In the days following the complete control of Naraka Island, Pablo began thinking about the next step. He knew that staying in one place ant stagnation, and stagnation ant slow death.
He sat in his room on the upper floor of the headquarters. The windows were wide open, overlooking the distant port where ships docked and departed. The evening lights glittered on the surface of the water.
On the table in front of him was an old map of the South Blue. He spread it out and began to study it. His eyes stopped at a certain point.
The Sorbet Kingdom.
It was not a large island. But it was known to Pablo. Not for its trade or its wealth. But for two people.
Kuma.
The man who would one day beco one of the Shichibukai, known as the Tyrant. In this period of ti, he was still young. A priest. He treated the elderly in his kingdom for free, using his supernatural ability to push pain and illness out of their bodies.
Jinny.
The girl who was by his side. Who would one day beco the Eastern Commander of the Revolutionary Army. A strong, intelligent woman with an iron will.
In the original One Piece world, they were two pivotal characters. Here, in this early ti, they were still at their beginnings.
Both Kuma's useful ability that helps with fast travel and also helps with healing, and Jinny's talent that would make her a commander in the Revolutionary Army within a few years.
Pablo wanted them to be part of his family.
After all, in his family, except for Marco who had shown great talent, there was no one with enough strength to follow him. Adding two people with such talent would help him in his future plans.
But he knew he could not simply go to them and ask them to join. Pablo's idea was to take advantage of the catastrophic conditions in the Sorbet Kingdom and appear as a hero to convince the two to follow him.
---
Pablo summoned Marco to his room.
Marco entered and closed the door behind him. He sat on the opposite chair. He knew that Pablo had sothing important to say.
"Marco, we have six ships that we seized from the gangs and forces we defeated. I want you to choose the best one."
Marco raised an eyebrow. "For what purpose?"
"We are sailing. We are going to the Sorbet Kingdom."
Marco was not surprised. He knew that Pablo did not like to stay in one place for too long. But he asked:
"Why Sorbet?"
Pablo did not explain the whole truth. He did not tell him about Kuma and Jinny.
"I have my reasons. Trust ."
Marco nodded. "I trust you. How long will we be gone?"
"I don't know. Weeks. Perhaps months. Perhaps more. I will leave Arthur and Ido to run Naraka in our absence."
"Who will you take with us?"
"You, Shigo, and forty of the strongest n. The rest will stay here."
Marco calculated in his head. Forty n was a respectable number. Not too large to draw attention, but enough for any problem they might face.
"I will start choosing the ship tomorrow." Marco said.
---
The Next Day - The Shipyard
Marco went to the eastern port where the six ships were anchored.
The ships varied in size and shape. So were large and slow, designed for cargo transport. So were small and fast, designed for smuggling and maneuverability.
The first: A large comrcial ship, its hull massive, used for transporting lumber. It was very slow, unsuitable for a long voyage.
The second: An old fishing boat, needing many repairs. Its hull was worn, its sails torn.
The third: A fast smuggler's ship. Small, light, its sails modern, its hull designed for speed. It looked like it could escape any pursuit.
The fourth: A small warship, seized from a gang that controlled part of the port. It carried two small cannons at its bow. Its hull was strong, but it was sowhat slow.
The fifth: A small passenger ship, used to transport rchants between islands. Comfortable, but not designed for battles or long voyages in stormy seas.
The sixth: A dium-sized ship. Fast. Its hull was strong. Its sails were new. It bore traces of battle, but it was sturdy.
Marco boarded the sixth ship. He walked on its deck. He inspected the wood, the sails, the helm. He went down to the holds. He made sure it was strong enough for stormy seas.
He returned to solid ground.
"This one." he said to one of his n.
He nad it "The Black Wind."
---
The ship alone was not enough. He needed a crew.
Marco began selecting the n.
Five cooks. He did not want just any cooks. He wanted the best. Those who had worked in fine restaurants before their businesses collapsed due to gang wars. n who knew how to turn simple ingredients into delicious als. On a long voyage, good food was part of morale.
Experienced navigators. He did not want just anyone who knew the direction of north. He wanted n who had known the sea for years.
Their assistants. Young n learning the trade. They were fast, energetic, ready to carry out any order without hesitation.
And fighters. Forty of the best n from the family. So were Marco's old n. So were Shigo's n who had proven their loyalty. So were new recruits who had shown good strength.
All of them were trained in hand-to-hand combat, with swords, and with guns.
Marco stood before them in the yard of the headquarters the day before departure. He looked at their faces one by one.
"We are going to a faraway place. I don't know exactly what we will find there. But I know one thing: whoever is afraid, let him stay here. There is no place for fear on my ship."
No one moved.
"Good."
---
The Final Evening Before Departure
On the last evening before departure, the headquarters was bustling with activity. Bags were being packed. Weapons were being distributed. Final orders were being given.
Arthur was standing in the main hall, reviewing a list of the n who would stay. His face was focused. He knew the responsibility was great. All of Naraka was in his hands now.
He was happy with this responsibility and eager to take advantage of this opportunity.
Ido was in his office, reviewing the accounts for the last ti. He wanted to make sure everything would run smoothly in Pablo's absence. Money was flowing, factories were working, the port was under control.
At the port pier, the ship "The Black Wind" was waiting.
Pablo stood on the pier looking at the ship. Marco stood beside him. Shigo was on board, supervising the loading of the last boxes.
Arthur and Ido ca to bid him farewell.
The four stood in silence for a mont. The lights of the port glittered behind them. The sound of waves hit the ship's hull.
Pablo spoke first. His voice was calm.
"I trust you both. Do not make regret it."
Arthur looked at him. His eyes were not afraid. They were firm.
"We will not disappoint you. You will return to Naraka as you left it. Even better."
Ido nodded without speaking. Talking was not his habit.
Pablo looked at them for a final mont. Then he turned his back and boarded the ship.
Marco followed him.
Pablo gave the order. The sailors raised the anchor. The sails swelled with the wind.
"The Black Wind" began to move slowly away from the pier. Away from Naraka. Away from everything Pablo had built in the past year and a half.
Pablo stood at the stern of the ship looking at the island as it gradually shrank on the horizon. The lights of the port beca small dots. Then they disappeared completely.
The night was clear. The stars filled the sky. The sea was calm.
Marco stood beside him.
"How long will it take to get there?"
"A few days."
Marco was silent for a mont. Then he asked the question that had been on his mind:
"Pablo... why Sorbet, really?"
Pablo looked at the distant horizon.
"There are people I need. People who will help reach where I want to go."
"What people?"
"You will know when we arrive."
Marco did not press. He knew that Pablo would tell him when the ti ca.
The ship sailed into the darkness. Behind them, Naraka was disappearing. Ahead of them, the sea stretched endlessly.
Pablo knew where he was heading.
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