Chapter 353: A Warm Respite!

At the former G-1 Branch, now the new Marine Headquarters, inside the Fleet Admiral's office.

Sakazuki stood before a wide floor-to-ceiling window, clutching a freshly delivered copy of the latest World Economic Journal in his hand.

On the front page, a massive high-definition photo took up the entire layout.

Admiral Candidate Fujitora, leading hundreds of Marine soldiers, was kneeling on both knees toward the civilians of Dressrosa and the formerly slandered King Riku!

Looking at the headline and the glaring photo, Sakazuki trembled violently with uncontrollable rage.

His habitually cold face was now contorted with fury, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

A surge of intensely hot, dark-red magma suddenly welled up from his arm, dripping onto the desk below, which was crafted from precious wood.

Accompanied by a puff of acrid smoke and a burnt smell, the wide desk was melted in an instant by the high temperature.

"Get that blind man on his private line immediately!"

Sakazuki let out a roar at his trembling adjutant outside the door.

Soon, the dedicated encrypted Den Den Mushi was dialed through.

"Issho! Do you have any idea what you've done, you bastard?!"

Sakazuki erupted into a deafening roar into the receiver, his voice so loud that even the guards outside couldn't help but cover their ears.

"You haven't just made the Marines and the World Government the laughingstock of the entire sea."

"You've trampled the justice and dignity that our Marines have always upheld into the dirt!"

"Who gave you permission to take it upon yourself to kneel and apologize on behalf of the Government?!"

Facing the Fleet Admiral's volcanic rage, Fujitora, far away in Dressrosa, showed no sign of backing down.

"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki."

"If this so-called dignified face of justice must be barely maintained by covering up the sinful lies of the World Government and the Shichibukai..."

"...then we are better off without such a hypocritical face!"

"I only do what I believe is right, and I will never let innocent people suffer through deception again."

"If you wish to strip me of my position as an Admiral Candidate, I have no complaints and am willing to take full responsibility."

"You insolent fellow..."

Sakazuki's breathing was ragged with anger, his chest heaving violently.

"Fine! Since you're so principled, then listen well!"

"Until you personally bring back the heads of Straw Hat Luffy and Trafalgar Law, you are not permitted to set foot inside the gates of any Marine base on this sea!"

"That is a Fleet Admiral's order!"

"Suits me just fine!"

"In that case, I shall wander this sea for a while longer."

Click!

With a crisp sound, the Den Den Mushi's eyes closed.

Fujitora had actually hung up on the Fleet Admiral unilaterally without hesitation.

Hearing the dial tone from the receiver, Sakazuki let out an angry roar and smashed a huge, charred crater into the wall beside him with a punch.

"Get Admiral Kizaru in here!"

"Yes! Fleet Admiral Sakazuki!"

...

Meanwhile, in Dressrosa.

Two full days had passed since that earth-shattering final battle.

The dark clouds that had shrouded the country had long since dispersed, and warm sunlight once again bathed the scarred land.

The entire nation was in the midst of post-disaster reconstruction; citizens carrying timber and moving stones could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys.

Though their bodies were weary, everyone's face beamed with a heartfelt smile from regained freedom.

On the edge of the King's Plateau, there was a simple wooden hut that had survived amidst the ruins.

This was the place where Kyros once lived.

At this moment, the Straw Hat crew, who had saved the country, were gathered in this quiet hut, enjoying a long-awaited period of relaxation and peace after the great war.

Sunlight streamed through the wooden windows into the room, and the air was filled with a peaceful atmosphere.

In one corner of the room, Nami was spreading a detailed nautical chart across a wooden table.

Resting her chin on one hand, she was seriously discussing the upcoming route with Kyros, who stood nearby.

They were also discussing the complex and ever-changing ocean currents in the waters near Dressrosa, making rigorous preparations for the pirate crew's next departure.

At another table not far away, Robin was holding a cup of steaming black tea.

She was focused on recording something in her notebook.

On the other side of the room, however, it was a completely different, lively scene.

"SUPER—! Behold my craftsmanship!"

Franky, wearing goggles, was waving his welding tools with great enthusiasm.

Accompanied by dazzling blue sparks flying everywhere, pieces of fine steel were skillfully joined together by him.

At Rebecca's sincere request, he was custom-building a cool mechanical prosthetic leg—full of manly romance and high mobility—for Kyros, who had lost his left leg.

In the open space inside the house, the atmosphere was at its peak of joy.

Usopp stood with his hands on his hips atop an upturned wooden barrel, gesticulating wildly as he was surrounded by a group of Tontatta little people.

He was loudly recounting his non-existent heroic achievements with spittle flying:

"You guys have no idea!"

"At that time, I, the great hero 'Uso-land,' was leading a full eight thousand elite subordinates, fighting across the four seas in the midst of a violent storm!"

"Faced with a Sea King larger than a mountain, I used only one finger to easily subdue it!"

"Waaaah! So amazing! As expected of King Uso-land!"

The simple little people were stunned, crying out in surprise with eyes full of worshipful little stars.

Sitting nearby, Chopper and Brook had long been unable to stand straight from laughing at Usopp's increasingly outrageous tall tales.

