Seeds

Marine Headquarters, Training Ground, Afternoon

Sunlight streamed onto the vast Training Ground, and the air was thick with the smells of dust, sweat, and metal.

"Clang!"

The blade clashed violently with the flames, and a Shockwave sent sparks flying swept in all directions in an instant!

In the center of the Training Ground, Ace's fist burned with bluish-white flames, while Law wielded the Kikoku, which was wrapped in Armament Haki, precisely slicing through the air.

"Fire Fist!"

"ROOM· Cut!"

The scorching and icy spatial energies converged in mid-air, erupting into violent tremors, and even causing cracks to appear on the ground.

"Huff... huff..."

Ace wiped his sweat, his expression excited. "Ha! That's more like it!"

"You're too noisy." Luo remained calm as usual, but was noticeably more serious than before. With a flick of his Right Hand, the space expanded once more.

"Call!!"

The marines who had been watching quickly retreated, their faces filled with shock.

"These two brats' fighting ability is already approaching that of an officer, isn't it?"

"The flames were so hot they turned the rocks at the edge of the arena red-hot!"

"Luo's spatial domain is becoming increasingly stable; it can even be deployed continuously during battle!"

On the sidelines, Garp sat cross-legged on the sand, munching on Luffy while giving Senbei "love training"—which was actually just unilaterally disciplining him with his fists.

"Fist faster! Where's your Haki?! Unleash your Haki!"

"Ouch! Grandpa! It hurts!"

Seven-year-old Luffy was beaten so badly he ran around the field clutching his head, but no matter what he did, he couldn't dodge Garp's Iron Fist.

"Haha! This is nothing!"

Garp laughed, "Your dad and your Roy got beaten much harder back then!"

Luffy's cries were deafening, occasionally even disturbing Ace and Law who were engaged in fierce combat.

"Luffy! Shut up!" Ace's forehead veins bulged. Distracted, he lost his balance and was forced back three steps by Law's short sword.

"Don't let your mind wander during the battle," Luo whispered.

Ace gritted his teeth, and flames erupted suddenly, as if he wanted to burn the outcome of this battle to the ground!

Just as everyone was immersed in the training atmosphere, a familiar dark figure slowly walked over.

Roy stood with his hands in his pockets, walking leisurely, his gaze sweeping across the entire Training Ground.

When he saw that familiar figure under a tree not far away, he paused slightly.

That's Kuzan.

He leaned against a tree trunk, his cloak half-covering his body, an eye patch covering one eye, seemingly dozing off, but Roy knew he was definitely observing the battle on the field.

"Kuzan," Roy walked up to him and whispered, "What brings you to the Training Grounds today?"

Kuzan lifted his blindfold, opening his deep, calm eyes. "Ara ara... Roy, just passing by, taking a look around."

He glanced at Ace and Law, paused for a few seconds, and then slowly asked, "... Are you sure you want to train him like this?"

Roy knew who he was asking.

He looked at the fiery young figure in the arena and replied softly, "Ace is a good kid. He shouldn't be rejected because of his 'bloodline'."

"The fault doesn't lie with him, it's with those beings who made the world this way."

These words struck Kuzan like a heavy hammer blow.

He lowered his eyes, his mind replaying the past that had been swallowed up—

The inferno of Ohara, Jaguar D. Saul's fallen figure, the smile that refused to close even when frozen in ice.

"You bastard..." Kuzan muttered, "You're really bold."

Do you know what kind of structure you are provoking?

"Of course I know," Roy said with a calm smile. "But if we don't destroy these structures, why should we be in the navy?"

Kuzan didn't answer, but just chuckled softly.

Looking at the children, he was momentarily confused about what he was holding onto and what he was running away from.

"I'm leaving." He dusted off his coat and turned to go.

"See you next time, senior brother," Roy said softly, watching his departing figure.

Kuzan paused almost imperceptibly, but ultimately did not turn around. He simply waved, his shadow stretching long in the sunlight, as if he were walking on a road of no return.

"Still wavering, senior brother...?"

Roy looked away. "But it's alright."

The future is long.

He looked back at the Training Ground. Ace's flames were growing brighter, Law's Spatial Slash was becoming sharper, and Luffy's cries had long since drowned out Garp's laughter.

Under the sunlight, the naval flags Hunting Roar.

