The birth of Portgas D. Ace did not stir much of a ripple in Dressrosa. Although he was the posthumous son of the Pirate King Roger, a newborn was still just a baby. He couldn't possibly be born exuding kingly dominance.
He was simply one among many newborns in Dressrosa.
By now, most of the pregnant women who migrated from Patrilira Island had successfully given birth, and the "Pregnancy Education Program" that Yoriichi previously implemented had also begun to yield results.
Some experienced mothers stepped into jobs, offering postpartum care services to other families in Dressrosa. This allowed them to earn income while continuing to care for their own children.
Of course, there were also mothers who didn't need to work—typically because their husbands had trades and could provide well enough for the family. In Dressrosa, as long as one was diligent, supporting a wife and child was not difficult.
The Navy had already provided housing upon their arrival, and with no car loans or mortgages, families only had to worry about putting food on the table—hardly an impossible task.
Rouge, who pursued the path of early childhood education, could not yet start working due to being a single mother. Her baby was still too young, and unlike the postpartum caregivers, she couldn't take her child to work.
For these situations, and with Yoriichi's consent, Kyros continued to implement a subsidy program. After all, single mothers raising children in this era were still a vulnerable group.
Of course, Yoriichi didn't concern himself much with these affairs. With Kyros in charge of execution and King Riku's daughter involved in civil matters, he had full confidence things were being handled smoothly.
After returning to Dressrosa, Yoriichi devoted nearly all his time to one thing: training.
Kyros oversaw construction and civilian resettlement; Borsalino and Koshiro Shimotsuki handled naval training and internal management.
Yoriichi kept hold of only two areas: finance and personnel.
Most of his time was spent training with Issho (Fujitora) and Mihawk.
September, Year 1501 of the Sea Circle Calendar
Naval Training Grounds – Dressrosa
On the vast training field, three figures moved like streaks of light, blades flashing.
Mihawk and Issho attacked in sync, coordinating strikes on Yoriichi, who either dodged or deflected each one, weaving gracefully between the blades. Not only did he avoid every attack, but occasionally he would seize an opening and launch a clean counterattack.
Though it was merely a friendly sparring match, the sheer skill Yoriichi displayed far exceeded his opponents.
In the Transparent World, no movement from Mihawk or Issho could be hidden from him. While both of their Observation Haki was strong, Yoriichi's counterattacks came at such uncanny timings and angles—striking just when old strength had faded and new strength hadn't surged yet—that even if they sensed it, their bodies couldn't keep up.
Without even using "Observation Kill," Yoriichi was already beyond reach.
In just ten minutes, Mihawk's sleek black uniform was tattered with slashes. Issho fared slightly better due to stronger Observation Haki.
To the casual observer, it might appear that Mihawk and Issho were pressing the attack. But Yoriichi had not sustained a single cut, while the two of them were covered in tears and openings—had he not held back, those rips would've been real wounds.
As time passed, their strikes grew more intense. Blade speeds howled through the air, escalating toward their peak. Still, Yoriichi danced calmly through the storm, occasionally retaliating with precision and elegance.
Suddenly, a shout rang out from afar.
"Vice Admiral! Something's happened!"
Yoriichi instantly released Conqueror's Haki and swung his blade—one strike each to Shusui and Yoru, forcing Issho and Mihawk to retreat several steps. In the next moment, he leapt backward and sheathed his blade, facing the approaching Kyros.
Mihawk, frowning at his shredded uniform, quietly sheathed Yoru. Issho, feeling the breeze through his slashed clothing, let out a satisfied sigh.
"Vice Admiral Yoriichi's talent… is truly terrifying," Issho said.
"Just last year, he could only barely hold his ground in a two-on-one."
"By early this year, he was already able to evade our joint attacks. And now? He's capable of counterattacking."
Mihawk said nothing, but his eyes burned with passion.
Yoriichi was the target he had been chasing all along. To be the greatest swordsman in the world, defeating Yoriichi was the final milestone.
As Mihawk brooded, Kyros reached them, face tense.
"Vice Admiral! Something big has happened!"
Yoriichi gently patted his shoulder.
"Calm down. What happened?"
Now standing at 193 cm and strengthened through rigorous training and Life Return, Yoriichi had undergone rapid physical growth. While his stats were unknown, he did know one thing:
He could now throw cannonballs by hand, stronger and farther than any naval artillery.
Kyros swallowed, then said, "Lodestar Island… we've lost contact!"
Yoriichi's face tightened.
Kyros handed over a Den Den Mushi, but only static answered the line.
"When did this start?"
"Today's the weekly call day. Since 7 AM we've been trying, but… nothing."
This Den Den Mushi connected them to ICE Division, led by Kuzan. Both divisions had regular weekly check-ins as a safety measure.
Yoriichi picked up another line—his personal line with Kuzan. They rarely used it, both being the quiet type.
Static again.
Just as he was about to give up…
"...Moshi moshi…"
Kuzan's voice was tired—exhausted.
"Are you alright? You sound… off. What happened?"
"Hm? The line was down?"
"It's nothing serious. Just… pirates. Probably broke the Den Den Mushi in the attack."
At Lodestar Island, Kuzan sat in ruins, leaning against broken rubble, breathing in the scent of blood and ash.
But then—!
"Vice Admiral Kuzan! The pirates are back!!!"
The cry echoed clearly into Yoriichi's Den Den Mushi.
"…Sorry, Yoriichi. We'll talk later."
Kuzan stood, cut the call, and stared toward the horizon.
Dozens of pirate ships approached.
The Beast Pirates.
Their tattered unit, barely twenty surviving Marines, readied for one last stand.
"Vice Admiral… what should we do?"
Kuzan looked back toward the city.
They had already protected the civilians once… but this time, they wouldn't survive.
"How's Shuen, Doberman, and Binky?"
"Doberman's awake. Shuen and Binky are still unconscious."
Kuzan clenched his fists. After a long silence, he gave the order.
"We're retreating. Evacuate to the rear ships. We can't hold them."
"…And the civilians?"
"We can't protect them this time. If we die here, no one will rescue them later."
The last Marines began pulling out.
Civilians on the coast… cheered.
"They're leaving! Finally!"
"Now the pirates won't come after us! We're not Marines!"
"Why didn't they just leave earlier? They brought this on us!"
Kuzan's fists trembled.
He didn't respond.
He boarded the ship, and they left.
On the other side, the Beast Pirates landed.
A young brute with a spiked kanabo jumped down—Kaido in his prime.
"Ran off, huh? Boring. I wanted to fight that Marine again."
He drank from a massive gourd.
Civilians came groveling.
"Kaido-sama! Those Marines are gone!"
"We offer this meat and wine in tribute!"
Kaido sniffed the mingling stench of blood, meat, and fear.
"...Heh…"
He roared with laughter.
WHAM! With a swing of his kanabo, he killed the village elder, splattering him against the rubble.
"From today on…"
"This land belongs to the Beast Pirates!!!"
The crew erupted in laughter. They kicked aside the people offering gifts, ransacked their offerings, and charged into the town.
Kaido's cruel laughter echoed across Lodestar Island—
"Wahahahahaha!!!"
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