Chopper clutched his furry belly, rolling on the floor.

Brook slapped his thigh exaggeratedly, letting out his signature laugh:

"Yohohoho! Mr. Usopp's stories are truly too interesting, my stomach is going to hurt from laughing..."

"Even though I don't have a stomach to begin with, yohohoho!"

Amidst this cheerful atmosphere, the kitchen curtain was pulled back.

Sanji carried an exquisite silver tray, upon which sat a delicious dish that had just been carefully prepared.

He walked over to Rebecca with elegant steps and gently handed the tray to her.

"You've worked hard, Miss Rebecca. Please try this recovery dish I've specially made for you."

Rebecca took the food, and smelling the mouth-watering aroma, she looked up and gave a sweet smile:

"Thank you so much, Mr. Sanji."

"I've troubled you to take care of me these past two days."

Hearing the beautiful girl's gentle words of thanks, Sanji's serious gentlemanly facade instantly collapsed.

His whole body was like it had been hit by an electric current, instantly turning into an irredeemable love-struck fool.

His eyes turned into two large, beating red hearts, and his entire body wiggled happily on the spot like a cooked noodle:

"Ooooh Rebecca-chan's thanks is like a healing nectar for my soul"

Rebecca looked at Sanji's reaction with a bit of amusement, then carried the plate of food to a wide floor mattress in the corner.

There, Luffy was sprawled out, fast asleep and snoring.

However, the moment Rebecca approached with the food, an amazing spectacle occurred.

Luffy, in his deep sleep, suddenly twitched his nose twice.

Immediately after, his large mouth opened with unerring precision and lunged forward, biting the largest piece of roasted meat from the tray in one go.

"Munch munch... delicious..."

Luffy's eyes remained closed as he rhythmically munched on the meat, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

This miraculous "Sleep-Eating Technique" made Rebecca, who was holding the plate, let out a gasp of wonder:

"No matter how many times I see it, it's still surprising."

"Just how is Mr. Luffy built...?"

...

Meanwhile, outside the house.

Night had already fallen, and the soft moonlight poured like water onto the lush lawn, with the occasional crisp chirping of insects nearby.

Zoro and Tatsuya lay side-by-side comfortably on the lawn outside the small wooden hut, hands behind their heads, casually chatting about the next part of their journey.

As a night breeze brushed through the treetops, causing the leaves to rustle slightly,

a slender figure silently appeared in the shadows outside the hut.

It was Sabo, wearing his goggles and top hat.

Sabo didn't immediately push the door open to interrupt the gathering inside.

He stood not far from the window, quietly watching the lively and warm scene inside through the bright glass.

Seeing Luffy's carefree sleeping face in the company of his comrades, Sabo's gaze became incredibly soft.

Sensing the familiar presence outside, Tatsuya, who was lying on the lawn, sat halfway up.

He turned his head and casually waved a hand in greeting:

"Yo, if it isn't the Chief of Staff."

"Is your Revolutionary Army's investigation mission in this country finished?"

Hearing Tatsuya's voice, Sabo withdrew his gaze from the window and smiled slightly.

He nodded, walked over to the two of them, and sat down directly on the grass.

Sabo reached into his coat and pulled out a small piece of paper, handing it to Tatsuya.

It was his Vivre Card.

"Yeah, the mission here in Dressrosa has been successfully completed."

"Thanks to you guys pulling Doflamingo down, it's been a huge help to us."

"I originally wanted to wait for Luffy to wake up to say a proper goodbye, but an emergency contact signal came from the Revolutionary Army headquarters, so I have to leave first."

"Luffy has been prone to acting reckless since he was a kid; out on the sea, I'll have to ask you guys to look after him more."

Tatsuya reached out and took the Vivre Card, tucking it away safely.

At this point, Zoro, who had been lying there all along, asked:

"Aren't you going in to say goodbye to Luffy in person?"

"If that guy wakes up and finds out you snuck off, he'll probably throw a tantrum."

Sabo stood up straight, his back to the two men sitting on the ground.

He reached out and coolly adjusted his signature top hat.

"No need."

"Men sailing on this sea never say goodbye in person."

"Our bond doesn't need words to be expressed."

After saying this, he strode off, his back looking incredibly lonely and cool, preparing to vanish into the deep night without looking back.

Looking at Sabo's back, which was radiating an "I'm so cool" aura,

Tatsuya put his hands back behind his head and lay back down on the soft grass.

He looked at the starry sky and tonelessly spat out two words:

"Poser."

Hearing this perfectly accurate, sharp-tongued remark,

Zoro, lying next to him, froze for about two seconds.

Then, he could no longer hold his expression and burst into a fit of uncharacteristic, wild laughter while clutching his stomach.

Sabo, who was just about to enjoy the atmosphere of a solitary departure, suddenly halted his steps.

The cool and profound vibe he had worked so hard to create shattered into a floor full of glass shards at that moment.

Sabo turned around, exasperated, and shouted at the two guys on the lawn who were clearly enjoying the show at his expense:

"Hey! I haven't even gone that far yet!"

"Crimson Lotus, you bastard! Are you jealous of how cool I am?!"

"Do you want to draw your swords and have a fight right now?!"

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