After Yoriichi Tsugikuni reviewed and confirmed the final blueprint, Tom's warship officially entered the construction phase.
Truth be told, Yoriichi hadn't made many changes. His only adjustments were to the crew living quarters. Originally, Tom's design was strictly utilitarian, just a control room, sleeping pods, weapons hold, and storage. No frills. Just a weapon of war.
That wasn't good enough for Yoriichi.
He understood that once they ventured into the New World, the crew might spend more time aboard the ship than on any island. Without proper recreation or mental rest, the crew's morale could plummet. To remedy this, Yoriichi reduced the planned two hundred-person sleeping pod count by fifty, reallocating that space to build a gym, a training dojo, and a small library.
Fujitora even proposed building a casino on board, but Yoriichi shut that down instantly.
With the blueprint finalized, all seven shipyards of Water 7 received their assigned schematics. Tom's Dock No.1 took charge of the hull, propulsion, and weapons. The other docks each took on different aspects of the crew area and facilities.
This was no small job. A two-hundred-million Beli commission couldn't possibly be handled by a single dock.
While the construction accelerated day by day, Yoriichi kept a close eye on Marine Headquarters. After the CP9 incident made headlines across the newspapers, the public's opinion leaned heavily in his favor. In Water 7's streets, people praised the Navy for upholding justice.
But Marine HQ?
Completely silent.
Yoriichi hadn't expected praise, but he had certainly anticipated a formal reprimand. Yet, not a word came. No phone call. Not even a token letter from Sengoku.
Only Zephyr reached out, just a few casual chats over the Den Den Mushi. When Yoriichi asked about the CP9 fallout, Zephyr casually brushed it off.
"Just don't make this a habit," he said, almost dismissively.
The World Government didn't respond either. At least, not publicly.
One quiet newspaper clipping caught Yoriichi's eye. One of Morgans' branch offices had mysteriously burned down, killing the journalists and editors inside. The article was tucked into a tiny corner of the page. Sparse details. Almost no coverage.
Yoriichi wouldn't have noticed it if not for his habit of reading the paper cover-to-cover.
"So they did act after all…" he mused aloud, folding the paper. "But it seems Morgans is too deeply rooted to be taken down easily. Reporting the truth, and still walking away intact…"
He looked up at the sky, exhaling through his nose.
"To the World Government, everything can be negotiated, except history."
At the Navy's temporary outpost, Yoriichi sat in a wooden chair next to Mihawk and Fujitora. In the courtyard, Kyros and Koushirou were deep in sparring. The others watched in silence.
Life had become peaceful.
Each day passed in routine: meals, sleep, training. The occasional stroll, followed by tea and a newspaper.
It was the kind of lifestyle you'd expect from retired old men.
Fujitora had expected Yoriichi, so young, so full of fire, to grow impatient. But to his surprise, Yoriichi remained composed. Even Mihawk, Kyros, and Koushirou adapted easily to this peaceful routine.
Kyros was naturally steady and valued the rare time to train without deployment orders. Koushirou, raised in a quiet village, found this environment surprisingly engaging, far more lively than his childhood home.
As for Mihawk... he was a sword fanatic. Every defeat at Yoriichi's hands only drove him to train harder. Every morning, he'd challenge Yoriichi again.
In this steady, even monotonous rhythm, Kyros and Koushirou steadily improved. Kyros trained in Ryuo under Koushirou's guidance while studying Observation Haki with Fujitora. Koushirou, too, improved his swordplay and Haki through regular bouts with Mihawk and Fujitora.
But none could match Mihawk's rapid progress.
Day after day, Mihawk's growth was frightening. Swordsmanship and Haki alike, his rate of improvement was monstrous. He may not have had numbers to show it, but anyone watching could tell: Mihawk's development was at least on par with Luffy's legendary training under Rayleigh.
In fact, Yoriichi might be the superior teacher.
Time passed swiftly in such calm.
Tom didn't meet his original three-month deadline. The build stretched fifteen days longer. But in mid-December of the year 1499, the colossal sky-blue warship finally slipped into the sea from Dock 1.
It was named "Dawn."
Crowds of shipwrights and citizens filled the port, watching with pride as the ship set sail. Cheers erupted across Water 7. Unlike the covert construction of Roger's ship, this launch was celebrated openly.
"This is our masterpiece," Tom said proudly. "The strongest ship built for the sake of a better world."
Yoriichi stood beside him at the dock, eyes on the vessel.
"It's finished," he said quietly. "Looks like it's time we leave Water 7."
Tom gave him a small nod. "My advice? Sail around Paradise for a few months. Let your crew get used to the systems before you enter the New World."
"This ship has no sails. No masts. Even veterans need time to adapt."
Yoriichi nodded. "You're right. That was my plan."
