Since I had returned to the One Piece world after a long time, I spent a pleasant break with Nico Robin and Hina. Vivi was still young, so we only went on dates. Nico Robin and Hina also knew that I hadn't yet been intimate with Vivi. They probably found out through conversations among themselves. However, they understood that Vivi was still young and didn't say anything.
Vivi and Nico Robin decided to train on the Sky Island and help manage the Elysium Palace. Hina returned with me to the Merchant Island. On the Merchant Island, Mikita, Gem, Marianne, and the newly joined Zala were living together and exploring the island. Feeling that I had given Zala enough time, I called her for a consultation.
"I've heard the story. Crocodile failed, and Baroque Works was defeated by the Marines and the royal army, right?"
"Yeah."
At my answer, Zala sighed deeply. Perhaps because it was a place she had been involved with, she seemed bitter.
"Hoo... So that's how it ended..."
"Now I'll give you two options. Forget Baroque Works and live as part of the Merchant Island, or leave and start a new life. If you stay, I'll support you so you can live on the Merchant Island. Of course, you'll also need to train and work."
At that, Zala thought for a moment, then said.
"I'll work on the Merchant Island too. I can't return to the Alabasta Kingdom anyway."
"Good. Then you'll start with training as well."
From that day, the organization of Merchant Island was reorganized. Dordon took charge of the security force. Dordon was still weak, so there were many complaints, but he had excellent leadership and administrative skills. Before long, the security force was convinced.
Moreover, Dordon knew he was weak and trained hard. He was a person with a strong sense of responsibility, so I was certain he would become immensely strong soon.
The operation of the merchant ships was handled by the orphanage graduates. They were the greatest asset cultivated on Merchant Island. After all, there was no one better to navigate the pirate-infested seas. The slightly disappointing point was that the crew members were mostly still young, but they weren't being sent to the New World seas yet, so I thought they were sufficient.
And I also created a new direct organization. I planned to use people I recruited myself. For now, it was only Mikita, Gem, Marianne, and Zala, but it was an organization that would grow as I continued to recruit people.
Being able to use clones was certainly convenient. I could send them to the Sky Island, and I could also send them to the Zala to help with training.
I also made a new weapon for Vivi. Vivi discarded her old weapon. I took the iron cloud sword, a 'steel whip,' that the former priest Ohm had used, modified it to reinforce its durability, and changed the design to be prettier.
Surprisingly, Vivi seemed to have an aptitude for such weapons, as she adapted well. While training her in Haki, I also taught her Mitsuri Kanroji's 'Love Breathing' from Demon Slayer. I thought the steel whip and Love Breathing would go well together.
I also trained Nico Robin in various applications of the Hana Hana no Mi, Haki, and martial arts. She had only used the Hana Hana no Mi for joint techniques. It was such a shame to see such a good fruit used only that way.
For example, if Robin could use Busoshoku Haki and the Six Style technique 'Shigan,' she could annihilate numerous people in an instant. The more powerful the user, the more ridiculously overpowered the Hana Hana no Mi becomes. Moreover, now that she was also a user of the Warp Warp Fruit, that overpowering nature would double.
Hina knew what she was doing, so I focused only on strengthening her Haki through sparring.
I was living like that for a while, making deliveries, when one day, an article about Teach and a bounty poster appeared in the newspaper.
-The newly rising Blackbeard Pirates in the New World make a name for themselves as Supernovas.
The Blackbeard Pirates, led by Marshall D. Teach, have recently been expanding through plunder and are making their presence known among the new generation of pirates called 'Supernovas.' The Marines are also closely monitoring the Blackbeard Pirates' movements.
was the article. Moreover, the bounty was already at 150 million berries. In the original, they moved more covertly; seeing them act so openly was a bit suspicious.
"This is a problem. The article is out; I wonder how Whitebeard will react..."
Just then, a call came from the Den Den Mushi. It was Sengoku.
"What's the matter? Is it another isolated Marine?"
-No. Well, this is difficult to say, but you might become a Celestial Dragon.
I was flustered by those words. A Celestial Dragon all of a sudden.
"Huh? What do you mean..."
-It seems that Rosward's daughter, Shalria, wants to arrange a marriage with you.
For a moment, I thought I misheard. Shalria is the younger sister of Charlos, who in the original embodies the typical Celestial Dragon.
"Wh-What did you say? I'm already married."
-I understand it's flustering. It seems she saw a picture taken at your wedding and became infatuated. So she's proposing a marriage alliance. However, Merchant Island is a source of important liquor, so some Celestial Dragons opposed it, and the Marines are also actively opposing it.
Sengoku sighed and continued.
-But Shalria is very stubborn. So the Celestial Dragons discussed it and reached an agreement: to marry Shalria and you, make you a Celestial Dragon, and have Merchant Island belong to the World Government.
I was incredulous at those words. Who were they to decide that? I remember that damn bird (Morgans) also came to my wedding and took pictures. But I never imagined it would lead to this.
"That's nonsense!"
-I know. I know how absurd it is. But the World Government's word is law. Don't you want to save the island's residents?
From what I heard, my guess was that Shalria's infatuation was just an excuse to make Merchant Island belong to the World Government and steal the profits. The World Government would be well aware of the massive profits coming from here. In short, they were saying they would give me the status of a Celestial Dragon in exchange for handing over Merchant Island.
'These bastards are crossing the line.'
