The morning light of Foosha Village streamed through the windowpanes, illuminating the wooden floor of Makino's tavern. The Straw Hat Pirates enjoyed a rare moment of leisurely sleep, while only Jinbe and Allen, who were used to waking up early, sat at the bar, sipping the warm milk prepared by Makino.
"Speaking of which," Makino said, wiping her wine glass as if suddenly remembering something, "The other day the News Coo delivered a stack of overdue newspapers, and it seemed to be all about you guys." She bent down and pulled a slightly crumpled stack of newspapers from under the counter.
Allen took the newspaper, casually flipped to the top, and the huge headline on the front page immediately caught his eye:
The End of a Legend? Straw Hat Luffy and his crew mysteriously disappeared after the final battle!
The smaller print below details how, after Luffy became the Pirate King at Laugh Tale, he and his massive Straw Hat Grand Fleet, along with powerful allies including Trafalgar Law, the Heart Pirates, and even Sabo, the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, engaged in a final battle against a "world-shattering force" in an unknown sea. After the battle, the Straw Hat Pirates and their core allies vanished without a trace. The World Government seized the opportunity to declare the end of the " Great Pirate Era " and proclaim a new peace order.
The following newspapers were filled with various speculations:
The Mystery of Starry Sky Watcher: Are the Straw Hat Pirates Connected to the Recent Frequent "Celestial Phenomena"?
Hero or Threat? The Impact of Straw Hat Luffy and His Crew on the World's Balance
The Missing Pluton: Have the Ancient Weapon Fallen into the Hands of the Straw Hat?
Looking at the various speculations and reports about them during their cosmic adventure, Allen and Jinbe couldn't help but smile at each other. The "truth" pieced together by these newspapers seemed so pale and limited compared to their actual experiences.
"Hahaha!" Luffy, who had woken up at some point, glanced at the newspaper and immediately burst into laughter, rolling on the floor. "They know absolutely nothing! Ancient Weapon? Our fights are way more powerful than that!"
The other companions were also awakened and gathered around to read the newspaper. Usopp, seeing the newspaper describing him as a "mysterious god of strategy," smugly raised his nose again; Sanji scoffed at the newspaper's speculation about his romantic encounter with a "foreign princess"; Robin read with great interest the World Government's statement that "the truth of history has been properly sealed," a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
"However," Nami pointed to one of the reports about changes in the global economic landscape, "It seems that quite a few things have indeed changed in the world while we were away."
"Who cares!" Luffy snatched all the newspapers, crumpled them up, and threw them in the trash can. "Those have nothing to do with us! We're on vacation right now!"
In the days that followed, the Straw Hat Pirates completely integrated into the daily life of Foosha Village.
Luffy, along with Chopper and the village children, ran wildly across the mountains and fields, reliving their childhood adventures.
Zoro found the familiar cliff on the back mountain and began his daily meditation and sword practice.
Sanji spends his time in the kitchen of Makino's tavern, tirelessly researching how to make delicious dishes using the most common ingredients from the East Blue.
Usopp opened a "GOD Usopp Brave Warrior Crash Course" in the village. Although the lessons mostly consisted of bragging and pranks, they made the children very happy.
Robin found several forgotten historical books in the village's old library and quietly enjoyed reading them.
Franky helps the villagers repair farm tools and modify windmills, using his technology to improve everyone's lives.
Brook hosts small concerts at the tavern every night, bringing laughter to the village with his music.
Jinbe goes out to sea with the old fishermen, experiencing the most primitive fishing fun, and occasionally uses Fish-Man Karate to help drive away sea monsters that approach.
Although Luo maintained a cold demeanor on the surface, he secretly used his medical skills to treat several elderly people suffering from chronic illnesses.
Cousins Ace and Allen often sit on the rocks by the harbor, watching the tides rise and fall, sharing their experiences over the years and making up for lost time. Allen recounts the magnificence of the Xinghai and the mysteries of its rules, while Ace describes his years with the Whitebeard Pirates and the horrors of the Paramount War. Their blood ties allow them to still have endless things to talk about, even after being separated for many years.
This simple yet fulfilling life is a precious experience for those accustomed to turbulent seas. There are no imminent crises, no responsibilities to bear, only warm sunshine, salty sea breezes, the simple smiles of the villagers, and the peace of mind of having companions by their side.
However, beneath the calm surface often lie turbulent undercurrents. How long can this hard-won tranquility last?
That evening, a small, unfamiliar sailboat without any flags silently sailed into the bay of the Foosha Village.