He turned to Tom with sincere gratitude. "You've done so much for me. I can't thank you enough."
"Vice Admiral Yoriichi, don't mention it," Tom said, waving a hand. "Helping someone like you… it's an honor."
Yoriichi didn't continue the pleasantries. He gave the order to load supplies. Then, from his coat, he pulled out a small Den Den Mushi and handed it to Tom.
"This is my personal line. Use it anytime. If there's anything I can do for you, anything at all, I'll come. No matter what."
Tom tried to refuse, but Yoriichi gently pressed the Den Den Mushi into his hands.
Nearby, Fujitora was already assisting the loading efforts using his powers.
Soon, the ship was ready.
Yoriichi turned to Tom with a final wave.
"I'll be back to visit. Count on it."
Then he soared through the air, landing gracefully on the ship's bow.
"Farewell, Vice Admiral!" Tom shouted. "Safe voyage!"
The horn sounded. Cheers followed as the Dawn pulled away from the port. Within moments, the warship disappeared beyond the horizon.
Their first destination: Alabasta.
Why Alabasta? There was no deep reason, Yoriichi simply felt the urge to visit. It was like seeing Tiananmen Square when visiting Beijing.
He was also curious to see if Crocodile, the infamous "Desert King," was there. He wanted to meet the so-called Pirate Equalizer.
Unfortunately, Crocodile had yet to become a Warlord or take control of Alabasta. The man was nowhere to be found.
Still, Yoriichi did run into a few pirate crews on the journey, but Mihawk was too quick. With a few flying sword slashes, he destroyed them before Yoriichi could even lift a finger.
After so many losses against Yoriichi, Mihawk had started to doubt himself. Those pirates gave him the confidence boost he needed.
"I'm not weak," he muttered to himself. "Yoriichi is just that strong."
They spent less than a week in Alabasta.
It was neither prosperous nor strategic. The real reason for their early departure came via Den Den Mushi, from Marine Headquarters.
Fleet Admiral Kong had received word that Yoriichi was "idling" in Paradise. Alarmed, he ordered Sengoku to instruct Yoriichi to enter the New World immediately.
Kong had developed a very real fear: if Yoriichi stirred up more trouble in Paradise, the World Government might stop tolerating him altogether.
Yoriichi complied without complaint. He ordered the Dawn to return to Water 7 for a brief maintenance stop, then set course for Marineford.
By January of 1500, the Dawn arrived at Marine HQ, escorted by other ships.
The dock buzzed with activity. Marines passing by cast curious glances at the sleek blue vessel, bearing seagull insignias and the word "Dawn" painted proudly along its sides. Two Navy flags flapped in the wind above the bow.
In Zephyr's office at Marine Academy, Yoriichi arrived with his crew.
"Why'd you call me back in such a hurry, you brat?" Zephyr grumbled.
Without answering, Yoriichi unfurled a scroll across Zephyr's desk and handed him a brush. "Sensei, I noticed Sengoku, Kong, and even you have your own banners of justice in your offices."
"I figured, since I'm a Vice Admiral now, and your student, I should have one too."
He pointed to the hanging plaque behind Zephyr's chair, which read: "Justice Without Killing."
Zephyr looked at him, unamused. "My justice doesn't suit you."
"And you couldn't follow it anyway."
Yoriichi smiled. "That's fine. I've already decided what I want."
"Oh? What is it?"
Yoriichi tapped the desk, eyes gleaming.
"Justice Unclouded."
"As a graduate of the Naval Academy, consider this my final assignment."
Zephyr stared long at his student, then nodded.
"This kid… He's going to stir up a storm."
With practiced hands, Zephyr dipped the brush and began writing, bold, powerful strokes. His calligraphy far outshone Garp's.
A few days later, Kong's order arrived.
It was time.
The New World awaited.
Far out at sea, a pirate ship flew a black skull-and-bat flag. It swayed violently in the stormy waters, a helpless leaf tossed on waves.
Suddenly,
"Captain! Ship spotted, approaching from the southwest!"
"A ship?! Is it another crew trying to rob us?"
The pirate squinted through the rain. "No… it's not a pirate ship! It has no mast. No sails. It looks like… a warship?!"
Before anyone could react, a terrifying hum sliced through the storm.
A formless slash tore across the sea.
The pirate ship shuddered violently before splitting clean in half. As the wreckage began to sink, chaos erupted on board.
From the deck of the Dawn, Yoriichi lowered his telescope. The shredded pirate flag, a bat-winged skull, drifted into the surf.
He turned to Mihawk, who was still holding his sword aloft.
"Clean cut," Yoriichi said with a nod.
"As expected of you, Mihawk."
He glanced back toward the sea and sighed.
"Too bad we don't know who they were. Guess there's nothing to report to HQ."
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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
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