Charge Forward

North Blue · Unnamed Island · One Month Later

The sea breeze still carried the scent of salt, but it no longer cut to the bone as it had when they first met.

The once desolate, barren village now had rebuilt wooden houses, reinforced wellheads, clean and spacious storage sheds... and genuine smiles long absent from the villagers' faces.

After an entire month of hellish training, Sakazuki's combat strength had improved significantly.

His foundation had already been solid, and his will was as hard as steel. Now, after repeated baptism by lightning, his potential had been pushed to new heights.

His body seemed to contain the power of Thunder itself, every inch of muscle brimming with explosive energy.

After all, this was the man who would one day become a Marine Admiral!

And the source of all these changes was now standing by the shore, ready to embark on the next leg of his journey.

The entire coastline was packed with villagers—old people, women, children—every pair of eyes red as though tears might spill at any moment.

Rock carried a small bag full of snacks on his back, facing away from the sea as he prepared to leave.

"Brother Rock, thank you!!!"

"We'll never forget your kindness!!!"

"Big Brother Rock, remember to come back and visit when you have time!!!"

Rock smiled gently. "Don't worry. The food's all stored away—there's enough to last half a year."

He had not only repaired their homes and dug wells, but also taught the villagers how to hunt and preserve food. He had even left behind piles of cured meat, dried rations, salted fish...

For a poor little village in the barren North Blue, that was an unimaginable luxury.

Among the reluctant villagers, the one standing at the very front was the boy who had once been covered in thorns, his guard harder than stone.

—Sakazuki.

He stood straight, silent, and stubborn, like a steel needle that could snap taut at any moment.

The children cried. The elderly cried. Yet he only stared fixedly at Rock.

Of course Rock saw him, even though Sakazuki did not say a word.

He walked over and placed a hand on his head. "Work hard and grow stronger... kid."

Sakazuki trembled all over. He raised his head, his expression complicated. "Rock, will we really... meet again?"

Rock gave him that familiar, confident smile. "Don't worry!"

"We'll definitely meet again."

He extended a finger and lightly tapped Sakazuki's forehead. "When the time comes, remember to find me in the Marines."

"I'll be waiting for you there."

Those words carved themselves into the boy's heart more directly than lightning.

Rock waved to the villagers. "Take care, everyone! Sakazuki, protect them well!"

With that, lightning exploded beneath his feet.

"Crackle—!!"

The next second, he became a streak of silver-white lightning and shot through the sky.

Thunder shook the entire island. The children stared dumbfoundedly. "Big Brother Rock... flew away!!!"

"That's amazing!!!"

The old people offered prayers, the women wiped their tears, and everyone was too stunned by the sight to speak.

The boy raised his head to watch the departing lightning, clenching his fists as a determined flame appeared in his eyes.

"The Marines..." he murmured.

At that moment, the gears of fate began to turn.

The future "Marine Admiral · Akainu," the future "Absolute Justice," the man who would burn through the sky and alter the course of the world—

For the first time, he truly found his "path."

The wind stirred the bandages around him. The boy held his head high, and the reflection of lightning in his eyes gradually became conviction.

"Rock... I'll definitely catch up to you."

Several days later, the morning mist had only just cleared from the island, which seemed to still be steeped in yesterday's peace.

Yet on this day, killing intent began to seep into the air.

From the woods behind the village came, "Hah—ha!!!"

A short blade sliced through the air as the boy trained in a downpour of sweat.

The blade traced steady arcs through the air. Every strike carried the ruthlessness and explosive force tempered by lightning training.

His muscles tightened beneath the morning sun, relaxed, then tightened again. He was... several times stronger than he had been a month ago!!!

Just as he was about to continue training—

"Big Brother Sakazuki! Something's wrong!!!"

A frantic, tearful cry cut through the rhythm of his training.

Sakazuki spun around sharply, gripping his short blade in a reverse hold as his gaze turned razor-sharp. "What happened?!"

The child running toward him was covered in sweat and mud, his legs shaking like sieves. He stumbled and fell at Sakazuki's feet, yet still shouted:

"Grandpa said... the watchtower... spotted a pirate ship!!!"

Sakazuki's heart clenched heavily.

—They were here!

The disaster he feared most, yet knew would come sooner or later.

"Tell everyone to hide in the cave immediately! Hurry!!!" He gripped his short blade tightly and sprinted toward the coastline.

Offshore, a battered pirate ship that looked ready to fall apart slowly approached the island.

Its sails were riddled with holes, a filthy skull hung from its mast, and the deck was covered in salty, damp bloodstains. Yet it was packed with vicious men.

Excitement spilled from the lookout's throat as he shouted in delight, "Captain! There's a little island ahead! Looks like people live there!!!"

"People?!" Captain Iron Hook instantly became excited like a crazed wild dog.

He was fat, reeked of rot, and had a huge rusted iron hook for a right hand. His face was covered in folds of flesh.

He stepped forward, snatched the telescope, and took one look. A disgusting grin immediately spread across his face. "Damn it... it's been half a month straight, and we haven't even run into a single inhabited island!"

"I'm about to go crazy from holding it in!!!"

Iron Hook swung his hook hard, metal clanging with a piercing screech.

"Boys!! Time to go ashore and reward yourselves—have fun however you want!!!"

"Ooooooh—!!!"

Dozens of pirates behind him roared excitedly like starving ghosts being unleashed.

"I'm finally gonna get some fresh meat!!!"

"At last, we can slaughter some kids!!!"

"I want meat!! I want meat!!!"

They waved rusty blades, axes, and spiked clubs as boiling cruelty and madness swept from the sea toward the island.

The wrecked ship docked at the shore. The pirates had barely stepped onto the beach before spotting the watchtower. "Hehehe! Is that a building over there?!"

"There's a watchtower!!!"

"There really are people here!!!"

The pirates howled as they swarmed toward the center of the island like a pack of wolves.

Suddenly—

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh—!!!"

Several arrows suddenly shot from the jungle by the shore!

"Thud—!!!"

Several pirates were instantly shot through the head and collapsed, blood spraying across the sand!

Captain Iron Hook froze in the rear. "What?! Enemies!!"

"Whoosh—!!!"

Another wave of arrows came flying!

This time, the pirates were prepared. Though some were still struck down, the rest relied on their battle experience, rolling and dodging.

"Damn it! You dare ambush me!!!"

"The enemy's in the woods!! Kill them!!!"

The pirates roared and charged into the jungle.

At the source of the arrows, a boy was changing his quiver.

He was not skilled with a bow, but Rock's words before leaving still echoed in his mind:

"When dealing with pirates, don't talk about fighting them head-on. The ones who survive are the winners."

But now, the pirates had charged into the jungle, leaving him nowhere to "ambush" them from.

Facing dozens of pirates, his eyes showed not the slightest hint of retreat.

Because behind him were the entire village, fleeing toward the cave.

Sakazuki gritted his teeth and growled, "Absolutely... cannot let you take another step forward..."

He raised his short blade, leaned forward, pushed off the ground with his heel, and faced the pirates charging into the forest—

He charged forward!