A Way To Save The World

The pain on his face was not even a bit less than the confusion in his heart.

Fujitora instinctively swung his sword backhand, pressing the back of the sword against Gawain's shoulder. 

But at this time, the Devil Fruit ability that he had been suppressing suddenly erupted at this moment…

"Gravity Blade!"

As the sound fell to the ground before the blade touched Gawain's shoulder, an unparalleled gravity had already erupted.

In an instant, it was as if Gawain was carrying a mountain on his shoulders. Under gravity hundreds of times greater than the previous one, the ground beneath his feet began to collapse at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In a few seconds, it spread to an area of dozens of meters in all directions.

At this moment, Gawain's bones were making crisp sounds, which would only happen when the pressure-bearing capacity was close to the limit!

This is Fujitora's devil fruit ability.

Paramecia Press-Press Fruit, devil fruit that allows the user to control the gravity, giving the surrounding objects hundreds or thousands of times more gravity, and it can even pull down meteorites outside the atmosphere, causing devastating attacks.

Even among the vast and diverse Paramecia Devil Fruits, the Press-Press Fruit ranks among the best.

Especially in wars at sea, it is overwhelmingly powerful.

After all, no matter how strong your combat power is, the ship's bearing capacity is limited. If the gravity is increased several times, you can only wait to sink into the sea.

"Oh."

"It's my—"

Fujitora, who subconsciously used his ability, was stunned for a moment, with a trace of apology on his face, but before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by a roar that soared into the sky…

Roar!

A visible shock wave erupted with Gawain as the center, directly overturning the surrounding rocks.

Fujitora was instantly startled, got goosebumps all over his body, and retreated violently.

When he looked back, his eyes, which still had a trace of light sensitivity left, could only barely make out an extremely strong black shadow looming in the smoke and dust.

Its wings spread out behind, further highlighting its domineering and ferocious momentum.

"Such an unsettling aura… Is it a Mythical Zoan Fruit?!"

The only answer to Fujitora was the howling sea breeze.

Whoosh!

The dust and smoke cleared.

Gawain reappeared in human form.

His naked upper body revealed his well-proportioned figure, but the aura he exuded was unprecedentedly ferocious.

Then Gawain slowly put his sword back into the sheath, and his eyes fell on Fujitora: "You lost."

"Ah."

Fujitora was dejected; the fighting spirit in his heart had disappeared without a trace. He sheathed his sword with his backhand and muttered: "I lost."

"It's not just about swordsmanship; I lost to myself."

"You're right. It's not that I haven't found the answer; it's that I don't dare to believe that answer."

"Pirates can make a harbor run smoothly. So can the World Government. The only difference is whether they are willing to do so."

"I have found the answer; I just need to confirm it again in person."

At this moment, Gawain finally saw some familiar shadows from Fujitora in front of him.

The determination revealed by his soul brought him incomparable calmness and was also a reflection of his finding the way forward in the midst of confusion.

Originally, the answer might not be found until the moment Fujitora decided to join the Marines.

But now, due to Gawain's existence, this time has been advanced by several years.

"Would you consider boarding my ship?"

Gawain couldn't help but extend an olive branch to recruit him.

Faced with Fujitora's powerful fighting ability, no one would remain unmoved.

Unlike Zoro and Sanji, who are expected to become powerful men in the future, Fujitora is already a powerful man.

Even though he has not yet reached the height of being an Admiral in the original timeline, he is still the most powerful person under the emperor.

That is, his combat power is no less than that of Gawain himself.

If he could get such powerful help, the White Knight Pirate would have a place in the New World.

"Although I would love to go with you."

"But I can't."

Fujitora's face was filled with regret, but his voice was extremely firm: "Becoming a pirate may protect this harbor, but it cannot change this filthy world. That is not the righteousness I want to pursue."

"Mr. Gawain, your understanding of the nature of this world is the most profound among the countless people I have ever met."

"Don't you want to come with me and change it?"

"At least everyone should be able to feel the warmth of this world, just like those wanderers in Raven Harbor."

Gawain smiled and said jokingly: "What I want is the freedom to be free from any constraints and live happily with my companions."

