The New World — Marine G-5 Base.
Several days had passed since Momonosuke completed his Willpower Training.
With Ace scheduled for rotation at Sabaody Archipelago, Kuina and Tashigi had temporarily taken up the responsibility of holding down the fort at G-5.
Kuina had already heard the news—the Straw Hat Pirates had "returned." And she was practically itching with anticipation. That damned moss-headed lost cause had finally reappeared. After spending two years under "Hawk Eyes" Dracule Mihawk's tutelage, he had to be stronger now, right?
With Momonosuke's training complete and Tashigi no longer tied up, Kuina had been eagerly waiting for Wright to come collect Kin'emon and Momonosuke—so she could finally go hunt down that green-haired swordsman herself.
From Kuina's perspective, Momonosuke no longer resembled an eight-year-old child. It was as if he'd truly experienced a full decade of life. The innocence and naïveté of youth had vanished, replaced by the composure and resolve of a young warrior.
"This kind of Momo is actually kind of adorable... An eight-year-old body with the mind of a teenager?"
When Kuina and Tashigi appeared before Kin'emon and Momonosuke, Kin'emon was so stunned he nearly lost his breath. Twin beauties—elegant swordswomen standing side by side—what a dazzling sight!
But Momonosuke didn't rush forward for a hug like he once might have. Instead, he sat upright, posture perfect, gaze averted... Was that fear? Trembling?
So Master Wright's "Willpower Training" really was that intense…
Observing Momonosuke's state, Kuina couldn't help but think back to what Zoro was like as a kid. She pressed her lips together in amusement.
"What's with the shivers? Are you scared of your onee-chan? Am I that terrifying?"
Kuina had been the one who brought Kin'emon and Momonosuke to G-5 in the first place, so she knew full well how precocious this kid really was.
"No… o-of course not!"
Momonosuke answered seriously, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"I am the one destined to become the Shogun of Wano! I would never... ahem! I mean, it's just... I'm still getting used to things!"
Kuina shot a puzzled look at Tashigi.
"What exactly did Wright-senpai put him through? He seems... afraid of us?"
Tashigi let out a helpless laugh and shrugged.
The script given to her by the Fleet Admiral had been... something else.
"Momonosuke's 100 Ways to Die." Did Wright really call this a method to train his willpower?
Why did so many of the scenarios seem to carry a suspiciously personal grudge?
And every single stage of the training had been pre-designed by Wright himself—Tashigi had merely assisted with the execution.
"I'm not really sure myself... But it looks like Momo's been through some very intense training."
Momonosuke shivered again, recalling the horrors of the "ten-year" ordeal. It all felt like a dream.
Am I really just eight years old...?
"He still needs time to adjust to the boundary between illusion and reality..."
Wright stepped through the door, prompting everyone to rise and salute.
"Fleet Admiral!"
"No need for formalities," Wright said, waving them down.
He scanned Momonosuke with a touch of Haki, nodded in approval, and spoke:
"A decade of illusory life experience—it's an invaluable process in shaping you into a worthy Shogun. In these chaotic times, it's also one of the most secure ways to prepare."
"Had you gone up against Kurozumi Orochi or Kaido with the mind of a typical eight-year-old—even as the heir of Kouzuki Oden—it likely would've cost you your life."
Wright's tone turned serious as he addressed both Momonosuke and Kin'emon:
"Right now, the Wano Resistance is sustained by reverence for Kouzuki Oden and hatred toward Orochi and Kaido. But once their revenge is fulfilled, an overwhelming emptiness will sweep across Wano..."
"In that moment, if there isn't a capable Shogun to lead them, the country will collapse. A genius or not, you've been away from your parents for barely half a year. Could a true eight-year-old really govern Wano effectively?"
Kin'emon bowed deeply.
"Fleet Admiral, your foresight is unparalleled. That is precisely why we placed our faith in your 'Willpower Training.'"
"And Momonosuke-sama did not disappoint. He passed the trial with flying colors!"
Having now spoken with the boy in depth, Kin'emon had been stunned. That such a miraculous training method existed was beyond belief.
A "ten-year" life in the blink of an eye... This is like some cheat code for nurturing the next heir to a great power!
"Right now, Momo has more experience in that illusion than he does in real life. He just needs a few days to fully adapt. While it wasn't a complete life experience, ten focused years of learning was more than enough to mold him into a fine leader."
Looking at the boy before him—young in body, but already tempered in mind—Wright smiled and nodded.
"Everything you went through was for your benefit. Harsh, yes. Frightening, perhaps. But that's the reality of this world. I believe, after what you've faced, you're ready."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!" Momonosuke replied with conviction. The boy's expression was one of deep resolve.
"Through the 'ten-year' life you provided, I've come to understand my mission. The worldview, moral code, and values you instilled in me... I've learned so much. Agriculture, leadership, swordsmanship, governance—things I never even imagined before."
"You've guided me like a true master. I have nothing to repay you with but my deepest gratitude. Please, accept my bow."
Momonosuke prostrated himself in a full five-point kneel, offering reverence to his life mentor—Fleet Admiral Wright.
"By the way, Kanjuro has already reached Zou. I came here today for two reasons: to check on Momonosuke, and to introduce your guide to Zou…"
Wright turned and gestured toward the door, where a young man with a long sword was walking in.
"Warlord of the Sea—Trafalgar D. Water Law."
Momonosuke and Kin'emon already knew that Law had helped Inuarashi and Nekomamushi repel Queen the Plague when he tried to capture Raizo on Zou.
But for the Fleet Admiral to assign a Warlord as their personal guide…
Such grand arrangements!
"Law's crew includes members of the Mink Tribe, so he's your best guide. He'll lead you to Zou, where you'll regroup with Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and Raizo—then prepare for your return to Wano."
"Yes! Thank you, Fleet Admiral!"
"Then prepare yourselves—you leave today."
Wright clapped Law on the shoulder, and in the next instant, his body dissolved into golden light.
"Safe travels."
...
The New World — Near the Red Line.
Glub glub glub… BOOM—!!
With a thunderous explosion, a stunning pirate ship burst up from beneath the waves!
"Woooah!! This is the sea of the New World?!"
"The weather's horrible!"
"A thunderstorm!"
"Scary gales!"
"Towering waves!"
"The Log Pose is going crazy!"
"HAHAHA! Just how I like it!"
"New World—Here we come!!"
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