"Is this money… for the Four Emperors' Noodles?"
Fujitora set down his wine glass and sighed.
"It's like this. Before coming here, I rescued two children on the edge of the Doldrums and returned them to their hometown in the West Sea."
"The place was nearly in ruins—starving, homeless people everywhere. So, I plan to go back and use this money to help them get medical treatment and rebuild their homes..."
"What? You lost so badly, and the money you finally earned is all spent in one go?"
Shano interrupted Fujitora, dissatisfied.
"Hey! Don't make this incredible act of righteousness sound as casual as drinking a glass of wine, Yixiao!"
As he spoke, he casually pulled out a bag and tossed it in front of Fujitora.
"What's this?"
Fujitora was slightly startled.
"Money! Freshly extorted from the World Government. I can't spend it all."
Shano poured himself another glass of wine cheerfully. "Three hundred million berries won't be enough to rebuild an entire town, so let's add this to the fund I'm giving you!"
Fujitora subconsciously weighed the bag... It had more than what was in his own suitcase—at least four or five hundred million berries.
First meeting, a complete stranger, and he's just giving this to me?
He smiled bitterly, then carefully stashed the purse and raised his wine glass.
"Sir Shano, you… are too generous and trust me too much."
"What's the big deal? I got it from the World Government for free anyway."
Shano didn't care. He clinked glasses with him and drank deeply. Then suddenly, he shifted the tone:
"But, Yixiao, have you ever thought that relying on just yourself to help people wherever you go is merely patching up wounds? It can treat the symptoms, not the root cause."
"…"
Fujitora was silent for a moment. He put down his glass and replied in a deep voice, "Your Excellency means...?"
"This world is rotten to the core."
Shano said slowly, "Since I went to sea, I've been like you—doing my best to help wherever I go. But what then?"
"Nothing changes after we leave. Pirates still flood to the Grand Line. Sky Gold still strangles people. The common folk are caught in the middle with no power to resist, just like this fragile glass…"
Snap!
The wine glass shattered instantly.
The landlady, kneeling nearby as she scrubbed the floor, flinched and glanced at Shano resentfully.
"Ah, sorry! I'll compensate you when we pay!" Shano scratched his head in embarrassment.
When the landlady turned away, he looked back at Fujitora sincerely:
"Without fundamentally changing how things work, tragedies like this will just repeat. It's a vicious cycle. No matter how much we patch it up, we can only save the moment—not forever."
"I understand your point, sir."
Fujitora hesitated, then shook his head and sighed. "But saying it is one thing, doing it is another. Anyone with such grand ambition must face the colossus known as the World Government!"
"This world has seen too many heroes. After witnessing the power of the World Government, they retreated—or worse, after gaining power, they changed. Take Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, for example..."
"Kaido?"
Smoker, listening nearby, was surprised.
There's a story about that guy?
"Yeah. Even though he's now a tyrant in Wano Country," Fujitora recalled, "when he was young, Kaido had a spirit similar to Lord Shano's. He once declared he'd change the world by his own hand..."
"So what?"
Shano laughed loudly, arrogance in his tone.
"Do you think I'll become the next Kaido? Don't be ridiculous! He's on a completely different level—don't compare me with that guy!"
"At nineteen, I was already almost at the top of the world. What about Kaido at nineteen? Could he even beat Smoker?"
Hey, boss, don't use me as a measuring stick!
Smoker's eye twitched.
Fujitora was silent. He couldn't refute the facts.
"Anyway,"
Shano poured himself a new glass and continued.
"From childhood to now, my favorite thing has been overcoming the impossible. A dream is worth chasing because it seems impossible."
He gulped down his drink and spoke with great pride,
"Hey, Yixiao! I promise you—if you join us, you won't just be helping people. You'll be creating a new era with others who share your ideals!"
"And even if we fail... so what? The story will have already been written. The future will remember us!"
Be moved, Fat Tiger!
He doesn't believe this man has no ambition. He doesn't believe Fujitora wants to walk alone forever.
The strongest in the world always carry their own convictions.
Otherwise, Fujitora wouldn't have entered the World Military Draft and competed for Admiral in the first place!
But now, things are different. With him around, The Ender is a better home than Marineford!
"..."
Fujitora fell into deep silence.
His hand stroked the bag full of money. His mind flashed with images of crying children, broken ruins, and countless injustices...
At last, everything faded, and his eyes fixed on the man laughing at the table.
This man wasn't someone easily persuaded by words.
But before meeting Shano, he had already studied and verified his history thoroughly.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have sat and drunk with a pirate marked by the World Government.
The world's number one swordsman—Shano.
His character was trustworthy;
His strength was unquestionable;
And now, Fujitora had personally experienced his indomitable will...
This man might truly be worth following.
"I have a condition," Fujitora finally said.
"Tell me."
