Chapter 72: Setting Sail

Caesar looked at Yamato. "My goal is to unify this vast sea, to make all nations submit, and to bring peace and order to the world. The identity of a Pirate would be inconvenient."

Yamato was taken aback. "Huh? Didn't we agree to set sail for freedom?"

"That's true," Caesar replied calmly. "But with our current strength, the moment we set sail, we were already free. However, there are still many countries in this world, like the former Wano Country, ruled by violence. There are also the Celestial Dragons, who treat human lives as worthless, sitting high above. These people will try to obstruct our freedom, so we must pull them down from their lofty pedestals!"

"Of course, this won't affect our journey. Even if we're not Pirates, we can still search for treasures and adventure wherever we go."

"Is that so? Alright then!"

Yamato accepted it easily. Under Caesar's guidance over this period, she had stopped obsessing over identity issues. After all, her fundamental reason for setting sail was to freely navigate this vast sea.

"You're really easy to convince…" Bonney lay on the table, pouting, looking at Yamato with exasperation. "So then, what's our identity?"

"For now, let's consider ourselves explorers," Caesar pondered. "Our main goal before the end of next year is to gather like-minded companions. After that, we'll just push forward. Also, there's something I need everyone to keep an eye out for."

As he spoke, Caesar took out a Devil Fruit encyclopedia and flipped to a certain page, revealing a dark purple fruit.

"This fruit is called the Dark-Dark Fruit. If we can find it, I'm confident that within two years, I can completely unify this sea!"

"The Dark-Dark Fruit?" Robin examined the fruit's appearance, deep in thought. "If I recall correctly, each person can only eat one Devil Fruit? So, this fruit is for…"

"There are always some special people in this world," Caesar raised an eyebrow slightly. "If you're really curious, we can discuss it in more detail later."

"Oh? How detailed?" Robin's tone was playful.

Before Caesar could respond, Kuma silently picked up Bonney, covering her ears with his large hands, and watched the two in silence.

Caesar and Robin both chuckled lightly, tacitly agreeing not to continue the topic.

"Dad, what are you doing?" Bonney struggled free from Kuma's hands, completely oblivious to the conversation between Caesar and Robin. In fact, it wasn't just her—Yamato, the simple girl, didn't understand either.

Baby5, on the other hand, understood. Although she always acted like a submissive woman in front of Caesar, her mind was as sharp as anyone else's at other times. However, understanding didn't mean she dwelled on it. Her first thought was how to help Caesar achieve his goal. Embracing the local customs, Baby5 wasn't resistant to certain "traditional practices" of Wano Country. Or rather, for her, Caesar's happiness was more important than anything else.

Caesar glanced around. "Alright, that's all you need to keep in mind. Does anyone have any questions?"

"Me, me, me!" Bonney raised her small hand, her face full of confusion. "Why did my dad and I suddenly become your subordinates? Just because you cured my illness? Shouldn't curing an illness just require payment?"

Hearing this, Kuma was about to explain, but Caesar raised his hand to stop him.

"Let me explain it to her... While it's true that a child's emotions need to be cared for, I've always believed that fostering their understanding of reality is the best way to protect them."

As Caesar spoke, he glanced at Bonney and pulled out a Skull Yugi from his hand.

"This is worth 10,000 Berries. Out on the open sea, an ordinary person would typically need to work an entire day to earn this much. So, what can 10,000 Berries buy?"

"In a country with healthy prices, it could buy 100 newspapers, 20 bottles of drinks, or cover three meals a day for an ordinary person."

"Your illness is called Jade Scale, an extremely rare condition that can only be cured through stem cell transplantation. To fully treat it, you'd need at least several hundred thousand of these."

"Although, given Kuma's strength, he could gather the money by capturing more wanted criminals. But besides the financial aspect, he faces another problem..."

"That is, aside from me, there are no more than three people on this sea capable of performing this surgery for you. And among them, only one has the means to do it—a man named Vegapunk, who is currently under the control of the World Government."

"Kuma was once a member of the Revolutionary Army, and as fate would have it, they are the World Government's greatest enemy. Being rejected is one thing, but if the World Government were to use you as leverage to threaten Kuma... With your intelligence, it shouldn't be hard to guess what kind of terrible things could happen, right?"

