"Master... there's suddenly a lot of delicious food in the village..."
A clear voice came from the distant path, and Dylan smiled as he turned his head.
A little girl with purple hair was stumbling towards the wooden house, carrying a pile of food.
"Oh, it's Tama. I already know."
A large pile of food blocked Tama's view, so she didn't see anyone else at the door of the cabin.
When she finally reached the door and put down the food, she raised her hands in surprise upon seeing the tall Dylan and Ace.
"The food's not stolen... the little girl surrenders!"
Dylan laughed and took out the juice Mansherry brewed for him, handing it to Ayu.
"Want to try it?"
"Eh!?"
"Uh... No way!!"
Dylan's face suddenly darkened, and before Tama could react, he said seriously, "It's very unhealthy to drink juice before filling your stomach!"
Ace looked surprised.
This guy...
As evening fell, Dylan, Ace, Tenguyama Hitetsu, and the village chief sat around the campfire in front of the wooden house. Tama fell asleep on Dylan's lap, holding a piece of barbecue in her hand.
"Has the outside world changed so much?"
The village chief's face was dimly lit by the bonfire. "Wanokuni... has been in seclusion for hundreds of years."
Dylan listened to their conversation while tending the fire. Ace mainly described the outside world, rarely participating in the deeper discussion.
Several major families in Wanokuni... they remain closed off, waiting for those so-called legends. It's just foolish.
And Oden was such a fool.
Dylan shook his head. Oden was powerful, but he lacked the temperament of a strong man and the qualities of a leader.
Tenguyama Hitetsu looked at Dylan across from him, his expression unclear.
After a moment of silence, he finally said, "This General seems particularly fond of Tama?"
Dylan looked down at the young Tama with a gentle expression.
"Yes, I like this child very much. Her life shouldn't be so miserable."
Dylan gently stroked Tama's head. Most children in this world didn't seem to have a happy childhood.
But most of them could face life bravely.
Nami, Nojiko, Sabo, Hancock, Doflamingo, Tama , Law. They all had unfortunate childhoods but managed to change their destinies.
Only Momonosuke, that idiot, did nothing but cry and bury his head in a woman's chest. (T/N: I only read those fanfics where he is killed or he is not supported, what about you guys?)
Simple trash doesn't even begin to describe him.
"It's true. Living here all year round means not having enough to eat, affecting health and lifespan," Tenguyama Hitetsu said, staring at Tama with a mix of guilt and love.
Ace turned to look at Dylan, his expression slightly moved. But considering Wanokuni's isolation and customs, he swallowed his words.
Although Dylan certainly meant no harm to him, it seemed inappropriate to ask him to save Wanokuni rashly.
And...
After all, this is the middle part of the New World, and it's now almost out of the control of the World Government.
Thinking of this, Ace clenched his fists tightly and thought to himself:
"Kaido..."
---
After staying in Amigasa Village for two weeks, Dylan and Ace bid farewell to the villagers.
"Brother Ace, Brother Dylan..."
Tama looked at these two gentle elder brothers with tears in her eyes: "When can I go to sea?"
Ace knelt down and touched Tama's head: "When I come back here, I will definitely turn this country into a place where you can have enough to eat."
Dylan pursed his lips and said nothing.
However, Tenguyama Hitetsu looked conflicted. Just as the two were about to leave, Tenguyama Hitetsu suddenly said:
"General, can you take Tama away?"
Both Dylan and Ace, as well as Tama and the village chief, looked puzzled.
Ace was shocked for a moment and then felt relieved. After all, he was still a new pirate and had no fixed place to live.
And he did feel that in the New World, it would be difficult to protect Tama with his strength, but this guy was different.
The entire sea was in awe of Dylan's reputation, and even the legendary pirates did not dare to set foot near the G-5 branch easily.
If there... Tama will live a happy life...
"Sure."
Dylan also squatted down and held Tama's shoulders: "But first, Tama must be willing."
Tama, whose clothes were full of patches, looked a little reserved. She longed for the world outside, but she couldn't let go of her aging master.
"Tama..." Tenguyama Hitetsu walked up to Tama and took off his sword from behind—the Nidai Kitetsu.
"The world has changed so much, so you can go see the outside world on behalf of all of us. One day, I hope you can return to Wanokuni..."
"Tell us about your wonderful journey across the ocean."
Dylan frowned: "This sword..."
Of course he knew the origin of this sword, but the "Cursed Sword" series was dangerous. Without strong luck and strength, it would be difficult to wield. One bad move might even spell doom for the owner.
Tenguyama Hitetsu shook his head: "This sword is not for Tama, but for the General."
"Me?"
Dylan was about to refuse, but Tenguyama Hitetsu intercepted him.
"Yes, it was given to the General. The twenty-year period predicted by Lady Toki is approaching. I would like to use this sword as a thank-you gift from Amigasa Village."
