The changes in Dressrosa soon left Zephyr and his students astonished.
The country was not large, and they could tour it in very little time. Its bustling, noisy streets teemed with voices, giving them a unique feeling they had never experienced before.
"Vitality. A vibrant vitality you don't find in other countries."
Zephyr looked thoughtful.
The people of this country radiated heartfelt happiness and hope for the future, inside and out.
"The clay figures here are so delicate, and you can even eat them! Teacher, try one!"
"I heard the Tontatta made them!"
Ain smiled brightly as she held out a colorful clay figure to Zephyr.
The figure depicted a fairy with tiny, thin wings. Only about an inch tall, it looked exquisitely crafted.
Zephyr accepted it and looked down, momentarily unable to bring himself to take a bite.
After spending some time observing and touring the country, Zephyr looked both moved and delighted. He seemed to have realized something.
If everyone in the world lived in a country like this, would anyone still become a pirate?
Zephyr had not worked out the answer to that question, yet he already felt certain of it.
Schools stood everywhere. There were dedicated troops who patrolled and served the people, institutions that safeguarded the interests of commoners, mailboxes specifically for reporting officials, and a Government Office.
All privileges of the nobility had been abolished. He even saw richly dressed noble children playing happily and making friends with commoners' children outside a school.
"Perhaps this is true freedom?"
Zephyr murmured.
And this was also why River had won over his students.
As Zephyr walked down the streets, traces of a smile unconsciously appeared on his face. The students beside him were surprised, for their teacher had not smiled like that in a very long