On Beast Island, Summer, having eaten and drunk his fill, stood up, stretched his limbs, and as if by some telepathic connection, swept his gaze toward the East Blue.
After a long while, Summer made a decision: he was going to sea!
Though the Revolutionary Army could, to a certain extent, be called the World Government and the Celestial Dragons' greatest enemy, its foundation was still too weak. Neither its top-tier combat power nor its military might could compare; facing them head-on gave them zero chance of winning.
After much deliberation, Summer felt that becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea might be a good choice. On the surface, he would be recognized by the Marines and the World Government, while privately operating as a mighty and terrifying great pirate on the seas.
It could be said they were among the smartest people living in the New World.
Most importantly, with this identity, Summer could better fulfill his grand ambitions and also add a special base for the Revolutionary Army.
In short, Summer had his own plans!
"The two of you, keep up your training. When the time is right, I'll come back for you."
Summer turned back to look at Xiaojin and Xiaobai before him, offering a gentle smile as he spoke softly.
The New World was far too dangerous, and their strength still needed to be improved—at least for now, it wasn't enough.
Amidst the two beasts' lingering and reluctant gazes, Summer and Tuantuan boarded a luxurious, massive sailing ship—the Smiling.
Summer had once won a lottery reward that allowed him to fly, sail, and dive; it was fully equipped with all functions.
***
Somewhere on the island of Baltigo, Summer and Dragon stood side by side.
"You're going to sea?"
"Yes, I want to see this ocean and this world with my own eyes!"
"Go! If this is your choice, what reason is there to stop a man from setting sail?"
Dragon looked earnestly at Summer. From their very first encounter, he had felt that this son of his was extraordinary—possessing peaceful ideals ahead of his time, an independent way of doing things, and, most ridiculously, an exaggerated rate of growth in strength.
Even he had never witnessed the full extent of Summer's power.
"Hehe, I'm off, Father. I'll go home and check on that kid Luffy for you."
Summer waved his hand, leaped up onto the bow of the Smiling, and began sailing toward the boundless sea.
Summer's adventure had begun!
"Father?!"
For a moment, Dragon was stunned. In over a dozen years, this was only the third time Summer had called him "Father."
The first time, when he was picked up from Foosha Village, Summer had asked doubtfully, "Father?"
The second time was during his first participation in a Revolutionary Army headquarters operation, when Summer had called out with a solemn face, "Father!"
Yet only this time did Dragon hear a different shade of emotion in Summer's voice. Yes, that was right—emotion, or rather, the feeling of familial affection.
"Yay, Boss! Is this the ocean? You really can't see the edge of it at all!"
As the Smiling plowed forward into the depths of the ocean, looking around to find nothing but seawater, Tuantuan—who was on a long-distance voyage to sea for the very first time—was practically bursting with excitement, bouncing up and down and peering about in all directions.
"Mm, relax. There will be plenty of interesting things ahead." Summer smiled faintly.
"Smiling, start navigation! Destination, East Blue, Foosha Village!"
"Beep-boop, Smile Map at your service. Searching now...
Preparing for departure. Total distance: *** nautical miles. Estimated arrival in 15 days!"
***
Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
"Baa~"
"Garp, what do you think of the World Government's motion regarding the Revolutionary Army?"
Sengoku placed the top-secret document down in front of the bell-wearing lamb, which promptly ate it to destroy the evidence. He then raised his head and asked.
"Huh? What do I think? I think about it while sitting down. Crunch, crunch!"
Garp picked his nose, gave a casual flick, grabbed a bag of donuts from his hand, and began devouring them voraciously, answering with utter indifference.
"You must not forget that the Revolutionary Army's leader, Dragon, is your son! Garp, if your reputation as the Hero of the Marines wasn't so resounding, the Gorosei would make you take responsibility!"
"Tsk!"
"You bastard!" Sengoku looked speechlessly at the man before him, letting out an internal sigh as he strode forward, snatched the donut right out of Garp's hand, opened his mouth, and ate the whole thing.
"Ah, my donut!" Garp cried out in shock, staring wide-eyed at the vanishing favorite, filled with profound grief.
However, Sengoku's words stirred ripples deep within Garp's heart. His son refused to listen to his discipline and had become the leader of the Revolutionary Army, labeled by the World Government as the most heinous criminal, and had even secretly taken his eldest grandson, Summer, away to join the Revolutionary Army. Now, he could not afford any more mishaps.
At this thought, Garp's heart gave a jolt, and his fists clenched unconsciously, because ever since that brat Luffy had met that bastard Red-Haired, he had been shouting every day about becoming a pirate and finding the great treasure, One Piece.
All of this was his own fault!
Garp felt he should go home more often to visit, just in case that bastard Luffy ran off in secret.
Before he knew it, Summer had been sailing on the ocean for twelve days. Whether due to the smart navigation system or sheer coincidence, the man and beast hadn't encountered a single ship along the entire route, which bored Tuantuan to absolute tears.
"Boss, didn't you say sailing is super exciting? Why haven't we seen a single person?"
Tuantuan's fat, black-and-white face quivered, its little paws crossed together, its eyes gazing longingly at the sea in hopes of a little excitement.
"Calm down! In a few more days, we'll reach my hometown. By then, you'll meet plenty of interesting people."
"Whoa! Boss, look, look! There's a ship coming!"
As the words fell, Tuantuan suddenly cried out in pleasant surprise, its chubby finger pointing straight ahead. A black pirate ship flying a pirate flag was rapidly bearing down on the Smiling.
"Gahahahaha! Lads, do you see that ship ahead? Charge together and plunder all the treasure on board!"
On the black pirate ship, a muscular man covered in black fur and wielding a spiked club spoke in a muffled, gravelly voice. A flash of sinister light crossed his eyes; although he had failed in the New World, reigning supreme in this corner of the East Blue was still well within his capabilities.
After all, he was the "Great Pirate" Black Gorilla Battle, with a bounty of 15 million Beli, and a user of the Ape-Ape Devil Fruit, Zoan type.
"Prepare for battle, Fatty!"
Summer narrowed his eyes, his voice turning icy. He watched the pirates running along the ropes toward them, a faint, excited smile appearing on his face.
He, Summer, had loved reasoning with people since he was a child. After all, Summer had always been immensely fond of his past life's latest interpretation of the "Analects"—the Art of Pummeling.
"Consecutive Normal Punches!"
As the voice rang out, Summer rapidly swung his arms to attack the front. In an instant, countless phantom fists materialized.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
At the very first clash, the aggressively charging pirates were completely wiped out, blasted flying in the span of a single breath. Of course, this was also the result of Summer holding back his strength; had he attacked with full force, it might have rained blood across the skies.