The World He Left Behind 3

Monkey D. Luffy, being the Pirate King who stirred trouble and caused incidents wherever he went, sparked various speculations when he disappeared for a long time.

"He must be dead."

"No, I heard he was seriously injured in the last war and is recuperating on a quiet island."

"Both wrong. He's hiding his identity and living a luxurious life somewhere. Didn't he get the One Piece? He must be swimming in money."

"I heard he went on another adventure to find an even greater treasure than the One Piece."

"Didn't the Straw Hat Pirates have a gap two years ago? It's probably the same thing now."

Countless rumors circulated. Since it was none other than the Pirate King, it was hard to definitively say he had died.

However, as the former members of the Straw Hat Pirates appeared in various parts of the world, the death of the Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy, gradually became accepted as fact.

After the disbandment, the former Straw Hat Pirates scattered. They shared each other's Vivre Cards so they could rush to each other's aid if needed.

Zoro returned to his hometown, Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue.

Nami went to the West Blue, an area the Straw Hat Pirates hadn't navigated, to complete her world map.

Usopp reunited with Kaya in Syrup Village, East Blue.

Sanji, after meeting with Zeff, started a floating restaurant in All Blue with Zeff and the staff of Baratie.

Chopper went to meet Vegapunk to mass-produce the medicine he had developed.

Robin returned to the ruined Ohara and established a research institute with scholars from around the world.

Franky, with the Thousand Sunny, returned to Water Seven, which had become a city and ship, sailing the seas.

Brook settled at Twin Cape to spend time with Laboon and continued his music career.

Jinbe became a collaborator with the World Federation, working to eliminate racial discrimination worldwide.

Unlike his comrades who had things to do, Zoro didn't have much to occupy himself with. He bought a small empty house on the hillside behind Shimotsuki Village and spent his days watching the rapidly changing world through newspapers.

He sometimes sparred with the children at Koshiro's dojo, but they were so inexperienced that it was more like playing house than actual sword fighting.

"Roronoa Zoro, I challenge you."

Occasionally, swordsmen came to challenge Zoro.

Most were just thugs using the challenge as an excuse to pillage the village (they were, of course, beaten half to death and carried away), but very rarely, some sincerely sought the title of the strongest.

Most were novices who didn't realize how far away the title of the strongest was, but Zoro accepted their challenges. Just as Mihawk had accepted his challenge when he was a novice.

"Is this human strength?! Please, spare me. Spare meeee!"

Unlike Zoro, who never gave up despite realizing the immense power gap, every challenger who realized they couldn't win against Zoro begged for their lives. Unlike Zoro, who never backed down despite knowing he would lose.

After several such battles, Zoro was deeply disappointed. He didn't kill the challengers, but he grew indifferent to them.

'Now I understand why Mihawk helped me grow.'

Zoro realized late that promising swordsmen were rarer than he thought.

Zoro didn't spend all his time in Shimotsuki Village. He often went out to sea. If something interesting came up or if a comrade seemed to need help, he would always set out.

Still, it didn't feel the same as adventuring as a member of the Straw Hat Pirates.

The people beside him, the world, and the era had all changed.

The era where adventure and struggle were natural had ended. The world, once fragmented into individual islands, was now connected through active navigation and trade. His comrades and captain had gone their separate ways.

On a journey prompted by Chopper's persistent nagging to come for a health check, Zoro quietly observed the changed world.

"It's an adventure! Ahaha!"

"Hey, take me with you!"

In front of Zoro, who had his robe pulled down low, children ran to the harbor. Bright smiles, reminiscent of Luffy's, spread across their faces.

Zoro watched the children's faces fade into the distance and chuckled.

Not all of Luffy's deeds were known to the world, especially the good ones.

'Pirates shouldn't become heroes.'

The ones who became heroes were "Nika" and the Revolutionary Army, now the World Federation.

Even if it wasn't known to the public, Zoro knew. The world and the era that would shine for hundreds of years to come were opened by Luffy.

As long as people lived in the new era and world opened by Luffy's will and dreams,

Zoro too would live in the new era and world.

...

...Having made this resolution, shortly after Zoro's twenty-third birthday in early winter,

Roronoa Zoro prepared for his death in front of countless enemies.

...