"Is that true, Dad...?"

Bonney looked up, her eyes seeking confirmation from Kuma.

Kuma scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Caesar is right."

"But didn't you say I'd be cured by the time I'm ten?"

Bonney pursed her lips, her sharp little mind quickly piecing together the issue. Her beautiful eyes gradually filled with tears.

"As harsh as it sounds, if this illness isn't treated, by the time you're ten, you'll only face death. It's a bit early, but it's the inevitable end for all living beings," Caesar said calmly.

Robin glanced at the teary-eyed Bonney. "Isn't this topic a bit too heavy for a child?"

"Don't underestimate this kid..."

Caesar chuckled lightly, offering no further explanation.

In the original storyline, this girl had set sail at the age of nine, became a Supernova alongside Luffy by ten, and mastered Armament Haki by twelve. Considering that this was two years later in the timeline, it might have happened even earlier.

Moreover, she had stopped Zoro from attacking a Celestial Dragon, escaped from Akainu, infiltrated Mary Geoise alone, and later sneaked onto a World Government ship to head to Egghead Island.

All these actions showed that within just a year of setting sail, she had quickly come to understand the harsh realities of the sea. Even when faced with Kuma, who had lost consciousness and become a slave, she didn't let anger cloud her judgment. Instead, she immediately set her sights on Vegapunk as her target.

This level of maturity and judgment was something many adults lacked.

Therefore, Caesar didn't underestimate her in the slightest. He treated Bonney as an independent, thinking adult, even though she was only six years old.

Bonney, her eyes brimming with tears, looked at Caesar. "So, are you also using me as leverage to make my dad do things for you?"

"Look how quickly she's growing, already putting what she's learned to use."

Caesar pointed at Bonney and laughed heartily.

"No, Bonney."

Kuma carefully wiped away Bonney's tears, as if polishing precious pearls.

"Caesar only extended the invitation to me after he had cured your illness. Overthrowing the rule of the Celestial Dragons is not only Caesar's goal but also the ideal I strive for."

"Is that so? Then can we still go on our trip?"

"Of course we can."

Caesar smiled warmly. "Before we achieve our ultimate goal, we might just travel all over the world. By the way, our future territory is on Sky Island, ten thousand meters above the sea!"

"Really?!"

Bonney's eyes widened, sparkling with anticipation. "Is Sky Island really real?"

"Sky Island indeed exists. It forms due to underwater volcanic eruptions, where Sea Prism Stone particles and steam condense in the cold high altitudes, forming solid Island Clouds. The aggregation of these Island Clouds is the legendary Sky Island."

Caesar explained with a smile. "In the Grand Line, there are moments when the sky suddenly turns dark, which is actually caused by the sunlight being blocked by Sky Island..."

"Ah! Stop talking, stop talking!"

"Shut up, Caesar!"

Yamato and Bonney suddenly pounced on him, their greasy hands firmly covering Caesar's mouth.

"Don't say any more! You're ruining all the excitement, you idiot!" Yamato roared.

"Yeah, yeah!" Bonney nodded vigorously.

"Hehe..."

Robin covered her mouth and chuckled. "I'm quite curious, though. I've heard rumors about it, but I've never seen any records of Sky Island in any literature, not even in Ohara."

"Mmm... Of course! There are only two ways to reach Sky Island—one is a perilous journey, and the other is a complete gamble. For a group of scholars with no combat skills, even entering the Grand Line is an impressive feat."

Caesar struggled free from their hands, his face smeared with grease, looking utterly helpless.

"So, little Bonney, what do you think? Will you stay home and wait for your dad, or will you join us in creating a legend?"

"Of course, I choose the second option! Please take care of me, Vampire Captain! But I don't want to be just an intern or a mascot!"

Bonney clenched her small fists, her face filled with joy. "I want to be a gourmet traveler! I'll eat all the delicacies of the sea and record every journey I take!"

"Ambitious! I support you!"

Caesar slammed the table and stood up. "Then it's settled! Everyone, prepare to set sail!"

