This was an idea that could change the future.
It redefined the shape of the world and redefined the next century.
Simply hearing Garen describe it aloud made it feel vast and magnificent, as though the tide of the age were surging straight toward them, or like the boundless, dazzling galaxy illuminating all things.
After hearing Garen out, Smoker's first reaction was:
"Are you talking nonsense?"
"Do you really think you can build an organization on that scale?"
"Ha ha ha."
Garen smiled somewhat sheepishly.
"This is only an idea for now."
"Once I become strong enough, the organization will naturally take shape over time."
Smoker stared deeply at Garen. After pondering for a moment, he spoke in an extremely serious tone.
"How strong would you have to become to achieve something like that?"
"Do you know how terrifying the enemies you'll face are?"
From the moment it was born, the nature and guiding principles of the League of Heroes had been a declaration of war against every evil force on the seas—pirates, warlords, illegal merchants, corrupt Marines, and more.
Smoker was not the type who excelled at thinking, but even he could clearly recognize the danger of this idea.
"I know."
Garen answered seriously.
"I'll become stronger."
"Strong enough to crush every obstacle in my path."
Those clear, powerful words made Smoker's body stiffen abruptly. He even forgot to take a puff from the cigar in his mouth.
It was as though he were meeting the man before him for the first time.
After several seconds of silence, Smoker suddenly burst into laughter.
"What an arrogant bastard!"
Garen chuckled as well. "That's confidence."
He truly had that confidence.
From a weakling who could barely beat a dog to the newly crowned "Overlord of the East Blue," Garen had taken