On the deck of the Training Ship heading to Elbaf.
Orion sat upright at a round wooden table, holding a newspaper freshly delivered by a News Coo.
The front-page headline was striking—"Hachinosu Island No More, Fleet Admiral Executes 200,000 Pirates."
Accompanying it was an aerial panoramic photo.
The once pirate paradise now only had the lonely Rocky Port bay left, like an ugly scar.
Beyond the bay, there was no land, only the turbulent, endless sea.
A landmark of an era, along with the dark history it carried, had sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
"Fleet Admiral."
Morgan approached with steady steps, came to a halt before the table, and gave a crisp military salute.
"Shall I report today's work now?"
Orion's gaze remained fixed on the newspaper as he uttered a single word indifferently.
"Report."
Morgan immediately retrieved a neatly organized work report from his pocket and began reporting with a serious expression.
"First matter: the Science Unit reports a breakthrough. Dr. Vegapunk has completed preliminary experiments on the Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit and Paramecia-type Chop-Chop Fruit abilities. With the full cooperation of Revolutionary Army member Bartholomew Kuma, the doctor's experiments have achieved groundbreaking progress. A new Pacifista model integrating Rumble-Rumble Fruit abilities with laser beams has entered the combat testing phase."
Morgan paused, his tone barely concealing excitement, "Additionally, following your suggestion, the doctor successfully integrated the Chop-Chop Fruit abilities with the Pacifista. Theoretically, this model of Pacifista may achieve the transformation and free recombination you mentioned."
Orion narrowed his eyes slightly, finally setting down the newspaper and crossing his legs, a smile appearing on his face.
"This is good news. Anything else?"
"Yes." Morgan nodded and continued, "Second matter: regarding the 'nation-to-city conversion' process for World Government affiliate nations. To date, fifty-three former affiliate nations with populations exceeding one million have successfully completed the transition. The special commissioners dispatched by the World Government have fully adopted the recommendations from the Wano Country advisory team after taking over. The reform work is progressing rapidly with extremely positive public response."
Orion blinked, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Fifty-three nations? That exceeds my expectations. It seems Crocodile has truly been working like a beast recently. With so many places requiring the 'Wano Country Model,' he must be the busiest person in the world right now."
Morgan grinned: "Mayor Crocodile was the first to earn your trust, so he naturally shoulders this heavy responsibility. However, his personal capabilities are indeed exceptional. Even Admiral Gion remarked the other day that she couldn't match his achievements."
Orion waved his hand: "Continue."
"Understood. The third matter comes from Sphinx." Morgan turned a page in his report, his expression turning somewhat peculiar.
"Captain Rio stationed there reports that the Whitebeard Pirates have been unusually quiet recently. At noon today, Whitebeard himself even participated in local land reclamation work and became quite popular with the children."
"He used his Tremor-Tremor Fruit abilities to help the children cultivate large tracts of land. As of the intelligence report, Whitebeard had single-handedly reclaimed all planned wasteland in Sphinx."
Morgan cleared his throat and added: "Other Whitebeard Pirate commanders are also fully participating. Marco the Phoenix handles weed burning, Vista leads children in lumberjacking, while Jozu guides another group of children in road construction through mountains. They've become very popular in Sphinx now."
After listening, Orion blinked in unexpected surprise and chuckled.
"How interesting. Using the Tremor-Tremor Fruit for land reclamation - has Whitebeard finally discovered the proper use for his ability?"
Morgan blinked tentatively: "With Whitebeard choosing to return to his hometown as an ordinary person, Fleet Admiral, how do you plan to handle this? Will you grant them retirement opportunity, or..."
Before he could finish, earth-shaking cheers suddenly erupted from the ship's bow.
"Elbaf! I'm coming—"
Luffy pressed down on his straw hat with one hand while excitedly pointing with the other toward the imposing silhouette of the massive island ahead.
"Giant Warrior! Giant Warrior!" Usopp stood beside him, his eyes transformed into star shapes, practically drooling with excitement.
Chopper bounced up and down alongside him, stomping his hooves in exhilaration.
Other trainees on the deck gathered upon hearing the commotion, gazing toward the legendary Giant Kingdom of Elbaf across the way.
Everyone's attention was captured by the colossal tree that seemed to connect the sky and earth.
The Adam Treasure Tree.
Its trunk was unimaginably thick, like a giant pillar holding up the sky.
Several waterfalls cascaded down from its crown like silver rivers, refracting dazzling light under the sun.
Lush branches and leaves layered upon each other, resembling floating green clouds in the sky.
Beneath the giant tree stretched continuous mountain ranges.
A massive rainbow bridge arched across the sky, connecting different regions.
Most awe-inspiring was an indescribably enormous longsword.
It slanted down from above the clouds, piercing through the entire island, its tip submerged in the darkness of the lowest layer.
The intangible aura it emitted made everyone who saw it feel a palpitation in their hearts.
"Such... such a big tree!" Nami murmured to herself, her navigational logbook falling to the ground unnoticed.
"That sword..." Zoro's breathing instantly became rapid, his hand unconsciously gripping the hilt of his Wado Ichimonji, his eyes burning with unprecedented fervor.
Sanji, cigarette dangling from his lips, let ashes fall all over his clothes: "With a place this big, think of all the amazing ingredients there must be!"
Trafalgar Law pressed down his hat brim, his gaze flickering behind his lenses.
"What an unreasonable place."
The entire training ship was immersed in the silent shock brought by Elbaf.
...
Meanwhile.
In Elbaf, The Sunny World, Walrus School.
Ripley, who was teaching a group of giant children, suddenly turned her head to look out the window.
In the corridor, Gaban had appeared at some point, his expression grave as water.
Without moving his lips, his voice directly reached Ripley's ears through invisible Observation Haki.
"Class is dismissed for today. The Marine Training Ship led by the Fleet Admiral has arrived. Take the children to the library immediately."
Ripley's pupils constricted sharply.
Before she could react, Gaban's figure outside the window had already vanished.
Moments later, atop the cliffs of West Village.
Gaban stood alone here, looking down from above at the endless sea below, letting the strong winds whip at his clothes.
Watching the slowly approaching Marine Training Ship through binoculars, he spoke to himself.
"Fleet Admiral Orion! It's been a long time!"
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