10 Years Might Not Be Enough

"Haha good. I'll be rooting for you from the New World!"

When they heard what Tom said everyone was surprised, especially Bai.

"New World?!"

There was no surprise on Tom's face seeing and hearing their reactions. With a slight nod Tom replied.

"I've been here for many years already. At first I only came here to peacefully practice my craft, whilst avoiding the storms that raged on in the New World, then I met those 2…"

As he said that, he looked at his 2 unconscious students, Franky and Iceburg with the same warmth a father would his children.

"After meeting them I decided to live out the rest of my life in peace raising them as my own, but when Spandam first came all those years ago I knew my days were numbered. I taught them everything about ship building I knew with the hopes that my legacy would life on through them.

Even though Spandam himself is no longer a threat, the World Government won't just give up. The only way to put an end to things once and for all is to once more enter the eye of the storm."

"Tom…"

Bai looked at the man who took him into his house all those months ago with a tear in his eye. Although it hadn't been long, to him Tom was family. He had planned on living here for the foreseeable future, but now…

"Bai, when I first met you I instantly saw the shadow of a young Simian in you. Whether it was your dream or your focus to achieve it, having an apprentice like you is more than I could ever ask for. I hope that in the future you can achieve the step that neither Simian nor I could. But to do that you can't live your life here in peace, you need to truly experience everything the world has to offer."

As he said that he looked towards Ori.

"I hope you can do this old man one last favour."

Ori immediately understood what Tom was asking.

"I would love for Bai to join the Heavenly Demons, but it's his decision. I won't force him!"

Tom nodded as he turned back to his genius level apprentice.

"You said you believed that Ori would one day become the True King of the Pirates, well now he has said that he would love for you to join him on his journey. So what will you do? Stay here in peace spending the rest of your life imagining what could've been or take control of your own destiny and live life to the fullest experiencing everything life has to offer be it the joys or the sorrows!"

Bai turned to face Ori unsure about what to say. Just as he was about to speak he heard Ori's indifferent voice.

"Before you make your decision you should know that I fully intend on waging war against both Kaido and Big Mom in the future. I don't mind any of my crew feeling nervous or scared but when that fear puts the lives of any of my crew in danger…

That I won't tolerate!"

As he said that a cruel aura erupted from Ori, petrifying Bai. Seeing Bai's reaction Tom let out a sigh put his hands on his shoulder and said.

"You are a 1st generation descendent of the Torch Family, you're ancestor had to step on the heads of dozens of Yonko level characters to achieve the level he did. Be brave and take that first step, a trivial Yonko isn't worth fearing for a man with your future."

Bai looked at Tom before looking down at the ground hesitantly.

"Be brave, be brave…"

Ori could see the inner struggle that Bai was suffering. Although he would truly love for Bai to join his crew, he couldn't afford to have someone who'd cower in fear whenever they were confronted by a powerful enemy. He sighed as he said softly.

"True bravery is not the absence of fear, but the ability to show strength in the face of adversity despite fear!"

When he heard that, alarm bells seemed to go off in Bai's head, as he thought about Ori's words.

[True bravery is not the absence of fear…

That's right, who said just because I'm scared I can't be brave. I may be scared of a lot of things, but I'm no coward!]

With the hesitation cleared from his head, he looked at the young Heavenly Demon with renewed spirits.

"Please take me with you, I want to be the Heavenly Demon's craftsman and help make you in to the future King of the Pirates!"

Ori stared deeply into the obese craftsman's clear brown eyes. There was no ripples of uncertainty, no second guesses, only determination.

"Haha. Finally, the Heavenly Demons have a shipwright!"

As the rest of the Heavenly Demons introduced themselves to their newest addition, Tom watched on from the back like a proud parent watching their son preparing to fly the nest. He turned back to the still unconscious Bai and Franky as he released a sigh.

[Now it's just those 2 brats remaining.]

"Tom we're leaving now!"

As he was getting lost in his thoughts, he heard Ori's call bringing him back.

He looked back and saw Ori and the others preparing to board their ship.

"Ok, take care! Remember what I said though, if you're going to save Roman, you need to do it before Kaido finds out who he really is. The hatred that man holds for both yours and Roman's parents would be enough to forget any and all reasoning!"

Ori's fists clenched when he heard that, but his eyes still shone with determination as he nodded.

