On his way back to Loguetown, Vic passed through a small town on an island, where he found a young man forging a sword. The boy was still an apprentice, but Vic admired his seriousness and dedication.
After reviewing the boy's memories, Vic decided to teach the boy Kozaburo's family's sword-forging skills. However, Vic wouldn't stay here for long, and it was unrealistic for him to teach the boy himself. It would be better to wait until the war was over in a few years before looking for a successor. Anyway, Vic has a long lifespan!
Not everyone has Vic's talent to learn all the sword-making techniques in a short time, so Vic transformed all his experiences of learning sword-making from Kozaburo when he was young into illusions and memories.
Let the boy experience the illusion quickly, observing from an outsider's perspective the entire process of Kozaburo instructing the boy Vic on how to forge a sword. The faces and words of the boy Vic and Kozaburo appear clearly in the boy's senses.
After the illusionary experience was over, Vic engraved it into the boy's mind as a memory. After today, even if the boy did not learn sword forging from anyone, he could grow into a sword forging master just by relying on the memory in his mind!
Of course, there are prerequisites for achieving this, namely, that he can survive well and continue to learn and practice according to his memory. It may not be possible in a short time, but as long as he perseveres, he can definitely become a master!
Vic thus easily fulfilled Kozaburo's request. If he encountered good seedlings again in the future, he planned to continue sowing some more seeds, as one seed was not enough.
As Vic left the island, he dropped the rare fusion metal he had prepared for Kozaburo from the sky. If fate allowed, the boy might obtain it in the future and eventually forge it into a weapon of Supreme Great Grade Sword grade!
Upon returning to Loguetown, Vic found Olvia and immediately set off, crossing the Reverse Mountain to enter the Grand Line. He stopped at the Twin Towers for a while and discussed medicine with Crocus.
Although Vic is very skilled at treating diseases caused by the human body itself, Vic expertise in treating diseases caused by external substances and toxins is not yet comprehensive. Learning from other highly skilled doctors can help him complete Vic unique medical puzzle.
Crocus was generous and happy to share with Vic, after all, Vic's ideas were more advanced and greatly inspired him.
Another point is that Vic saved Ace. Rayleigh also sought his help when he wanted to save Ace, so Crocus knew Ace's identity. For him, Vic saving Ace at Marineford was a huge favor. However, medical research is mutually beneficial now, so there's no need to repay favors. He can only repay Vic when he needs help in the future!
After leaving the Twin Towers, Vic chose a route he had never taken before, continuing to fill his fantasy with material. Naturally, he spent his nights in revelry and had a great time, making Olvia not want the trip to end.
She now has Vic all to herself, and can travel, enjoy herself, and experience the ultimate pleasure of the human body. What woman would want to end this? She just won't say it out loud; it's all up to Vic to decide.
"Bang!"
A dozen days later, Vic was awakened by the sound of the impact. Olvia was still exploring the magnificence of the fantasy world of cultivation in Vic's illusion, completely unaware of the changes in the outside world.
Vic stood up and went to the bow of the boat to take a look. He found that the small boat was blocked by an ice path about a meter wide. The wooden planks at the bow had fallen off due to the impact. Fortunately, the small boat was only covered by the outermost layer of wooden planks, and the hull inside was metal, so the small boat was not badly damaged, just bald. If it had been a wooden boat that had collided with it, there was a high probability that it would have sunk.
"This must have been caused by that Kuzan riding his bicycle on the sea, right? That's so inconsiderate! If it were on another ship, it might have sunk here. It's not good to ruin someone's dream of becoming the Pirate King. I wonder if Kuzan has left the Marines yet. He shouldn't be far. Let's go find him and have a chat!"
Looking at the narrow ice path, Vic guessed that it was made by Aokiji. As for whether Aokiji had left the Navy, Vic wasn't sure, as there was no news about it in the newspapers.
In his previous life, Vic only knew that Aokiji left the Navy after his defeat, but he didn't know the exact time. It hadn't been long since that great battle, and Aokiji might have just recovered from his injuries.
" Olvia! Wake up!"
After waking Olvia, Vic chased after her along the ice path. As for whether he was going the wrong way, he could tell which way to go by how much the ice was melting.
Before long, Vic spotted a small black dot slowly moving at the end of the ice path.
Aokiji also thought of the problem Vic had encountered before, and was afraid of causing a maritime accident, so the ice he formed while riding his bicycle was the most ordinary ice, which would melt away in a short time.
