On the sea hundreds of kilometers outside Marineford.
A warship cut through the wind and waves, sailing toward the distance.
At the bow of the warship, Zephyr was listening to the oral intelligence report from his adjutant.
"According to the investigation by the Marine Intelligence Department, Sorus Karlo's fleet has been rushing for the past few days."
"A few days ago, they passed through Mock Town, Water 7, and the Florian Triangle in succession."
"Based on their route, we guess he should be taking the middle one of the seven routes."
"The end of this route is the Sabaody Archipelago. To head to the New World, they indeed need to get Coating done there."
"Vice Admiral Zephyr, we should be able to intercept him on the route connecting the Sabaody Archipelago on the east side of the Rulusia Kingdom."
"Mhm."
Zephyr nodded slightly, just about to close his eyes and rest again.
Just then, the den den mushi on the adjutant suddenly rang urgently.
Zephyr turned to look.
The adjutant hurriedly took out the den den mushi and connected the call.
As soon as the den den mushi was connected, an extremely anxious voice quickly came out.
"Requesting backup! Requesting backup! This is the Rulusia Kingdom! We are under pirate attack! The East District has suffered heavy losses and major casualties! Requesting nearby Marines to come and support immediately!"
"What? Rulusia Kingdom?"
The adjutant was stunned and looked up at Zephyr. "Vice Admiral Zephyr! It's a distress signal from the Public Rescue Channel. We..."
"Turn around! Head to the Rulusia Kingdom at maximum speed!"
"Yes, sir!"
Zephyr didn't hesitate for a moment and directly ordered the turn.
Even though his original purpose was to intercept Carlo and ask him what exactly happened at God Valley in the West Blue.
But at this moment, he changed course without hesitation and rushed toward the Rulusia Kingdom, which was being attacked by pirates.
Obviously, in his heart.
Compared to the truth of the past, the tragedy happening right before his eyes clearly needed to be stopped more urgently.
"These pirates are too bold! To dare to carry out a raid so close to Marineford! It seems we must conduct another Great Purge of the pirates on the Grand Line!"
Meanwhile.
On the other side.
"Big Brother Carlo!!!"
Seeing Carlo suddenly appear before him and swat away Guillaume, that CP0 agent, Dragon almost wept with joy.
Then he received a flick from Carlo's finger.
"I told you to call me Uncle Carlo."
Carlo flicked his finger, and a gust of air was sent out, hitting Dragon's forehead, making Dragon hiss in pain.
He looked down at Alice and her child, who were being dragged by Dragon, and a strange look appeared in his eyes.
Carlo hadn't expected it.
The mother and son, Alice and her child, whom he had come to the Rulusia Kingdom to find.
Were actually with Dragon.
And looking at them, they had clearly gone through a process of getting to know each other.
Of course, that might not be the case.
After all, given Dragon's character.
In a situation where World Government CP Agents were killing indiscriminately, he would step in to help even if they were strangers.
"Tell me, what happened this time?"
Carlo reached out, took off the short-sleeved shirt he was wearing, tore it into strips of cloth with a few quick movements, and knelt down to bandage the wounded Dragon.
While hissing in pain and shivering, Dragon recounted what had happened here not long ago.
He didn't even hide the fact that he had defected from Marineford.
He revealed everything to Carlo.
This also showed how much weight Carlo held in Dragon's heart.
After listening to Dragon's narration, Carlo's brow furrowed slightly.
A thought surfaced in his mind.
Could it be that fate really exists in this world?
Otherwise.
Why did he meet Dragon and Alice's family again in a different place?
Although he had come specifically to find Alice and her child.
But Dragon's presence here was indeed beyond Carlo's expectations.
Looking at Carlo carefully bandaging his wounds, Dragon was somewhat moved.
He seemed to remember something, and a deep sense of shame appeared in his eyes as he looked at Carlo and said, "Carlo... I... I lost that child! The baby from God Valley... I... I'm so useless. I've failed him, and I've failed his mother even more..."
As he spoke, his eyes reddened, and tears faintly appeared.
Clearly, this matter had been buried in his heart and had become an unforgettable scar.
Hearing this, Carlo raised an eyebrow slightly, already having an idea in mind.
He finished bandaging Dragon's bleeding right leg and reached out to pat Dragon's head.
"Don't worry, that child is fine. He's doing well now."
"Really?!" Dragon's eyes widened, and he excitedly grabbed Carlo's hand. "Uncle... Carlo, where is that child now? Did you find him? Is he with you?"
Carlo shook his head. "No, he... anyway, he's fine now and safe. He was most likely adopted by a few grown men."
"Most likely?" Question marks popped up over Dragon's head.
"You should worry about yourself first. Having escaped from the Marines, you'll have to walk your own path from now on."
Carlo clapped his hands and stood up.
Behind him, on the distant sea, several pirate ships were rapidly approaching.
Dragon looked over and seemed to see several familiar figures on one of the ships.
He heard several excited voices coming from that direction.
"Look, Bear Cub! It's Dragon! Quick, quick, quick! Paw us over there!"
"But... I can't paw people to a place I've never been before..."
"You're so silly, Kuma! Can't you see the scene over there? As long as you have the image of that place in your mind, you should be able to paw people over, right? Why do you have to have been there? It's all memories in your head anyway, isn't it the same?"
"O... okay, I'll try..."
"Pop! Pop!"
Following that were two short air explosion sounds.
Then, in the next moment.
In the air before Dragon, a paw-shaped air bubble suddenly came whistling through, and with a boom, it crashed onto the beach in front of him.
A huge paw-shaped crater was smashed into the sand, kicking up a large amount of sand and mud that splattered all over his head and face.
A little girl with short pink hair jumped out of the pit excitedly, giving him a surprised and happy smile.
"Dragon! It really is you! We meet again!"
"Gin... Ginny?" Dragon was also stunned, looking at the little girl in surprise and joy.
Soon.
Another air bubble flew over, crashing onto the beach not far away.
Kuma's familiar, honest, and kind smiling face climbed out of the pit, waving and smiling at him. "Dragon, long time no see."