On the other side, after suffering a crushing blow, Enel no longer dared to act recklessly.
Zephyr's warship was equipped with some kind of instant teleportation device—who knew if other Marine warships had similar technology?
His luck had been incredible so far, but if he ran into another high-ranking Marine officer proficient in Armament Haki, he might actually be finished.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long. After Zephyr's combat training fleet completed its mission and returned to Marine Headquarters, the World Government authorized the Marines to extend an invitation to Enel to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
It was the Marines who recommended Enel's name to the World Government. Based on his combat record, overall strength, and Zephyr's report to Sengoku, Enel's bounty was set at an astonishing 350 million Berries—a level virtually unmatched in the first half of the Grand Line.
Compared to him, other pirates of his era paled in comparison to the might of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
The person chosen to deliver the invitation was none other than Vice Admiral Smoker, the "White Hunter," a newly promoted officer stationed at the G-5 base in the New World—handpicked by Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself.
Sending a fellow Logia user to handle the situation? No issues there.
Smoker, well aware of Enel's abilities, soon tracked down the Thunder God Pirates.
"Well then, I suppose that makes us allies now."
Enel recognized Smoker. Though Smoker hadn't crossed paths with him before he left Skypiea, at Wright's promotion ceremony, Smoker had been publicly acknowledged as one of Wright's direct subordinates. Practically the whole world knew about it.
"Maybe so, but you should know—there are seven Warlords, and not all of them share the Marines' stance."
"You should already understand the rights and responsibilities of the Seven Warlords. Other than mandatory summons from the World Government—which are absolutely non-negotiable—you'll have considerable freedom."
"Now, you need to establish your base of operations and continually suppress pirates in the surrounding waters to maintain order."
Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke, his sharp eyes flashing behind his sunglasses.
"There's one location that might interest you."
"Oh? What kind of place? If it's like Alabasta, forget it. Too many people, too much noise."
Enel rubbed his ears—his powerful Mantra (Observation Haki) made it unbearable to be around large crowds with endless conversations.
"The Raijin Island—situated at the entrance to the New World."
"Oh? That name already sounds appealing!"
Enel perked up just hearing it. "What's special about it?"
"The climate of the New World is beyond bizarre—storms, natural disasters, and unpredictable weather patterns are the norm. Raijin Island is one of its most famous anomalies."
As G-5's base commander, Smoker was well-acquainted with the nearby Raijin Island.
"The entire island is constantly enveloped in lightning, with continuous thunderstorms and bolts of lightning crashing down. It's practically your personal domain."
Enel's eyes widened—what kind of wondrous world was the Blue Sea, to have an island like that?
"The thunderstorms there are so intense that special umbrellas are needed just to avoid getting struck. But for you, I imagine you'll have your own methods."
Enel fell silent for a moment, then tucked away the Warlord invitation.
"When will Admiral Wright fulfill his promise?"
"My goal remains the same—the realm of gods, the boundless land, Vearth. The Blue Sea is merely a temporary foothold."
Smoker nodded. Enel hadn't lost sight of his ambition. He hadn't been bewitched by the wonders of the Blue Sea.
"Soon… The great scientist working on it is said to be 500 years ahead of the world in technology. Constructing an airship is hardly a challenge."
"The blueprints were handed over recently—now, it's just a matter of building it, which will take some time."
"So it's already at that stage…"
Enel's excitement grew. "Alright! Then I'll wait patiently—where is Raijin Island? Take me there."
"No problem."
It was only months after settling on Raijin Island that Enel realized just how close it was to the G-5 base.
"…So you're telling me I'm basically handling half of G-5's pirate suppression duties?!"
Grinding his teeth, Enel muttered, "That damn Admiral Wright must have planned this from the start… There's a limit to how much someone should be used, damn it!"
However, knowing he still hadn't mastered Armament Haki—and even if he did, reaching Wright's level would take who knew how long—Enel could only sigh in frustration.
And so, gritting his teeth, Enel became the model Warlord, diligently hunting down pirates in the surrounding seas—partly for training, partly to vent his anger.
Meanwhile, in the East Blue, Admiral Wright—blissfully unaware of Enel's complaints—had just bid farewell to his master and his fellow disciples at the dojo, returning to Marine Headquarters with Kuina.
During their visit to Shimotsuki Village, Wright and Kuina learned that Zoro had finally set sail.
That's right—Roronoa Zoro, now nearly 17 years old, had been unable to suppress his desire to venture into the world after seeing reports of Wright's promotion. Armed with the Great Grade Sword "Nidai Kitetsu," he had officially begun his journey.
However…
"Zoro told me he'd return about once a month for meditation and training, but it's already been two months…"
Koushirou sighed with a wry smile. "If I hadn't heard anything bad about him, I'd be worried something had happened."
"..."
Wright immediately had a bad feeling.
But to preserve the green-haired swordsman's dignity, he decided not to share his suspicions with his master.
At that moment, a certain green-haired swordsman was stepping off a merchant ship, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
"…Where am I?"
"Hey, old man, how do I get to Shimotsuki Village?"
"Head south? But the last island I asked for directions also said south!"
"Wait… which way is south?!"
"…Where am I??"
The old man who had just given him directions stared at him with an expression that screamed, Are you a hopeless lost cause?
"I'm not directionally challenged! It's definitely the ship's fault!"
…
After wandering aimlessly for weeks and spending the last of his money, Zoro, now starving, turned his gaze toward a group of pirates eyeing his Nidai Kitetsu with greed.
"Yahaha! Kid, that sword looks pretty nice. Sell it to me for 500 Berries!"
"Get lost."
"Hah! Feisty, huh? No need to sell it—boys, take him down and grab that sword!"
"Yes, boss!"
As the pirates charged at him, Zoro's hungry eyes narrowed, and a sharp grin spread across his face.
"If I can't make it back to the village… then from now on, I'll follow my senior brother's path!"
"More importantly… these guys have bounties, don't they?"
The Nidai Kitetsu flashed, and in the next instant, Zoro vanished.
The pirate captain barely had time to gloat before he saw his men collapse one after another.
"This guy—"
Behind him, Zoro's voice rang out.
"What's your bounty, again?"
A sharp pain shot through the pirate's back. He fell forward, unconscious.
And so, driven by both survival and ambition, a new legend in the East Blue was born.
The name "Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro" began to spread far and wide.
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