The Athena sailed steadily across the calm waters of West Blue. Gentle waves rocked the enormous vessel while the morning breeze carried the scent of salt and fresh timber through the decks.
Arthur leaned casually against the bow railing, one hand resting on Komainu while the latest newspaper fluttered in the sea breeze. Behind him, nearly every member of the Art Pirates remained gathered around the breakfast table.
They were still laughing about Bepo's misery. The white-furred Mink had genuinely hoped to receive a much higher bounty after the Battle of Ohara. But they cant stop teasing Bepo for now.
Sugar was still comparing everyone's bounty posters.
Baby-5 kept teasing Bepo about his unchanged five-hundred-Berry bounty. Even Robin had laughed several times.
It was a peaceful scene. Exactly the kind Arthur preferred. Robin quietly walked beside him, carrying a cup of coffee. She noticed Arthur was no longer looking at the newspaper. His eyes were fixed on the endless horizon.
Robin: "You've been staring at the sea for quite a while."
Arthur: "I was thinking." Arthur accepted the cup.
Robin: "About your new title?"
Arthur: "The Fifth Emperor?" Arthur simply chuckled, completely unconcerned.
Robin: "The whole world is talking about it. Many pirate crews are already hoping to join the Fifth Emperor."
Arthur: "I honestly couldn't care less." Arthur looked down at the newspaper once more before folding it in half.
Robin: "Then... what's troubling you? We've already gathered every Poneglyph from the Four Blues. You've also found Devil Fruits for all of us. Or are you already thinking about whose Devil Fruit ability you'll claim next from the user?" Robin wasn't surprised. She had expected exactly that answer.
Arthur: "An Emperor... It isn't something I ever wanted." He rested both arms on the railing.
Arthur: "I never became a pirate because I dreamed of ruling the New World. I don't want territories. I don't want islands paying me tribute. I don't want hundreds of subordinate crews sailing under my flag." The sea breeze gently stirred his black hair. Robin quietly listened.
Arthur: "I don't even want the title of Pirate King. History remembers Pirate Kings. But history is written by the people who change the world." Several nearby crew members instinctively looked toward him. Law raised an eyebrow. Even Hancock stopped drinking her tea.
Arthur: " Collecting the Poneglyphs and reaching Laugh Tale... that's simply my promise to Robin." Robin lowered her eyes.
Arthur: "I've been searching for Devil Fruits so all of you can become stronger... and make path for your wish."
For a brief moment... neither of them spoke. Everyone aboard the Athena knew exactly what promise he meant. The promise to take Robin to the final island. The place where the True History waited. The place Ohara had sacrificed everything to reach.
Arthur: " I just hope I can help each of you achieve your own dreams." The atmosphere gradually became more serious.
Kuina: "So... What do you really want, Captain? Not our dreams... yours. What do you truly want?"
Arthur looked toward the endless sea. His crimson eyes reflected the morning sunlight.
Arthur: "I want to change this world."
"I've traveled enough to see what the World Government calls justice."
"I've seen kingdoms starve while the Celestial Dragons feast."
"I've seen innocent people sold as slaves."
"I've seen islands erased because they learned too much."
"I don't care about becoming King of the Pirates."
"But I do care..."
"...about children who deserve to grow up without wondering whether they'll have food tomorrow... or fearing that pirates will one day steal everything they have—including their lives.." His expression slowly hardened.
Robin quietly closed her eyes. She understood better than anyone. Arthur wasn't chasing treasure. He wasn't chasing fame. He wasn't chasing Roger's title. He was chasing something infinitely more difficult.
A better world.
A world where ordinary people could simply live with a smile.
Baby-5: "I suppose... that sounds exactly like you, Young Master."
One by one... everyone nodded. No one laughed. Because every member aboard the Athena had already chosen that dream as their own.
Far away... across the seas... the same newspaper continued changing countless lives.
Mary Goese, in one of room Anemone mansion.
Maria and Olivia stared silently at the newspaper trembling in Maria's hands. Arthur's photograph covered nearly half the front page. Below it... the words that had nearly stopped her heart after read all article.
"TWO ADMIRALS."
"BATTLE OF OHARA."
"FAIL TO KILL ALL ART PIRATES MEMBER"
Olivia face had long since turned pale. Beside her... Maria, Arthur's mother looked even worse. Tears already filled her eyes. She clutched the newspaper tightly.
Maria: "My grandson...granddaughter... Arthoria, Lancelot, and Merlin... They brought the children into the middle of a war... What if something had happened? What if Arthoria... What if Merlin... What if Lancelot..." Her voice broke.
