The Prologue

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Amidst the newly-constructed huge campsite, which now served as a shelter for hundreds of refugees, various makeshift constructions had been set up to cater to the basic needs of its temporary residents. Among these structures stood a large canteen, where long tables were neatly aligned, serving not only as a place to eat but also as a gathering spot for the people seeking solace and supports...

Farlan, taking on the role of leader in his own family, approached his father with a tray of rice and salad assortments, worry etched across his face, "Father, you should eat some more. It's essential to keep your strength up during these trying times," he pleaded with concern.

His gaze then shifted to his younger sister, who sat lifelessly against the canteen wall at a distance. Her eyes reflected the similar emptiness that had enveloped the entire mass of people—those who had suffered immeasurable losses and now struggled to find the will to carry on...

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Farlan had set aside his own grief to shoulder the responsibility of holding his family together, knowing that without unity, they might not survive the devastating aftermath of Rinascita Island. His father clutched a notebook given to him by Red Hair captain a few days ago. Its contents had plunged the old man into a deep abyss of despair, reading and re-reading it, each time seemingly sinking even further into hopelessness...

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How were they supposed to move on from this devastation...? 

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The survivors here had lost everything— their homes, their loved ones, and even their sense of purpose... They felt abandoned, cast aside by the government, the marines, and the world's unforgiving system. To them, it seemed as if they were insignificant ants in a vast forest— whether they lived or died, it mattered very little to anyone...

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Then, in that very moment, the commanding voice of Red Hair Shanks resonated through the gloomy atmosphere of the temporary refuge, cutting through the heaviness that weighed upon the hearts of its inhabitants...

"DEAR RINASCITA CITIZENS!! EVERYONE PLEASE GATHER OVER HERE!!"

The sound echoed, drawing the attention of the desolate crowd. People gradually made their ways to the main shore, where the Red Force stood tall amidst the peaceful shorefront. Still, despite their lifelessness, the citizens held deep respects for the Red Hair Crew, who had been their lifeline during these adversities...

Fugar, their former community leader, weakly stepped forward, his aging appearance showing the toll of the past few days... "What is this about, Captain Shanks, may I ask...?" he inquired with a tint of weariness.

The single-armed captain gave a signal to Yasopp and Limejuice, who were standing behind him, "Bring it here."

As the cut-off, middle-sized tree was brought before the gatherings, Fugar exclaimed with widen-eyes, "The Guardian Fruits!!" The tree housed about 20-30 pear-like fruits, and even after all these years, he recognized them immediately, their impact on his memories profound...

"How did you retrieve them from the burning forest in such a condition?!!" Blurted out the old man, his mind filled with stunted curiosity.

However, as he observed the tree, a sense of resignation then took over him... "No, it doesn't matter now anyway... We all seem to possess the seeds' power, keeping us barely alive even until this very moment..." his voice trembled, "..but it still wasn't enough... The seeds couldn't protect the pitifully vulnerable people in the face of such cruelty... and likewise, we can't protect them anymore..."

He turned his gaze to his people, acknowledging their struggling conditions, "You are not obliged to give us anything more than you already have, Captain... Please take the remaining seeds. They will fortify your whole crew's power and help you rise even further..." he said, glancing up at the tall redhead, "..for the seeds would neither survive nor serve any purpose with us weak creatures..."

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Fugar's heartfelt plea carried a mix of humility and gratitude, acknowledging the reality that these precious Guardian Fruits could only thrive in the hands of those strong enough to wield their potentials...

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"No, Fugar-san..." the red-haired man replied, his voice gentle as he gazed down at the weary elder. And shortly after that, his scarlet eyes shifted across the shore... seemingly making eye contact with each person present, his voice grew more powerful as he delivered his next speech...

"This Guardian Tree was passed down from Ashar the Hermit with his sacrificial life! You are all survivors who inherited his will and the seeds he cultivated!"

He paused, then continued on...

"And yet, in the face of the long history of this ever-corrupted and power-struggling world, the Seeds alone cannot provide adequate protection for the vulnerable innocents!"

The somber realization sank in, and the faces of the listeners reflected the sadness in their hearts, knowing full well there was no longer any lands left to shelter even their own lives, let alone the sacred tree...

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And at that precise moment, Red Hair Shanks gradually reached his remaining hand forward to all of them, as he made an impactful announcement, one that would later mark as another turning point in times...

"Then come with me to the seas, citizens of Rinascita! Become PIRATES under the RED- HAIR FLAG'S protection!" His commanding figure as he concluded the momentous declaration, beaming with assurance and a dazzling smile that seemed to abruptly illuminate the gloomy crowd...

