"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
The sea breeze swept overhead, and the aftershocks of the recent battle had yet to fade completely.
Gazing at the ripples spreading across the sea ahead, Aokiji's eyes filled with complex emotions and wistfulness.
As time passed, the beliefs he had once held and everything around him would change and develop, leading toward an unpredictable future.
A year ago, when he had been one of the Three Admirals, he would never have imagined standing so peacefully beside River, chatting with him.
Still less had he imagined ending up without a fixed abode or a home to return to.
Yet it was precisely these circumstances that had made the justice in Aokiji's heart clearer, strengthening his conviction that leaving the Marines had been the right choice.
"I've always wondered what the New World really means."
River's voice drifted softly over.
The two stood a short distance apart, both leaning lightly against the ship's railing as they looked out at the sea.
"The New World is what pirates call the second half of the Grand Line. It also means that coming here is like entering a whole new world that belongs to them."
Aokiji sighed.
This was a world of pirates, and also a world of freedom. Both the Marines and the World Government exercised their least control over this part of the world.
Four emperors among the pirates ruled vast territories.
"No. To me, this should be a new world unlike the rest of the world."
"It shouldn't belong to pirates, but to the countless ordinary, kindhearted commoners."
"A world of true freedom and equality!"
River spoke with a soft chuckle.
"In Dressrosa, you've weakened the nobles' influence and given commoners freedom and power. You've already done very well."
"That place is like a paradise apart from the