Half a year later, on a remote, uninhabited island in the North Blue, the place was surprisingly lively.
Some people were training, others were resting, some practiced swordsmanship with focus, and the cheerful laughter of a little girl rang through the air.
This was where Bucky's crew had been staying. His injuries from the battle had been severe—he'd been unconscious for a week, and it took an entire month before he fully recovered. They ended up remaining on this island for a full six months.
That half-year wasn't spent just recuperating. Bucky used the time to strengthen his overall abilities and, most importantly, to train his Conqueror's Haki.
Conqueror's Haki was a crucial weapon for anyone aiming for the throne of the seas. He wasn't expecting to massively increase its strength in a short time, but he needed to gain absolute control over it—so that he could unleash it at will. If he failed to use it in a critical moment, it could be disastrous.
Of course, these six months also served another purpose—laying low. When Lafitte had carried him back after the fight, the pursuing Marines saw that he had escaped Sakazuki's capture. They likely guessed that something unexpected had happened.
The Marines stopped their pursuit and turned back to search for Sakazuki. The admiral hadn't perished; he had been drifting in nearby waters. They eventually rescued him safely.
Upon learning that even Sakazuki had failed to capture Bucky, Marine Headquarters reacted immediately—ordering the injured admiral to return for treatment and issuing the massive bounty that had since shaken the seas.
The size of the bounty inevitably drew the attention of opportunists. To let the storm die down—and to continue strengthening himself—Bucky decided to remain on the island for half a year.
The entire crew reaped significant gains during this time.
First was Shiryu. Whenever he had spare time, he would spar with Bucky and consult him about the finer points of swordsmanship. Through both real combat and Bucky's guidance, he broke through into the realm of Sword Master—a major leap that greatly boosted not just his strength, but the crew's overall power.
Daddy Masterson mastered Observation Haki during this period and even awakened Armament Haki. With his sniping skills now enhanced by both Haki types, his bullets could wound Logia users and other formidable opponents. He had become a top-tier sniper in this vast ocean.
Weevil's progress was less impressive. His swordsmanship and Armament Haki barely improved, but under Bucky's focused training, he did awaken Observation Haki—filling a major gap in his abilities and giving him a way to sense and react to danger beyond mere instinct.
Lafitte fared better. Not only did he master Observation Haki, but his Devil Fruit abilities developed significantly. He created new techniques suited to his fighting style, further increasing his strength.
Kuro had fully mastered the Navy's Six Powers and even developed his variations. He was only a step away from awakening Armament Haki and was already considered a respectable powerhouse on the seas.
Even Hogback, after experiencing several battles, threw himself into training. His stamina improved greatly, and he learned two of the Six Powers—Shigan (Finger Gun) for offense and Geppo (Moonwalk) for mobility. These gave him both defensive and offensive tools, ensuring he wouldn't be as helpless as before in a fight.
Jessica, despite her age and limited physical ability, insisted on training as well. Initially, Bucky had been reluctant—he didn't want her overexerting herself—but after repeated pleas, he agreed to put her through light exercises. While she couldn't match the others' pace, she did improve her stamina a little and learned some basic combat techniques.
One morning, everyone gathered in front of Bucky. Their hesitant expressions puzzled him.
Seeing his confusion, Daddy stepped forward to explain.
They had been together for months, now numbering seven in total—but they still hadn't formally established a pirate crew. They felt the time had come.
Bucky thought it over. He agreed. With their current numbers, there was no need to delay further. Besides, the Navy had already branded him with a bounty—he was a pirate in name and fact. Without a crew, how was he supposed to make a name for himself on the seas?
Recruiting more members could come later; for now, they would officially found the crew.
Seeing the anticipation in everyone's eyes, Bucky said, "Alright—then today, our pirate crew is born."
Cheers erupted instantly. Even Kuro and Jessica couldn't hold back their excitement.
The next step was deciding on a name.
Jessica, without thinking too much, blurted out a suggestion: the "Clown Pirates."
Bucky nearly exploded. He knew exactly why she said it—his bounty poster labeled him as "Clown" Bucky. That name made his blood boil. If anyone else—especially Kuro—had said it, Bucky would have beaten them until they looked like a clown. But since it came from Jessica, he could only fume silently.
Naturally, "Clown Pirates" was rejected on the spot.
Kuro proposed "Black Cat Pirates," his personal favorite. The rest shot it down immediately.
One by one, everyone shared their ideas, but none gained approval.
After thinking for a moment, Bucky came up with one that felt right—deeply tied to his past life.
"What do you think of the name Flame Sovereign Pirates?"
"Captain, what's the meaning behind it?"
Curious, they all turned to him.
"'Flame' represents fire—most of my techniques carry a fiery element, and in battle, that will be our mark.
It also symbolizes our spirit. Like fire, we will burn fiercely—our light will illuminate the New World and the entire pirate era. As for 'Sovereign,' it's a play on the word for emperor. One day, we will rule the New World. It's both a hidden promise and a declaration."
Some of it was showmanship, some of it came from the heart. But more than anything, it was a tribute to his previous life—a nod to being a descendant of Yanhuang (the Flame Emperor and Yellow Emperor), a will he would carry into this world to blaze across the seas.
Hearing his explanation, seeing his vision for the future, and the fire in his ambition, their eyes seemed to burn with the same flame.
Unanimously, they agreed.
Thus, the Flame Sovereign Pirates were officially born.