On Sabaody Island, when Gawain takes his first step toward the mainland.
Whether they were Merfolk in the water or bunny girls on the shore, they all stopped what they were doing!
Honestly, no one has ever asked them to do this, since they are purely a mood-maker; as long as they create a good atmosphere, that's enough.
But somehow, as they gradually came to see Gawain's calm and dignified face more clearly...
When Gawain's slow yet rhythmic steps seemed to tread on the drumbeats of epic music, or perhaps on their hearts.
They fell silent involuntarily!
Meanwhile, Gawain and Hancock, Gion two most prominent women, flanked Gawain, walking menacingly toward the crowd, which only added to the atmosphere of quietude.
In an instant, silence replaced all the previous liveliness, making even the sound of seabirds flying by clearly audible in Sabaody!
Standing in the center of the welcoming crowd, Iceburg finally couldn't help but take a slight breath.
"For some reason, I suddenly feel... that times are starting to change!"
"That's right!"
Beside the Iceburg, Neptune, who had been quite satisfied with the Merfolk girl he had arranged, suddenly felt that his preparations had been a bit too frivolous.
Seeing Gawain approaching, Neptune couldn't help but shake his head, then said with shame.
"Mr. Iceburg, haven't our preparations... underestimated our king?"
It was only at this moment that I suddenly realized that, perhaps compared to our frivolous past, our king was about to bring a new era to the sea, one that was profound and full of rules!
"Yes, I shouldn't have let these bunny girls bother Gawain!"
Iceburg couldn't help but respond to Neptune.
"If I brought not seductive women, but soldiers and warriors standing in neat rows, displaying their spirit and morale..."
Perhaps only that kind of atmosphere is worthy of adults stepping in!
As soon as he finished speaking, Iceburg remembered everything that had happened that day. In the past year, his identity had changed from mayor to the world's second-largest gambling and entertainment tycoon after the Gild Tesoro!
This transformation has indeed made him less dignified and more down-to-earth and frivolous!
At that moment, Iceburg became alert, because he suddenly realized that he might not be the kind of person Gawain admired!
Meanwhile, Neptune couldn't help but purse his lips upon hearing Iceburg's words.
"Yes, if he were greeted by neatly lined-up soldiers, he... would probably be even more satisfied!"
I am indeed not a wise ruler. Perhaps a true king should be like you, sir!
At this point, Neptune shook his head and then walked regretfully toward Gawain.
At the same time, Gawain's footsteps crossed the gangway and came to a complete stop on the land of Sabaody.
Once Gawain was on the ground, he leisurely surveyed his surroundings.
At that moment, countless people fell in terror from the Yarukiman mangrove tree!
In an instant, everyone knelt down, for the first time so willingly kneeling before the Celestial Dragon!
As the main inhabitants of Sabaody Island, especially these three gambling islands in front of us.
Gawain's planning and arrangements for the Sabaody Casino over the past year have improved the quality of life of each of them by at least three to five times. Gawain deserves their adoration!
Meanwhile, atop the tallest Yarukiman tree on a distant island, Morgans snapped a photo and couldn't help but remark to his paparazzi companion beside him.
"The wind is picking up!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Morgans handed the Camera Den Den Mushi back to his underling, then he couldn't help but nod in Gawain's direction.
"He's just someone who disembarked. Even if he were Celestial Dragon, this kind of thing happens all the time in Sabaody. Who told Mary Geoise to be right above us?"
But... oh, how strange.
For some reason, my keen news sense tells me that the ordinary photo I just took might become a kind of witness to the old and new eras at some point in the future!
Having witnessed countless news stories, I was surprised to find, with my world-class news sense, that I could perceive an incredibly profound sense of epic scale in this moment of footage!
At this point, Morgans tightly closed his beak, and he pondered seriously for a very long time.
By the time Gawain had led his men across the casino island and were heading towards the Bubble Gondola leading to Mary Geoise...
Morgans finally spoke, as if belatedly realizing something.
"Yes, I know where my journalistic sense comes from."
Because that guy was a newcomer to the seas, having cast aside his past and chosen to travel the Four Blues!
Although his status was extremely high, neither high status nor low status could change his status as a novice seafarer.
And whenever a novice navigator traverses the Grand Line and arrives at Sabaody Island...
Doesn't that often mean that this newcomer has reached a turning point in their life?!
Suddenly, Morgans burst into laughter, a satisfied expression on his face.
"I don't want to add a single word to the cover of the next issue of the newspaper. I want the entire page to be printed with just the photo I just took!"
