Before long, Sanji lifted the final pot off the stove. The rich aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air.
"Alright, everyone—line up!" he called. "Hot food's ready!"
The scavengers, many of whom had stayed the entire time—watching Sanji cook, or waiting their turn with Kaya—immediately stood and formed an orderly line. Hunger in their eyes, but now accompanied by something else: hope.
Sanji began serving them one by one. Plates piled with warm rice, hearty stew, roasted vegetables, and spiced fish passed from his hands to theirs. The expressions on their faces were priceless—some wide-eyed with joy, others smiling through tears.
Meanwhile, Zino had stepped away, returning minutes later with Zoro, Alvida, and the rest of the Silent Orca crew in tow.
"Smells amazing," Zoro remarked, eyeing the food.
"True," Zino said. "We're sharing lunch with the people."
With everyone present, the crew joined the gathering. The pirates and the scavengers sat side by side on the ice platform, cloud-like cushions appearing beneath them as Zino created more soft seating from his cloud element.
Together, they shared a meal.
Some of the locals ate with laughter, others in stunned silence. A few clutched their plates tightly, as if afraid the food might vanish. More than a few wept openly—tears rolling down their faces as they chewed slowly, savoring every bite. To them, it all felt like a dream.
These pirates… they didn't pillage, they didn't harm. They came like a miracle. With food, healing, and kindness.
"Thank you…" voices whispered. "Thank you, Orcas."
Zino smiled softly as he heard them. "Eat as much as you want," he said gently.
Just then, the men who had left earlier returned—carrying more of the sick and weak. They stopped short, surprised to see the ice platform now wider, and people relaxing on fluffy cloud couches. The scent of hot food reached them, and their eyes lit up.
Helpers rushed forward to assist, guiding the ill toward Kaya. Chloris and Moris had joined her, using their respective healing skills to lighten her burden. A steady glow of curative magic filled the air.
Soon, nearly everyone on Rust Belt Island—save for Griggs and his thugs—had gathered here. By Zino's estimation, over 250 people were now on the platform.
Sanji didn't stop. He kept cooking dish after dish, ensuring no one was left unfed. The crew helped distribute, chat with the locals, and assist however they could.
After nearly two hours, the meal finally wound down.
The platform was quiet—full bellies, resting bodies, and peaceful hearts. People reclined on soft cloud couches Zino had conjured, some dozing, others simply staring at the sky. For once, they weren't scavengers. They weren't survivors.
They were just… people. At peace.
Food in their stomachs. Health returning to their bodies. Comfort under them and safety around them.
This felt like heaven.
Where else could such things exist in one place? Warm meals, magical healing, soft beds, and kindness?
These pirates—these Silent Orcas—weren't devils. To them, they were saviors.
And no amount of words could express their thanks.
As Zino looked around at the resting villagers, their peaceful expressions after a full meal stirred a thought deep in his mind.
What if we made this place our own? he wondered. Raise our flag here. Turn this forgotten wasteland into a sanctuary.
The idea came out of nowhere, but already, gears were turning in his head.
"Guys," Zino called out, standing up. "I'm thinking of making this place part of our territory."
The Silent Orcas all turned to him, exchanging glances, curious but silent, waiting for him to explain further.
"I want to help the locals," Zino continued. "Let's turn this place into something livable—strong, self-sustaining. A haven under our protection."
"How exactly are we going to do that?" Zoro asked. "You got a plan?"
"Not really." Zino rubbed the back of his neck. "Just the starting idea. So… let's figure it out together. Any thoughts?"
Before anyone could answer, Robin spoke up thoughtfully. "Before we do that, just remember… we're inside the Florian Triangle. This sea is filled with cursed fog, ghost ships, and unnatural dangers. Are you sure this is the best place for a base?"
Zino gave a half-smile. "That's exactly why it's a good place. Dangerous seas mean less attention from the World Government. We can build freely. If it were safer, the Marines would already have their boots all over it."
