The salty sea breeze swept across the deck, carrying away some of the lingering heat—along with the last group of sailors who had chosen to leave.
Sami leaned against the ship's rail, silently watching the small boat carrying his former companions drift farther and farther away.
Eventually, it became nothing more than a tiny black dot against the distant island.
Hans walked over quickly and reported to Sami, his navigation log filled with densely written names and islands.
"Boss, that was the last group. All the brothers who wanted to go home have been settled."
"Good."
Sami nodded, his gaze still fixed on the distant horizon.
"Next, we sail directly to Echo-Lyre Island for the final resupply. After that—our destination is the Grand Line."
"Yes, Boss!"
Echo-Lyre Island, true to its poetic name, was the last harbor in the West Blue where sailors could still hear echoes of their homeland before heading toward Reverse Mountain.
It was the final gentle refuge before every ambition and dream sailed into the unknown.
There, they would complete their final preparations and armament.
Then they would charge without hesitation toward the ultimate sea—a place where legends and graves existed side by side.
This unusual voyage, which had lasted half a month, all began with Sami's decision that shook the entire ship.
(Flashback)
"What?! The Grand Line?!"
"You're joking… that pirate graveyard?!"
"I heard the people there can sink warships with a single punch!"
"That's nothing! I heard the seawater tastes sweet there, icebergs appear in summer, and nothing follows normal rules!"
"And the Sea Kings! Compared to them, the beasts of the West Blue are like harmless puppies!"
When Sami announced the news to the entire crew on deck, it was like throwing a deep-sea bomb into calm waters.
"That's right."
Sami's gaze swept across every face—familiar and unfamiliar alike.
"I've discussed this with all the officers. Our next destination is to cross Reverse Mountain and enter the Grand Line."
He paused deliberately, giving everyone time to digest the shocking announcement.
"I know what you're thinking."
His steady voice suppressed the rising commotion.
"The Grand Line is known as the Pirate Graveyard. The seas, weather, and magnetic fields there obey completely different laws than the Four Blues. Powerful fighters are everywhere. Pirates with bounties in the tens of millions—or even hundreds of millions—are common."
"For us, it will be a challenge where death is almost guaranteed."
Sami saw the emotions spreading across the crowd.
Fear.
Hesitation.
Doubt.
Excitement.
Awe.
It was normal. Facing the terror of the unknown required tremendous courage.
"So—"
Sami suddenly raised his voice so everyone could hear clearly.
"I'm giving you a choice."
"If anyone doesn't want to go, or has a reason to stay behind, speak up now!"
"I, Riberra Sami, swear that I will not force anyone—and I will never consider it betrayal."
"This is not shameful. Everyone has something precious to protect. Your life. Your family."
"I respect your decision."
"If you don't want to go—step forward."
"I'll send you safely back to the island where we first met. And as always, you'll receive severance pay—enough to start a new life."
"There's no shame in that."
"But think carefully."
"Once we cross Reverse Mountain, turning back will be nearly impossible."
"This is a one-way road."
The crowd exploded into heated discussion.
Whispers turned into arguments.
After painful inner struggles, a few men finally stepped forward with clenched teeth and lowered heads.
"Paul!" a sailor with a mohawk shouted in disbelief.
"You bastard! Didn't we swear to conquer the seas together?! Did you forget our oath?!"
The man called Paul didn't turn around.
His fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.
"…I'm sorry."
His voice was thick with emotion.
Sami watched calmly.
"Good."
He nodded toward the men who stepped forward.
"Register your names and hometowns with Hans. When you disembark, come to me for your severance pay. I keep my word."
Then he turned to the silent crowd.
"Anyone else?"
Another wave of commotion spread.
One after another, more men lowered their heads and stepped forward.
Soon more than a dozen had joined them.
Among them was a lean pirate wearing a blue headscarf, who caught Aldo's attention.
"Thorn!"
Aldo's rough voice was filled with disbelief and anger as he strode forward.
"Even you're leaving? You're the squad leader I trusted the most!"
Thorn lifted his head.
His face was full of struggle and guilt.
He couldn't even meet Aldo's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Brother Aldo… Back in my village… I still have a family. My mother… and my wife and daughter waiting for me…"
"If I go to the Grand Line… I might never see them again."
Aldo grabbed his shoulders, practically shouting.
"Think carefully! You already have an 800,000 Beli bounty on your head!"
Thorn reached up and gently touched his worn blue headscarf.
A trace of tenderness flickered in his eyes—before being replaced by determination.
"My bounty isn't that high. The bounty hunters who chase someone like me won't be too strong. I can handle them."
"But the Grand Line is a road of no return."
"My wife and daughter are waiting for me…"
"I can't gamble."
"I can't bet their future."
"B—"
"Enough, Aldo."
Sami stepped forward, cutting him off.
He walked up to Thorn and placed a hand on his shoulder.
There was no blame in his eyes—only understanding.
"Everyone has their own path."
"There's no need to force it."
"Having family waiting for you… that's the most legitimate reason there is."
Then he turned to everyone who had chosen to leave.
"All of you who wish to return—register with Hans."
"I, Sami, give my word."
"I'll send every one of you home safely."