Here, the seeds of new life are being nurtured to change the world; everything is still moving forward.

East Blue, Goa Kingdom, a gentle night breeze.

The noble district of the Goa Kingdom Flame, while the distant, Gray Terminal was shrouded in darkness and a damp, putrid stench.

The thin figure ran through the night once more. Sabo stumbled and staggered through dilapidated shacks and ruins, blood still seeping from the bruises on his forehead, but he paid no heed to it.

"The Burning Plan..."

"They're going to kill me to silence me..."

His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and although he staggered, he did not stop for a moment.

He wanted to tell everyone that he was going to stop all of this!

Just as he was about to cross the blockade, two armed soldiers rudely stopped him.

"Get out of the way! Commoners are not allowed near the noble district!"

Sabo was kicked away and fell into the muddy water, blood and sewage mixing and sliding down his cheeks.

He struggled to get up again.

Suddenly, an unusual gust of wind swept by.

The soldier's movements suddenly froze, his eyes went blank for a moment, and the gun in his hand fell to the ground.

Sabo was stunned.

The next second, a tall figure slowly walked towards them, bathed in moonlight.

The green cloak Hunting Roar the wind, and the familiar flame tattoo beneath it revealed the newcomer's identity.

He walked up to Sabo, half-squatted down, and quietly looked at the muddy, angry-looking child.

"You just mentioned the Burning Plan?" Monkey D. Dragon's voice was deep, carrying a hint of weariness from long battles, but also a sharp awareness.

Sabo's eyes trembled. "They're going to burn everyone at the terminal... just to welcome the Celestial Dragons..."

He practically yelled, "Just because the Celestial Dragons think it's 'dirty' there!"

In his final moments, he almost cried out, "I hate this world! I hate that I have noble blood flowing through my veins!"

After saying that, he finally couldn't hold on any longer and fainted in Long's arms.

Long looked at him silently, a ripple passing through the depths of his eyes.

"It really was him..."

"That brat."

He recalled the private letter from Marineford a few weeks earlier.

"In the Kingdom of Goa in the East Blue, there is a nobleman's son named Sabo. If you are looking for a seed that can inherit the revolutionary will, I suggest you take a look."

Signed: Roy.

Long kept the letter in his inner shirt pocket and carried it with him at all times.

He always felt that this rear Rear Admiral was no ordinary man.

Several key directions of the Revolutionary Army, such as "regional autonomy," "segmented dissemination of ideas," and "undercover infiltration methods," all originated from a casual remark made by Roy in several private conversations many years ago.

This time, he still chose to believe that letter.

He picked up Sabo and whispered, "... I will teach you to overthrow all of this."

The following morning, at the High Town Otluk family mansion.

Sabo awoke with a start to the soft bed, the sun shining brightly outside the window, as if everything from yesterday had been just a dream.

But his father's stern face pulled him back to reality.

"Stop struggling."

Outlook III said coldly, "Today, the Celestial Dragons Saint Charlos is here. You must attend as the son of a nobleman!"

Sabo's eyes were lifeless, and he clenched his teeth, remaining silent.

"This world... is beyond saving."

Noon, at the Harbor.

Taking advantage of the lax guard, Sabo stole a small fishing boat.

A small boat quietly sailed out of the harbor, Sabo rowed frantically.

"Freedom..." he whispered.

I want freedom!

But fate seemed to be playing a cruel trick on him again, just as his small boat was about to leave the harbor—

A luxurious giant ship slowly sailed in, and at the bow stood Saint Charlos, Celestial Dragons wearing a bubble hood.

"Hmm? That little boat is in the way. Sink it."

"Yes, Your Saint Charlos."

The cannon barrels were turned around, and sparks flew!

"Boom!"

Sabo's small boat was torn to pieces in the explosion, and his body was thrown into the cold sea by the blast wave.

But just as he was about to sink to the bottom of the sea, a green figure swept across the surface like a storm and pulled him into its arms.

Meanwhile, inside the royal palace of the Kingdom of Goa, nobles were holding a lavish welcoming ceremony.

"Alas, young master Sabo's ship has been sunk. It's... so unfortunate."

A cacophony of feigned lamentations and expensive champagne; nobody really cares.

Amidst the nobles' hypocritical sighs, no one noticed that a gentle breeze had quietly departed from the Goa Kingdom.

That is the seed of freedom, Awakening.