"Eh? So soon?"

Kuma looked a bit flustered. "Should I ask Yu Yu and the others to help build a ship? After all, my size..."

"As the captain, how could I not have considered this?"

Caesar waved his hand. "I'll go wash my face. You all get ready too; we're leaving soon!"

"Yeah!!!"

Yamato and Bonney jumped to their feet, cheering loudly.

"Caesar, wait for me! I want to wash up too!"

"Me too, me too!"

Yamato and Bonney trailed behind Caesar, their figures—one large and one small—bouncing with excitement.

Watching the group's lively banter, Robin couldn't help but smile, feeling a glimmer of anticipation for the future.

Soon, the group, having finished their preparations, arrived at the seaside.

As the sea breeze brushed past their hair, Bonney looked eagerly at Caesar.

"So, are we supposed to swim out to sea?"

"Kids shouldn't pick up the habit of sarcasm!"

Caesar casually stuffed a chicken leg into the little girl's mouth, then waved his arm, and a crimson curtain instantly blocked the sunlight above them.

With a snap of his fingers, the crimson hue dissipated, revealing a rather ordinary-looking three-masted ship, eighty meters long and sixty meters high, before the group.

"Wow!! A ship! Such a big ship!"

Bonney, still holding the chicken leg, looked at Caesar with excitement: "Caesar, can you do magic too?"

"...Isn't this already magic?"

Robin was equally astonished. She knew Caesar had some peculiar tricks up his sleeve, capable of conjuring items out of thin air, but she never expected he could summon a ship, and one of such considerable size at that!

"There are actually bigger ones, but with our small crew, anything larger would be hard to manage."

Caesar shook his head regretfully. He had collected ships of various models, the largest being two hundred meters long, but they were all ordinary vessels made in the East Blue.

"The largest cabin on this ship is six meters high, which is a bit cramped for Kuma, but it'll do for now. We'll have a custom one built when we return to the East Blue."

"But the real question is, how will Kuma even get into the cabin with his height?" Robin asked doubtfully.

"We'll just modify it. I know a bit about shipbuilding."

Caesar patted his chest. If there was one thing he could boast about, it was his multitude of skills. "Alright, everyone, board the ship! Kuma, do you want to say goodbye to your friends?"

"Better not."

Kuma glanced at the ship in front of him. He didn't want Caesar's abilities to be exposed to outsiders because of his own affairs.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's set sail!"

Yamato cheered, climbing aboard via the rope ladder, with Baby 5 and Robin following closely behind.

Kuma cradled Bonney in one arm and, with a slap of the air, appeared on the deck in the blink of an eye.

Caesar also flashed onto the ship, using Moon Walk to leap onto the bow with a few bangs, facing the group on the deck.

"From now on, Kuma will be the helmsman, Yamato and Robin will handle the sails, Baby 5 will be the lookout, and Bonney and I will assist! Any questions?"

"I have a question!"

Yamato raised her hand: "What's a sail handler?"

Everyone: "..."

Caesar shook his head helplessly. Sailor duties were considered common knowledge on the seas, but this poor girl had never been to sea, making her ignorance a true marvel in the world of the Pirate King.

"A sail handler is responsible for managing the sails and operating the masts, a type of sailor. Robin, you'll be the main sail handler, is that okay?"

"No problem, Captain," Robin chuckled.

With the abilities of the Flower-Flower Fruit, no one was more suited for the job than her.

"One more question, Captain..."

Kuma looked at Caesar and suddenly posed a critical question: "Do we have a nautical chart?"

"..."

The air suddenly turned deathly silent.

Caesar remained silent, speechless for a moment.

Robin: "Oh dear, this team is doomed."

"Shut up!"

Caesar's face darkened: "Never mind! Let's set sail first! With me around, you definitely won't starve!"

"Haha, someone's throwing a tantrum!"

"Caesar, you big dummy! Nyeh nyeh~"

A burst of laughter immediately echoed across the deck.

Under the sunlight, the sea shimmered with sparkling waves.

With a whooshing sound, the sails were lowered, and the ship slowly sailed toward the horizon.