Normally, you wouldn't encounter such an unlucky ship, so if you can see this ice path, it means Aokiji isn't far away. That's why Vic chased after him. If other pirates encountered this, they should run for their lives as fast as they can. Don't let your curiosity get the better of you and chase after him to see what's going on. I'm talking about you— the Straw Hat Pirates!
" Kuzan! I knew it was you who wrecked my boat! Don't run away, pay me back for my boat!"
Seeing Vic's shouting and yelling, Olvia looked at him strangely. That was Marine Admiral, after all. Making him pay for the ship? But the one who said that was Vic? Well, it doesn't matter. He certainly has the power to do so.
Olvia has a bad impression of the Navy, and even harbors deep hatred for it. The Buster Call on Ohara was carried out by the Navy. Although the order was given by the Five Elders, the executioners were the Navy. Their sins cannot be washed away!
However, Olvia could treat Aokiji differently. After all, she knew about what happened back then from Robin and was still grateful for Aokiji's mercy in not killing her. If Aokiji had acted like the other Marines, Robin would have been dead. Although it was just a temporary act of kindness from Aokiji towards the child, it was still kindness!
"Oh my god! Isn't this Thunder God Vic? Trying to become Sword God Vic again? I was planning to visit you on Titan Island sometime, but I didn't expect to run into you like this!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Aokiji stopped riding, put one foot on the ice, and turned around to see the small boat sailing towards him. Vic and Olvia on the bow came into his view.
Vic's attire was completely different from when he was at the top. At the top, Thunder Drum floated behind him, and he wore a slightly ancient-looking robe, giving him an ethereal and otherworldly feel, which truly suited the title of Thunder God.
Vic now had two long swords at his waist, a black cloak draped over his back, and was dressed in a swordsman's outfit, which is why Aokiji made a joke. As for the tall, voluptuous woman with a mask next to him, he had of course heard of her, but he had never seen her before and was not familiar with her, so he did not greet her.
Aokiji sized up Vic and Olvia, while Vic was also sizing up Aokiji.
Aokiji's attire was simple: a blue cloth hat covering his long, curly hair, round-framed sunglasses, a white V-neck long-sleeved shirt under a dark green long trench coat, a backpack slung over his back, black trousers, and black boots.
Aokiji looked perfectly normal all over, except for burn marks on his exposed shoulders and neck; there was no indication that he had lost a leg!
Besides the Aokiji, a large penguin was floating on the surface of the sea next to the ice rink. The penguin had a large pack on its back and was looking at the approaching boat with a bewildered expression.
"I heard you fought Sakazuki and now he's Fleet Admiral. What about you?"
The small boat pulled up next to the Aokiji, pushing the big penguin aside. The penguin was angry, but seeing Vic, it didn't dare to act recklessly and just sulked there alone.
Vic's question was purely rhetorical; he was just trying to get the conversation going. He had seen the outcome clearly, but both of them had erased their memories of Vic.
"Me? I've already left the Navy. I don't agree with Sakazuki's ideals. Continuing to serve under his leadership? I can't do it. So, the only way is to leave the Navy and find true justice in my heart!"
Judging from Aokiji's attire, Vic had already guessed something, and now he was finally certain: Aokiji had left the Navy immediately after recovering from his injuries.
When ideologies clash, it's indeed difficult to carry out someone else's orders. Just like when Vic was tasked with carrying out the island-destroying plan, he immediately rebelled!
The Navy is now dominated by Fleet Admiral Akainu. As for why Aokiji's departure from the Navy hasn't been reported in the newspapers, it's probably because the news is too significant for the Five Elders to allow Morgans to release. Or perhaps they haven't found a good opportunity to announce it. In any case, the departure of a Marine Admiral cannot be announced to the world right now, lest someone harbor ill intentions.
" Kuzan! I have some good wine here, why don't we board the ship and have a couple of drinks? We're practically in the same boat now!"
Vic's statement is inaccurate. He is a notorious pirate officially recognized by the World Government, while Aokiji is currently just a free agent who has left the Navy and has no bounty on his head. The World Government should treat Aokiji kindly, otherwise he will become the next great pirate.
Therefore, there is a fundamental difference between Aokiji and Vic. One was forced to leave the Navy, while the other left voluntarily. The nature of their actions is different. Vic said this mainly to try to recruit Aokiji to his side.
This is a true Marine Admiral, a top-tier fighter on the high seas. No one would be unmoved by such an opportunity, and Vic was no exception. More importantly, Vic didn't want Aokiji to go to Blackbeard's side.