Charging Forward

North Blue, an unnamed island, one month later

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

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

After a full month of hellish training, Sakazuki's combat ability had improved significantly.

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

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

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

And the source of all those changes now stood by the shore, ready to embark on the next leg of his journey.

The entire coastline was packed with villagers—elders, women, and children—all with eyes so red it seemed tears would spill at any moment.

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

"Brother Rock, thank you!!!"

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

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

Rock smiled gently. "Don't worry. There's enough food stored up to last half a year."

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

For a poor little village in the North Blue, that was a luxury beyond anything they could have imagined.

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

—Sakazuki.

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

The children cried. The elders 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 Sakazuki's head. "Work hard and become stronger... kid."

Sakazuki's whole body trembled slightly. He looked up, his gaze conflicted. "Rock, will we really... meet again?"

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

"We'll definitely meet again."

He extended a finger and lightly tapped Sakazuki's forehead. "When that 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 even more directly than lightning.

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

The moment he finished speaking, lightning exploded beneath his feet.

"Bzzz—!!"

The next second, he transformed into silver-white lightning and pierced through the sky.

Thunder shook the entire island. The children stared wide-eyed. "Brother Rock... flew away!!!"

"So amazing!!!"

The elders prayed, the women wiped away tears, and everyone was too stunned by the sight to speak.

The boy looked up at the fading lightning and clenched his fists, a determined fire rising in his eyes.

"The Marines..." he murmured.

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

The future "Marine Admiral Akainu," the future embodiment of "Absolute Justice," the man who would one day burn through the skies and change the course of the world—

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

The wind stirred the bandages around his body. The reflection of lightning in the boy's eyes slowly transformed into conviction.

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

Several days later, as the morning mist had just cleared, the island still seemed immersed in yesterday's tranquility.

Yet on that day, killing intent began to spread through the air.

From the forest behind him came a sharp, forceful cry. "Hah—!"

A short blade cut through the wind as the boy trained, sweat pouring down his body.

The blade traced steady arcs through the air, each strike carrying the ferocity and explosive force honed through lightning training.

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

Just as he was about to continue training—

"Big Brother Sakazuki! This is bad!!!"

A panicked, tearful cry shattered the rhythm of his training.

Sakazuki spun around sharply, gripping the short blade in a reverse attack stance, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "What happened?!"

The child running toward him was covered in sweat and mud, his little 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.

—It was here!

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

"Tell everyone to hide in the cave immediately! Hurry!!!" He gripped his short blade and sprinted madly 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 the mast, and the deck was covered in damp, salty bloodstains. Yet it was crowded with vicious men.

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

"People?!" Captain Iron Hook immediately grew excited like a rabid wild dog.

He was fat, reeked of rot, had a massive rusty iron hook for a right hand, and his face was covered in thick folds of flesh.

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

"I'm going crazy from holding it in!!!"

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

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

"Oooooohhh—!!!"

Dozens of pirates behind him shouted excitedly like starving ghosts being set loose.

"I'm gonna feast, damn it!!!"

"Finally, we can torture and kill children again!!!"

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

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

The broken ship docked at the shore. The moment the pirates stepped onto the beach, they spotted the watchtower. "Hehehe! Isn't 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 out from the jungle along the shore!

"Pfft—!!!"

Several pirates were instantly struck in the head and collapsed, blood spraying across the sand!

Captain Iron Hook froze in the rear. "What?! There are enemies!!"

"Whoosh—!!!"

Another volley of arrows flew out!

This time, the pirates were prepared. Though some were still nailed to the ground, the rest relied on their combat experience to roll and evade.

"Damn it! How dare they ambush me!!!"

"The enemy is in the forest!! 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 endlessly in his mind:

"When dealing with pirates, don't talk about fair fights. The one who survives is the winner."

And now, the pirates had charged into the forest. There was nowhere left for him to launch another "ambush."

Facing dozens of pirates, there was not the slightest hint of retreat in his eyes.

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

Sakazuki gritted his teeth and growled, "I 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!