"You are already its ALLIES! There is nowhere safer than the vast ocean to embrace you all! Regain CONTROL and FREEDOM of your own lives! Equip yourselves with all the knowledge you need! And train hard to become STRONGER!!!"

With an authoritative yet soothing tone, his voice offered all the lost listeners a reassuring path forward... "And I'll entrust the remaining Guardian Seeds to you... Cherish them on this abundant land of Elbaf, to add strengths to the young generations in the future!"

A prolonged stillness permeated the atmosphere as the weight of his words settled in... Slowly, faint signs of life collectively emerged in the eyes of the people... They began to look at each others, trying to process the overwhelming offer presented to them...

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Farlan's eyes flickered with newfound hope as he asked, his voice now laced with enthusiasm, "Chief, do you really think we'll survive out there in the New World seas?!!"

The redhead responded with exuding confidence, "Yes, you all can, if you learn and train hard enough from now on! The Giants have agreed to help you with the new ship-building and necessities while you're at it...," He then raised his head, looking forward far across the gatherings to the emerging huge figures standing behind the shoreline, breaking into a broad grin, "...Isn't that right, Saul?!!"

"DERESHISHISHISHI!! And ya just asked me only 'afta that bold 'nnouncement, eh?"

Came a thunderous laughter from the former Marine's Vice Admiral, whose towering appearance was left with frostbites-burnt marks all over. The intimidating aura emanated from the Giant scared away some of the citizens. Nonetheless, their aged leader, Fugar, stepped forward among his group of people, taking a chance to ask..

"The Great Giant Warriors, you would allow us to plant the Guardian Seeds within your land? But do you not want them to enhance your powers?"

The orange-maned Giant Leader gazed downward at the little human, still smiling good- naturedly, "We, the Giant Tribes are honorable Warriors! We take pride in refining our skills and strengths solely through our own efforts! No need to rely on any external power-ups!" he declared, before adding further..

"Use our soils here to cultivate them, Little Humans! Do not worry while you're at seas, for no enemies would dare to come near our TERRITORY!! DERESHISHISHISHI!!!"

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"What an unusual laughter that was...," murmured the tattooed surgeon, observing the whole event amidst the crowd not far away from the back. He turned to face his older companion, an inquisitive look on his face, "Do you realize what your crew has gotten into? Taking in powerless civilians like that...?"

"Don't worry... I already asked him exactly the same question as soon as I got a chance," replied Beckman with a discerning grin. "And he just waved it off saying, 'That's okay, Benn... and you know what, we'll gather more of them in years to come... This is only the beginning!'" He finished with a quiet chuckle, "That's our whimsical captain for you!"

Something in Law's mind clicked, a look of amazement spread across his face, causing his eyes to widen as he looked up at the pony-tailed vice captain, whose perplexed expression was mirrored on his face...

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'So this is the birth of the Red-Hair Grand Fleet, which will expand and eventually become the future Emperor's crew!'

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Before Benn could ask him a question, the crowd's resounding cheers redirected their attention to the main event. Excited shouts erupted from the people, delightful tears streaming down many of their faces...

"We'll do it, CHIEF!!"

"YEAH, I'll start training hard now that I have a clear goal in mind!!"

"To think that we still have somewhere to call HOME together, we'll do ANYTHING to move forward!!!"

"THANKS, Captain!! We won't let you down! We'll become STRONGER, you have our words!!!"

The miraculous change in emotions and roaring jubilation overwhelmed the dark-haired doctor. Another figure among the once-lifeless citizens stood bewildered also, his eyes scanning the crowd amidst the spirited shouts of joy...

'Am I dreaming, Ashar? It's as if our already-dead community has come back to life... Look at the glimmers and determination in their eyes!' Tears welled up in his ageing eyes, for the first time, not from despair but from the ray of hope... 'And your sacrifices won't go in vain, my friend. We're given a chance to carry on your Guardian Seeds' legacy... there's nothing more I could ever ask for!'

In the middle of the emotional moments, the old former advisor saw his son approaching with a wide grin, "Father, if you don't mind, let me give a name to our pirate flag, would you?"

With a smile and teary eyes, the old man promptly replied, "Certainly, son. Go ahead!" Farlan's face lit up, and then he shouted out to the tall-standing captain, "Chief Shanks!"

He thrusted his arms high into the air, declaring, "From this day forth, We, 'The Social Club Pirates,' shall serve under your guidance and banner! And pledge our unwavering loyalty to the Red-Hair Pirates until the end of times!"

"Hahaha...what a ridiculous name for pirates, Farlan! But I absolutely love it!" "That brings back memories of 'Raduno Town', doesn't it?!!"

