After every captured pirate had been shackled inside the prison cages aboard the warships anchored in the center of Lionheart Island, Dragon ordered all remaining supplies to be unloaded.
The provisions were piled up in what had once been the town square—now reduced to ruins—and distributed to the civilians.
A simple relief station was quickly established.
By morning, the storm had finally passed.
Once the casualties had been counted and the prisoners accounted for, nearly every Marine wore fresh bandages somewhere on their body.
Having just received a new assignment, Dragon looked around the relief station but couldn’t find Arthur.
“Where’s Arthur?”
One of the Marines pointed toward the tallest building in town.
“He’s sitting on top of the church bell tower.”
He pointed to Arthur, who was seated beside Cooper atop the church’s bell.
“Colonel , should we head to the other islands?
They’re still waiting for us.”
“Yeah.
Colonel Sakazuki’s and Colonel Borsalino’s ships were both dragged under by your storm.”
After learning Arthur’s whereabouts, Dragon headed toward the church.
“No need.”
“They’ve definitely already contacted Marine Headquarters and the nearby patrol ships.”
“They’ll be fine.”
Lionheart Island – Church Bell Tower
Arthur leaned against one of the massive stone supports beside the great bell.
A chunk of roasted meat rested in his hand as he gazed quietly across the calm morning sea.
Watching the waves shimmer beneath the rising sun, he murmured softly,
“Ten years I’ve lived in this world, and every morning the sea looks the same… yet after last night, everything feels different.
Maybe it’s not the sea that changes—it’s the ones who sail it.
”
It was the simplest way he could summarize the ten years he had spent in this world.
Looking out over the ocean…
Then back down at the smoke still rising from the ruined town…
He found it difficult to bear the sight below.
He had never expected his very first voyage to end like this.
…Is this simply normal in this world?
Arthur couldn’t help wondering.
Luffy’s journey had always been filled with hope and extraordinary encounters.
Perhaps…
That was only because he was the protagonist.
“If serving in the Marines means seeing scenes like this over and over…”
“…I don’t think I’ll stay very long.”
Cooper had never seen Arthur like this before.
In the eagle’s simple understanding, it felt as though his human companion was changing after experiencing something profound.
Without making a sound, Cooper tucked his head beneath Arthur’s arm, spread his wings, and hugged him in his own awkward way.
Trying to comfort him.
Arthur smiled faintly.
“You saved a lot of people too, Cooper.”
He finished the meat in one bite…
Then casually wiped the grease from his fingers using Cooper’s feathers.
“Cooper!”
(I was trying to comfort you!
I’m not your napkin!)
Just then—
Dragon climbed onto the roof.
Poking his head over the edge of the bell tower, he stared expressionlessly at the pair.
“…Arthur.”
“So this is your hobby?”
“Ah!”
Arthur nearly jumped out of his skin.
“No, no!
You’ve got it all wrong, Colonel !”
“He’s male!”
Even Cooper was startled.
Annoyed, he smacked Dragon on the head several times with his wings.
Arthur watched the scene unfold.
Dragon didn’t get angry.
He simply endured it without a trace of irritation.
There wasn’t even a hint of a superior’s arrogance.
For some reason…
That made Arthur smile.
He’s a lot like Luffy.
No wonder Luffy inherited his personality.
Dragon rubbed his head.
“Sorry for interrupting.”
“We’ve received a new assignment.”
“We’re heading to Punk Hazard.”
“We’re supposed to escort several test subjects to Mary Geoise .”
After the previous night’s battle, Dragon had come to trust Arthur.
The young Marine had proven both dependable and deeply responsible.
“First of all…”
Arthur protested.
“Cooper’s my partner.”
“There’s nothing weird going on.”
“…But Punk Hazard?”
His expression changed.
He knew that island all too well.
Thirty years in the future…
It would become the battlefield where Sakazuki and Kuzan fought for ten straight days over the position of Fleet Admiral.
By the end of their duel…
Half the island would become a frozen wasteland.
The other half…
A burning hell.
Dragon climbed onto the bell tower and sat beside Arthur, looking out at the sea.
“You’ve heard of MADS, haven’t you?”
“The illegal scientific research group.”
“They’re in the newspapers fairly often.”
Arthur certainly knew MADS.
It was the legendary scientific organization led by the future greatest scientist in the world—
Dr.
Vegapunk.
He even remembered reading one of Big News Morgans’ reports claiming that a perfect clone had been created.
The article had disappeared almost immediately after the World Government suppressed it.
“I’ve heard of them.”
“They’re funded by the underworld broker known as the Loan Shark King, Du Feld, right?”
Dragon blinked.
“…You know quite a bit.”
“The World Government and the Marines have invited those so-called scientists—who claim they’re researching technology for peace—to conduct experiments on the island.”
“Our mission…”
“…is to escort two individuals with unusual constitutions.”
“That’s all the information we’ve been given.”
Arthur sighed as the morning breeze brushed across his face.
“…What kind of warship did I sign up for?”
“…and now we’ve already got another?”
“Can’t we at least have a day or two off, Colonel ?”
If there weren’t even holidays…
Wasn’t this just another full-time job?
Dragon laughed.
“You’ll get one day.”
“We’ll rest here until tomorrow.”
“Once the supply ship arrives…”
“…we leave.”
Then he smiled.
“Oh, and your accomplishments have already been reported to Headquarters.”
“The civilians you rescued haven’t stopped praising you.”
Arthur’s face immediately turned red.
“I’d rather have Rice balls .”
He had never wanted to be praised.
Nor did he want to become a hero.
But somehow…
The spotlight kept finding him.
“Hahaha!”
Dragon slapped Arthur on the shoulder.
“Just wait.”
“Let’s see what kind of promotion Headquarters gives you.”
“In Marine history…”
“…no rookie has ever challenged a pirate worth over 300,000,000 Berries.”
“You’re the first.”
Arthur blinked.
“Not even Vice Admiral Garp?”
Dragon paused.
“…The old man?”
He thought for a moment.
“I don’t think so.”
“He only trusts his fists.”
“Vice Admiral Tsuru once said…”
“…he’s never even used a gun since joining the Marines.”
Arthur’s eyes lit up.
“If Vice Admiral Garp had been here…”
“How long would it have taken him to beat Apollo?”
Dragon rubbed his chin.
“Hmm…”
“Apollo?”
“Depends on the old man’s mood.”
“If he wanted to play around…”
“…he could drag it out for an entire day.”
“And if he wasn’t playing?”
Arthur leaned forward eagerly.
After all…
He was talking about one of his favorite One Piece characters.
Dragon answered matter-of-factly.
“One punch.”
“A guy like Apollo wouldn’t even get the chance to run.”
Arthur couldn’t help smiling to himself.
So thirty years later…
Garp really had grown old.
Right now…
He’s still in his absolute prime.
I really hope I get to meet him someday.