"It is better to leave the grand proposition of saving the world to those who are destined to do so."

"After all…"

"Forget it. You won't understand even if I tell you."

"Is it fate?!"

Fujitora naturally understood what Gawain meant but shook his head instinctively: "How do you know that everything we do and the efforts we make are not part of destiny?"

"The person who said this has already equated himself with fate. I cannot agree with this."

Gawain smiled and said: "Your tongue is much sharper than your sword."

Fujitora's expression remained unchanged: "It seems that we can't convince each other, but now we are friends, right?!"

"That's right."

"Then, as a friend, I will give you a warning, Mr. Gawain."

Fujitora's expression gradually became serious: "There are several warships from Marine Headquarters anchored in Loguetown. If there is anyone else in the East Blue who can be taken seriously by the Marines, it is only you."

"Marine Headquarters?"

Gawain frowned slightly.

Two months ago, when he learned that the one who would fill in as the vacancy in the seven warlords of the sea was not himself but Kuma, he anticipated that the Marines would not let him go so easily.

But he didn't expect the other side to act so quickly. Within two months, the Marine Headquarters summoned troops to rush to the East Blue.

However, as long as the Admirals from the Marine Headquarters, Sengoku, or Garp, were not present in person, Gawain had nothing to fear at this moment.

Even if these people came, he would, at most, just run away with his companions.

Those who should stay in the East Blue can still stay in the East Blue.

After all, Gaza is the lord of Raven Harbor and even a member of the world's aristocracy. The Martial Arts Tournament is backed by the Kingdom of Goa, so it is completely tenable.

As long as this Martial Arts Tournament goes smoothly, Raven Harbor can provide Gawain with a large amount of financial support every year thereafter.

Even if he wants to occupy a mountain and establish his own power on the Grand Line, he will basically not be short of money in the early stage.

Certainly, being able to make a smooth transition would naturally be the best situation.

Thinking of this, Gawain felt relieved.

He turned around and thanked Fujitora, then said hello to his crew in the harbor and opened all areas to Fujitora except for some secret areas.

It also allows Fujitora to really go and take a look.

How was Raven Harbor different from everything he had seen before, and how was it different from the countries under the rule of the World Government?

At the same time, in Loguetown.

Zephyr stood in the warship's cabin, allowing the naval scientist beside him to place the brand-new Battle Smasher for him.

Power pipelines are connected to the mechanical prosthesis.

Zephyr only felt a tingling sensation in his arms.

It was completely different from the previous awkward, cold, and stiff feeling, like forcibly joining steel and flesh together. 

There's even Sea Prism Stone mixed into the metal that makes up the prosthetic limbs, which gives it a natural inhibitory effect on people with Devil Fruit ability.

"This time."

"We have received some of the technology from Future Island, and based on the data we have collected previously to create this."

A scientist stood next to Zephyr, chattering to him about the functions of the upgraded Battle Smasher.

Zephyr didn't have that much patience and said calmly: "Tell me the important point!"

"It's harder, lighter and stronger!"

"Not only is the outer armor mixed with Sea Prism Stone, but the bullets for the internal machine guns have also been replaced with Sea Prism Stone bullets to suppress the Devil Fruit users to the greatest extent possible."

"The Dyna Stone is used as the energy source inside. Even if it is at full power, it can last for three days and three nights!"

"Dyna Stone?"

Hearing the familiar term, Zephyr's face showed a hint of solemnity.

Dyna Stone is a type of rock that has extremely high energy but is extremely unstable. Once it explodes, it will cause irreversible consequences.

Even if it is just this small piece in the Battle Smasher, it is probably enough to destroy everything in Loguetown.

Then Zephyr seemed to think of something, turned his head, and looked at Smoker beside him.

"It is said that there are three super-large volcanoes in the New World, which are interconnected. If they are destroyed at the same time, the entire New World will be destroyed."

"In that case, the so-called One Piece will also be destroyed. After losing the target, the era of pirates will also end. This may be a way to save the world."

Smoker frowned while biting the cigar in his mouth and said: "It's better to give up this dangerous idea as soon as possible."

