On the warship sailing away from the island that evening.
Barrett, wrapped in bandages, woke up abruptly in bed.
He felt a tearing pain throughout his body, and looked up at the familiar ceiling:
"I'm back."
But it didn't hinder his movements. With a push, he was up and on his feet.
He twisted his neck, spread his arms wide to stretch his body, and yawned.
*Bang, bang, bang...*
The tight bandages repeatedly burst open, and pain surged through his nerves.
His wounds began to split and bleed with these movements.
Barrett moved around, letting out a long sigh:
"Huuu—"
"Comfortable."
He casually grabbed the Justice cape hanging on the wall and draped it over his shoulders before walking out.
As soon as he stepped out, he heard countless voices:
"Vice Admiral Barrett!"
Greeting him incessantly.
Barrett nodded gently in response and asked the approaching adjutant:
"Where is that guy's corpse?"
The adjutant replied:
"It's been frozen. The spoils of war are in your room."
"Oh, and Admiral Sakazuki asked you to call him back."
Barrett nodded:
"Got it. Go get the Den Den Mushi and the sword."
The adjutant responded:
"Yes, sir."
Shortly after, the black blade Yoru and the Den Den Mushi were handed to Barrett.
Barrett tested the weight of Yoru and swung it towards the sea.
A booming sound erupted. The sea surface he cut split in two, only to merge again a few seconds later.
He noted it was far less powerful than Mihawk's ability to cleave the ocean.
Barrett shook his head and smiled:
"Is this what they call a renowned sword gathering dust?"
"Put it back."
He handed it to the adjutant, then dialed Sakazuki's number. It connected a few seconds later:
"Admiral Sakazuki."
Sakazuki's voice came through:
"How is your body?"
Barrett laughed:
"No problem, a few days of rest will fix it."
Sakazuki's voice came through:
"Good. Then head directly to Punk Hazard."
"Give that guy's corpse to Mr. Vegapunk."
"And ask for some funds while you're there."
Barrett was taken aback:
"Funds?"
Sakazuki's somewhat helpless voice came through:
"The island you fought on was a World Government allied nation."
"One-third of the island is gone."
"Most of it was barren mountains, but the port is completely destroyed."
"The complaints are all coming to me."
"Use that corpse to get some money from the research department."
"I've already spoken with Mr. Vegapunk."
"A corpse of a swordsman with that talent, if used to cultivate weapons or modified..."
"The government would be happy to pay."
"Give that money to the King of Liliga Island for rebuilding the port."
Barrett gave a wry smile:
"Understood, understood."
"I got carried away in the heat of battle and didn't pay attention."
Sakazuki's voice came through:
"It's fine."
"Get some good rest."
After a few more casual remarks, they hung up.
Barrett looked helpless. He had indeed caused quite a mess... destroying one-third of their territory. Compensation was in order...
A few days later.
With the delayed reports, the great battle between Barrett and Mihawk.
Gradually became known to the world.
The "Marine Hunter," Jorakol Mihawk, who was rumored to be challenging the "World's Strongest Swordsman," was dead.
And having successively killed the two world-renowned pirate swordsmen, "Pluto" Rayleigh and Jorakol Mihawk.
Marine Vice Admiral "Blue Devil" Barrett was also given the title "Swordmaster Slayer."
-----
East Blue, near the Kingdom of Goa.
A heavily damaged warship drifted on the sea.
The ship had been plundered clean, with remnants of limbs scattered everywhere.
Not long after, one of CP's strongest agents, Blueno, struggled to his feet, covered in blood.
"D-damn pirates..."
Trembling, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
The consequences of a failed mission would be dire, but he didn't want to die in this vast ocean...
He dialed the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
Far across the sea.
The Red-Haired Pirates.
The crew members were gleefully counting their treasures.
Inside the ship's various chests, piles of gold and jewels were stacked, all plundered from that warship.
Shanks, holding a chest of gold jewelry, walked to the front of the deck.
*Bang—*
He placed it on the ground, opened the lid, and grabbed a few items. He looked at the little girl sitting on the cannon at the ship's bow:
"Uta."
Seeing the gem-encrusted jewelry in Shanks' hand, Uta hopped down a few steps:
"So pretty!"
"Thank you, Shanks!"
Looking at the adorable Uta, Shanks' lips curved into a smile.
