End of the Road (2)

Meanwhile, in Hachinosu of the New World.

The name Hachinosu might sound unfamiliar, but mention "Pirate Island," that pirate paradise with summer-like weather all year round and a pleasant climate, and everyone knew it... especially the island's twilight.

Twilight on Pirate Island was not dim. Instead, it possessed a captivatingly brilliant blue hue... because of the blue vegetation covering the rolling mountains. The fragrance of those plants, mixed with the singing and dancing crowds and the aroma of delicious food, created a unique scent.

That scent was called "safety." The pirates who gathered here spent money like water in this resource-rich vacation haven, indulging in a life of luxury... There was no true ruler here, but there was an unwritten "pirate rule": no violent conflicts were allowed outside the pirate game known as "Davy Back Fight," or "DBF" for short. Otherwise, Davy Jones, that terrifying undead pirate, would set his sights on them.

"What Davy Jones? People just want a safe harbor..."

On the island's western shore, Rayleigh arrived on a Waver skateboard, sighing as he ignored the suspicious, fearful, and probing gazes of the nearby pirates... This was the New World, where the environment was harsh and sea beasts ran rampant. Anyone daring to travel on a Waver skateboard was a formidable badass.

With no one daring to disturb him, Rayleigh was happy to have some peace. After his gaze briefly lingered on the distant mountains, he headed straight for the skull-shaped stone monument standing in the center of the island... Though several years had already passed, the scenes of his pirate crew drinking heartily, eating meat by the mouthful, and singing at the top of their lungs here still felt as vivid as if they had happened yesterday.

"Roger, what a pity..."

"The changes in this world have