"Then... let's take this island."
Austin's words were casual, his tone so flat it was as though he were merely talking about eating or drinking, yet the town's residents felt a strange sense of unreality.
They looked at the child they had watched grow up, who could now casually decide the fate of an entire nation. Their hearts surged with excitement, making their scalps tingle.
Some of the girls who had grown up alongside Austin whispered to one another as they watched the handsome, tall, powerful young man, their hearts fluttering.
"Actually... I always thought Austin was really handsome when we were little~"
"Hm? Yuri, did you forget how you gave Austin a little handkerchief when you were young, and he used it as toilet paper when he ran out?"
"..."
The townspeople chatted excitedly, but Old Gick alone frowned and spoke with some concern.
"You know this, don't you, brat? This country's King has ties to the World Government!"
"You're still young, so you don't know just how deep the World Government's foundations run. Even Captain Rocks, as powerful as he was back then... Eight hundred years of accumulated power—that's a colossal force!
Austin, listen to me. Don't be so impulsive..."
Watching Old Gick analyze the situation so seriously, clearly afraid Austin might do something foolish, Austin smiled.
"Relax, old man."
"The World Government's foundation is strong, but... I'm not stupid enough to face them head-on. If I want to leave, there isn't anywhere in this world that can hold me."
"Besides, the World Government owes me a favor. For the sake of some tiny country in the New World, I'm sure they won't mind."
Old Gick was stunned by Austin's words.
The World Government owed him a favor?
And while he knew Austin was probably very strong now,