Departure, a New War!

"Are you really not coming back with me, old man?"

When he woke again, three days had already passed.

"No. Hehe, seeing you achieve so much is enough to make me content!" Woli's aged face had grown somewhat slack, yet he still looked kindly.

"If I went with you, I'd probably only cause you trouble!"

Swain could not bring himself to insist and could only let him have his way.

Once people grew old, they tended to seek out quiet places.

"But there's one thing you must remember: be careful in all things... As long as you stay alive, that's enough."

"I don't want these old bones of mine to end up growing old alone."

Swain broke into a smile. "How could that happen?"

The two smiled at each other once more.

The first departure had been in youth; this departure came with youth long gone.

A small boat drifted through the night, white gulls crossed the sky, and the sun set in the west.

The old man once again saw his child off from home.

Sending him to the place he was meant to be.

"The era belongs to the young." Woli sighed softly. "After this parting, seeing each other again won't be easy!"

Time turned back three days, to when Swain had just met Woli.

The allied nations of Hachinosu, Gran Tesoro, and Wano Country were attacked after Swain left.

Marine Headquarters dispatched a hundred warships. With the World Government's assassination support aiding their joint offensive, they had held out for a full two days.

Inside Hachinosu's highest command center, the Four Kings had gathered together without prior arrangement.

Norton asked anxiously, "Still haven't found him?"

The others exchanged glances, each seeing confusion in the others' eyes.

Luo said wearily, "For now, put the boss's situation aside.