Chapter 110: A Difference

On an island floating in the sky.

A middle-aged man with golden hair was holding a newspaper, reading it carefully.

"Oh? Two Admirals and Garp together couldn't beat one young man?"

"Hahaha, how interesting!"

Shiki the Golden Lion stared at the newspaper in his hand and laughed heartily.

It was unbelievable that such a powerful newcomer had appeared on the sea.

What pleased him even more was that both Garp and Akainu had been injured, and the World Government was now focusing all its attention on Caelan.

"This really is a godsend!"

The Golden Lion crushed the newspaper in his hand, ambition blazing in his eyes.

His mutated animals were fully trained, and the power he had built over the past 20 years had reached its peak.

He had been dormant for two decades, and now was the perfect time to make a comeback and announce his return to the world.

"Little ones, head to the East Blue and shake the world!"

The Golden Lion summoned all his subordinates and roared loudly.

"Destroy the East Blue and dominate the world!"

"Destroy the East Blue and dominate the world!"

Thousands of pirates tore their shirts and shouted fanatically.

They followed the legendary pirate who was about to conquer the world.

The Golden Lion controlled the floating island ship and set course for the East Blue.

...

One day later, on a dark and windy night.

Caelan, Gion, Gecko Moria, and the others entered the palace of Alabasta with King Cobra's help.

"I didn't expect King Cobra to dare take the risk of sheltering the World Government's enemy. Aren't you afraid of being held accountable?"

Gion looked at King Cobra with a dangerous tone.

She had never imagined that a World Government member country would dare welcome the enemy of the Government.

To her, this felt like betrayal.

"I don't know whether he's the World Government's enemy. I only know he's Alabasta's hero."

"When Crocodile brought disaster to Alabasta, the Marines didn't lift a finger."

Cobra was completely unafraid and responded calmly with a touch of sarcasm.

Of course, he feared the trouble that could come with Caelan's presence, but this country was saved by Caelan. How could he turn away its hero?

And killing scum like the Celestial Dragons was something Cobra had long wanted to do himself, though he lacked the courage.

"This…"

Gion realized she didn't have a rebuttal and fell silent.

In many cases, the Marines had indeed failed. Especially in Alabasta, a member nation of the World Government, they had been completely useless, leaving Caelan to be the one to save it.

"Haha, now you know how amazing I am. Before I came, there wasn't even a trace of justice here!"

Caelan wrapped an arm around Gion's shoulder and laughed.

"Hmph!"

Gion shook off Caelan's arm but didn't argue back.

Since Caelan's rise to fame, she had also looked into his record.

Suppressing pirates in the East Blue, wiping out the Arlong Pirates that terrorized civilians, and executing the corrupt Captain Nezumi who colluded with pirates...

Before Caelan appeared, even the weakest sea, the East Blue, was overrun with pirates. The Marines not only did nothing but even protected or worked with them.

Once Caelan appeared, the East Blue was cleaned up quickly.

If not for the existence of the Celestial Dragons, maybe Caelan really would've been the Marines' best partner.

Gion sighed inwardly.

When Caelan stepped into the palace, Nami and the other girls, who had been waiting anxiously, immediately surrounded him.

"Caelan, thank goodness you're okay!"

Vivi, Nami, and Tashigi all reached out to check him over, concerned about his injuries.

Even though the newspapers had reported Caelan's safety, they had still worried, since he had fought against two Admirals and a legendary Vice Admiral.

They only relaxed when they found no wounds on him after their careful check.

"What could happen to me? Just a little wind and chill."

Caelan smiled and let them inspect him without complaint.

After confirming Caelan was unhurt, Nami and the others shifted their focus to Gion.

No wonder Caelan insisted on bringing her back. Even they had to admit that Gion was graceful, heroic, and very attractive.

"She's a partner I went through great trouble to recruit. Don't start making things up."

Caelan scratched his head and spoke confidently.

The girls all rolled their eyes at Caelan but didn't say anything.

"He and I are enemies. Don't overthink it."

Gion pouted and stated firmly.

She had seen through Caelan's nature. He didn't bring her back to recruit her for justice or the Marines. It was clearly because he was taken by her looks.

Otherwise, why not kidnap Tokikakke?

But she absolutely would not let Caelan have his way.

Nami and the girls just giggled.

They glanced at each other, wondering how long it would take for Gion to fall.

A month? Two months? Probably not long.

Gion looked annoyed at their teasing expressions.

"Enough about that, let's eat."

Caelan noticed the awkward tension and quickly changed the subject.

The banquet was prepared by Cobra. Though time had been short, the spread was impressive.

Having just come out of an intense battle, Caelan thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

After a full night's rest, Caelan and his group were ready to depart again.

They were now public enemies of the World Government and could not stay in Alabasta.

Not because Caelan feared them, but because the country couldn't handle the consequences of a war.

As dawn broke, Caelan and his crew boarded the new ship Cobra had prepared for them and set sail once more.

Vivi stood on the shore, looking out at the golden desert that faded into the distance, worry lingering in her eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll protect this country."

Caelan gently patted Vivi's back, reassuring her.

He had left behind a summoning rune he learned from Heracles' memories after achieving 100% completion inside the palace, allowing him to be summoned as a Heroic Spirit in times of crisis.

...

Out at sea.

The new Wind Rider sailed in front, with Gecko Moria's ship trailing behind.

Yes, Caelan was a sentimental man, and the new ship was also named Wind Rider.

On the deck, Nami spent 100 Berries to buy a newspaper from the News Coo, looking distressed as she handed it over.

[The legendary pirate Golden Lion has arrived in the East Blue, leading a beast army in a campaign to destroy the sea!]

"Is he crazy? What grudge does he have with the East Blue? Why does he want to destroy it?!"

Nami stared at the headline in shock and anxiety.

The East Blue was her hometown. It was also home to Nojiko and the people of Cocoyasi Village. She couldn't allow the Golden Lion to destroy it.

Caelan took the newspaper and was a bit surprised.

According to the current timeline, the Golden Lion should still be floating above the sea. Why had he moved so quickly?

But since he had already made a move, then it would be dealt with accordingly.

"Don't worry. He may want to destroy the East Blue, but I won't allow it."

Caelan patted Nami's shoulder and said firmly.

After all, the East Blue was where he originated, and it was home to many of his crew's friends and families.

Coincidentally, he was about to unlock a new template. The legendary pirate Golden Lion made for a perfect test run.

"Okay!"

Nami nodded, her heart settling.

In the next moment, she activated the power of the Cloud-Cloud Fruit, accelerating the Wind Rider forward.

Caelan turned back toward the cabin. Now that everything was under control, it was time to unlock a new template.

Gion watched Caelan's back and felt a change stirring in her heart.

She had thought he was just a dangerous, arrogant man. But now, he seemed to possess a strong sense of justice.

Following him and upholding justice didn't feel all that different from being in the Marines.

No, there was a difference.

At least, under him, there were no disgusting Celestial Dragons looming overhead.

(To be continued.)

***

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