The Freedom continued its journey, bypassing the Sabaody Archipelago.
Onboard, the crew, especially Ahua and his two companions, seemed to have absorbed Kong Tai's resolve and entered a hellish state of intense training.
Of course, not everyone was pushing themselves to the limit.
These were Indigo and Brook.
One had never intended to travel to the stars, while the other was already one with the fruit of the underworld, their progress not dependent on mere training, thus having no reason to rush.
As for Robin.
Observing Robin, who was uncharacteristically no longer reading but diligently training her abilities and body, Gu Yina glanced at Kong Tai curiously, "Are you putting on a show, or do you genuinely intend to train them until you're satisfied before taking them along?"
Moro was not a concern. Upon boarding, Kong Tai had explained Moro's situation. With Kong Tai's assistance and Moro's own efforts, as long as he maintained his unwavering heart, he would eventually reach the pinnacle of this world.
Even if he couldn't break free from the world's limitations then, Kong Tai could help him shatter them.
Ahua and his two companions were on the verge. But with enough effort and a steadfast desire to accompany Kong Tai to the stars, even if they didn't meet Kong Tai's requirements, Gu Yina knew from her years of understanding Kong Tai that he would still bring them along.
But Robin...
"What do you think?"
Kong Tai set down his wine gourd and turned his head to look at Gu Yina. A hint of a smile flickered in his azure eyes.
"Yes!" After meeting Kong Tai's gaze for a moment, Gu Yina nodded. "I understand."
She then turned and stood beside Kong Tai, saying, "You truly have a wicked sense of humor!"
"Wicked sense of humor..."
Kong Tai chuckled and shook his head, raising his wine gourd for a long drink.
His expectations for Ahua and his companions were genuine. If, after all they had been through, they still couldn't meet his standards, he truly wouldn't bring them.
After all, they were different from Robin and the others, at least in his heart.
He was human, and impartiality was impossible.
Even though he was supremely confident in his own strength, believing no one in this universe could harm him, and with the existence of the "stars" to consider, the universe was vast. It contained all manner of power systems. He could protect Ahua and his companions for a while, but not for a lifetime.
If an accident were to occur, regret would be meaningless.
Only when their strength met his requirements and their will was sufficiently firm could Kong Tai help them break free from the world's shackles, become legends, become gods.
Then they would be much safer.
After all, interstellar travel was nothing like this small Grand Line.
It would be a new, unknown route where, besides strength, he would have no other advantage.
Without strength, it was better not to go.
As for Robin and the others...
To be honest, if they wanted to go, Kong Tai would definitely take them. If they didn't, Kong Tai would respect their decision.
They were all adults, and Kong Tai wouldn't treat them the same way as Ahua and his companions. But if they truly wished to go, Kong Tai would, of course, do his best to ensure their safety.
After all, after sailing together for so long, they had become trusted companions and friends with whom they could entrust their lives.
Of course, before entering the stars, Kong Tai hoped their strength would improve, and their will would become even stronger.
...
Returning from the New World to Paradise, Kong Tai made no attempt to conceal his presence.
Therefore, as the Freedom appeared near Enies Lobby, a large number of Marines were already waiting on the island.
While they didn't believe Kong Tai would cause any trouble this time, and given his character, he wouldn't release the pirates from Impel Down, if that were his intention, the Marines would have to reconsider the extent of the threat Kong Tai posed to the world.
From afar, Kong Tai spotted Garp's signature dog-faced warship.
"Hahahaha!!" And the old man's hearty laughter.
Soon, the two ships met in the sea not far from Enies Lobby. The dog-faced warship quickly turned around, sailing in the same direction as the Freedom.
"Yahaha! Kid, long time no see."
On the bow of the warship, Garp grinned and made eye contact with Kong Tai, his laughter abruptly ceasing.
He gave Kong Tai a deep look, then gazed at the giant Gate of Justice spanning the sea ahead, and asked with a serious tone, "What exactly did you intend to do here?"
"From what I, and the world, know of you, you couldn't, and shouldn't, be here."
"Yo! Isn't that Uncle Pikachu?"
Kong Tai didn't answer Garp's question immediately. Instead, he looked up with a surprised expression at the yellow figure standing behind Garp, "If I recall correctly, shouldn't you be slacking off on Egghead Island right now?"
"What are you doing here?"
Looking at Kong Tai, Kizaru's mouth twitched.
"Do you think I want to be here? If it weren't for the salary, I wouldn't come to this hellhole, especially to see you."
There were some things he couldn't say, but that didn't stop him from mentally complaining, "Slacking off? When have I ever slacked off? That's just my way of doing things."
Seeing Kizaru remain silent, Kong Tai shook his head in boredom, his gaze sweeping past Garp to the blue figure standing on the other side behind him.
"Yo! Kuzan, you're here too! Long time no see."
Kuzan looked at Kong Tai, devoid of his usual laziness, his expression full of seriousness. "Mr. Kong Tai, good day."
After greeting Kong Tai, he shifted his gaze to Robin, nodded at her, and then looked up at Moro.
At that time, he had shown mercy to Sauro. Freezing Sauro wasn't to kill him, but to suppress his presence and prevent others from discovering him.
Seeing Moro here, who bore some resemblance to Sauro, made Aokiji somewhat surprised, and a trace of nostalgia appeared in his eyes.
He still remembered the gentle laughter of the giant Vice Admiral.
"It's been decades since we last met!"
Looking at Kuzan, Moro's expression was far from pleasant. If he remembered correctly, it was this guy who had hurt his uncle.
Thus, staring at Kuzan, a fierce glint gradually appeared in Moro's eyes.
"Don't be rash."
At that moment, Kong Tai's voice echoed in his mind.
"Mr. Kong Tai, it was him, he almost killed my uncle."
"I know."
"But many things are not as they appear. If it weren't for him, you might never have met your uncle. You must remember, he wasn't the only one at Ohara!"
Kong Tai glanced at Moro before turning his gaze away, letting him ponder.
Just as Hemmie had described Kuzan, the gentlest man had eaten the coldest fruit.
Kuzan's gentleness was reflected in his personality shift after the Ohara incident, his confusion about justice, his mercy towards many pirates who were not inherently evil, the respect he commanded from his subordinates, and in many other aspects.