He added, "Besides, someone else thought like me. A certain Warlord of the Sea."
"Who?" asked Kruz.
"Gecko Moria," Zino replied. "His hideout is somewhere in this triangle. He made his own fortress in this very sea."
At the mention of a Warlord, a few among the crew stiffened.
"A Warlord?!" Usopp gulped. "If he's nearby, won't we clash with him?"
"It's just a Warlord," Galdino scoffed. "What's the big deal? You scared?"
"I'm not scared! I'm being strategic!" Usopp snapped, face pale.
Laughter rippled through the crew.
Zino chuckled too. "Anyway, instead of fighting over a ruined island, let's think bigger."
He turned toward the sea of twisted metal and pollution. "Let's give these people a real future."
But then Sanji chimed in, shaking his head. "Zino, rather than fixing this dying scrap heap, wouldn't it be faster to relocate everyone to a clean, livable island? This place is toxic. The sea, the air, everything's contaminated. It'll take years just to make the ground fertile."
"I agree," said Gin. "We could burn ourselves out trying to fix this place. But finding a better spot and moving them there? That's smarter."
Zino paused, then nodded. "You're right. Let's not waste time fighting the environment."
He turned toward the horizon, his eyes narrowing. "I'll scout the surrounding seas and find a proper island. Once I do, we'll evacuate and move everyone there."
The crew nodded in agreement, each relieved the burden of full-scale development was lifted.
Without another word, Zino's form shimmered and burst into wind. He launched into the air, disappearing into the mist-filled skies of the Florian Triangle—searching for a new island.
...
The daylight is turning to night time.
After hours of scouring the murky, cursed waters of the Florian Triangle, Zino had found multiple candidates for relocation. But among them, two islands stood out as ideal.
The first island was vast—easily large enough to hold an entire city, perhaps more. Its lush forests, freshwater lakes, and stable terrain made it a prime location. However, Zino's sharp senses picked up signs of formidable beasts dwelling deep within the forests. It wouldn't be a problem for his crew, but the locals would need protection or time to tame it.
The second island was similarly massive, covered in rolling green hills and dotted with sparse woodland. At first glance, it appeared peaceful, almost too quiet. But as Zino soared above it, his Observation Haki caught something… off. From the heart of the island, an ominous aura pulsed slowly, like a sleeping heartbeat. Something dark was buried there—silent, but definitely alive.
Zino marked both locations in his memory, planning to return with his crew for further inspection.
As he continued his reconnaissance, something unexpected appeared on the horizon—a familiar shape, drifting eerily across the misty sea.
A colossal island-sized ship, its hull rotted and patched, its silhouette gothic and menacing under the twilight sky.
Zino narrowed his eyes. "Thriller Bark…?" he muttered.
It was unmistakable. The floating fortress of Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"They're actually on this side of the Florian Triangle?" Zino muttered, surprised.
He reached out with his Haki—and was shocked by what he sensed.
Monkey D. Luffy. And his new crew. Alive and fighting.
But what shocked Zino more was that Luffy actually had the Thousand Sunny.
Zino gave a low chuckle. "So even in this twisted sea… Luffy's fate still circles back to that ship."
His focus shifted briefly to the battle occurring below. Luffy and several of his crew had lost their shadows—likely to Moria's devil fruit powers.
"Should I help them?" Zino mused aloud, hovering mid-air in the shadows of the clouds. "It wouldn't take long."
But after a beat, he shook his head.
"No. That's his fight. He'll win. He always wins."
With a final glance toward Thriller Bark, Zino turned, transforming into wind and soaring back toward the junkyard island.
The mist swallowed him up.
A few moments later, from deep within the fog-shrouded distance, a colossal eye slowly opened. It peered silently in the direction Zino had vanished.
A presence beyond comprehension stared for a long moment. Then, just as silently, the eye closed again, vanishing into the mist as if it had never been there.
