One Piece: The sky is azure, I just time-traveled today.

Page 114

Liu Jiu turned around and walked towards the ship's wheel.

It's time to head to the next destination.

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea? Come to think of it, only Gecko Moria hasn't had a chance to join yet. Who knows... those three might be that person's competitors this time!"

Chapter 134 The Right Track, Garp's Little Secret

On the deck of the "Whirlwind", only Liu Jiu remained.

The sea breeze, carrying a faint salty tang, ruffled the hair on his forehead and dispersed the last trace of gunpowder in the air. He gazed in the direction where the dog-headed warship had disappeared; the azure expanse where the sea met the sky was now empty.

Naturally there is.

When I saw them board the naval warship, I couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

However... they are more like fledgling eagles whose wings are growing stronger, and they will eventually leave the nest to fight for their own sky.

Therefore, he was neither worried nor regretful.

It might not be a bad thing that Kuina became a Shichibukai.

With the naval hero Garp as her backer, many of the naval connections and resources tend to favor Kuina, and some even consider her to be part of the navy.

Some naval soldiers might even instinctively try to whitewash her.

Even though she's really not a proper pirate!

This ocean is never black and white; the gray areas often hold more possibilities and opportunities.

Doflamingo is a prime example; he has connections in both the legal and illegal worlds. Even if he were imprisoned in the future, he would still receive a different newspaper every day.

Clinging to so-called "purity" can sometimes lead to missed opportunities for growth, or even result in serious setbacks.

For example, Ace, Luffy... the two brothers were born with a vast network of connections.

Instead of taking advantage of it, it ended up benefiting "King of Deserters" Coby, and even gambled Garp on the New World.

Of course, that's a story for another time, so don't take it too seriously!

He believed in Kuina's swordsmanship, Robin's wisdom, and even in Sabo's inherent cleverness and principles.

A temporary "compromise" might allow them to see a higher view and touch upon more core rules at a lower cost.

In the original work, Luffy and his crew were also forced to stay put for two years before they could reunite.

The sea is here, and it will never disappear.

Human dreams never end!

This temporary separation is so that we can stand side by side again in the future, stronger than ever, to explore the deeper unknown.

He took a deep breath, the cool sea breeze refreshing him.

Reach out and grasp the cold rudder.

The "Whirlwind" automatically adjusted its sails, caught a good amount of wind, and slowly turned its bow, cutting through the calm sea, heading leisurely towards the next island—a direction completely different from the dog-headed warship.

A white contrail gradually disappeared behind the stern.

"The new era has not yet arrived, and you need to work even harder! The path you're currently on is the right one! Because there's someone to follow in his footsteps—the 300x 'King of Effort' has already set an example for you. Just follow in his footsteps. Garp... he'd be very happy to see someone take over his mantle!"

On the other side, on the deck of the dog-headed warship.

The atmosphere was completely different from the loneliness of the "Whirlwind," and even carried a somewhat... eerie "family reunion" feeling.

Kuina, Sabo, and Robin stood side by side in front of Garp.

The surrounding naval soldiers still stood ramrod straight, but their eyes were filled with curiosity and inquiry.

Kuina pursed her lips slightly and spoke first, her voice clear and cool yet with proper courtesy: "Grandpa Garp."

Robin gave a graceful bow and said in a gentle tone, "Grandpa Garp."

Sabo, with a "I can't do anything with you" expression, scratched his head and drawled, "Old man—"

Garp crossed his arms, his massive frame resembling a mountain. He scrutinized the three of them one by one, his radiant smile never fading from the moment they boarded the deck.

"Hmm! Not bad, not bad! At least you're polite! Much better than that brat Luffy!"

He nodded in satisfaction, particularly pleased with how Kuina and Robin addressed him. As for Sabo calling him "old man," he simply ignored it, or perhaps he had grown accustomed to it.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the purple cloud at Kuina's waist, then swept over Robin's calm face, and finally landed on Sabo's unruly yet undeniably sharp eyes.

"Now that you're on Grandpa's ship, you have to listen to his arrangements from now on!"

Garp waved his hand with great confidence, "Leave the Shichibukai issue to me! I'll handle it perfectly!"

The way he spoke made it seem as if the three children in front of him weren't obtained through coercion or enticement, but rather as a bright future that he had painstakingly secured for his own children.

Kuina and the other two exchanged a glance, all seeing the helplessness and a hint of... resignation in each other's eyes?

In any case, they had all listened to their uncle and were already on the 'pirate ship'.

Whether the future holds fortune or misfortune, the worst-case scenario is unlikely to be much worse.

