Chapter 35 – Return to the Blue Sea and New Conversations
After the destruction caused by his Darkness Sonic Axe, Arthur lay on his back in the center of the smoking crater where Conquest was unconscious, his body nearly completely destroyed. Black smoke still rose from the broken earth around them, and the smell of ash lingered in the air. Arthur's own muscles throbbed with pain, twitching from the strain of battle, but his regeneration had already begun to repair every wound, slowly stitching flesh and bone back together.
"No more playing with this world's monsters…" he muttered, staring up at the blood-red sky over Chicago, as if challenging it to send another threat.
He stood up slowly, cracking his neck as the last sparks of dark energy faded around his fingers. Then, he floated upward, silent and composed. On his way up, he came across Mark, standing on a rooftop, tense and uncertain. Mark asked if Conquest had been defeated. Arthur simply raised his hand and pointed toward the ruined villain in the crater below, whose broken body was barely recognizable.
"Want to finish him off for good?" Arthur asked, his tone unreadable.
Mark hesitated, visibly conflicted, unsure of what the right choice was. After thinking for a moment, he said he would call his friends so they could decide together what to do with Conquest.
"Well, that's up to you guys. I'm leaving," Arthur said plainly, without looking back.
"But why did you help us?" Mark called out.
Arthur turned his head slightly, still floating in the air.
"Because I owed you a favor. That's all."
With that, he rocketed into the sky, vanishing into the clouds as if he had never been there.
Without wasting time, Arthur opened his Dimensional Portal again, channeling his energy and focusing his thoughts on the world of One Piece—specifically, the peaceful village in Wano where he had left Black Maria resting. The swirling vortex of light shimmered around him as space bent to his will.
The portal's light flared, and in the blink of an eye, Arthur was once again beneath the peaceful sunset of Wano. The sky here was soft and golden, with streaks of orange and pink, so different from the chaos and fire of the world he had just left.
The contrast between the devastation of Invincible and the serene beauty of Wano was overwhelming. The rhythmic sound of cicadas filled the air. The scent of pine and fresh earth drifted on the breeze, and the distant rustling of leaves soothed his frayed mind. The peacefulness washed over him like cool water, cleansing the tension from his body.
Arthur descended slowly, his flight turning into a gentle glide as he approached the inn. As he walked down the corridor and opened the door to the room, the scent of fresh fabric and herbal tea greeted him. Inside, Black Maria sat cross-legged on the floor, carefully sewing something in her lap. Her expression was calm, almost meditative, as if she were pouring care into every stitch.
When she saw him, her entire demeanor lit up. Despite her towering figure, she moved with surprising grace as she rose to her feet.
"Arthur! You're back! You're all torn up… where did you go to end up like this?" she asked, her tone worried as her eyes scanned his bruised and blood-stained body.
He chuckled softly as he stepped inside, the door sliding shut behind him. His clothes were in tatters, and dried blood streaked his arms and neck.
"Just a little fight on the way here… but I got what I wanted."
She knelt down in front of him, her massive size still almost eye-level with him even like that. Arthur didn't hesitate—he sat on her leg like it was a warm, living cushion, familiar and comforting.
"Maria, I… need to tell you something important," he said, looking into her eyes.
She tilted her head curiously, her horns catching the golden light.
"Hmm?"
Arthur took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him. He was determined to tell her now. After all, unlike the world of Fairy Tail, where the plot began sooner, he had arrived in One Piece well before the major events to win over Hancock and Maria. That meant he couldn't stay long in any single place—at most, he could visit her every couple of weeks. She deserved to know why.
Later, he would also tell Hancock, Erza, and Mira. And if they didn't understand, he'd explain everything patiently, as many times as needed.
"You know, Maria… I need to tell you something. I'm not from this world. Maybe that sounds strange, so I'll try to explain it simply: the world you live in is like an island in a vast ocean. And there are many other islands—meaning, many other worlds. I have the ability to travel between them. And I do it to grow stronger. I'm telling you this because sometimes I won't be here. I'll be in those other worlds, training and preparing for what's coming."
Maria remained quiet for a moment. Then, a soft, understanding smile spread across her face.
"I thought it was going to be something way stranger. You accepted me as I am… huge, clumsy, with horns… so why wouldn't I accept you being from another place? And even if I don't really understand this whole 'other worlds' thing… I hope you'll teach me slowly."
Arthur's chest tightened with emotion, his heart warmed by her words.
"Thank you… really. And yes, I'll teach you. I'll explain everything. As many times as it takes."
She placed her giant hand gently on his head, her fingers brushing through his hair with care, as if she were holding something delicate and precious.
"But… if you're from another world… does that mean you'll leave me one day?" she asked softly, her eyes clouded with uncertainty.
Arthur looked into her eyes, his expression firm.
"Never. I'm creating a world of our own. A planet called Mars… and I want to turn it into a safe place. Somewhere you, me, and all the others who want to come with us can live freely. I can't leave my wife in another world forever. I want her to live by my side."
Maria's eyes widened, then softened as she smiled again, this time more brightly—her joy filling the room like sunlight through a window.
"Then take me with you when that world is ready."
Arthur reached out and held her enormous hand with both of his.
"I promise."
But before they could say anything else, a loud crash echoed from outside, shaking the quiet evening.
Arthur shot to his feet and rushed to the window. The streets were in motion.
Outside, Yamato was sprinting across the rooftops with wild determination, fleeing from the guards of the shogun's mansion. Heavy chains hung from her wrists, and a massive kanabo rested on her back. Her expression burned with a rebellious fire. She looked like she could tear down the entire world if she had to.
Arthur let out a slow sigh.
"Time to take the next step in the mission… it's time to talk to her."
Behind him, Black Maria chuckled knowingly.
"I've heard of her. Kaido's daughter… though she sees herself as a man. If you're interested in her… you've got your work cut out for you, hubby."
Arthur glanced over his shoulder and winked.
"I guess I like tough girls."
She crossed her arms with a mock-offended look, though her smile betrayed her amusement.
Outside, Yamato shouted something with revolutionary fire. Arthur was already forming a plan… and he had a few incredible stories he couldn't wait to tell her.
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