Olivia quietly hugged her. Neither woman could stop imagining the worst. A big battlefield with two Admirals. Their grandchildren over there.
Then— Arthur's grandfather slowly lowered his reading glasses.
Adam: "They're alive. Arthur called me earlier. He told me not to let the two of you worry." His voice remained calm. Arthur's mother immediately looked toward him.
Maria: "Not worried? You always say that!"
Adam: "I know my grandson, Arthur. He would never allow anyone to harm his children." The old man smiled helplessly.
He spoke confidently. Then... very quietly... so quietly neither woman noticed... he looked toward the ceiling and say something in his heart.
Adam: (Do you think I'm not worried...? Arthur... please come home safely. Fighting two Admirals is dangerous enough... But honestly... I'm far more afraid your mother will kill you herself after this. So don't make us worry any more than you already have.)
The old man swallowed. He sighed inwardly. That thought somehow frightened him much more than Sakazuki.
Shimotsuki Village. Inside the dojo... the sound of wooden swords abruptly stopped. Koushirou slowly lowered the newspaper. His eyes rested upon one familiar face.
Kuina.
Koushirou: "...You've truly become strong." A small smile appeared beneath his glasses.
Around him... young students immediately gathered.
Boy A: "Sensei! Is that Kuina?"
Boy B: "She's famous! Her bounty is enormous!"
Boy C: "Sensei, did you teach some secret to make her so strong? Stronger than zoro?"
Koushirou: "Yes. That's my daughter. There nothing secret technique to make you strong faster, only years of disciplined training, every single day.. But, But don't follow her example and become pirates."
Across the room... a green-haired boy clenched the edge of the newspaper.
Roronoa Zoro.
His eyes never left Kuina's bounty poster. Then... Arthur's.
Then... the article describing the Battle of Ohara. His heart pounded.
Zoro: "So...That's where you've gone." A grin slowly spread across his face.
Zoro: "I'll catch up. I swear it." He tightened his grip on Wado Ichimonji.
Zoro: "I can't stay in East Blue forever." He look far to sea horizon.
Cocoyasi Village.
Bell-mere: " So... you've really defeated Admirals now. Maybe your dream isn't so far away anymore." Bell-mère quietly smiled as she looked at Arthur's photograph.
There was unmistakable warmth in her eyes. Behind her... two young girls immediately peeked over her shoulder.
Nami: "Mom... Why are you smiling like that?" Nami blinked confused looking her mom.
Nojiko: "You know him, don't you?" Nojiko crossed her arms.
Bell-mere: "Yeah... I met him a very long time ago." A faint smile appeared on her lips as memories of the first time she met Arthur and Maria resurfaced.
Nami: "How long?" Nami tilted her head.
Bell-mere: "...Long before I meet either of you." Bell-mère looked back toward the sea.
Nojiko: "So what kind of relationship did you have?" Both girls immediately leaned closer.
Bell-mere "That's a story for another day." Bell-mère simply smiled and avoiding that question.
...
Sabaody Archipelago
Rayleigh slowly folded the newspaper. A nostalgic smile appeared beneath his beard.
Rayleigh: "So... You've finally become someone the entire world can't ignore."
Shakky: "You seem happy." She placed another drink before him.
Rayleigh: "I am. I've been wondering when we'd meet again." His eyes drifted toward the horizon.
He remembered another shore. Another sunset. Another grave.
A young man silently helping him bury Gol D. Roger.
Without asking for recognition. Without asking for reward.
Rayleigh: "I think Roger would've liked you."
...
Twin Cape
"BWOOOOOOO!!"
Laboon cried loudly. The enormous whale repeatedly struck the sea with its tail.
Crocus: "Calm down." He looked up from the newspaper.
Laboon cried again.
Crocus: "I know. He'll come." He gently patted Laboon's massive head.
Crocus: " He'll enter the Grand Line properly this time... through Reverse Mountain. And after everything that's happened... he'll be here before long."
Laboon immediately became quiet. His huge eye sparkled with excitement.
...
Far away... the Athena continued sailing toward the distant horizon.
None of its crew realized just how many people across the world were thinking about them at that exact moment. Some looked upon them with fear. Some with admiration. Some with jealousy. Some with hope.
And somewhere beyond the endless sea... destiny patiently waited. For the Art Pirates... the road to the Grand Line—and to destiny itself—had never been closer.
End of Volume 5. CHORD EMBELLISHMENT
Next – Volume 6. AD LIBITIUM (Grandline – Straw Hat – Paramount War)