dmims Chapter 154 The Right to Pursue Freedom
Chapter 154 The Right to Pursue Freedom
Chapter 154 The Right to Pursue Freedom
Kuroro stopped being coy and stood up: "The ship is anchored above the clouds outside the island, some distance away."
"It's alright." Rayleigh also stood up. He was very tall, and although his hair and beard were all white, his posture was still upright, and he naturally exuded a profound and majestic aura.
The two left the tavern, and Kuroro led Rayleigh to a clearing in the woods.
When they finally arrived at the floating Black Whale after traversing the bubble ocean, even the well-traveled Rayleigh couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
"An incredible ship—this is not the technology of the Grand Line."
He stroked the Black Whale's cold, strange metallic hull, his eyes gleaming. "No wonder I had to step in. Don't worry, leave it to me."
However, such a large ship requires a considerable amount of resin and a significant amount of work time; it will likely take about three days.
"Time is not an issue," Kuroro nodded. "Thank you for your help."
Rayleigh began to look around the Black Whale with great interest, asking about some details, which Kuroro answered one by one.
The two began to talk about ship construction, coating techniques, and even some sailing experiences.
Rayleigh is knowledgeable and insightful, and he has none of the airs of a legendary great pirate. Instead, he is like a patient mentor.
Before we knew it, the sun had begun to set in the west, casting an even more intense golden-red hue over the countless bubbles.
After the preliminary survey and preparation work for the coating were roughly agreed upon, Kuroro accompanied Rayleigh back to Sabaody Archipelago.
They landed near the tavern and walked back.
As he approached the tavern entrance, Kuroro suddenly stopped.
He turned around and faced Reilly.
In the twilight, his dark eyes appeared exceptionally deep, as if reflecting the gradually darkening sky.
"Mr. Rayleigh," Kuroro's voice was soft, yet carried a power that pierced through the twilight, "one last question."
Rayleigh stopped and turned to look at him, his floral shirt billowing slightly in the evening breeze.
Kuroro looked directly into Rayleigh's eyes and asked, word by word, "ONE PIECE—what is the ultimate meaning of this world?"
The moment the question was uttered, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.
The faint noise from the distant bar, the soft popping of bubbles, and the rustling of leaves all seemed to be shut out.
Rayleigh's smile slowly faded.
He did not answer immediately; his silvery-white eyebrows furrowed slightly as he gazed at the distant horizon, where the last ray of light was being swallowed by darkness.
For the first time, a complex emotion clearly surfaced in his eyes—not nostalgia or pride, but a deep sense of bewilderment and confusion after experiencing countless trials.
After a long silence, so long that Kuroro almost thought he wouldn't answer, Rayleigh finally spoke slowly, his voice slightly hoarse, as if it had traveled through a long period of time: "Roger—we arrived at Laugh Tale, saw the truth of history, and learned everything."
He paused, as if searching for the right words, "But the answer—was too heavy, and too—free."
It is not a treasure that can be simply summarized in words, nor is it a secret that can be shared casually.
It concerns the past, but even more so the future; it is the end of everything, and perhaps the beginning of everything.
He withdrew his gaze and looked at Kuroro again. The confusion in his eyes had not completely disappeared, but there was a sense of solemnity in them: "I am old, Kuroro."
The choices of that era are now left to those who come after.
Roger ushered in the Great Pirate Era, waiting for someone who could bear the answer and make their own choice.
He raised his hand and patted Kuroro's shoulder. The force was light, yet it felt as if it carried a thousand pounds.
What is ONE PIECE? Where does the world end? The answers to these questions are...
You need to see with your own eyes, judge with your own hearts, and navigate your own course to reach your destination.
"This is—Roger's last and greatest treasure left to the world—the freedom to pursue and the power to choose."
After saying that, Rayleigh seemed to have unloaded a heavy burden, and his slightly cynical smile returned. He turned around and pushed open the wooden door of the tavern, letting out warm light and the aroma of food.
"Come in, that girl probably hasn't finished eating yet. Xiaqi's stewed beef is her signature dish."
The coating process will begin tomorrow.
Kuroro stood there, watching Rayleigh's figure disappear behind the door, then looked up at the completely dark night sky, which was studded with starlight and iridescent bubbles.
The freedom to pursue, and the power to choose —
Rayleigh pushed open the door, and the warm light and aroma of food from the bar wafted out.
However, the sight that came into his view made his smile, which he was about to use to greet someone, freeze instantly on his face.
At the bar, Bonnie had a high stack of empty plates in front of her, almost obscuring her pink head.
She was holding a huge bowl bigger than her face, slurping down a mountain of seafood fried rice inside, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster's.
On the table and chairs next to them were several empty soup bowls, bread baskets, and a pile of chicken bones.
Xia Qi leaned against the other end of the bar, a newly lit cigarette between her fingers. Her expression was somewhat numb, her eyes vacant, as if she had been so shocked by the astonishing amount of food and the speed at which she ate that she lost all reaction.
"Burp~" Bonnie let out a loud, satisfied burp, put down her large bowl, licked her lips, and looked towards the kitchen with lingering relish. "Boss! Do you still have that super-delicious strawberry cream pie? Three more, no, five!"
Xia Qi's cigarette trembled slightly.
Rayleigh walked over, looked at the pile of "spoils," and couldn't help but laugh and cry: "Little girl, you—you ate all of Shakky's week's worth of food?"
Bonney then noticed that Kuroro and Rayleigh had returned. Her eyes lit up, and completely ignoring Rayleigh's words, she excitedly told Kuroro, "Captain! The stewed beef and seafood fried rice here are amazing!"
It's better than any other place I've ever eaten at in the South China Sea! And that pie—"
She has already started describing the texture of the dessert.
Kuroro's lips twitched almost imperceptibly as he gave Rayleigh and Shakky a slightly apologetic look: "Sorry, Bonney's appetite is indeed extraordinary. We'll pay double for everything."
Xia Qi then came to her senses, exhaled a smoke ring, waved her hand, and her tone regained some vitality: "Never mind, the old man said it's free, as for the ingredients—I'll just restock."
But little girl, is your stomach connected to another dimension?
She stared at Bonnie's flat stomach, her face full of disbelief.
Rayleigh shook his head and chuckled, saying to Kuroro, "It seems your Phantom Troupe is truly full of talented people."
Okay, let's get down to business. I don't have enough of the special resin and tools needed for coating. I'll go to my old friends' place to get some tomorrow morning.
"You can stay on the island tonight. There are a few nice hotels in area 70; mentioning my name will get you a discount." He winked. "Of course, provided your young lady doesn't bankrupt the hotel restaurant."
After chatting for a few more minutes, they finalized the arrangements for tomorrow.
Seeing that it was getting late, Kuroro, along with Bonnie, who was satisfied and still looking forward to coming back for more food the next day, said goodbye and left "Knock Bamboo Bar".
Meanwhile, the lawless zones 1-29 of the Sabaody Archipelago have been turned upside down by four unbridled "hurricanes".