The early sun rose in the east.
Sunlight shone upon this frozen sea and the small, ice-bound island, the reflections making the area sparkle with a crystalline radiance. Viewed from afar, the entire sea resembled a world of solid ice, possessing a breathtaking beauty.
By the island's side, within the dilapidated pier.
On the Flying Dutchman, frozen in solid ice, after breakfast, everyone stood at the bow, watching their captain, Kong Tai, their backs to them, waiting for him to set sail.
Gazing at the town, which had utterly turned into ruins in the distance, and feeling the aura of time emanating from it, Kong Tai sighed inwardly.
This world was like this.
Full of the law of the jungle, where the strong preyed on the weak.
Ordinary people were like mortals in a cultivation world, not even possessing the right to choose death.
Pirates, villains, nobles, the World Government, the Celestial Dragons...
Even the residual shockwaves from the clashes of the powerful could destroy the heavens and exterminate the earth, causing countless casualties among these mortals.
Regarding this, though he lamented it, he held no other thoughts.
He was but a person, not a god, unable to concern himself with the suffering of all beings.
As the saying goes, this world was simply like this.
Extraordinary...
What was extraordinary?
Extraordinary meant possessing a certain power, no longer being an ordinary person at all.
And in this world, extraordinary powers were not limited to just one, which was why ordinary people here were so helpless, unable to even choose death.
Haki, Devil Fruits, special races, and even powers he was unaware of.
These various powers created an extreme division in this world.
And behind this division, there was no organization capable of suppressing the world and establishing true, fair order, which was why the lives of ordinary people in this world, especially those on islands in the sea, were so difficult.
But these had nothing to do with him.
Shaking his head, he turned and looked at the early sun rising from beneath the ice, a smile appearing on his face.
Regardless of the direction this world would develop in the future, it had nothing to do with them. Their existence was but a drop in the ocean to the world's rotation.
Therefore, there was no need to feel dejected upon witnessing extreme evil, nor to grieve for the lives of others.
They still had their own path to walk.
A path that was stable, free, and filled with laughter.
"This guy's ice is truly formidable."
He withdrew his gaze and looked at the thick ice layer beneath the ship.
There was little chance of it on land, but out at sea, he knew how terrifying this guy's cold was.
"It must be dozens of meters thick!"
Kong Tai muttered inwardly, looking at a fish frozen vividly within a wave.
Kuzan had left last night, riding his bicycle.
As for what he said to Robin, Kong Tai didn't ask.
He assumed it was about "Hagwor D. Sauro," their crew's matters, and that survivors from Ohara still existed.
Turning to look at his crew, Kong Tai smiled gently, then took a step forward, placing his hands on the ship's railing and gripping it tightly.
*Crack!*
The Flying Dutchman shuddered, and the solid ice that had frozen its lower half began to shatter under an inexplicable force.
Lifting his head and looking forward, Kong Tai's eyes narrowed. Within his silvery-misty, sky-blue pupils, nebulae spun slightly.
Then, as the ship swayed, the Flying Dutchman seemed to be pulled by invisible hands, gradually breaking free from the ice's embrace and soaring into the sky.
Once it reached the same height as the early sun, the ship stopped. Under Kong Tai's control, it shot forward like a cannonball, breaking through the air with a *bang*.
Under the sunlight, it left a trail of ice-blue light in the sky.
This frozen sea was a prison for most ships.
But for them, it clearly was not.
Because they could fly!
"Next, what awaits us?"
Kong Tai withdrew his hands, standing at the bow. He stood like a nail, his feet firmly planted on the deck, letting the wind blowing from ahead ruffle his clothes and silver hair, his body unmoving.
"Water Seven, Enies Lobby."
Images of Water Seven and Enies Lobby flashed in his mind.
Robin hadn't joined Luffy's crew but had come with them. He thought the World Government wouldn't be foolish enough to send CP9 to their deaths.
And with Kuzan returning this time, although they hadn't clashed, and he didn't know Kong Tai's exact abilities, based on the fact that he wasn't a Devil Fruit user but possessed special powers, and had killed the World Government's ace, Cartless.
This would undoubtedly elevate the threat level of Kong Tai to the highest for the World Government. Under such circumstances, neither the World Government nor the Marines could dispatch anyone to trouble them for the time being.
Because, considering the strength of their crew, sending anyone below Admiral level would be purely suicidal.
Even if they sent Admirals, at least three or more would be needed, and without a way to counter his abilities, even with more than three, they wouldn't be able to capture him and might even be counter-attacked.
The World Government and the Marines couldn't possibly not know this.
And the Marines couldn't possibly deploy all their strongest fighters for their crew, could they?
Therefore, until they found a power that could counter his teleportation ability, the World Government and the Marines wouldn't come looking for trouble again.
However, there was another possibility.
That was...
Lifting his head and looking at the clear, azure sky, a cold glint flickered in his sky-blue pupils.
"What exactly are you?"
Without overthinking, he withdrew his gaze, the cold light disappearing from his eyes.
Although the World Government might not personally seek trouble with them, they would significantly increase their bounties.
Fame and fortune were a double-edged sword.
On this sea, there were always those who valued these things greatly. Although he had the record of stalemating an Admiral and killing a Shichibukai, this couldn't stop countless people who pursued fame.
These people, though they knew Admirals were strong, had never truly experienced it. So, even if they knew their crew was strong, they would still hold onto illusions, fantasizing about taking down their crew's heads and gaining fame.
If they were bounty hunters, they would also receive Berries that would last a lifetime.
Therefore, as long as their bounties skyrocketed once more.
Combined with the fact that the World Government wouldn't proactively report the results of this battle, nor would they explicitly state their crew's specific strength.
This would cause many overconfident individuals to rush forward and cause trouble for them.
This was an open ploy.
This world was vast, so vast that many people had no idea of its true size, so vast that even the World Government couldn't know how many islands and how many people there were.
So...
What if, just what if, a world-shocking powerhouse emerged from somewhere, or a Devil Fruit user who could counter Kong Tai's teleportation?
Since the World Government and the Marines couldn't deal with their crew now, this was the only strategy they could devise.
Kong Tai knew without thinking.
Before they even reached Water Seven, their new bounties would be floating across the entire sea.
And it would make those ambitious madmen, their hearts trembling, their greed surge.
So!
Once they set sail, it would be another troublesome voyage.
However, let them come!
Consider it practice for his crewmates, adding a touch of excitement to this boring journey.
If a strong opponent truly appeared, it would also give him and Kuina a thrill, wouldn't it?
With their current strength, they wouldn't fear any person or force.
Especially since he was nearing 18.
When he turned 18, he felt his body would fully mature, and his spatial domain would further improve.
"I'm quite looking forward to it!"