They boarded the ship of naval heroes and headed to Marineford, the Marine Headquarters. Before becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, they still had to face scrutiny from the World Government.

But at this moment, aboard this dog-headed warship, under the seemingly rough but actually meaningful gaze of Kapna.

During this period, it seems that he will also have to endure the baptism of Garp's iron fists.

Thinking about it this way...

Good heavens, that law-abiding, honest uncle seems to have pushed them into a pit of fire with his own hands!

I wonder... if I jump into the sea and swim naked back now, will it be too late?!

Garp looked at the three young men standing side by side, growing more and more satisfied. Kuina's sharpness, Robin's composure, and Sabo, though impulsive, had excellent potential... all promising talents!

While the Seven Warlords of the Sea is certainly a good "placement" option, what could be more orthodox and make him feel at ease than simply putting on the Navy's "justice" coat?

An idea flashed into his mind like a cannonball hitting him, and quickly expanded.

He rubbed his chin, a hint of something else lurking in his bright smile, and tentatively, with great anticipation, he spoke:

"Hahahaha, um... Kuina, Robin, and Sabo,"

He cleared his throat, trying to make his tone sound casual yet undeniably alluring.

"Look, the Seven Warlords of the Sea is just a title in the end. They still have to be mindful of the World Government's attitude... How uncomfortable!"

He leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly, as if sharing some earth-shattering secret:

"How about... we just go for it and join the Navy!"

He opened his arms, making a gesture as if embracing the sea, and his voice became loud and clear again, filled with unparalleled confidence and "sincerity":

"Follow me, Grandpa! Three meals a day, plenty of fish and meat, lots of holidays, and a year-end bonus! As long as you're ambitious and willing to strive, I guarantee you'll have a bright future! Don the coat of justice and uphold peace on the sea! That's what ambitious young people should be doing! Hahahaha!"

A hearty laugh echoed across the deck.

The expected positive response did not materialize.

An eerie silence fell over the deck.

None of the three—Kuina, Sabo, and Robin—responded.

They didn't even show surprise or anger, nor did they display many expected expressions; they simply stared at Garp quietly.

There was no ripple in his eyes, no wavering, only a clear and silent rejection.

Guina's gaze was like her sword, sharp and resolute, clearly expressing her rejection of any form of constraint.

Robin's lips still held that usual gentle yet aloof smile, but deep in his eyes was an uncompromising autonomy.

Sabo crossed his arms, tilted his head, and his face was full of "Old man, you're daydreaming again" expressions.

Three pairs of eyes, like three invisible walls, blocked Garp's enthusiastic proposal without alteration.

The air seemed to freeze.

Kapna's loud laughter sounded particularly abrupt in the silence, and gradually grew dry before finally stopping awkwardly.

He touched his nose, looking at the three stubborn little ones, feeling incredibly frustrated.

"Cough cough..."

He coughed twice, trying to save face, "Well... if you don't want to, that's fine! I was just saying it casually, just saying it casually!"

He reluctantly withdrew his outstretched arms, crossed them again, and muttered something under his breath, so low that only he could hear it:

"Why are you all so stubborn... Being in the navy is so great. Even if it were my own son, he could become a vice admiral after working hard for more than ten years..."

But he also understood that things couldn't be forced. At least, the fact that they were willing to board this ship and engage with the identity of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was already a huge "progress."

You have to eat one bite at a time, and you have to go step by step.

Karp silently comforted himself.

Let's deal with the Seven Warlords of the Sea first, and we'll talk about the rest later!

He straightened his back again, his face regaining its "everything is under control" expression, and waved his hand:

"Alright! Let's not talk about this anymore! Get ready, full speed ahead, back to Marineford! I'll take the three of you to see Sengoku, and if possible, make you all Shichibukai! Hahahaha..."

The dog-headed warship cut through the waves, carrying four people with different thoughts, and sped towards the Navy Headquarters.

The naval soldiers on the warship looked at each other in bewilderment. All three of them had become Shichibukai?

Wouldn't it mean that if we went back to headquarters, we would hear Sengoku's loud roar again!

Sure enough, those who can become naval heroes have a different mindset from ordinary people like them!

Chapter 135 An Extremely Low Presence, the Sabaody Archipelago

The "Whirlwind" sails alone on the boundless sea.

The sails followed the wind, and the hull rose and fell gently with the waves, making a regular, breathing-like creaking sound.

Liu Jiu did not take the helm again.

He released the cold wooden disc, letting the boat drift aimlessly with the current and the wind.

The deck was empty.