"I understand!"

Bai then walked over to Tom and got down on both knees. Slamming his head on the floor he said.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me. I promise to do it, I promise to create a true Divine Ship for the future Pirate King!"

Tom let out a proud and satisfied smile as he said.

"I don't doubt it for a second! Now get going."

As he lifted Bai from his kneeling position, the Obese craftsman dived into the giant fishman's embrace.

"I'll see you soon! Say bye to Franky and Iceburg for me as well."

Seeing Bai walking towards the King's Vessel preparing to start his new adventure, Tom felt tears forming in his eyes.

Tom was the only person there to see the Heavenly Demon's setting sail for the start of their new adventure. He couldn't help but feel a little anxious in his heart thinking about their future.

[Hopefully history doesn't repeat itself.]

As they set sail Shaya walked over to Ori and asked.

"So what's next for us."

Ori who was stood at the front of the ship looking out to sea said.

"Call everyone over, I'll brief you all together."

Shaya nodded and turned to round everyone up.

Once everyone was gathered, Ori turned back to face them.

"After what happened with Roman on Water 7, the whole world is looking to see how we react. Do we retaliate by going after Kaido, do we focus on our battle with Big Mom, do we stay in Paradise like a big fish in a small pond…

Well I say, why don't we do all of the above?!"

Everyone was confused by Ori's intentions. Seeing their confused faces Ori explained.

"After my battle with Katakuri I've realised how weak I really am. Forget defeating a Yonko, just one of their top executives surpasses me by a long shot. If I had to fight Katakuri without Benji's help, I would've undoubtedly died if I didn't run and now that he's reached the half step Martial Lord boundary, he's even more fearsome.

So instead of heading to the New World to take on opponents that would only crush us prematurely, I've decided we'll be spending the next year here in Paradise.

In this year I'll aim to break into the Sword Lord Boundary and make another breakthrough with my Body Tempering Art (he just calls it a body tempering art because he can't be bothered to explain what Qi is). If I do that I'll feel confident in my ability to protect myself, and even if I can't defeat a Yonko I'll still be strong enough to retreat safely.

Whilst I'm doing that, I don't expect all of you to be idling about either. This next year we'll focus on tempering ourselves in Paradise before taking the New World by storm."

Sabo was slightly hesitant but still brought himself to ask.

"What about Roman? Are we just going to leave him with Kaido for a year?!"

The sound of cracking bones could be heard as Ori's fists clenched.

"Roman's not a child, he made his choice and he has to live with the consequences. I can't risk the lives of everyone for the life of one person who, for the foreseeable future is in no danger."

As much as they didn't like it, they all knew Ori was right.

Seeing everyone's reaction Ori changed the subject.

"For the next few months leading up to the Auction we're going to target any and all affiliated crews of Big Mom between here and Sabody Archipelago and use them as a hone…

Who's there?!"

Just as Ori was about to disperse everyone he felt that feeling again. That same feeling he felt back at the street outside the auction house outside Water 7. The same one that made him feel like he was an ant being stared at by a deity, only this time it was far more intense.

He reached for the sword at his waist as he looked around.

When they saw Ori's reaction, everyone took position as if they were about to be attacked. But after a while of looking no one managed to feel anything out of the ordinary.

Shaya looked at Ori who was sweating and shaking in fear. She had never seen him acting like this.

Ori was desperately searching for who or whatever it was that had him feeling like this.

[I'm not making it up, I can definitely feel someone staring at me. What kind of presence can make me feel like…]

"There!"

Suddenly he swung his sword, firing a deep blue sword light into the air as he disappeared from his position flying in the direction he had just attacked.

When Shaya and the others looked in the direction Ori attacked, they were shocked to see a figure dressed in a black hooded robe stood in mid-air above the ship.

Above everyone else, Shaya was the most shocked because even with her current level with her hawk eyes and having the highest level with observation haki she couldn't sense anything at all from the robed figure.

As Ori was flying in the direction of the robed man he screamed to his crew.

"RUN, I CA…"

Before he could finish his sentence, the robed man had grabbed him by the throat and appeared in the centre of the ship.

When everyone was scared silly by his actions, his indifferent voice was heard.

"Wanting to provoke a Yonko with this strength?

Forget a year, 10 years might not be enough!"