I can already see that at some point in the future, our next issue of the newspaper will become a collectible for countless people. Some may want to tear the newspaper to shreds, while others may regard it as a deity and even frame it and enshrine it in their homes!
But in any case, I have already sensed the arrival of a new era. Whether it's the composition or my intuition, I have already perceived the ambition of this Gawain!
His ambitions cannot be stopped by simply planting his flag in a few countries, destroying a few lawless territories, or killing a washed-up maritime legend!
In other words, even all the major events and explosive news he has caused in the past six months are just a small tidbit of his ambition!
Thinking of this, I really can't imagine what will happen when he once again stirs up Big News Morgans that will be known Four Blues...
Just how excited will that news make this old man smile?
I'm really looking forward to it! Hahahaha!!!
Morgans' vision of Gawain, near the Bubble Gondola on Sabaody Island.
As he watched the people walking towards him, Onigumo couldn't help but tremble with excitement!
He suddenly took a step forward and then knelt down heavily on one knee before Gawain!
"My lord, I am Onigumo. It is an honor to welcome you back on behalf of the Navy as the Vice Admiral vice admiral!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Onigumo bowed deeply to Gawain.
Seeing this, Gawain frowned slightly, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Vice Admiral Onigumo, it's been a long time. Please rise."
"Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing Gawain's words, Onigumo immediately stood up, then bowed respectfully and even reverently to Gawain before standing beside him.
While waving his hand towards the Bubble Gondola in the distance, Onigumo continued speaking to Gawain.
"My lord, the Bubble Gondola is ready. I have received orders from Mary Geoise that the Bubble Gondola will be available for your exclusive use for the next five hours. No other Celestial Dragon can compete with you."
In addition, my lord, please allow me, on behalf of Admiral Aokiji and Fleet Admiral Sengoku, to extend a sincere welcome to your return!
Also, I am extremely grateful for everything you did in Loguetown. My little niece was fortunate enough to be rescued by you in Loguetown, and even had the privilege of experiencing the great reconstruction work of Loguetown with you.
Please allow me to express my sincere respect to you on this matter!
Besides, I must congratulate you on defeating Mr. Garp. You may not know this, but in my heart, you are already... the best in the world!
Your Excellency has returned from this trip and is no longer the same person as before!
"If given the opportunity, I and my comrades would be honored to fight alongside you, sir!"
After speaking, Onigumo gave Gawain a deep look, then bowed and quietly retreated to a distance.
Gawain listened to Onigumo's words and nodded thoughtfully.
Has he completely joined the Onigumo faction, which is Aokiji's firm choice?
So, whether it was Garp conceding the victory to himself or his attitude towards saving civilians, it was all a matter of personal choice.
After Aokiji saw all of this, did it all become weights on the scales in his heart?
That's good, that's good!
With this in mind, Gawain nodded slightly to Onigumo, and then he led the cadres onto the first batch of Bubble Gondola.
After stepping into the pod, Doflamingo pursed his lips, then spat heavily on the ground in front of the Mary Geoise tin can guard responsible for opening the pod!
"Pooh!"
After spitting out a mouthful of saliva, Doflamingo laughed coldly.
"The last time I came to this damned place, even I still had a sliver of hope burning in my heart."
But before long, tsk tsk, my hope turned into a code that killed my mother, leaving her with the regret of being cursed and abandoned even in death!
As soon as he finished speaking, Doflamingo suddenly burst out laughing, twisting his neck in disgust as he laughed.
"What a pity, it's a pity I couldn't return here as Celestial Dragon!"
"There's nothing to regret, Doflamingo."
Gawain interrupted Doflamingo, then flicked his right hand, and Doflamingo's spit, along with a small patch of floorboards in the pod, instantly turned to powder.
Hearing Gawain's words, Doflamingo nodded with a cold smile, then continued in a disgusting tone.
"You're right, Fufu, how could a wolf pack regret not being able to live like a flock of sheep!"
Gawain, we are not people being kept in captivity!
You are not, and neither am I, Fufu!
At this point, Doflamingo suddenly remembered something, and his smile grew deeper and deeper.
Not far from him, Trafalgar, who had been staring intently at him, couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.
Trafalgar now knows the specifics of Doflamingo's mother's death.
Although he hated Doflamingo, he still felt compassion for him in this matter.
After all, the person Doflamingo is remembering at this moment is also Mr. Cola's mother.
Someone who could raise someone as gentle as Mr. Kela must have been an incredibly gentle mother, right?
As for the fact that she also raised someone like Doflamingo...
Well.
Even the best of men can make mistakes, and even the best of horses can stumble.
Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore!
Trafalgar turned his head away dejectedly.
