Going to Water 7

"Captain, when are we leaving?"

"Wait a little longer."

Conversations like this repeated almost every day.

Weatheria was a small island inhabited entirely by scholars. Their daily work consisted of observing, recording, and studying changes in the weather and its patterns.

This made the restless Kid feel extremely uncomfortable staying on the island. Every few days, he would run over and ask Ryan when they were leaving.

Ryan brought out a rocking chair and prepared to enjoy the cool weather. Suddenly, a head poked out from around the corner of the wall.

"Captain! Do we really have to wait for that guy to wake up before leaving?" Kid asked, his head drooping.

"Yes!"

Seven days had passed since the battle between Golden Lion and Ryan, yet Golden Lion still had not regained consciousness.

Ryan had already decided where they would go next, but he needed a little help from Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit.

Otherwise, Ryan really had no idea how to reach that place. After all, he did not even know where he was right now.

Besides, Ryan wanted to see how Golden Lion would react after discovering that Ryan had saved him.

Ryan was in no hurry to leave. He was different from Kid.

Ryan really liked Weatheria's peaceful and comfortable environment. His restless heart had gradually calmed down there, making his recent Breathing Technique cultivation feel especially easy.

"Kid, how has your training been lately?" Ryan asked the listless Kid.

Kid immediately perked up at the mention of it and said excitedly, "I feel like I'm getting stronger every day. One day, I'll definitely become as powerful as you, Captain!"

"I have some Kong time now. Come on, let me see the results of your recent training!" Ryan said with a smile.

"Captain, go easy on me."

This was the first time Ryan had offered to guide Kid, which made Kid somewhat nervous.

"Don't worry. I'm not like Beli."

After hearing Ryan's assurance, Kid had no more worries and charged forward foolishly.

Ten minutes later...

Kid, now a whole size rounder, silently climbed to his feet and staggered away from this place of sorrow.

He swore that he would never believe anything Ryan said again. Ryan had promised he would not be like Beli, but when it came to beating people up, that clearly was not the case.

"Compared to this, Beli is actually pretty good!" For some reason, those words surfaced in Kid's heart.

Watching Kid's dejected figure, Ryan chuckled and muttered, "Let's see if you dare slander my reputation again."

Ryan had not decided to guide Kid on a whim. Two days earlier, Beli had told him everything that had happened after his departure, with special emphasis on Kid.

After Kid left, Ryan lay down in the rocking chair and fell asleep before he knew it. He did not wake up until Indigo arrived.

Seeing the joy on Indigo's face, Ryan seemed to understand what had happened. He tentatively asked, "Shiki is awake?"

"Mm. The captain wants to see you. Come with me."

Ryan did not delay. He got up and followed Indigo to find Golden Lion.

Indigo led Ryan to a staircase and then left. The staircase led to the highest level of Weatheria.

Ryan climbed the stairs and soon saw Golden Lion's back.

"Why did you save me?" Golden Lion's calm voice drifted over.

"Do I need a reason to save you? If I really had to give one... I think that someone like you should die a spectacular death, not pass away unnoticed."

"Gyahahaha, you're an interesting kid. Want to have a drink?" Golden Lion threw a jug of wine toward Ryan.

Ryan caught it smoothly, opened it, and took a deep gulp.

Looking at Golden Lion before him, Ryan felt, for some reason, that Golden Lion seemed different from before.

He could not help asking doubtfully, "Why do I feel like you've changed?"

"Someone who has died once would naturally be different. In fact, Golden Lion died twelve years ago. Would you like to hear my story?" Golden Lion gazed calmly at the distant Kong.

"Of course! You're the legendary Golden Lion. Who wouldn't want to hear your story?"

Even Golden Lion, who had been through so much, could not help laughing when he heard Ryan's words.

"More than forty years ago, a young man from the West Blue accidentally killed a nobleman because of his youthful recklessness. As a result, the nobleman sent soldiers to kill everyone in the village because of that boy's impulsiveness. The most ridiculous part was that the boy who had caused it all actually survived. Don't you think that's laughable?"

Golden Lion did not wait for Ryan to answer. He took a drink and continued.

"Then, in order to survive, that boy became a pirate. A few years later, he led his pirate crew to slaughter the entire family of that nobleman. The boy felt that he no longer had any opponents in the West Blue, so he took his crew to the Grand Line. He made quite a name for himself there as well, until a man appeared. The boy was completely helpless before that man, and eventually joined his pirate crew."

At this point, Ryan could not help asking, "Was that man Rocks?"

"How did you know? A young man like you shouldn't know Captain Rocks!" Golden Lion asked, somewhat curiously.

"Master Gaban and Master Rayleigh told me about him."

"Gaban, Rayleigh... So you're their disciple. No wonder you have Roger's sword. It seems they chose you!"

Ryan asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"The one who inherits Roger's will."

Ryan shook his head at Golden Lion. "I'm not going to inherit his will. I'm just myself, Portgas D. Ryan!"

"What does the D stand for? Both Captain Rocks and Roger have that letter in their names."

Ryan curled his lips. "Why should I tell you?" In truth, he was thinking, Oda hasn't even finished drawing the ending. How would I know?

Perhaps he had let go of certain things. Hearing Ryan's disdainful tone, Golden Lion actually found it somewhat endearing.

However, after Ryan interrupted him, Golden Lion no longer felt like continuing the story.

Seeing that Golden Lion had fallen silent, Ryan asked curiously, "Where are you planning to go next?"

"I want to return to the West Blue and take a look."

"Then send me somewhere first."

"Hmm?" Golden Lion slightly furrowed his brows.

"Don't forget that I'm the one who saved you!" Seeing that Golden Lion seemed unwilling, Ryan brought out his trump card.

The next day, Ryan and the others stood on a stone boat, preparing to set off for their next destination, Water 7.

Since their ship had been left in the waters near Alabasta, Ryan planned to go to Water 7 and build a treasure ship capable of sailing anywhere across the sea.

After all, Water 7's shipbuilding technology was the pinnacle of the pirate world. Roger's pirate ship, the Oro Jackson, had been built in Water 7, and even the Ancient Weapon Pluton had originated there.

"Grandpa Haredas, Grandma Lia, I'll miss you!" Lory was bidding the two of them farewell through her tears.

In the end, Lory had decided to continue adventuring with Ryan and the others.

Grandpa Haredas threatened Ryan, "Kid! If you dare bully Lory, I won't let you off!"

Ryan held out his hand toward Lory and smiled. "Welcome to officially becoming one of us, Lory."

Lory immediately grabbed both of Ryan's hands and leaped onto the stone boat.

"Shiki, let's go!"

Only then did Golden Lion bring Indigo aboard. He directly controlled the stone boat, making it float into the air and fly into the distance. It soon disappeared from sight.

"If Lory's background is discovered by people with ulterior motives, it could cause a lot of trouble, couldn't it?" Lia said worriedly.

Grandpa Haredas put an arm around Lia and smiled. "It'll be fine. Lory's companions are quite reliable."