Early the next morning.
White clouds drifted across the azure sky, and the gentle morning sun shone down on the vibrant plains.
Verume, the floating island that had lost its ability to stay aloft, had long since fallen back to the sea. The Going Merry was moored nearby on the shore.
A small mountain village stood not far away. Already dilapidated, it had been almost reduced to Ruins by the impact of the island's fall the night before.
The villagers were scattered among the Ruins, hard at work. Many of the young men who had been captured by Golden Lion had returned to the village and reunited with their families.
"Rebuilding this place is going to be a huge undertaking."
"As long as everyone's alive, that's all that matters."
"Haha, true."
"Besides, these old houses were due for renovations anyway."
Though their village had been destroyed, smiles filled the people's faces. The young men chatted as they cleared away the rubble.
"We're back, everyone!"
Luffy's laughing figure appeared on the hillside, dragging an enormous boar behind him. Several others gradually emerged from behind him.
"Our benefactors are back!"
"They actually hunted a beast that huge!"
"Quick, get the pot on and start a fire!"
When they saw the Straw Hat Crew returning from their hunt, the villagers cheered excitedly, their energy renewed in an instant.
"Big brother and big sister are so strong!"
"I'm going to become a pirate and set sail when I grow up!"
"Me too! I'm going to be a pirate just like big brother Straw Hat!"
A few children clutched wooden sticks and gazed at them with admiration. They swung their sticks like swords, soon laughing and roughhousing together.
"You're pretty popular, Luffy. Everyone here thinks you're a hero."
Usopp nudged Luffy with his elbow and