Chapter 283: Four Years
In the year 1496 of the Marineford Era, four years had passed since 1492.
In these four years, no world-shocking major events occurred on the Sea, as if it had entered a bizarre period of calm, with all factions silently pushing forward with their own affairs.
Of course, if one zoomed in their vision a bit finer, there were still many things worth noting.
For example, the Navy officially established a special operations unit called the “Science Unit,” which is said to be equipped with the most advanced weapons currently on the Sea;
Beasts Heavy Industry successfully established weapon factories in both the Grand Line and the Four Seas, secretly vying fiercely with the World Government for the market.
Zephyr’s new recruit training camp welcomed a third man with a very DIO-like voice after the two contemporaries Sakazuki and Borsalino, both monsters.
In the North Sea, a Celestial Dragon personally killed his own father;
Also in the North Sea, Navy Admiral Sengoku secretly adopted a foster son in the same year;
Meanwhile in the West Sea, the great pirate Chinjao of the Flower Country was unfortunately punched into a round-headed old man by a certain Vice Admiral;
In the New World, after Whitebeard’s Pirate Crew suddenly disappeared for a period, when they reappeared, there was unexpectedly a samurai on the ship who called him brother.
Also, the man named Sain, who once had a brief encounter with Sister La and the others, left MADS but did not come to find Kaido as promised;
In short, beneath the calm sea surface, certain bizarre mines capable of exploding the world in the future were being buried one by one.
……
On the east shore of Fenrir Island, a large warship with a bull-shaped prow carving but a hull decorated with fish scale patterns was moored on one side of the dock—it was Burufaruto’s flagship, the “Minotaur.”
After years of exposure to wind, rain, and the baptism of cannon fire and smoke, this warship was no longer as pristine as when Aoxi and Obei first boarded it; there were numerous fine cracks visible everywhere on the hull and deck.
Even after several modifications and repairs in the dockyard, with various new weapons and technology loaded onto it as much as possible, this ship built from ordinary materials was ultimately approaching the limit of its lifespan after countless high-intensity battles.
Compared to the decades-long service life of ordinary merchant ships and fishing boats, the rotation cycle of pirate ships was as short as the average lifespan of pirates.
Unless it was the kind built with top-tier materials like “Treasure Tree Adam” that were priceless and hard to obtain, used as a pirate crew’s flagship, a general warship’s service life was at most around ten years.
For a battle-hardened warship like the “Minotaur,” its lifespan was basically only five to six years.
In other words, this warship had reached the edge of scrapping.
However, Burufaruto didn’t care and had no intention of replacing it… He just kept piloting his personal ride, continuing to shuttle through cannon fire as before.
In his words: “This ship has followed me through countless campaigns for so many years; I know its temperament well. It’s impossible for it to stay obediently in the dock waiting to be scrapped and dismantled.”
“Its best destination is to sink into the Sea after firing its last cannonball.”
That said, this time its departure was not for any combat mission, but simply to transport people to their destination as a ship.
Splash~
The sound of chains rubbing rang out as the sailors worked together to raise the anchor; it looked like they were preparing to depart.
……
“Everyone, let’s part here; no need to see me off further.”
Beside the gangway on the dock shore, Jinbe wore a loose robe white with faint blue water patterns embroidered, carrying a huge bundle on his back that was three sizes larger than his body, waving somewhat helplessly to bid farewell to the group.
Compared to four years ago, he had grown quite a bit taller; the youthful greenness of the young man had faded, and a youthful vigor belonging to a young man was gradually emanating from him.
Yes, the now eighteen-year-old Jinbe was, as he had said back then, preparing to set out to sea alone to find and confirm the dream that had always been vague in his heart.
“Wah~ Jinbe Boss, take good care of yourself out there!”
“We’ll all miss you! Chu~”
“Hmph! Hachi, Chu, how can you two, as men, make such an ugly scene of crying in front of Jinbe Boss!”
Looking at the two little partners crying their eyes out in front of him, Arlong crossed his arms, frowned, and scolded.
The four years had also gradually given this former mischievous child king the demeanor of a boss.
“Haha! Arlong is right.”
“Miss La said: ‘A man doesn’t shed tears lightly.’ Hachi, Chu, we’re just parting briefly for now, and there will surely be a day we meet again.”
“Mm, mm.”*2
After comforting the two little Fish-Men, Jinbe nodded at Arlong again.
“As for you, Arlong… Even when I’m not around, you must not slack on your Fish-Man Karate and Rokushiki training; keep at it persistently, got it?”
“Don’t worry about that, Jinbe Boss; I’m making progress every day now. When you come back, I’ll definitely surprise you!”
“Hahaha! Is that so? Then I’ll be looking forward to it!”
He patted Arlong’s shoulder, then thumped his right chest, feeling the solid sensation transmitted through his fist; Jinbe nodded in satisfaction.
“Alright, I should go.”
Tightening the baggage on his back, Jinbe turned and stepped onto the gangway to the deck of the “Minotaur.”
……
“Yo~ Finished saying goodbye to those little partners below?”
As soon as he boarded, Jinbe saw a crimson figure.
The other was standing with one hand on her hip, talking to Burufaruto on the ship; hearing the commotion, she turned her head and called out.
“Uh… yeah.”
Jinbe was slightly stunned before responding.
Even though he often saw her face due to training, Jinbe was still briefly stunned by her beauty each time.
Aoxi’s current appearance had also grown to around fourteen years old; her face was gradually shedding its childish cuteness, developing toward the infinite beauty of a girl.
Although she was still in an awkward transitional phase, with her face carrying some overly heavy youthfulness, an abyssal charm was already beginning to emerge.
“By the way, Sister La really loves to worry; she prepared so much stuff for you.”
Watching Jinbe carefully set down the huge bundle behind him, the crimson figure stepped forward and poked it twice with her slender fingers, then that wondrous voice in the midst of voice change emanated from the girl’s throat again.
“And this robe you’re wearing was made by Sister La too, right? I can sense her divine power fluctuation on it.”
“Indeed, I am truly grateful for her kindness.”
Looking down at the warm and comfortable robe on his body that felt like being draped in morning sun, Jinbe said guiltily:
“For accommodating my selfishness and causing you all so much trouble, I am truly ashamed.”
“Well~ You said long ago that you planned to set out to sea, and we all support you going to find your dream; there’s nothing selfish about it.”
Her red-and-white short boots clomped a few more steps as Aoxi circled around the huge bundle to stand in front of Jinbe.
Aoxi, now over 1.6 meters tall, still had to look up to see Jinbe’s face; in fact, their height difference had not shortened over these four years but had grown even larger.
This was still decent; someone like Ember’s current height was already more than an extra Aoxi compared to four years ago.
One could only say that in this world, the growth patterns of certain races were too free.
With hands clasped behind her back, Aoxi looked into Jinbe’s eyes and spoke earnestly.
“Since Sister La has prepared everything needed, your master won’t nag anymore.”
“Just remember what your master said back then: if you stir up trouble out there, be sure to name-drop your master.”
“Not to brag, but your master has a bit of a reputation on the Sea these years.”
This was somewhat modest; in fact, as the Beasts Pirates advanced step by step and expanded continuously these years, Aoxi had racked up quite a few achievements alongside Kaido.
Even recently, she had openly killed a Seven Warlords member coveting the Beasts Pirates’ arms business right in front of the Navy, then swaggered away.
Compared to Obei, who hardly ever left home, and the “no such person” La, 【Underworld Princess】’s name was resounding on the current Sea; ordinary pirates and even Navy would basically sneak a few photographs then steer clear upon sighting her.