Uta put on a few pieces of jewelry:
"Do I look good!"
At this point, the crew members beside them chimed in:
"Sing us a song, Uta!"
"The world's number one songstress of friendship, Uta! Sing a tune!"
"Uta! Uta!!"
"Ooooh!!!!"
The entire ship was instantly engulfed in a joyful ocean of song.
Watching the crew members gathered around Uta, Shanks smiled.
He quietly observed them for a moment before walking towards the pile of treasures.
To find that item...
From among the large treasure chests, he pulled out a small box with purple stripes.
He gently opened the lid, and a fruit with a purple pattern appeared before him.
Looking at the fruit, Shanks' expression became unfathomable, lost in thought.
Even his earliest crewmates would find such an expression on Shanks unfamiliar.
At some point, Uta, who had walked up behind him, startled him:
"Shanks~ What are you doing?"
Quickly adjusting his expression, Shanks revealed a smile and turned:
"No, nothing."
Looking at the exquisite treasure box in Shanks' hand, Uta was a little curious:
"Is that for me too?"
Shanks gave an awkward laugh:
"Well... although you're my daughter, I can't give you this."
Uta pouted:
" stingy!"
She turned away.
Shanks smiled:
"Don't say that."
"Look."
He pointed to the island ahead, diverting Uta's attention:
"This is the Kingdom of Goa. I plan to make this our temporary base."
------
Windmill Village, in the forest.
A little boy in a white T-shirt sat on the highest tree branch.
He held his forehead and grumbled:
"Why does Grandpa's punches hurt so much?"
"I don't want to be a Marine."
"I want to leave this village and do something great!!!"
He then got up and leaped nimbly between the tall trees, moving back and forth.
Heading towards the port, he suddenly stopped and looked out at the sea from the port:
"Is that... a pirate ship?"
-----
In the distant island, the environment was beautiful and the scenery pleasing, looking exceptionally peaceful.
Uta sighed with emotion:
"It's such a nice place, with nothing here."
Shanks smiled:
"After all, Windmill Village is a border region of the Kingdom of Goa."
"It's relatively more peaceful."
The huge pirate ship slowly docked.
However, the villagers washing clothes or selling fruit on the shore were not afraid; they looked at them with a bit of curiosity.
After all... it had been a long time since Windmill Village had seen pirates.
Being in a border region, and with a Marine Vice Admiral who often returned home,
They weren't worried about anything happening.
The little boy in the white T-shirt also ran from the forest to the shore.
He pursed his lips, raised his fist, and looked at the pirates on the pirate ship:
"Are you pirates?"
On the ship's mast, Uta, with her arms spread wide as if walking a tightrope, smiled slyly:
"Yes!"
"Do you have a problem with that!"
"If you do, speak up. Let the captain Shanks' daughter."
"Uta here listen to you."
The little boy in the white T-shirt gulped, sweat beading on his forehead, and shouted:
"If you're pirates, then get out!"
Uta glared at him with wide eyes:
"What, you want to fight?"
At this moment.
Shanks walked to the front of the deck:
"Don't be like that, Uta."
"We're not here to fight."
"There's a very troublesome 'peacekeeper' in this village."
Feeling that pirates were not as scary as his grandfather's stories... the boy blinked in confusion and asked:
"Who... are you?"
Shanks smiled:
"My name is Shanks, and I'm the captain of this ship."
The little boy in the white T-shirt raised his fist and shouted:
"If you do anything strange, I won't let you off easily!"
Uta, looking at this inexplicably spirited boy from the mast, turned her head away:
"Hmph."
Meanwhile, the crew members who had disembarked, their cheerful atmosphere suddenly halted, gathered around Lucky Roo, looking at a newspaper.
"How can this be..."
"Impossible!!!"
"That guy..."
The meat in Lucky Roo's hand fell to the ground unnoticed. His plump face was filled with disbelief.
He let out a choked cry towards Shanks:
"Boss!!!!"
"Mihawk he..."
*Swish—*
Shanks, who had been on deck moments ago, instantly disappeared and reappeared before Lucky Roo, snatching the newspaper.
Looking at the massive headline, Shanks' pupils constricted, his hands trembling slightly.
After a moment.
His voice was dry and filled with disbelief:
"Mihawk..."