...
Back at the broken platform hub, a sudden breeze swept across the area, stirring the lingering mist and loose debris. It twisted midair, condensing with purpose until it formed the figure of Zino, who landed lightly on the still-frozen ice platform. His cloak settled behind him as the wind calmed.
"I've found a place," Zino announced, his voice firm yet calm.
"Really? Where is it?" Nami asked, perking up.
Zino didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced around at his crew, his tone shifting slightly. "Before that—quick question. Which would you all prefer: fighting beasts, or dealing with something... ominous?"
"Wait, why are those the only options?" Stev raised a brow. "Can't we just, you know, avoid both?"
"Just answer the question," Zino said without flinching.
"I'd rather fight beasts," Zoro said bluntly, resting a hand on one of his swords.
"Same here," Gin chimed in, arms crossed.
One by one, the others nodded or murmured in agreement, though a few looked less confident.
Zino nodded. "Alright, then. We'll relocate these people to the island with beasts."
"Wait, what?" Stev's jaw dropped. "Hold on—we're actually doing that?"
"Yeah! What happened to choices?!" Usopp exclaimed.
But Zino had already turned, walking toward the crowd of scavengers now lounging on the cloud couches, some chatting, others simply resting after their first real meal in years.
He raised his voice. "Everyone! I've found an island—a good one. Clean air, fresh water, open land. It's suitable for living. I plan to relocate you all there."
The people began to murmur, uncertainty flashing in their eyes.
"If you agree to move," Zino continued, "raise your hand."
There was a moment of silence. Sabi, standing beside his mother and little sister, was the first to raise his hand.
One by one, every hand followed.
Zino smiled slightly. "Good. Head back and pack what you want to take. Once you're ready, we'll go."
The crowd burst into movement, voices rising in excitement. Even those too weak to move on their own were helped up by others. Children ran off ahead, laughter echoing in the air, while adults hurried to salvage what few belongings they had. For people who had known nothing but rust, pollution, and decay, this chance felt like a miracle.
Within the hour, the scavengers returned, each carrying what they could. Old satchels, worn tools, tattered blankets—whatever little they had, it was now slung across their backs. Hope and uncertainty flickered in their eyes, but above all, they looked toward Zino with trust. He had fed them, healed them, and asked for nothing in return.
Now, he was offering them freedom.
Zino stepped forward and raised his hand. In the open area, a small mass of cloud began to gather, no bigger than a fist at first. But as he focused, the cloud grew rapidly, expanding outward in size and density. It stretched and solidified, transforming into a flat, floating island of soft cloud.
Still, Zino frowned. "Not enough."
He pulled in the mist from the surrounding sea, binding it to the structure, reinforcing the edges. The island widened, becoming stable and thick enough to carry hundreds of people. Moments later, a cloud staircase extended from the platform to the cloud island's edge.
He turned back to the people.
"Alright," Zino called out. "Everyone—come up. This cloud will carry us."
Then, without hesitation, he ascended the staircase himself, standing atop the floating cloud with ease.
The people stared, stunned.
Sure, they'd sat on the soft cloud couches earlier—but those felt like cotton or tricks of the eye. This… this was something else. A floating island, summoned from thin air?
Hesitantly, one man reached out and stepped on the first stair. It held.
He looked back. "It's real!"
Suddenly, dozens of people began climbing after Zino, laughter and disbelief in their voices. The Orcas also came up on the clouds. After everyone was on the cloud, Zino then used his air element to propel the cloud, moving it forward towards the island with beasts.
While driving the cloud, Zino felt like he had forgotten something. However, he just brushed it off.
A while after they left, Griggs came, bringing a torch to light his way. He was here to apologize to Zino, hoping that the guy would forgive him, and let him have a share of food supplies.
However, he was late. When he arrived, there was no one there. The place was quiet, except for the white ice platform that was starting to melt.
Griggs was stunned.
"Where are they?"