A few days later.
At the edge of Raven Harbor, beneath a quiet mountain, rows of fresh tombstones stood solemnly—silent witnesses to the recent battle.
Too many had died: civilians, port guards, and Gawain's own comrades.
Now and then, the soft sounds of sobbing drifted through the air. Grieving families came to mourn their lost loved ones.
In a quiet corner of the cemetery, Gawain knelt beside a stone he had erected himself. It bore the names of his fallen subordinates, each one carved with care. The tombstone faced the Grand Line—as if watching, waiting.
He brushed his fingers gently over the names and murmured:
"You'll keep watch from here.
I—no, we—will raise our flag in every corner of the world.
When the world begins to speak of Gawain's Pirate Crew with awe,
your names will live on with that legend."
He rose to his feet.
At the cemetery entrance, Kuro and his men stood quietly, watching him.
"That was quite the speech," Kuro said, adjusting his glasses with a wry smile. "But it's time."
"Captain."
"Yeah."
Gawain gave a quiet nod and turned. His crew followed without a word as they made their way back to the harbor.
A freighter over a hundred meters long waited at the docks—its hull packed with food, ammunition, and medical supplies. Enough to last Gawain's crew for months. Enough to win ten battles, if needed.
Once this ship reached their base on Para Island, they wouldn't have to worry about supplies for a long while.
Grayza stood near the gangplank. Her eyes lit up when she saw him.
"Lord Gawain," she said softly, "remember our promise."
"I will," Gawain replied with a nod. "Once I return, I'll begin clearing the pirates around Raven Harbor."
Without further words, he leapt aboard. Kuro and the rest of the crew followed, disappearing into the ship's hold to inspect the cargo.
Once everything was secured, the freighter gave a long whistle and slowly pulled away from the port.
Grayza stood at the pier, eyes growing misty as she watched the ship leave.
"Lord Gawain!" she called suddenly. "When will we meet again?"
Gawain paused, back still to her. He raised a hand in farewell.
"If all goes well, you'll read about me in the newspapers soon."
"And if it doesn't?"
He chuckled faintly, voice carried by the wind.
"Then the sea will be my grave."
Grayza bit her lip, holding back tears. She knew the truth—this man was no ordinary pirate. The East Blue would never be enough for someone like him.
He was destined for a far greater stage… and the whole world would know his name.
"What an unromantic man," she whispered, smiling sadly.
"Still… since when were pirates this charming?"
Jasmine, stunned by the exchange, hesitated.
"Princess… you still have this port. The people need you."
Grayza wiped her eyes and spoke with quiet determination:
"I know. But to protect them… I need power."
"They say there's something on the Grand Line. A fruit that grants power… the Devil Fruit, right?"
Jasmine's eyes widened.
"Princess… do you plan to go to sea?"
"For true strength, it's a small price to pay."
The sea is merciless.
Even in the relatively calm East Blue, a sudden storm could capsize the sturdiest of ships.
Winds howled. Lightning cracked.
The freighter was tossed among towering waves, its hull groaning under the strain.
"Hard to starboard—fast!"
"There's a vortex ahead! We go down, we all die!"
Kuro shouted orders from the deck, soaked to the bone. Nearby, Gawain stood firm against the storm, slashing through the air to break apart crashing waves before they could swamp the vessel.
This was Gawain's first taste of the true cruelty of the sea.
He'd thought pirates died in battle.
He was wrong.
Out here, the weather was the first killer.
"Damn it!" Gawain shouted over the gale. "Kuro! You've been sailing for years. Why are your navigation skills as bad as mine!?"
"We had a navigator!" Kuro shouted back.
"Where is he now!?"
"...Burned in Raven Harbor."
"You're unbelievable."
Kuro winced. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, another monstrous wave rose in the distance, casting a shadow over the ship.
The very air grew heavy.
"Captain!"
"I see it!"
Gawain launched into action, sending out a flurry of flying slashes that barely cut through the approaching wave. But the storm wasn't letting up.
The sea was only getting worse.
Several grueling hours later…
They finally emerged from the storm.
The winds calmed. The clouds began to part. Warm sunlight filtered down through the mist, bathing the exhausted crew in golden light.
The survivors collapsed on the deck, breathing hard, clothes drenched and clinging to their skin.
Gawain looked at his navigation panel—LV-1—and then at Kuro, who was pale and being bandaged.
The realization made Gawain grimace.
"His skills are as bad as mine? God help us."
"Before we even think about the Grand Line," he muttered, "we need a real navigator."
He shuddered at the memory of the storm.
"I just said something heroic a few days ago… Dying in a storm now would be way too ironic."
Just then, the cabin door creaked open.
A figure wrapped in bandages limped out slowly.
"Where… is this?"
Gin looked around in a daze until his eyes landed on Kuro. Memory came rushing back.
"Y-You saved me?"
Kuro pointed at Gawain, deadpan.
"It was him."
"Sir Gawain?" Gin blinked, remembering how Krieg had tossed him aside like garbage and pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Even for someone as loyal as Gin, the betrayal stung.
"...Why?"
Gawain stepped forward, offering a hand.
"Because I want a crew member who'll take a blade for his captain—and live to hear the thanks."
"Join me, Gin."
"I may not be the best captain… but I won't turn my gun on my own men. I don't swing a blade unless it's to protect my crew."
Gin gave a weak, bitter smile.
"Loyalty… Pirates always talk about it. But it's just a lie, isn't it?"
"I—"
His legs gave out before he could finish. He collapsed into Gawain's arms.