"Indeed! It's like our favourite tavern is resurrected just as it was!!!"

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The warmth of unity returned to the people of Raduno as they wholeheartedly embraced the familiar, hearty name of the new crew, the very first in history that comprised of a mass of ordinary citizens from the fallen country...

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A contented smile adorned Red Hair Shanks' face as he absorbed the energetic vibes emanating from the newly-formed pirates along the shoreline below. Then his panning gaze came to a halt at the two familiar figures standing among the assembly. And without hesitation, he leaped down from the Red Force and steadily made his way through the collectively splitting mass of people...

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"If you've come out of the library, then I assume you already have an answer to my last question, is that right, doctor?" The redhead asked, his smile never faltering...

The surgeon's calm exterior belied the swirling thoughts in his mind, contemplating the implications that would significantly shape his paths forward...

'To think that I've witnessed the formations of not only one, but two future Emperors' Grand Fleets...' he mused silently, focusing on the stark difference between the origins of these alliances. Unlike the Strawhats' with the common goal of united powerful forces, these fleets were born from the completely opposite reason— a desire to protect the weak, to shelter the vulnerable under their formidable wings...

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Reflecting on the journey he had undertaken since arriving in this timeline, he then realised that saving lives had undeliberately become his defining theme. It somehow reinvigorated his weary soul... and he would embrace this role in the borrowed time he had been granted here, and along this path, try to prevent the disruptions and help shape up the right courses into the future...

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'Perhaps this isn't such a bad fate after all...'

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With an authentic smile for the first time, the young brunet gazed up to face the taller man and replied... "Yes, Red Hair-ya, would you allow me to join your crew as the ship's doctor?"

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"Well, well, there it is! The courting efforts of our chief have finally borne fruit! Hahaha!" Limejuice couldn't resist teasing.

Roux, his face beaming with joy, joined in, shouting to the heavens, "And now, behold, we've found ourselves a resident doctor! Lucky Roux has become our Lucky Charm!!!"

Yasopp excitedly shouted, "Welcome to the Red Hair Crew! Please take good care of us, Doc!!"

The remaining crew members leaped from the decks of the Red Force, an exhilarating chorus of cheers erupting around them. Its redheaded captain, wore a proud smile as he extended his hand, gesturing to the surrounding crowd of allies. "From this day onward, our doctor will have his hands full, won't he?" he playfully remarked.

The young brunet couldn't help but smirk, "You know, Red Hair-ya. As an unorthodox doctor, I'm always up for any medical challenge."

Instantly, Hongo made his way towards their buzzing group, leading the adorable Saberos cubs on a leash. The young trio, eager to see their dear friend, dashing toward the surgeon with unrestrained delight, their tails wagging wildly. "They missed you, Law. What should we do with them?" asked the brown-haired pirate.

Shanks and Law exchanged glances, their silent communication speaking volumes. Then they searched for Fugar, the wise old man, among the crowd and directed their request to him. "Fugar-san, would you mind taking care of them as well?" Shanks requested, his gaze earnest.

The old man's kind eyes brimmed with warmth as he gently cradled the cubs in his arms, "Of course, chief! They're just ordinary black-tiger cubs. Think we can handle them without any problems," he assured, and after a moment pause, he then patted each of the cub while giving them a dear name, "You are Ashar...you are Ethan, and you...are Lucas!"

With the adorable cubs now in their new home, the atmosphere grew even more affectionate. The once-lifeless crowd had transformed into a vibrant gathering, filled with newfound hope and unity...

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At a short distance away, perched atop the elevated hill near the shore, a giant figure gazed down upon the lively and spirited scene. His heart stirred with emotions as he turned to his comrades, his voice tinged with nostalgia...

"In all my years of serving for justice as a Marine, I never felt truly fulfilled," he confessed. "And yet, today, watching these pirates, doing exactly what I longed to do, it feels like an ironic twist of fate..."

His companions chuckled in agreement, sharing fond memories, "I wish Dory and Brogy would have been with us to see this great event too! Guess those two best buddies are still locked in their eternal battle somewhere within the Grand Line!"

"That might be it! DERESHISHISHISHI!!!"

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On that calm day after the storm, as the resounding laughter of the giants melded with the triumphant cheers of the crowd, a harmonious symphony of joy and hope poured over the Island of Elbaf, marking a new beginning...

If the legendary Seeds were the Guardians on earth, the Red Hair pirates, together with the young doctor lost in time; whose dedicated hearts being as vast as the ocean itself, whose hands being extended to protect the weak and vulnerable; would then become the true Guardians of the Seas.

Their legacy, characterized by compassion and bravery, would be later long celebrated in the annals of history...

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