Aokiji rode his bicycle slowly along the East Blue coastline. His lazy expression gradually faded, and his eyes grew focused. He no longer wandered aimlessly, but headed toward every stretch of sea under Hua Country's rule-he wanted to see for himself what this sea Chen Yu had changed had become.
That journey lasted an entire month.
Loguetown, East Blue. The place where Pirate King Roger had been executed was now the seat of Hua Country's East Blue Commandery Office. The streets were broad and clean, lined with shops and bustling with people, yet there was no disorder. Empire soldiers patrolled in matching armor. When an elderly person fell, they hurried over to help; when a vendor blocked the road, they politely asked them to move, without the slightest bullying. Children chased each other through the streets, candied hawthorn skewers in hand, their laughter ringing clear. They no longer had to worry about being kidnapped by pirates. Fishermen returned with full catches, their faces brimming with the joy of a good haul, and delivered fresh fish to the shops without fear of being robbed.
Aokiji stopped his bicycle and leaned against a roadside cherry tree, his hands in his pockets, quietly watching everything before him. Sunlight filtered through the cherry blossoms and leaves onto his face, warm and gentle. Without realizing it, his lips curved into a smile he had not shown in a long time.
Just then, a man in a black trench coat quietly appeared beside him. He stood straight, his eyes hawklike, with the air of an intelligence operative about him. He made no unnecessary movements and was clearly trained.
"Lord Aokiji." The man bowed slightly, his voice low and respectful. "I am the chief of the Wind-Listening Guard's East Blue branch."
Aokiji did not turn, still watching