Chapter 19 – Four Years of Quiet Strength & A New Voyage
Four years later — Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1470, April 9
Under Ding Li's patient companionship, Koya slowly regained her old brightness. She was no longer the playful girl from years ago—now her eyes carried a mature, steady warmth that made her even more captivating.
But one question had gnawed at Ding Li for a long time: Why hadn't Koya gotten pregnant? He finally asked the system.
The answer was simple and ruthless: System-enforced reproductive isolation. It prevented him from settling down, marrying, and raising a family—keeping him focused on the mission. Only after completing this world's main storyline would the restriction lift.
Ding Li sighed. The main quest still hadn't appeared…
He sat on a branch outside their little house, legs dangling, staring at the sea.
Status:
One Piece World Rank: Headquarters Captain (mid-to-high tier)
Combat Power: (not shown in raw, but implied ~15,000–20,000 based on previous scaling)
Physique: (not shown) Vitality: (not shown)
Soul Strength: (not shown)
Total Emotions Collected: (not shown) / 10,000,000,000,000
Spendable Points: 0
Skills: None
Four years of steady growth had brought him to Headquarters Captain level—terrifying for most people in the East Blue. But to Ding Li, it felt painfully slow. He had stayed on Mya Mya Island for Koya—his only family, as she was his. He didn't regret it. With no main quest, he had no direction. If he went all-out, he could probably reach the world's peak in 2–10 years.
He murmured to the wind: "April 9th, 1470… Roger, you should've set sail by now. If we meet again… I'll help you."
"Ding Li! Come down! Aunt Kri invited us for dinner tonight. They're probably waiting!"
Koya's voice floated up from below. He looked down—her face lit with gentle excitement, eyes sparkling.
His heart melted.
"Coming, Koya!"
At Aunt Kri's house, the table was laden with food. The mood was warm and teasing.
Kri grinned at them. "So when are you two getting married and giving me a little one to spoil? It's been years—no sign of a baby yet!"
Koya blushed scarlet. "Aunt Kri!!"
Ding Li answered calmly: "We're planning the wedding this year. As for kids… not yet. After the wedding, I want to take Koya traveling—see the whole world."
The idea had come to him suddenly. Traveling might finally help her heal from the wound of losing her brother.
He looked at Koya. "What do you think?"
She smiled—happy, but with a faint shadow only he could see. "Whatever you want."
Elmu piped up, worried. "But the sea's so dangerous! Pirates everywhere!"
Ding Li met her eyes confidently. "I'll protect her. Don't worry."
Aunt Kri cut in gently. "Let them decide. Just… promise us safety comes first. The island will feel empty without you two."
The mood turned a little sad. Aunt Kri quickly laughed. "Okay, enough! Food's getting cold. Eat! Eat!"
Laughter returned. They talked, ate, and cherished the rare, precious evening.
Two months later — the wedding
The day was perfect: bright sun, gentle breeze, the whole island celebrating. Koya was radiant in white, eyes shining with joy. For the first time in years, the old pain in her gaze was gone.
But after the ceremony, when the cheers faded, Ding Li saw it return—a quiet, hidden sorrow.
He knew then: The only way to truly free her was to show her the world's beauty. To replace old wounds with new memories.
So they said goodbye to the islanders. Tears, hugs, promises to return. The ship sailed away, Mya Mya shrinking to a dot on the horizon.
At the bow, sea wind in their hair, Koya leaned against him. "Where to first? Windmill Village?"
Ding Li ruffled her hair. "Call me husband, remember?"
She blushed, voice tiny. "H-husband… where are we going?"
He grinned. "First to Windmill Village—hire more crew. Then… everywhere."
Koya's eyes sparkled. "Okay, husband."
She stood on tiptoe, kissed his cheek, then ran giggling into the cabin.
Ding Li watched her go, heart full. This journey would heal her. He would make sure of it.
Later that day — open sea
BOOM!
A massive collision rocked the ship. Ding Li dropped what he was doing and sprinted to the bow.
A battered little pirate boat had rammed them. Several rough-looking men were already climbing aboard.
In the distance, a larger pirate ship flew a flag: a comical yet menacing dog-skull jolly roger.
Ding Li's voice thundered: "What the hell are you doing?!"
He didn't wait for an answer. One by one he yanked the boarders up—then kicked them straight into the sea.
Koya ran up, worried. "Stay in the cabin! I'll be right back."
Ding Li fixed his eyes on the enemy ship. He crouched, then launched himself in a soaring arc.
BOOM!
He landed on their deck—cracking planks in a crater. The pirates froze, jaws dropped.
Ding Li sneered. "Never seen real strength before?"
He moved like lightning. A flurry of kicks. Pirates flew—into the sea, through walls, unconscious or worse.
In moments, the ship was a ghost vessel—silent, empty.
"Trash," he muttered.
He dove into the sea and swam back, not wanting to dirty his own deck with their blood.
Koya rushed to him the moment he climbed aboard. "Husband! Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine," he laughed, pulling her close. She checked him frantically for wounds, hands everywhere.
He chuckled. "Tickles~"
She blushed, then asked with wide eyes: "How… how did you jump so far?!"
Ding Li grinned mischievously. "I'm even stronger than that. Want to see?"
He scooped her up again—heading straight for the bedroom.
Koya squealed. "Husband!!"
He only laughed, carrying her inside.
The rest of the afternoon… was theirs.
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