"Welcome to the new world, Miss Ray~"
With a warm smile, Yami slowly spread his arms wide, gesturing to the surroundings. The unfamiliar environment and the strange buildings around them were unlike anything Ray and Gros had ever seen. The salty sea breeze hit them, leaving the siren and the gargoyle momentarily stunned.
They cautiously stepped forward, eyes wandering over the strange scene before them. There were all kinds of structures on the ground, and crowds of people bustling about.
"Where are we?" Ray asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"As I mentioned earlier, this is another world," Yami began to explain. "A world without adventurers, dungeons, monsters, or gods—yet equally as extraordinary."
Ray and Gros were at a loss for words, struggling to process the overwhelming reality before them. It was simply unbelievable.
"I understand that this might be hard to grasp at first," Yami continued, "but a simple walk around should help you begin to understand. While this world can be dangerous, no one here will know your identities as Xenos. And besides, the humans in this world likely won't care about your identities, given that…"
Yami suddenly paused, his expression becoming slightly amused. While the Xenos' appearances were unique, the world of pirates was home to many unusual races: giants towering over humans, winged people from Sky Island, fur-covered mink tribes, and fish-men who lived in the deep sea.
In comparison, the Xenos weren't as extraordinary as they might have imagined. Some might stand out, sure, but this was a world where the bizarre was often met with curiosity rather than fear.
Moreover, with Yami's intervention, the old World Government had been overthrown and a new one established. The rampant human trafficking that once plagued the seas had been all but eradicated by the navy, and the safety of ordinary people was better protected than ever before. This made the pirate world a suitable, albeit temporary, haven for the Xenos.
"Why don't we take a look around?" Yami suggested.
In this new world, there were countless new things to discover. Those who had come to the Pirate World for the first time were already eager to explore.
"Hm?" Yami paused suddenly, then his expression relaxed into a smile. "It seems we won't need to find our way around ourselves—someone's come to greet us. Let's go meet them, and I'll introduce you to some old friends."
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of rushing wind filled the air. Because Yami had warned them in advance, Artoria and the others didn't react with alarm. Several familiar faces quickly came into view.
"I didn't expect it would be you welcoming us," Yami said, waving in greeting. "Long time no see, Imu, old man Kong, and Vice Admiral Gion~"
Imu and Gion remained silent, but the former Fleet Admiral of the Navy, Kong, immediately responded with a respectful tone, "It's been a long time, Mr. Yami. Welcome back!"
Kong had no choice but to be respectful. Having witnessed the devastation of the Five Elders, he knew all too well the strength of the man before him. Even Imu had been swayed by Yami's power, which spoke volumes about how formidable he was. Despite having retired from his position as Fleet Admiral, Kong now held the post of Commander-in-Chief of the entire military in Mary Geoise. His strength may have diminished, but his understanding of human nature had only grown. It was wise to treat someone like Yami with respect.
"How are things going?" Yami asked. "With the fall of the Celestial Dragons, most of the power should now rest with your navy, right? How are you handling the chaos at sea?"
Kong's face lit up with excitement when asked. "Thanks to you, under Lord Imu's leadership, the navy has established a new system. Every member country and even other nations must now abide by it. There was some resistance at first, but we quickly suppressed it. I believe the day when the entire sea is cleansed, and people can live peacefully, isn't far off!"
His tone was full of pride, and Yami nodded in acknowledgment. He wasn't particularly concerned about the fate of the navy or pirates; as long as his actions didn't cause the deaths of countless innocent people, that was enough for him. The future of the Pirate World would depend on the efforts of those in charge.
A sudden light cough from Imu brought Kong back to his senses. He quickly fell silent, stepping aside to make room for the more important conversation.
"Long time no see, Yami," Imu finally spoke, her voice soft but intense.
Yami couldn't help but feel a little uneasy under her gaze. The passionate interest she showed was more than a little overwhelming, a reminder of the irreversible consequences of their earlier encounter. The lingering effects of the 'mole of love' were proving to be quite potent.
"Forgive my intrusion, Miss Imu," Yami said, attempting to downplay the situation. "I'm just here to check on things and address a few issues. I hope it's not too much trouble."
"Of course not," Imu replied without hesitation. "This is your world; you're welcome to come and go as you please and do whatever you need to."
Her enthusiastic response would have sparked resentment in others, but Kong and Gion remained unfazed. They knew better than to question Yami's decisions.
"If that's the case, then I'll get straight to the point." Yami didn't hold back, explaining his plans in detail. As Imy listened, her curiosity about Orario deepened, and her gaze wandered to Ray and Gros. Just the intensity of her gaze made them take a step back, their instincts warning them of the danger she posed.
"So that's the situation," Imu mused. "You plan to send these 'Xenos' to this world to settle?"
"For the time being, yes," Yami confirmed. "It's a temporary solution. While sending Xenos out of the dungeon might ease the immediate crisis, it won't address the root of the problem. We'll need to discuss the long-term solution later."
