It was another new year, but Bright's life remained unchanged.
Fish-Man Island was still thriving, and the world's situation remained steeped in an eerie silence.
But Bright knew this state of affairs could not last much longer. The reason was that the replica Pluto warship Master Tom was in charge of building was nearly complete.
The final war was not far away.
Still, amid this boring life, interesting things occasionally happened to liven things up.
At the Mermaid Cafe, Bright flipped through a newspaper.
"Fire Fist Ace."
Bright looked at the somewhat blurry photograph in the paper. It showed a bare-chested man wreathed in blazing flames.
The corners of Bright's mouth lifted slightly as he chuckled. "Has he entered the Grand Line already?"
"That kid caused quite a stir some time ago."
Tesoro, who sat across from him wolfing down food without even raising his head, said, "Extraordinary stamina and strength, coupled with superb combat skills, and finally the Logia-type Flame-Flame Fruit. There hasn't been a more outstanding rookie pirate in the last two years."
"Now that he's entered the Grand Line, he's still charging forward like an unstoppable force."
Bright merely smiled.
That kid had gone to sea too? The New Genesis really was about to arrive.
But he did not know what future Ace in this world would face.
"Still, that kid is a D. too."
Tesoro raised his head and wiped his mouth. "Could he be the person Joy Boy is waiting for?"
"Who knows?"
Bright smiled. "When someone with the Nika Fruit appears on the seas, perhaps he will be the one Joy Boy is waiting for."
"What nonsense. Joy Boy's message never said that whoever inherited his power would also inherit his will."
Tesoro snorted disdainfully. "How could something that coincidental happen?"
Bright could only