Evening descended over Border Island.
Shen Yuan stood tall at the shoreline, arms folded, his gaze fixed on the vast, endless sea.
"Woah—!"
Waves crashed violently against the rocks, flinging seawater high into the sky.
In the distance, a silhouette of a ship emerged from the dusk, sailing forward steadily—like a triumphant general returning from war.
A lone figure stood on the deck, arms behind his back.
"Old Tang!"
Shen Yuan's voice rang out, full of emotion.
The figure on deck waved in recognition, his silhouette outlined by the setting sun.
Gradually, the ship docked.
Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes and examined the vessel—it was unlike any standard marine design.
The ship exuded craftsmanship and majesty. Its hull was forged from the legendary treasure wood Adam, sleek and obsidian black. A flag fluttered high on the mast: the insignia of an ancient death god, bearing a grim reaper's scythe cloaked in shadow.
The deck bore a massive symbol—a steel fist enveloped in black and white lightning bolts, a visual echo of Shen Yuan's will.
"Mr. Shen Yuan!"
Tom leapt off the bow with childlike joy.
"What do you think of this masterpiece?"
Shen Yuan nodded subtly, his sharp eyes scanning the hull.
The ship had three core levels:
—The upper deck, open and broad for maneuvering.
—The mid-deck, housing living quarters, a kitchen, training hall, archives, and meditation chambers.
—The lower deck, a reinforced treasury-vault embedded with elemental seals.
The propulsion system was powered by Dark Gravity Drive—an invention of Shen Yuan himself. It could tap gravitational currents for hyper-acceleration.
"…The keel's lined with seastone, right?"
Tom grinned proudly.
"With all the seastone you smuggled in for us? Of course!"
Shen Yuan extended a hand. Tom grasped it tightly.
"You've only got a year left on your sentence, huh?"
A heavy silence fell between them. Tom's expression darkened—haunted by judicial chains—but then flickered with golden optimism.
"Justice or not, I'll accept what's handed to me… calmly."
Shen Yuan sighed.
"Do you believe in fate?"
Tom looked to the distant sea.
"Fate? It's a myth. You can't measure it, can't fight it—but people let it rule them anyway."
"But you've still fought against it, haven't you?"
Tom chuckled, shaking his head.
"I'm a fishman. Born on the losing side. But I earned my name through shipwright genius, not blood."
The image of Fishman Island shimmered in Shen Yuan's mind—miles below sea level, its beauty hidden from the world.
"Is it because fishmen and humans can't be true comrades?"
Tom's words lingered.
Shen Yuan didn't reply—but his silence said enough.
Tom smiled.
"But aren't we friends now? The world discriminates—against fishmen, against each other. But even light casts shadows, doesn't it?"
Shen Yuan clapped his shoulder.
"Disappear with me. I'll handle your pardon... just not yet."
Tom blinked. "Disappear?"
"Come to Cocoyashi Village with me. I'm going into seclusion. Need to refine my body again."
"Body training?" Tom echoed in confusion.
The two sat together, watching the sea sparkle under twilight, silent companions of a restless world.
A voice broke the moment.
"Master, everyone's packed. Ready to set sail!"
Shen Yuan turned.
Enel, now in modern attire, stood with others: Jean, Kalifa, Tashigi—all carrying bags and bundles.
"Brother Shen Yuan! You're going home? Can Xiaoyu come?"
Before he could answer, a loud laugh rang out.
"Gurarara! Leave the girl with me, brat!"
Whitebeard squatted before Xiaoyu, placing a gentle hand on her head. His eyes held the warmth of a grandfather.
"Then she's yours. The rest of you—aboard!"
Jean, Enel, Kalifa, and Tashigi filed onto the ship.
"Can I… come too?"
Senbonsakura, hands clasped nervously, looked unsure.
Shen Yuan smiled.
"Of course. You're my nakama. Always."
Relieved, she climbed aboard.
Moments later, Thor, the Thunder Beast, leapt to Shen Yuan's shoulder like an old habit rekindled.
Shen Yuan raised a hand.
"I'll name this ship: Hades. Hoist the sails—we sail east!"
No dramatic speeches, no solemn goodbyes.
As he said: "It's not like we won't meet again."
The ship cut through waves, and behind them, the Whitebeard captains wiped at their eyes.
"Come home more often!" Marco shouted.
"Don't vanish forever!" Joz added.
---
Under gravitational propulsion, Hades reached incredible speeds.
Shen Yuan reclined peacefully, eyes closed in contemplation.
"…First stop: Isshin Dojo."
His voice was soft, but resolute.
He had made another discovery.
All his current skills had been maxed out through the Awakening System, leaving the Awakening Skill Tree Points stagnant.
"Tch… That means it's finally time for the Soul-Soul Fruit to change hands."
His three remaining open skill slots hung like voids in his soul.
He would fill them—with the might of awakened Paramecia, Zoan, or Logia powers.
Even if you're a titan like Tiga… I'll strip you down, power and all.
"Master, what's our training in seclusion really for?"
Enel walked over with a bowl of steaming ramen.
"To prepare for war."
"War? You mean, like… marching up to Mariejois and slapping a Celestial Dragon?!"
Shen Yuan gave a meaningful glance, silent but firm.
Enel's face twitched. He coughed, and a noodle flew from his nostril.
Shen Yuan returned to thinking.
If the system itself won't evolve further… then he must push beyond its boundaries.
The Candlelight Aura, while powerful, caused severe backlash: surging blood qi, loss of control.
A price he couldn't afford.
For now, he shelved that concern.
His gaze softened as he looked out toward the East Blue.
His accent hadn't changed, his hair hadn't grayed—but somehow, he felt like a wanderer finally returning home.
"…Enel. I need you to sail Hades to Cocoyashi Village."
Enel blinked.
"What about you?"
"If the Navy shows up, just tell them you're mine. I have business elsewhere."
"Where are you going?"
"Isshin Dojo."
"That tiny dojo? What's there that you—"
Shen Yuan cut him off, eyes narrowed.
"…There's someone there. One day, he'll challenge the Celestial Dragons himself."
Enel froze.
"Who?"
"…Roronoa Zoro."
The man with the steel will.
The man who'd one day cleave fate itself.
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