This is Yami's plan.
Resolving the issues surrounding the Xenos is far from simple. Even if all the Xenos were sent to the Pirate World, as long as the dungeon exists, new Xenos will continue to be born. Therefore, this method is only a temporary solution at best.
To completely address this problem, the real change must start with the adventurers of Orario. Only when adventurers truly accept the existence of Xenos and distinguish them from ordinary monsters will Xenos be able to walk openly in the streets.
Although sending them to the Pirate World is an option, it's a complex and temporary measure. No one can guarantee the safety of newly born Xenos during this period. However, for now, sending the known Xenos to the Pirate World seems like the most viable solution. If Orario's situation doesn't improve, at least there's an alternative.
"I understand. No problem, I'll arrange for them to be taken care of," Imu said, nodding after hearing Yami's plan. Her voice was soft but filled with certainty.
Yami, however, slowly shook his head. "There's no need for that. I'm not asking you to take care of them. The reason I want to place them in this world is because of its racial diversity, where all races coexist peacefully. Other than that, they don't need any special treatment."
He then turned to Ray . "Isn't that right, Miss Ray ?"
Ray nodded obediently. "Yes, Master Yami. We're more than satisfied with an equal living environment. We Xenos don't need any privileges; we can take care of ourselves."
Ray's heart swelled with excitement as she took in the new world unfolding before her. Even though traveling to another world was overwhelming, the siren couldn't help but feel a surge of hope. It was the dream of all Xenos to find a safe haven and protect their companions. What more could they ask for?
"It's good that you agree," Yami continued. "As you can see, compared to the hostility of Orario and the dangers of the dungeon, this world is relatively safe. In my view, it's a good place to live. If you're willing, you can temporarily stay here until I, along with god Ouranos, reveal the true nature of Xenos to the public. Once they are accepted by both the adventurers and the gods, you can consider returning to Orario. What do you think?"
With Ray's acceptance, the rest would be easier to arrange. Ensuring the safety and living environment of the Xenos wasn't an easy task. Even in the original story, Bell couldn't perfectly resolve the issue and eventually had to send all the Xenos back to the dungeon.
Yami understood that the path ahead was long, but for now, bringing the Xenos to the One Piece World was the best way to keep them away from the dangers of the dungeon and adventurers.
Ray shared this view. Though she didn't fully grasp the specifics of this world, her trust in Yami and Ouranos filled her with hope.
"Master Yami, thank you for your help!" Ray said earnestly. "Personally, I would like to live in this world, but I can't decide for everyone else. I'd like to go back and discuss it with them first. Would that be too much trouble?"
Her voice was filled with caution, but Yami's smile only grew warmer. He waved his hand gently, his expression kind.
"There's no need to be so polite. I promised Ouranos I'd help you, and no matter how difficult, I'll see it through. Besides, I've grown fond of both you and Gros during our short time together. I believe we can become good friends. It's fine for you to discuss it with the others, but it might take a little while. We plan to stay in the Pirate World for a few days. During that time, I'll show you around so you can learn more about it. That should help you make a more informed decision. What do you think?"
Ray and Gros exchanged glances, then nodded without hesitation. "Master Yami, we'll leave it to you!"
"Alright, let's get going!" Yami said, satisfied with their response.
With everyone in agreement, Yami prepared to leave the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. Shirahoshi and Kuina had finally returned, and they naturally wanted to visit their hometowns. Imu, though she had intended to stabilize the Pirate World and follow Yami to Orario, wasn't about to miss the chance to accompany him now.
Although Yami found Imu's persistence somewhat exasperating, he didn't stop her. After all, she was the head of the New World Government. Who would dare to complain if she occasionally stepped away from her duties? Neither the World Government nor the Navy would challenge her authority.
As everyone boarded the steel-framed ship and prepared to leave Mary Geoise, Cu Chulainn suddenly spoke up. "Hey, Archer, will there be any strong opponents where we're headed next? It's not every day I get to visit another world, and those dungeon monsters were a disappointment. I'm itching for a real fight!"
Yami sighed, a bit exasperated. "Can't you be patient for a little while longer?"
But he knew Cu Chulainn's nature all too well. The fact that he'd been this patient for so long was impressive in itself. However, deliberately seeking out strong opponents in the Pirate World seemed like a waste of time.
Then, an idea struck Yami, and his gaze shifted to Kong, who was standing nearby. A smile slowly spread across Yami's face.
Sensing Yami's intent, Kong felt a chill run down his spine. He had a sinking feeling that something troublesome was about to happen.
"Old man Kong, my friend here wants to test the strength of the navy. How about you give him a warm welcome? A friendly match could help everyone improve their skills, don't you think?" Yami's smile only grew brighter as he spoke.
Kong remained silent for a moment, his mouth twitching as he contemplated refusing. But seeing Imu's clenched fist, he reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's do it."