"Do you think the person Lady Toki predicted was referring to me?"
Tama and Ace looked confused. They couldn't understand the conversation at all.
However, the village chief looked a little solemn.
"It may not be His Majesty the General. Even if he is not, this sword will be regarded as support money for Tama from me as her master."
Dylan pondered for a moment, then took the Nidai Kitetsu. "Okay! In that case..."
"When the prophecy comes, I will definitely come. Whether it's led by me or not, for Tama and everyone, I will also contribute to this country."
As Dylan led Tama towards the outskirts of the village, Tama turned back frequently. Although she decided to follow her master's arrangements and go to sea, she found it hard to let go of her upbringing.
"Master...everyone..."
Dylan bent down, hugged Tama, and gently patted her back to comfort her.
At a hidden port, an unmarked ship was docked.
"Vice Admiral." Two masked figures sensed Dylan's presence and jumped from the side of the ship.
Dylan ignored them, jumping onto the boat with Tama. He touched Tama's head and said, "Wait for me here. That idiot Ace is going to cause trouble. I'll go take a look and come back."
"Um!!"
Tama hugged Dylan, handed him the juice, and nodded.
After getting Tama's response, Dylan turned to CP0 and said, "Protect her and don't talk too much. Otherwise, I'll rip your mouths off."
"..."
Dylan and Ace took different paths as they left Amigasa Village.
Seeing Ace's determined look, Dylan knew that this guy was heading to Onigashima.
With Kaido and the senior officials gone, the only one who could fight was Yamato.
Yamato...
By the time Dylan arrived at the edge of Onigashima, these two fools were already drinking.
"I can't leave here, father...that bastard. As long as I step out of Onigashima, this chain will explode!"
"Ace, one day, will I be able to be free and go on adventures at sea?"
"Of course, Yamato! You will! The sea is vast and wonderful. You'll definitely get out of here and find your own life."
Tread. Tread.
"Who is it!?"
Yamato immediately became alert at the sound of footsteps.
When Dylan appeared around the corner with Shura on his arm, Ace was surprised at first, then his face lit up with joy.
"Is it you!? Haven't you left yet?"
"Yeah!? Is he an acquaintance of yours, Ace?"
Ace scratched his head. "No...not really...but..."
Ace stood up and ran to Dylan. "Wait, you can definitely untie Yamato, right? Please!"
Ace bowed deeply to Dylan.
"Restraint?"
Dylan walked past Ace and approached Yamato.
"Is this it? A positioning bomb made by Queen?"
Yamato's wrists were trapped by huge alloy shackles that made a "quick" sound whenever he moved.
"Yes, that's it!"
After more than a year in the New World, Ace had heard many legends about this man.
With his strength, Dylan could definitely save Yamato.
"Well..."
Dylan reached out and held one of the shackles, feeling the structure before his Armament Haki penetrated into it.
Click!
The shackle deformed and broke, falling off.
"Really...really solved!? Great Yamato!"
Dylan glanced back at Ace. "You're too happy, kid. I'm not going to untie the other one."
"Why!?" Ace and Yamato spoke at the same time, both looking disappointed.
Freedom had never been so within reach, yet it still felt out of reach.
Seeing Yamato's disappointed look, Dylan pondered for a moment and then said, "This kind of thing depends on my mood. But if you insist on a reason..."
"First, she is deeply influenced by that idiot Oden, and I don't like it."
"Secondly, it's also a form of protection for her. You'll understand next time we meet, Ace."
Hearing Dylan's words, Yamato, who was originally disappointed, stood up immediately. The remaining shackle made a sound with her violent movement: "Why insult Oden, a man like him..."
"Shut up!"
Dylan glared at Yamato.
"What kind of man is he!? As a son, he left his elderly father to go to sea for the so-called 'freedom,' putting his father in danger and then dying."
"After returning home, he believed in those empty promises and scams, danced naked for several years, and lost his prestige."
"As a monarch, because of the illusion that his good-for-nothing son was kidnapped, he was distracted from fighting, causing the entire Wanokuni to fall. Everyone else made a death determination to join him in overthrowing Kaido's rule, but what did he do?"
"Do you still believe in this nonsense of 'let everyone leave after holding on for an hour'?"
"As a son, father, husband, and master, he was a failure and a complete waste!"
Yamato was shaken by Dylan's words.
"You..."
"Do you still believe in 'freedom'? Do you still want to be Kozuki Oden? Such a waste, and you choose to inherit his name and last wish? Just because of a diary?"
Dylan's eyes were blazing. "Why should I help you?"
What kind of person keeps a diary?
"Think carefully, Yamato. In addition to the so-called 'freedom,' people must also bear certain 'responsibilities.'"
Dylan turned around and walked to the shore. "A piece of trash like Oden is useless except for having a little power!"
----------
Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/CosmicKaminari