"Please remember what I said tonight. If one day, you break your promise and go down Kaido's path…"
Fujitora raised his staff, his empty eyes wide open, exposing the whites. A chilling pressure filled the air, making even Smoker's hair stand on end.
"Then, don't blame me for personally sending you to hell with this supremely sharp sword."
"No problem,"
Shano agreed without hesitation. "If that day ever comes, believe me—you won't have to do it. Robin, Kuma, Smoker—none of them will let me go."
So that's it? Fujitora glanced at Smoker, mildly surprised.
Smoker, however, was staring in shock at Fujitora's staff…
Could this ragged staff actually be one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords?
On the same level as Hawkeye's or Whitebeard's blades...?
You'd never guess!
"It seems, just as you said, there are indeed many like-minded people aboard your ship. I look forward to fighting alongside them."
Fujitora sheathed his staff and solemnly said,
"In that case, from now on, you are my captain, Lord Shano."
"However…" he added, "I have some matters to handle. I won't be able to set sail with you immediately."
"Returning to the West Sea to conclude your lone ranger career?"
Shano had expected this. He glanced at Fujitora's suitcase and grinned. "That's fine. Go take care of it. How long will it take?"
"Not long. Three to four months at most,"
Fujitora said apologetically. "After that, I'll join you. Before that, I also want to meet with an old friend—someone who once invited me to join the navy."
Old friend?
Who?
Smoker was curious but didn't speak up.
Shano didn't seem to care. He simply picked up the bottle and filled their glasses.
"No problem. It's a deal. We'll hold a proper welcome party for you in a few months. As for tonight…"
He chuckled, "Let's keep it simple. Let's drink first!"
Clink!
The three raised their glasses high, and the crisp sound rang clearly through the quiet tavern...
That night,
Fujitora parted ways with Shano and quickly left the city of gambling.
The rest of the crew relaxed through the night.
The next day at noon, after resupplying, The End set sail again—heading straight for Totland.
Not far now.
Late January — Springtime in Totland.
Biscuit Island.
The northwesternmost of the 36 islands of the Totland Sea.
It belonged to Cracker, one of the Four Sweet Stars.
As the tea party neared, this island was designated a western reception point.
All guests arriving from this direction had to register here. Only those verified could proceed to the heart of Totland: Cake Island.
Charlotte Custard stood at the dock, her violet hair blowing gently in the sea breeze. A trace of worry and tension was in her eyes.
She was Big Mom's sixth daughter and Cracker's full sister.
Though not a Minister, her brother's status made Biscuit Island half her domain.
That's why she'd been assigned to receive guests here.
Ordinary guests were easy—just follow protocol.
But this time...
"Hey, Cracker."
Custard whispered, "Mom suddenly gave me a name and asked me to reach out to him... but I've never dated anyone. This is too hard..."
"Hard? This is a golden opportunity, you idiot!"
A deep voice echoed behind her. A towering biscuit soldier emerged from the shadows—Cracker was hidden inside its armor.
"Don't be scared of his reputation. No matter how strong he is, he's still a man. And men… are lustful."
"You're beautiful and charming. If you can win him over, marry him, our Charlotte Family will gain an incredible top-tier force. And you'll rise to the top in Mom's eyes!"
"Beautiful…?"
Custard sat on the grass, rubbing her face in frustration. "Even if you say so… Cracker, I'm really not confident…"
She was cute, yes. The younger sisters liked her.
But truth be told—next month, she'd be forty.
Old enough to be that Shano's mother.
Would he even be interested?
"Shut up!"
Cracker snapped. "If I hear you talk like that again, I'll beat the depression out of you! Cheer up!"
He smacked her on the forehead.
"And don't think you're the only one with orders. Garrett, Smoothie, even Brûlée were summoned and lectured. This tea party—we're all aiming to bring Shano into the family!"
"You're not any worse than them—in my eyes at least. Show some confidence and composure!"
Confidence… composure…
Custard rubbed her red forehead, stood tall, and tried to look composed.
Just then, a ship came into view.
A white flag with crossed swords flew high.
"There it is! That's the ship!"
Cracker's eyes lit up. He gave her a push. "Hurry up! Get to the end of the dock! First impressions count!"
Custard stumbled to the pier's end, eyes fixed on the famous ship The End, drawing closer.
Standing at its bow—
A black-haired, black-clad young man stood still, as if commanding the wind. His mere presence dimmed the world around him.
Her breath caught in her throat.
So handsome.
The wanted poster didn't do him justice.
Seeing him in person—the charisma was overwhelming.
If she was just trying to complete her mother's task before, now… she felt genuinely excited.
Custard took a deep breath, calming her pounding heart. She was about to put on her sweetest smile when—
Her steps froze. Her eyes widened.
On the deck—
Smoothie leaned lazily on the railing, sipping orange soda. She raised her glass and smiled.
Beside her stood several sisters—Garrett, Miukulu, and more—all watching.
What?!
Custard clenched her teeth.
All the women assigned by Mom... are already here?