"So this is Wano..."
Toki strolled along the streets, where cherry blossoms drifted gently in the air.
The houses lining the streets looked just like the ones she had lived in 800 years ago. (Traditional Japanese-style architecture.)
She had finally reached the place she had longed for, but her heart wasn't as joyful as she had expected.
Renji stood at the entrance of a shop, his hand resting lightly on the old wooden door.
Dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, casting scattered patches of light on his face.
"Now that we've brought you to your destination, we'll be taking our leave."
Renji didn't feel like staying here any longer. The place gave him an uneasy feeling.
Besides, after arriving in Wano, he had a clearer idea of where to go next.
The frustrating part was that there were no Den Den Mushi for sale here. The country's isolationist policies meant almost nothing from the outside world made it in.
"But we've only just arrived in Wano," Toki protested, her voice tinged with reluctance.
Her heart was filled with conflict, and she forced a faint smile.
She stopped in her tracks, watching Renji's retreating figure. A hint of reluctance flickered in her eyes, and her lips trembled slightly, as if she had so much to say but didn't know where to begin.
She bit her lower lip, feeling as though something was stuck in her throat.
She reached out her hand, as if to touch him, but ultimately didn't close the distance.
Renji turned around, his gaze meeting hers. He could sense her reluctance.
After all, in this world, he and the others were her only friends.
He nodded slightly. "Yes, but I've been out of touch with my subordinates and friends for too long."
Toki hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, pouring all her unspoken gratitude into a hug.
"Thank you. Because of you, this journey wasn't lonely."
A breeze swept past, carrying cherry blossom petals around them, as if adding a touch of poetry to their farewell.
"..."
Watching his figure gradually fade into the crowd, Toki felt a pang of unease.
After a few seconds of hesitation, she took a deep breath, and the courage to act ignited within her.
The sounds of the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of her heartbeat.
She realized that what she longed for wasn't just companionship on this journey, but also the chance to face countless future adventures with him.
Even though there were still uncertainties in her heart, they weren't enough to stop her from moving forward.
"Haa..."
She took a deep breath, as if trying to store the scent of flowers and the fresh air in her chest. She lifted her head, her gaze firm as she followed his steps.
The moment she made her decision, all her hesitation and fear were crushed in her tightly clenched hands, scattering like dust on the path behind her.
She began to walk faster, her steps quickening until she was running. Each step felt like a ritual, a farewell to her past.
She was no longer the woman standing at the crossroads, lost and uncertain. Her past thoughts could no longer bind her actions. She was no longer living just for Wano.
"Hey! Renji!"
She called out to the figure that was almost out of sight.
Renji paused, curious. He wondered why Toki had stopped him. Their paths should have diverged by now.
The woman stood before him, her hand resting on the trunk of a cherry blossom tree, her fingertips slightly pale.
Her breathing was more rapid than usual, betraying the exhaustion of someone who had used up all their strength. Yet, her eyes burned with a resolute light.
"I want to see the places I've never been to," she said, her voice low but powerful, filled with longing.
Her words carried a determination to move forward. "The outside world must be vast. I want to see it. I want to experience that unfamiliar world."
Renji looked at her strangely. These weren't the kind of words he expected to hear from her.
After spending so much time together, he knew how deeply Toki felt about Wano. Logically, she shouldn't be making this kind of decision.
"You should think carefully. I might never come back to Wano again."
Toki nodded firmly. "I've already thought it through. I've left my mark here, and I can't find a reason to stay any longer."
She gently released her grip on the tree trunk and looked at the people of this country.
She took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all the air circulating in this land.
She clenched her sweaty fists, then slowly relaxed them, as if making peace with the unease in her heart.
"Let's go..."
She turned and looked toward the path leading to the coast.
Each step felt heavy yet firm, as if she were paving her own path.
Behind her, Renji watched silently. He didn't try to stop her anymore, simply following her toward the sea.
"..."
On Sorbet Kingdom.
Kuzan was anxiously waiting for news from headquarters.
"Kuzan, still no word from Renji?" Kuma asked, holding a vivre card, his heart filled with worry for Renji.
Kuzan shook his head helplessly. "Nothing. That lantern fish seems to have vanished from the world. No one has seen it since."
After the battle had ended, they had rushed to the scene, but the vast ocean had left no traces.
"Judging by the vivre card, he's safe, but why hasn't he contacted us for so long?" Kuzan was at his wit's end.
"..."
"Brrr... Brrr... Brrr..."
The two exchanged a glance, and Kuzan immediately answered the Den Den Mushi.
"This is Kuzan."
Sengoku's steady voice came through. "Kuzan, we've got news about Renji."
Kuma's ears perked up, eager to hear about Renji's situation.
"Admiral Sengoku, where is Renji now?" Kuzan asked, his tone slightly urgent.
"He's not in any danger, so don't worry," Sengoku continued. "That guy is currently in the New World..."
"The New World?!" Kuzan exclaimed.
Sengoku covered his ears and moved the Den Den Mushi slightly away.
"That can't be..."
Kuma was stunned. They had recently joined the Marines and had a basic understanding of the Grand Line. That place was a death trap.
"The information is accurate. It came from one of our spies within the Whitebeard Pirates," Sengoku said firmly.
"The Whitebeard Pirates?"
Kuzan and Kuma felt their brains short-circuiting. How had this gotten tangled up with that infamous pirate crew?
Sengoku was also feeling a headache coming on. He pressed his fingers to his temples and continued, "I've already instructed the G-5 branch to keep an eye out for him. Now it's up to his luck..."
If he was lucky, he'd run into the G-5 Marines, and they could bring him back to headquarters.
If not... well, there wasn't much else to say.
...
(TL/N): If you are intressted you can read up to 30 chapter on patreon.com/Yanet96 search with this link.