Leaving aside Trafalgar's inner thoughts, at this moment, Shirahoshi crossed her arms over her chest and said to Gawain with immense joy.
"Gawain ~, I get to see Miss Brooke again, right?"
Hehe, I also want to thank her and her friends for teaching me Meilin~.
Even now, I'm not very good at drawing small animals...
At this point, Shirahoshi couldn't help but flick her big tail, and her beautiful pink tail immediately swished around Gawain's body.
Gawain reached out and wrapped his arms around the tip of Shirahoshi's tail, stroking the girl's tail as he chuckled.
"It's alright. We'll be staying in Mary Geoise for quite a while this time, considering that the Reverie won't be held for another two weeks, and there's still time before the Reverie starts."
We might have to stay in Mary Geoise for two months."
"Why???"
Upon hearing this, Shirahoshi was immediately surprised, and she quickly said to Gawain.
Are we going to be living on land for more than two months?
What will happen to little Laboon? Won't it be lonely for a long time?
"Well!"
Hearing Shirahoshi's words, Gawain shook his head with amusement and offered some words of advice.
"There's no way around it, Laboon is just too tall. With his body that's nearly four kilometers thick, there's hardly any sea in Mary Geoise that can contain him."
Don't worry, although we live on Mary Geoise, it's not like we can't leave.
Along the way, we would often stop to check on Laboon."
"Yay!!!"
Shirahoshi immediately raised her hand in satisfaction; as long as she could continue visiting her friends, that was enough.
While Laboon was cheering, Ace couldn't help but pat his forehead.
"That's good, haha, that way I can visit the people in Foosha Village more often."
Why does nobody like going to Mary Geoise? Uncle said there are plenty of houses there for them to live in!
"Hello!"
Upon hearing Ace's words, Sabo gently tapped Ace on the head.
"Mary Geoise is full of important people after all. Although the villagers have come to regard the Dark Bird Ship and the old man as neighbors and family, they are simple and honest and do not want to encounter more important people."
"Just let everyone stay happily on the Dark Bird Ship!"
At this point, Sabo couldn't help but roll his Byakugan.
Even six months ago, he, the dignified General Staff of the Revolutionary Army Reserve, never imagined that he would one day be living in Mary Geoise!
This is terrible! Our revolution has strayed into the enemy's stronghold!
I really wonder if I'll ever have the chance to spread revolutionary ideas to those Celestial Dragons...
This is absolutely outrageous!
Just as Sabo was exclaiming how outrageous it was, Gawain had already arrived on Mary Geoise. The moment the Bubble Gondola finally came to a stop, a tall red figure suddenly took a step towards Gawain.
"My lord, it's been a long time!"
The figure, with a somber expression, nodded slightly to Gawain. Upon seeing this, Gawain gave an appreciative smile and said...
"It has indeed been a long time, Admiral Sakazuki. Did you come here specifically to greet me?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain waved to Sakazuki, who was waiting at the pod's landing spot, and Sakazuki naturally came to Gawain's side.
Sakazuki rudely shoved away the pouting Hancock, then gave Gawain a serious reply.
"Indeed, my lord, but I have other reasons for appearing in Mary Geoise."
After all, with the Reverie about to convene, as Admiral, I need to personally take charge of the security of Mary Geoise!
Not only me, Borsalino is also in Mary Geoise right now, you'll see him later.
As for the other Vice Admiral, including Garp, only some of them were responsible for security; the others were mainly responsible for escorting and protecting the kings of the Allied nations.
At this point, Sakazuki looked intently into Gawain's eyes, then lowered his head slightly and said.
"My lord, please rest assured, no matter what choice Garp and his faction make, I will firmly stand by your side!"
In fact, after the incident in Loguetown, I have basically reached an agreement with Borsalino!
Although Fleet Admiral Sengoku does not agree with our involvement in the World Government's proposal, my understanding differs from Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Therefore, as long as you need me, I am willing to stand behind you and propel you toward becoming one of the Five Elders!
At this point, Sakazuki bowed deeply to Gawain, then looked towards the towering Pangea Castle in the distance.
As he watched, Sakazuki remarked leisurely.
"Although the Five Elders are rarely replaced, none of the oldest senior members of the Navy in this era, including the Air Force Commander-in-Chief, have ever personally witnessed the succession ceremony of the Five Elders."
But regardless of whether this ceremony is dangerous or not, I am already prepared for war!
As long as you can be in a position worthy of you, then even sacrificing millions of lives would be worthwhile in my opinion!
Because I eagerly anticipate your personal involvement, or even your direct guidance, in the World Government!!!
I am extremely excited!!!