The stars and moon rose, and the cold wind brought a chill as the group of survivors stopped on a deserted island.
When Aokiji froze the sea, he had clearly planned a route. Along the way, they passed by a deserted island at most every two days, allowing the group to obtain fresh water and food.
But there were things even Aokiji hadn't expected.
Almost every island showed signs of pirate activity.
The Water 7 is the core of the battlefield, but the scope of pirate activities covers the sea area near the Water 7.
The number of people indirectly affected or even killed by pirates is almost incalculable.
There are even several completely burned huts on the island in front of them, and several corpses are lying in front of the huts, emitting a rotten smell.
Fujitora felt pity and took the initiative to collect the corpses of these deceased people.
After a simple burial, he erected a tombstone and found a spacious place to sit down, silent for a while.
In this era, it wasn't just the World Government that devoured people; pirates did too.
Among the former, there may be some officials who really care about the lower-class civilians, but they can't stand the World Government's corrupt nature, and they sit crooked at the root.
The latter may have some difficulties at the beginning and have to go to sea, but as the killing continues, their own humanity gradually becomes blurred in the process, until they completely become real beasts.
Fujitora raised his hand to support the sword in his hand, feeling the coldness of the blade, but his blood was extremely hot at this moment.
But at this moment, a steady voice came.
"Eat something."
Fujitora's nose moved, and he felt a burst of fragrance, and his depressed mood was relieved for a while.
"Mr. Gawain?"
"Hmm."
"Then I won't be polite."
The conditions were simple, and Fujitora himself was not a formal person. He simply reached out and broke off a piece of fish meat and put it into his mouth.
The charred fish skin, mixed with a faint smell of oil, instantly filled his mouth.
"Delicious!"
Fujitora was subconsciously stunned.
Just because such delicious food should not be available here.
But after he tasted it carefully, he found that the fish meat was only seasoned with some coarse salt.
The chef's skills are superb. Even under such simple conditions, the other party can cook such a mouth-watering dish.
"Is he the chef on your ship?"
"Hmm."
Gawain nodded: "A man who is too stubborn but with unwavering will. His character flaws are quite a headache, though."
"Hahaha!"
Fujitora chuckled a few times, and a man with blond curly eyebrows appeared in his mind.
After he ate a few bites of the fish in his hand, he held the sword and faced the distance, as if he could see something clearly, but at this moment, Gawain's voice came to his ears.
"Hey."
"Issho, do you want to come to my ship?"
"You have seen what the Marines are like now. There is no room for people like you to survive there."
Fujitora opened his mouth, but did not answer Gawain's words. He just subconsciously raised his hand to touch his eyes and murmured: "I'm really curious, what kind of appearance do you have? Thin, fat, tall, short..."
With these words, Fujitora's expression grew resolute again: "There is no room for me in the Marines, but there is no room for me in the pirates either, so why not try to change the world completely"?
"I can live freely and comfortably with you, but how can a person like me enjoy all this with peace of mind?"
"There are still too many people struggling in the mud in this world. If I can't help them when I have the ability, I won't be able to sleep well."
"So..."
"Sorry, Mr. Gawain!"
This is a different righteousness…
Gawain also really understood it when he saw this.
Fujitora has made up his mind, and it is almost impossible to pull him on board.
However, Gawain is not surprised by this.
After all, Fujitora's character is like this.
He and T Bone are the same kind of people, with the world in their hearts, and they empathize with the suffering of civilians.
Such people saw everything, except themselves.
Seeing this, Gawain half-jokingly said: "Are you going to ask me to come to you three times?"
Fujitora was stunned and shook his head helplessly.
He didn't have many friends. Gawain was one of them, and the old guy who was stirring up trouble in the Marine Headquarters was another one.
The identities of the two were completely opposite.
But it was also because of this that he could understand the world more clearly.
Fujitora continued: "Mr. Zephyr had invited me before."
"To be a marine?"
"Yes and no."
Fujitora nodded, but shook his head again: "After leaving Raven Harbor, Mr. Zephyr has seen the shortcomings of the Marines and the World Government, and he is about to set up a brand new force."
"A force that is not controlled by the World Government and is completely independent of the current force. It's name is..."
"Neo Marines!"
"According to him, this is a force that can exercise true justice. I want to go and see. There may be something I am waiting for there."
Gawain nodded.
But in his heart, he was not surprised that the Neo Marines appeared in advance.
After fighting with Zephyr in Alabasta, Gawain had already noticed that Zephyr was undergoing some kind of drastic transformation.
Now it seems that the time has finally come to take action.
However, the current Neo Marines are probably completely different from the crazy force that Gawain remembered, which hunted pirates everywhere in the New World and even planned to use Dyna Stones to detonate underwater volcanoes and destroy the entire New World.
It is more like a force that was born out of the Marines but has independent decision-making power.
It can be simply understood as the SWORD with greater authority and stronger combat power.
To be honest, this unit indeed allows Fujitora to showcase his abilities more than he does when he is a pirate under him.
"Then I wish you victorious battles."
Gawain no longer dwelt on this issue.
Fujitora was originally a friend he recognized. Even though they couldn't board the same ship, he sincerely hoped Fujitora could obtain what he desired.
It has nothing to do with interests or anything else. This is simply a blessing as a friend.
"Thank you."
Fujitora nodded, and a face suddenly flashed in his mind: "However, there is a young man who wants to join you. He is a top choice in terms of willpower and potential."
"Really?"
Gawain raised a playful smile: "Then, guess when he will take the initiative to find me?"
"Uh..."
Fujitora was stunned, and after a slight estimate, he said: "One month?"
"No!"
Gawain shook his head, with an indescribable confidence in his tone: "Three days at most!"
… … …
Late at night, on a deserted island beach.
Gawain's crew gathered here, shirtless, undergoing harsh training. Their shouts echoed loudly, attracting the attention of people around.
Even though a war had just ended and many people were still injured, it still couldn't stop their enthusiasm for becoming stronger.
If they practiced before to feel the pleasure of becoming stronger.
Then, after experiencing the tragic battle in Water 7 and witnessing the gap between the world's top strongmen and themselves, the arrogance in their hearts was completely crushed.
Especially after realizing that if Gawain and Aokiji hadn't blocked the strongest enemy, there would be no chance of their side being spared.