As mentioned earlier, the time experiment with v50 was a success.
The good news is that the experiment worked.
The bad news is that it sped things up.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since the Red-Haired Pirates had arrived.
For the first half of the month, Kaito Sakamoto underwent "special training" with the crew members of the Red-Haired Pirates. After that, they set sail again, marking the end of their month-long stay and their farewell.
...
"I will become the Pirate King!!"
On the docks of Windmill Village, Luffy's excited voice rang out.
After a month had passed, Shanks and his crew were preparing to sail once more. This time, they wouldn't be returning to Windmill Village. It wasn't that they wouldn't come back at all, but at least for the foreseeable future, their year-long adventure starting from Windmill Village had come to an end.
"Heh... you think you can surpass us?" Shanks teased.
"Then..."
"This hat will stay with you for now."
"This is my most cherished hat."
"When we meet again, you must return it to me, once you've become a great pirate..."
An iconic moment unfolded as Shanks took off his straw hat and squatted down to place it on Luffy's head. This was a passing of the torch.
Beneath the brim of the hat, little Luffy was already in tears.
On the other side, Kaito and Beckman quietly watched this scene unfold after spending half a month together as master and apprentice.
During the last half of their time together, Kaito's legs had healed, but standing next to Beckman, his height only reached the waist of his mentor—a perfect spot to poke.
As Kaito's gaze shifted from Luffy and Shanks, he locked eyes with Beckman for a moment before lowering his gaze to the flintlock pistol at Beckman's waist.
"What are you looking at? This is my tool for earning a living. You thinking of something?" Beckman said, blocking Kaito's view. This kid sure knew how to pick.
Kaito didn't reply. He turned back to Luffy and Shanks, letting out a small sigh as if he wanted to say something but held back.
"You little brat!"
Beckman certainly understood that Kaito was hinting at something.
After a moment of contemplation, he pulled a bullet from his pants pocket.
"I call this the 'final bullet.'"
"The sea is mysterious and fascinating, but it's also fraught with danger."
"If you want to be a pirate, you will definitely encounter enemies."
"This bullet I'm giving you..."
"It can either be a lethal shot against an enemy."
"Or a desperate struggle when cornered."
"Or perhaps a way to find peace for yourself."
"It's quite meaningful."
He placed the bullet in Kaito's palm, explaining the significance of it in detail.
Kaito glanced at the bullet in his hand and then looked back up at Beckman.
"Thank you, Master."
"But this must have been a hassle for you."
"To just grab a bullet and then come up with all these words to fill the silence."
"..."
"Is it just you who knows how to talk?"
"At your age, can't you be more like Luffy, shedding tears and clinging to my leg to express your feelings about parting?"
Beckman's complaints came through as he watched Luffy bid farewell to Shanks, tears streaming down his face.
"I'm not that sentimental."
Luffy: ???
It wasn't that Luffy was being sentimental; Kaito had the soul of an 18-year-old in a 7-year-old's body. If he were truly Luffy's age, he would have cried too.
...
"Anchor up!"
"Set sail!"
"Let's go!"
Farewells are always inevitable.
Kaito and Luffy stood at the docks, waving goodbye to Shanks and the others.
As the ship turned, Kaito threw something toward Beckman.
With one hand holding a cigarette and the other quickly reaching out, Beckman caught it and opened his palm to reveal a silver lighter.
Looking up at Kaito, he saw the kid smiling back at him.
"Cut down on the smoking, Master."
After spending half a month with Beckman, Kaito felt he was almost suffocating from the smoke.
Beckman smiled and asked, "Where did you get the money to buy this?"
"Who said I bought it? I found it," Kaito replied.
Beckman paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! You really do have the spirit of a pirate! Hahaha!"
"We're out here on the sea, waiting for your return!"
"If you don't achieve something remarkable, don't blame us for laughing at you!"
Shanks grinned widely, showing off his white teeth.
"Yeah! When we meet again, you must be a great pirate! Luffy, Kaito!"
"We'll see each other again!"
Their voices echoed at the docks of Windmill Village, resonating in the hearts of the two boys.
The ship slowly sailed away into the sunset, leaving behind their figures.
On the ship, Beckman looked at the lighter in his hand, flicked the remaining half of his cigarette into the sea, and lit a new one with the lighter.
For some reason, this cigarette tasted better.
"Look at you, all happy," Shanks commented.
"Who wouldn't be happy with a good apprentice?"
"And Luffy too, I've known him for a year now."
"These two kids will make something of themselves!"
Beckman gazed up at the sky, his voice filled with pride.
"Indeed."
"After all, Luffy is just like I was when I was young."
"And if Kaito helps him, it's even more certain."
"It's like a miniature version of you and me! Hahaha!"
Shanks suddenly realized how much Luffy and Kaito resembled him and Beckman.
Beckman turned his head back quickly and denied, "How could I be like that 'smooth talker' kid?"
Though he said this, he looked at the lighter again, revealing a satisfied smile.
Seeing their vice-captain's expression, the crew couldn't help but chuckle.
"Enough of that!"
"Let's start the feast!"
Shanks raised his remaining hand, announcing the news of the feast with excitement!
The crew cheered in agreement. The Red-Haired Pirates were known for their feasts.
Some things were just meant to be said.
Whitebeard was collecting sons.
Kaido was creating artificial fruits.
Big Mom was establishing her nation.
And Shanks was throwing a feast.