The Grand Line, the New World.
The ruins of Alchemi, the legendary Island of Alchemy from two hundred years ago,
stood on a reef in the sea like an enormous rock.
An old man named Dolon lay in a wooden reclining chair, with his farmland and lighthouse-like house beside him.
Under a huge parasol, Dolon wore sunglasses and stared at the newspaper in his hands with a serious expression.
The headline read: The Yonkō Alliance Appears. Where Is the War Between the Marines + World Government and the Sky Pirates Headed...
Below the headline, aside from dense lines of text, there was only one photo.
To Dolon, it was an extremely familiar photo: Fire Dragon Yemu.
"It's been half a year..."
Ever since Yemu had come here with the Sky Pirates half a year ago and met Dolon, Dolon had changed his old habits. He began gathering as much news from the sea as he could and never missed a daily newspaper, hoping to see information about the Sky Pirates.
For Dolon, this was no small expense. Fortunately, when the Sky Pirates left, they had left him many good things. The reclining chair he was lying on now, the parasol, and the sunglasses had all been left behind then.
The reason Dolon paid so much attention to news about the Sky Pirates was not only because he cared about the two adorable little girls, Ayala and Erza, but also because he wanted to see whether the dream he had hoped for, the dream Yemu had spoken of back then, of changing the world and building a nation, had truly come to pass.
From the looks of it now, Yemu had not disappointed Dolon. His great feat of liberating slaves oppressed by the Celestial Dragons made Dolon feel that his judgment had not been wrong. But his decision to directly declare war on the Celestial Dragons and the World Government also made Dolon worry that Yemu might be moving too quickly.
As someone who had become a pirate in his youth, Dolon knew deeply what kind of beings the Celestial Dragons were, and how terrifying the World Government truly was. In this war, could Yemu's Sky Pirates and the country he had established truly win?
If they failed...
Without realizing it, Dolon became deeply worried.
Just then, the barking of the little dog Bobo sounded from nearby.
"Woof, woof, woof..."
Looking over, he saw Bobo happily trotting up the moss-covered steps, running to Dolon's chair and darting excitedly back and forth while barking nonstop at the sky.
Dolon froze for a moment, then looked up. At a glance, he saw a cloud that was clearly unusual, drawing a parabolic arc across the sky as it fell toward his location.
Before Dolon could even react, Yemu, whom he had just been worrying about, descended straight from the sky and appeared in front of him. With him was a cute little white-haired girl with a pair of small horns.
"!!!"
Dolon was startled and instinctively roared, "Kid, what are you doing here?"
"Mr. Dolon, long time no see. I came to pick you up."
"Pick me up?"
"Mm. I've already made every preparation I can for the war. Before going back, I wanted to bring you with me. After all, you are the greatest contributor to the founding of our Rainbow Country."
Unexpectedly, instead of being happy, Dolon roared angrily.
"That kind of thing doesn't matter at all! You're everyone's hope. Instead of staying at headquarters right now, you're running around all over the place..."
"No... that matters a great deal."
Yemu's low voice interrupted Dolon's angry shout.
"Mr. Dolon, to me and to the future country, you hold special meaning. Wenmigudan Island, the territory of our country, was in a sense given to us by you. So I hope I can bring you back and let you personally witness the future of the country being built on that land..."
"!!!"
At that moment, Dolon, hunched and old after living most of his life, felt for the first time a sense of recognition and mission he had never experienced before. His heart shook deeply, and for a long while, he could not speak. Only Bobo barked excitedly beside him.
After a long time, he finally said slowly, "Thank you. This old man never imagined he could be so important."
"Of course you're important. I think Ayala and Erza will also be very happy to see you."
Hearing the names of those two little girls, a gentle smile finally appeared on Dolon's face, and Bobo barked happily as well.
"It's a pity I'm already old and can't help you much anymore."
"No... Mr. Dolon has already helped us a great deal. Also, if you don't mind, I'd like to move this Amikedo Island to the waters around Wenmigudan Island as well..."
Dolon froze.
"I know Alchemi has special meaning to you, Mr. Dolon. This way, while you continue guarding the past, you can also, like a lighthouse keeper, witness the future of our entire country..."
At that moment, what else could Dolon say? Yemu had already considered so much for him. It was just...
"Thank you, kid. But moving an entire island, can you really do something like that?"
"Don't worry. For me, it's nothing. If you don't mind, I'll start now. After all, just as you said, my time really is tight."
"I understand. Go ahead."
"Mm."
As Yemu spoke, he half crouched and pressed his palm against the ground beneath his feet.
In an instant, the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi's ability activated. Its power spread from the ground under his feet directly to the land beneath the sea, wrapping around what little remained of Alchemi.
"Done. Stand firm!"
"Eh?"
Seeing Yemu stand up as if nothing around them had changed, Dolon had not yet reacted when Bobo sensed the tremor beneath his feet and began barking nervously.
Rumble...
Then a violent sound rang out, as if something beneath their feet had cracked open. The world around them began to shake, and the sea started surging with fierce waves.
Fortunately, Yemu had warned him in advance, so Dolon grabbed the chair beside him. Bobo was not so lucky, but just then, a small pair of arms caught him.
It was Yamato. Seeing the little dog Bobo swaying pitifully from side to side, she picked him up and held him in her arms.
Feeling that he had been saved, Bobo looked gratefully at Yamato, who was holding him, then stuck out his tongue and licked Yamato's face, making Yamato laugh happily.
Dolon, meanwhile, looked at the unfamiliar girl curiously.
Just then, the shaking of the earth and sea finally stopped. Then everyone felt the world before their eyes begin to drop, as the entire island slowly rose from the surface of the sea.
"Amazing. This is Golden Lion Shiki's Fuwa Fuwa no Mi ability..."
Dolon, realizing what had happened, was utterly shocked.
But his shock was not over yet. He heard Yemu's slightly surprised voice.
"We really are lucky!"
Everyone followed Yemu's gaze and looked over. At the far end of the sea, visible to the naked eye, tsunami-like waves rose across the deep blue surface. A huge black shadow cut through the wind and waves, charging toward them.
Almost instantly, Dolon thought of something and roared in terror.
"B-Bonbori-sama..."
As his voice fell, a massive fish head like a monster, glowing with golden light, appeared in everyone's sight, blotting out the sky.