-Anyway, someone from the World Government will come soon. Please don't turn your back on the World Government.
With that half-threatening remark, Sengoku ended the call. I immediately gathered everyone on Merchant Island and discussed the matter.
"That's unacceptable!"
"Right! We can't hand over what we've built to them."
"But turning our backs on the World Government..."
I first quieted everyone and spoke.
"The thing is, if I become a Celestial Dragon and Merchant Island falls into the hands of the World Government, all the children in the orphanage will probably be kicked out. And you all know that I've been robbing pirates and rescuing many beauties, and we live together on this island.
But will the Celestial Dragons leave them alone? Most of them will likely become slaves to the Celestial Dragons. The same goes for the income. The World Government will take almost everything, and nothing will return to the island's residents."
At that, the residents murmured. I raised my hand again, silenced them, and continued.
"I have no intention of becoming a Celestial Dragon, nor of abandoning the people. So I'm thinking of relocating the island. I'll give you time to think. If you think it's impossible to oppose the World Government, please think it over carefully and tell me by tomorrow. If you have questions, feel free to ask."
Then a few villagers asked questions.
"How will you relocate the island? Will you move to another island?"
"That's a secret for now. I can't tell you the plan because there might be people leaving."
"What will happen to those who leave?"
"Considering the work they've done, I'll give them a generous severance and send them to Loguetown."
"What will happen to the work?"
"For now, everything except for basic necessities will be suspended."
There were also various other questions, but I answered most of them sincerely.
"Everyone, think it over well and let me know by tomorrow."
With that Q&A session over, the residents went home, discussing various opinions. Then Zala asked me.
"Do we also have a choice?"
"Of course."
Then the Zala also gathered to discuss. Hina, seeing that, pressed her forehead as if she had a headache and said.
"Hah... Marrying such a capable husband is also a problem. What are you going to do now? Do you have a way to move all these people up there (Sky Island)?"
Hina knew everything, so she asked directly.
"Don't worry. I prepared for this day."
In fact, I had prepared a lot, knowing this day might come. The World Government and Celestial Dragons' greed knows no bounds.
The next day, some residents, whether out of fear or dislike of conflict, decided to leave. I gave them enough berries to live comfortably and sent them to Loguetown on one of my merchant ships. The Zala decided to stay. From what I heard, they had seen and experienced a lot living on the island. They also knew that wherever else they went, if they weren't strong, they wouldn't be treated well.
After sending people off and waiting for the merchant ship to return, instead of our ship, a Marine battleship approached the island. Using my Clairvoyance, I could see Shalria and, escorting her, Marine Admiral Sakazuki on board.
"This is troublesome. The merchant ship hasn't returned yet... I guess a peaceful resolution is out of the question?"
I quickly called Hina and asked her for a favor.
"I'll buy some time. When the merchant ship that went to Loguetown arrives, press the button in the bottom drawer of my office desk."
Then Hina asked me.
"What happens if I press the button?"
"The island will rise. Into the sky."
Hina was surprised and seemed not to believe me.
"Wh-What??? Is that even possible?"
I had had this in mind ever since I went to Sky Island and had modified the island accordingly. When that button is pressed, a massive amount of Sky Island clouds are designed to erupt from beneath the island, causing the entire island to float. There was no margin for error. It was Nano's calculation.
"I designed it that way from the start when I built the island. Anyway, I'll go buy some time. When the merchant ship arrives, press the button immediately. If you're too late, the islanders will be in danger."
"Wait! What are you going to do?"
"I can escape on my own. Trust me."
Then Hina pulled me close, kissed me, and said.
"You must come back alive."
"Yeah. Don't worry."
I took a small boat from Merchant Island and sailed toward the approaching battleship. Then I jumped aboard. Shalria saw my face and admired.
"Wow~ He's really handsome. Totally my type! Taejin, you came out to welcome me~"
Shalria blushed and twisted her body. This was actually my first time seeing a Celestial Dragon. As in the original, she was wearing an astronaut-like suit and had a strange hairstyle that shot up to the sky.
"Miss, I'm sorry, but you're not my type. I refuse your proposal."
"Wh-What??!! You! Do you think you'll be safe after this???"
Shalria, furious at my words, pointed a pistol at me. Shalria, being a Celestial Dragon, had probably used that pistol to kill many people for fun.
"Wow~ Not only is your appearance not my type, but you're also hot-tempered... I'm glad I refused."
Then Sakazuki, who had been watching, stepped forward and asked me.
"Do you intend to defy the World Government's orders?"
"Admiral Sakazuki. I heard you value justice above all else. Do you really think this is just?"
"If you put it that way, I have no response. However, there are circumstances. For the sake of justice, small sacrifices are sometimes necessary."
This guy didn't seem like the type I could reason with.
"Even if it means abandoning the children in the orphanage. But unlike you, I intend to protect the children."
I immediately unleashed my Haoshoku Haki. Then, not only Shalria but the Marines as well began foaming at the mouth and collapsing.
Thud! Thud!
Then Sakazuki said, surprised.
"You, you have Haoshoku too."
"I am, after all, the ruler of a city. What will you do? If we fight here, it seems very few people on this Marine battleship will survive."
At that, Sakazuki thought for a moment, then pointed to a small uninhabited island next to Merchant Island.
"Hmm... I suppose not. Then let's go to that uninhabited island over there."