Not everyone welcomed the new era that Luffy ushered in.

Pirates who lost the One Piece and found it difficult to continue their plundering and domination.

The proud marines, who fought in the name of justice, suddenly found themselves protecting the power and control of the despicable Celestial Dragons.

The Celestial Dragons and key figures of the World Government, who had fallen from their positions of power that controlled the world.

The kings and upper classes of certain nations, who lost their sources of income due to the World Federation banning slave trade, racial discrimination, and forced labor of the lower classes.

Unable to adapt to the rapidly changing times, they eventually came to hate the new era. Those who couldn't fit into the hated era met others who were similarly discarded and left behind.

And they united under a single flag.

They didn't name their organization. They had no symbol.

They hoisted a plain black flag, with no pattern or emblem, and set sail.

They had one goal.

To dismantle the World Federation, destroy this era, and return to the Great Pirate Era.

Despite their grand vision, their plan was flawed.

Could they end this era by dismantling the World Federation? They didn't know.

Even if this era ended, could they return to the Great Pirate Era? They didn't know.

Even if they could return to the Great Pirate Era, could they regain their former glory? They didn't know. They didn't think about it in detail.

What they truly wanted wasn't restoration, but revenge.

Since revenge was their goal, they were well-prepared to strike at the World Federation. If their warships landed on a nation belonging to the World Federation, they would surely shake the new era.

By chance or destiny,

They encountered Roronoa Zoro before that could happen.

...

"..."

Zoro stood alone at the top of the highest mountain on the island, watching dozens of ships approaching to surround the island from beyond the horizon.

'Impressive.'

It wasn't just the number of people on the ships; the presence he felt was unusual. There were many strong ones.

'With this many ships, they might even attempt a Buster Call.'

He spotted ships that had once been navy warships. With a dry expression, Zoro looked at the largest ship.

Rumble.

He turned around. He saw lava bubbling in the fiery crater behind him.

Decades ago, a massive eruption from the island's central volcano left the island uninhabited and without buildings due to ongoing volcanic activity.

That's why Zoro chose this place as the battleground.

"Let's run away together, big brother!"

Zoro recalled the little girl who had grabbed and tugged at his sleeve with her tiny hands earlier.

A few days ago, Zoro arrived at the "Hatowari Archipelago" on the Grand Line while looking for a blacksmith to sharpen his dulled blades.

The Hatowari Archipelago consisted of 25 islands, and since the famous blacksmith was on Island No. 2, Zoro headed there.

Having spent all his travel money paying the blacksmith to sharpen his swords, Zoro had no choice but to light a fire on the beach and catch fish to grill and eat. It wasn't unusual or uncomfortable for him, as he had often done this when his money ran out during his pirate-hunting days.

While Zoro silently chewed on some fish, a seven-year-old girl with bright blue hair tied in a braid fearlessly approached him.

"Why are you eating that, big brother? It's not tasty."

"Because I'm hungry."

"Our home food is tastier! Want to come?"

"No."

The fish on this island wasn't particularly delicious, but it filled his stomach. That was enough.

As an ex-pirate, there was no benefit in suddenly visiting a civilian's house. Especially for someone like Zoro. It would be troublesome if they recognized him.

Just when he thought the girl would give up and disappear, she returned with a basket full of tiny purple berries. He had eaten them a few times during his travels. The berries were small and too sweet, which Zoro didn't particularly like.

"Here! These are my favorite!"

Zoro watched silently as the girl held out a handful of berries. Her hand, covered in scratches, twitched from the stinging juice. Even while holding the berries, she kept wriggling her fingers.

Nami had once made Zoro pick these berries, so he knew. The bushes they grew on had thorns and were tough. If you reached in carelessly, you'd get hurt. Just like the girl.

Zoro took the berries and shoved a handful into his mouth.

The sweetness exploded on his tongue, almost painfully so. The overly intense sweetness made his tongue throb, but Zoro chewed and swallowed the berries without showing it, then smiled at the girl.

"Thanks. I'll pay you back."

The girl beamed. She said, "You don't have to pay me back!" but Zoro had already promised.

...He hadn't expected the opportunity to repay her to come so quickly.

...

[Author's Note]

Vote with your power stones, it motivates me to keep posting chapters.

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