"Once those volcanoes explode, how many people will die in the eruption?"

"Even if you just look at that number, it will make you feel uneasy, right?!"

"Well."

Zephyr sighed.

He naturally knew how crazy this idea was.

Feeling the new Battle Smasher, Zephyr let out a long breath, and the corners of his mouth gradually curled up: "Weapon is in place."

"My body has almost recovered, and everyone has made significant progress after my training over the past two months."

"Especially you!"

Smoker was indifferent, but there was a hint of arrogance in his eyes.

"This time, I want to take back what I lost from that guy!"

As he spoke, he thought of the Kingdom of Goa, and his eyes were cold: "White Knight Gawain… Is just a pirate, after all."

"Humph, you're still so arrogant, little brat!"

Zephyr's Battle Smasher has been debugged, and the valve is spewing out hot steam.

Zephyr walked up to the deck step by step, looking at the naval flag flying on the ship, his eyes gradually becoming firm.

Even though there are various problems within the Marines, it is the pirates who ultimately created the tragedy of this era!

As long as the existence of pirates can be eliminated, even if this world cannot become the ideal garden of Eden, it will be countless times better than it is now.

Zephyr believed this from the bottom of his heart.

He looked at the bounty posted on the deck with cold eyes and said: "I'll start with you to end all the evil in this world!"

A few hours later, the sun gradually sets in the harbor.

The red afterglow fell on the sea, dyeing the entire sea red as if blood was flowing.

Woo!

After several consecutive whistle sounds, several warships slowly sailed out of the harbor and rushed towards Raven Harbor.

The sun sets over the western mountains.

In the arena, the result of the melee in the South Division has come out.

The Nyaban Brothers, Gaza, Van Augur, and Nami teamed up but were still defeated by Senor Pink and Destruction Cannon Ideo.

Although their strength has improved significantly after two months of special training, there is still a clear gap between them and these two.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.

Even the Nyaban Brothers, who were hit head-on by Ideo's Hakai-ho, only lost consciousness because of the thick skin and flesh of the Zoan-type fruit users.

But, the people in the audience finally got the battle royale they had been looking forward to.

The cheers at the scene never stopped from the beginning to the end of the battle in the South Division.

Jango stood on the podium, looking at the countless audiences around him cheering and jumping for joy, and a strange sense of satisfaction arose in his heart.

Even though he was reluctant to admit it, he realized the fact that he seemed to really like the feeling of applause and laughter.

"Now I declare!"

"The winner of the south division is…"

"Destruction Cannon Ideo!"

"And Senor Pink!"

The whole audience burst into applause. The two people on the field looked at each other, then turned around and walked off the arena.

After that came the familiar warm-up session.

By the time the arena was cleared, it was already eight o'clock in the evening.

The last qualifying match, the North Division qualifying match, was held as scheduled.

Most of the day had passed since the Martial Arts Tournament began at noon, but the people in the audience showed no intention of leaving.

Because from the beginning till now, this Martial Arts Tournament has brought them too many surprises.

"From the Gin to Kuro, the side of East Blue shown is much stronger than we thought."

"That's right."

"Although the Nyaban Brothers and Van Augur lost, they also showed a level beyond imagination. In other competitions, they would have been qualified to challenge for the championship, but here, they couldn't even pass the preliminaries."

"Today's last match, what level will it be? I am looking forward to it more and more!"

"Woo—"

Below, the door to the North Division gradually opened.

Nearly a hundred competitors were gearing up for the two qualifying spots, and the atmosphere was tense.

Zoro mingled in the crowd and gradually walked into the arena. He tightly grasped the dagger in his hand while his eyes were looking around, searching for a suitable opponent.

"Mosshead, did you take the wrong medicine?"

Sanji frowned and looked at Zoro, not sure what he was up to.

"You won't understand the affairs of us swordsmen!"

Zoro curled his lips and ignored him completely.

Soon, he then noticed several men who looked like swordsmen. His eyes began to light up immediately, and even the hands holding the daggers were shaking.

Everyone gathered together and confronted each other, waiting for Jango's order to start a melee to compete for the last two qualifying spots.