By the time Jiang Lin seized Amazon Lily, events were already unfolding on the island's far side, where a submarine slowly surfaced and docked after brief negotiations.
"Jiang Lin… everyone… until the day we meet again."
Luffy cast one last lingering glance at the vast ocean behind him, then strode into the jungle without looking back.
Not long after the Straw Hats departed, Jiang Lin stood upon the serpent prow at the island's main harbor, gazing toward the horizon. A new journey was beginning.
"Captain, where to next?" Hancock asked with a gentle smile, the sea breeze teasing her skirt as a soft blush crept across her face.
"Through the Calm Belt. I want to test myself against the Sea Kings," Jiang Lin replied, his eyes narrowing toward the endless expanse of water. Beneath that deceptively calm surface, titanic shapes stirred.
"Captain, perhaps defeat those watching us first," Hancock teased, glancing toward Ace, Vista, and Jozu as they lounged on deck.
Jiang Lin exhaled, then leapt down from the serpent's head onto the deck. "Enough sea breeze. Back to training."
Days of relentless drills had already honed his body further, but he craved more. He picked up a longsword and faced Vista. "Let's cross blades."
Vista smirked as he drew his twin swords. "Try to last more than three seconds today."
Jiang Lin lunged. Steel clashed beneath the glaring sun. Vista parried calmly, speaking between blows: "Swordsmanship is built on three things—speed, precision, and ferocity. Your sword is too ordinary. If you want to stand atop the world, master one to its peak. You've copied Kizaru's light… why not try harnessing its speed?"
Jiang Lin froze mid-swing, his eyes sharpening. The system's voice chimed: "Pika Pika no Mi loaded. Duration: ten minutes. Cooldown: thirty seconds."
He vanished into golden light. A thunderous crash echoed as Vista crossed both swords, straining to block the explosive strike. Jiang Lin's speed and strength had multiplied.
"Good… but your technique is still simple. Again," Vista said evenly.
Jiang Lin charged once more, yet Vista slipped aside, blade kissing Jiang Lin's neck. "Not Haki. You lost control. The faster the speed, the harder the mastery. Slow down first. Learn rhythm—fast to slow, simple to complex, then back to simplicity. That is the way of the sword."
Jiang Lin nodded, breath steadying. "I understand. Again!"
Their spar echoed across the deck with a storm of steel.
Two Years Later
The calm seas outside Amazon Lily rippled as a familiar crimson ship approached, drawn by twin serpents.
"Captain, mealtime!" Hancock called from the stern, knife in hand.
Moments later, the ocean erupted. A mountain-sized Sea King burst skyward, and upon its back, bare-chested and sword in hand, stood Jiang Lin. Muscles tempered through years of training radiated quiet menace—like a knight riding a beast of legend.
"Down!" Jiang Lin barked, plunging his blade into its spine. The monster crashed into the sea, sprawling unconscious. Jiang Lin vaulted back onto the deck as the crew groaned.
"Captain, at this rate, you'll wipe out the Sea Kings," Hancock pouted.
"Haha, then tonight Ace can cook the fish." Jiang Lin ruffled her hair before heading inside.
Ace grimaced at the massive carcass. "Two barbecues a day… my stomach won't survive."
"Then beat the captain," Hancock teased. "He said whoever defeats him gets a week off cooking duty."
Ace waved frantically. "No thanks. Cooking's easy compared to that."
The laughter faded when Vista's voice cut in, calm but heavy: 'Don't forget what day it is. Two years… already gone."
Ace sighed. "Time flies."
Jozu poured rum with a heavy heart. "Soon we'll have to return. The world will tremble when they see what our captain has become."
Silence followed. Whitebeard's decline had shaken their crew. Allied bands were abandoning him, and his territories were attacked. Fishman Island had already fallen to Big Mom.
Ace clenched his fists. Bound by Whitebeard's crew but indebted to Jiang Lin, he was torn.
The deck grew quiet—until Jiang Lin arrived with a barrel of rum, grinning. "What's this, a funeral? Drink up!"
Hancock smirked. "Captain, Ace wants to challenge you."
Jiang Lin raised a brow. "Oh? Half a year since our last fight. Come then."
Ace hesitated, then flames roared to life around him. "Not swords. Devil Fruits."
"Fine. Out on the sea." Jiang Lin leapt down. Ice blossomed from his feet, freezing the ocean for miles.
Ace's flames flared. "Captain… I've decided. I'm going back… to help Pops."
Jiang Lin's eyes softened, but his voice stayed steady. "No more words. Fight first. Worry tomorrow." Fire burst from his body, meeting Ace's blaze head-on.
The duel raged across ice and flame, the crew watching anxiously. At last, Jiang Lin's burning threads ensnared Ace, detonating in a fiery blast. Ace reformed, panting, guilt in his eyes.
"Captain… here. My Vivre card. If we meet again, I'll join your crew. But for now, I must return to him."
Jiang Lin accepted it without hesitation. "Then let's send you off properly. Tonight we drink."
Blue fire lifted both men back to the ship as the ice sea melted behind them.
That night, the deck echoed with laughter, music, and clashing mugs. Hancock danced gracefully, her silhouette glowing in the setting sun. The crew sang rowdily, voices spilling across the waves.
Ace drank until his eyes blurred, sorrow hidden in each swallow. Jiang Lin clapped his back and laughed. "Go back and fight proudly. Don't shame my name. And tell Whitebeard—if he can't hold on, call me."
Even battle-hardened men like Jozu and Vista felt their eyes burn with unshed tears.
For a moment, amid song, dance, and sunset, they forgot the storm awaiting beyond the horizon.