until one day, Byrnndi World attacked a Celestial Dragon ship.
After that, a team that originally had little offensive nature was immediately branded with the [World Destroyer] title, and Byrnndi World consequently landed on the World Government's bounty list.
What followed was layer upon layer of blockades by the Marines.
To realize their dream, Byrnndi World, Byojack, and the other old members decided, after discussion, to build a large ship capable of submerging.
This way, they could sail as far as possible to the places they longed to adventure without conflict.
But this didn't last long.
Under the instigation of World Government's agents, those originally disloyal members betrayed Byrnndi World, stabbing him in the back.
This ultimately led to his capture.
Therefore, Byrnndi World grew to distrust everyone. His remaining life seemed to have only one purpose left: revenge against the World Government and the traitors.
But after witnessing the true power possessed by the World Government, this conviction wavered, leading to his current state.
However, during his thirty years of imprisonment, his comrades had not forgotten the promise they once made.
Even with only a few people left, they still built this magnificent Groseade and came looking for him the moment he broke out of prison.
To be honest, seeing his former comrades, even in their advanced age, still willing to come find him, it was impossible not to be touched.
But perhaps Byrnndi World's heart had been too deeply wounded by those betrayers.
After all, from his perspective, frozen for thirty years, the incident of being shot in the back by his 'comrades' felt like it happened just yesterday.
"Byojack, take them and leave."
Suddenly, the perpetually silent Byrnndi World let out a loud shout.
His voice was clear to everyone present-
Including his brother.
"..."
Byojack's expression suddenly turned solemn. His trembling hands tightened their grip on the nearby IV stand, straining to stand up straight.
It seemed only this way could he regain a semblance of the dignity an older brother should have.
"Have you forgotten!! Our... dream!"
Even speaking was laborious, let alone imagining the effort it took for Byojack to shout these words.
He gasped for breath heavily. The scene before him blurred from the excessive strain, and even his ears rang with tinnitus.
In his haze, he seemed to see his younger brother from the past again.
That child, once the same height as him. The two stood on the highest mountain on their island, gazing into the distance, anticipating seeing new sights beyond the sea.
When Byrnndi World became swollen with arrogance due to the flattery of ill-intentioned members, he hadn't been able to stop it.
When Byrnndi World was betrayed and captured by the World Government, he hadn't been able to stop it either.
Now, thirty years later, he didn't know if he still had the chance to wait any longer, and he didn't want to wait anymore.
This old man finally shouted the words he should have said decades ago.
"We will not give up on you!! Byrnndi World!"
Hearing Byojack's words, the other members of the World Pirates also stood straight, reassuming combat stances.
But Sasuke and the others stopped, showing no intention of continuing the fight.
"Look over there."
Sasuke said to the fish-man who was about to charge again.
The three opponents followed the direction Sasuke pointed.
Byojack, weakened from overexertion, powerlessly loosened his grip on the IV stand, his body falling straight towards the deck.
But he didn't feel a hard impact.
A large hand gently caught him and placed him on its shoulder… just like in the old days.
Byrnndi World had chosen to return to his comrades.
"...You've grown old."
Looking at Byojack's wrinkled face, Byrnndi World hesitated for a moment, only managing to say this.
However, upon seeing his younger brother's return, a relieved smile appeared on Byojack's face.
"Welcome back, little brother."
A single sentence conveyed more than a thousand words.
"That's it, this is what I wanted to see..."
Naruto took out his flask, took a long drink while watching this brotherly reunion scene, then let out a long sigh.
Sasuke, meanwhile, had silently returned to the Gale Breaker, looking at Naruto and asking,
"Is that all it takes?"
Sasuke couldn't quite understand the thought processes of these pirates on the sea, just as he couldn't understand Naruto's way of thinking before.
Naruto didn't respond, just gestured towards him with the flask.
"Want a sip?"
"...You drink it yourself."
Perhaps even Naruto himself had forgotten that Sasuke was only fourteen this year.
And he genuinely couldn't stand strong liquor like rum.
…
Night fell on the Groseade.
This massive ship could fully function as a mobile town, with ample supplies.
Not only that, it even had a dedicated port for the Gale Breaker to dock… though Naruto probably didn't need it.
Following pirate tradition, a feast should follow the end of a conflict, and today was no exception.
However, they didn't opt for an open-air bonfire this time.
Inside a specially enlarged dining hall, everyone gathered around a super-long table laden with numerous aromatic delicacies.
"Eat up~ Eat lots. This is my special cuisine, seasoned with special medicine powder."
Unlike previous feasts featuring only giant roasted meat or fruit, perhaps because most of the World Pirates were now elderly, even their menu had become relatively health-conscious.
"Wow... this aroma, the texture of this stewed meat, it's amazing!"
Karin enthusiastically scooped a spoonful of meat broth. The meat inside, cut into bite-sized pieces, was stewed to tenderness. Combined with the layer of colorful, health-preserving herbs sprinkled on the soup's surface, it not only didn't ruin the meat's flavor but added a unique texture.
"Right? Nightin's cooking is really something!"
Gairam also praised loudly, while the blind fish-man Sebastian beside him was too busy devouring his food to speak.
He probably had the best appetite among them.
Nightin quietly approached Karin, slipping a piece of paper with recipes and formulas into her hand.
Then she winked at Karin, muttering thoughtfully under her breath,
"If you want to capture a man's heart, you must first capture his stomach."
Hearing this, Karin's face turned slightly red. After glancing to ensure Naruto hadn't noticed, she quickly tucked the paper away.
On the other side, Naruto, drinking with Byrnndi World, tilted his head and asked,
"What are your plans now? Go to the New World to continue the adventure you should have had thirty years ago? Or..."
Byrnndi World drained the specially made cup… many things here seemed modified for him, with enlarged versions.
"They... are too old."
Byrnndi World didn't mention revenge again, just silently looked around at his old crewmates.
These guys had waited for his return for thirty years without fail. They never forgot their former dream for a single moment.
It was he who had failed them.
So now, more than revenge, Byrnndi World valued the ideal shared with his comrades.
"That's fine. As for the World Government… don't worry, I'll pay them back on your behalf too."
Saying this, Naruto clinked his cup against Byrnndi World's, patting his own chest with his other hand.
Byrnndi World didn't reply, only falling silent for a moment before suddenly asking,
"You're going to save Fire Fist Ace… Roger's son, right? His execution is in ten days..."
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
Naruto stuffed a large piece of thoroughly cooked meat into his mouth.
Considering Sebastian's presence, the dinner also included some chewier dishes.
"Nothing..."
Byrnndi World shook his head, not continuing, just silently noting this favor owed.