It was now the next day, and Benimaru had made up his mind—it was time to speak with the five people closest to him. He summoned them to the dining room of the new house he had bought for Wolf, using the money he earned from his thriving business. It didn't take long for everyone he wanted to speak with to arrive. The serious expression on Benimaru's face immediately told them this was an important discussion.
"I've called you all here today to announce something," Benimaru began, his tone direct and unwavering. "I've decided it's time for me to travel the world and broaden my horizons. I'm going to set sail."
There was no sugarcoating—true to his nature, Benimaru got straight to the point.
"Is that your final decision? I mean, I totally support you," Wolf replied, concern lacing his voice, "but aren't you a little young to be starting an adventure?"
Despite knowing Benimaru's strength, Wolf also understood how dangerous the seas could be. The Four Emperors ruled vast territories, and countless other threats lurked across the Grand Line. What Wolf didn't know, however, was that Benimaru's strength had already reached the level of an Emperor—the only thing he had yet to awaken was advanced Conqueror's Haki.
"Yes. Yes, I am," Benimaru replied confidently. "But I know what I'm capable of, and I want to continue progressing in my research. I'll be leaving immediately."
There was no hesitation in his voice. Wolf realized nothing he said could change Benimaru's mind.
"What about your ship?" Law asked, raising a practical concern. "You've been busy designing ours, but you haven't built one for yourself."
"I can fly," Benimaru replied calmly. "I'll be fine. I'll only build a ship once I've formed a crew."
He had already mapped out the steps in his mind. He would fly to the nearby islands, gather a map and compass, and procure a Log Pose. Despite two years of research, he had never managed to acquire one, not even among the lab's many items. He wanted to study its composition thoroughly before setting off.
"If you've really decided you're ready to leave," Wolf said, "then you have my full support." He had always been supportive of Benimaru's decisions, but deep down, he had known this day would come. He just hadn't expected it to arrive so soon.
The other three—Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin—couldn't hold back their tears. Their sadness was written all over their faces. Benimaru wasn't just a friend—he was their mentor, the one who had guided them, trained them, and helped them grow stronger. Over the past two years, he had taught them martial arts. Shachi and Penguin had mastered three of the six Rokushiki techniques, while Bepo and Law had mastered all six and even developed their own unique styles.
As the tears flowed, the three of them rushed Benimaru in a group hug—one he didn't dodge, sensing no ill intent.
"Ughhh, guys," Benimaru muttered with a small smile, trying to comfort them, "it's not like you won't see me again. You're going to set sail too, right? I'm just heading out first. I'll be waiting for you out there."
Meanwhile, Law stood off to the side with his usual stoic expression. He didn't show it on his face, but deep down, he was just as saddened by Benimaru's departure. In his own quiet way, he considered Benimaru a close friend—on the same level as Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin.
----------
Benimaru, Bepo, Law, Penguin, Shachi, and Wolf gathered at the beach where Benimaru had first been found unconscious by the four. For Benimaru, this place symbolized a new beginning—it was the very spot where he first arrived in the world of One Piece. It also marked a turning point in the lives of the others. Wolf had grown immensely as an inventor, and the strength of the four others had evolved to the level of elite marines trained in advanced programs.
"This is the place where you first met me," Benimaru began, his voice calm but filled with emotion. "And I couldn't be more thankful that it was all of you who found me. Everything we experienced together—our growth, our struggles—I'm proud of how far we've all come. We've all changed for the better."
He paused, letting the sound of the waves underscore his words.
"Now, after two years together, I want our parting to happen here—the place where it all began. But I won't say goodbye. I know the four of you will meet me again in the New World in the years to come. So instead, I'll just say… see you later."
Benimaru's words carried deep appreciation. These five had become more than companions—they were his family, the people who stood by him from the start of his journey in this world.
As he finished his speech, tears welled up in Wolf's eyes, barely held back. Meanwhile, Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin were openly bawling, unable to contain their emotions. Through their sobs, they shouted promises to meet again in the future, playfully warning Benimaru that if he didn't make a name for himself by then, they would forcefully recruit him into their own pirate crew.
Benimaru smiled warmly at their teasing.
Without another word, he summoned his wings—now four in number, having evolved over the past two years. Their color remained split down the middle, a symbolic contrast between light and dark. Slowly, he rose into the air, hovering above them as the wind swept across the beach.
Then, without hesitation, he soared into the sky—off to chase his destiny—while the five stood below, watching him go, still waving, still smiling through their tears.
After making sure he was far enough that the five could no longer see him, tears quietly streamed down Benimaru's face. It was something he hadn't wanted them to witness—showing his sorrow would have only made the parting even harder. But now, alone in the sky, Benimaru allowed himself to cry. He was going to miss them deeply. They were more than just companions—they were family. Still, he knew this separation was necessary. This decision, as painful as it was, was the right one. It was time to walk his own path.