Chapter 1: Sakazuki, Your Eyes Are Filled with Hatred
"Hailey, don't scare me! Please! Don't leave me!"
"Sakazuki... cough... you must... live on... live well..."
"Hailey!!!"
Clutching the still-warm body in his arms, Sakazuki growled through gritted teeth, unable to cry out despite his grief.
They were all dead—every last one of them!
Those damned pirates had killed everyone.
Tears streamed down his face.
Drip, drip...
His tears fell like rain, soaking Hailey's clothes and diluting the blood that had seeped into the soil through the tears in her garments.
Sakazuki raised his head. Reflected in his eyes was the blaze consuming the town.
It was both the fire of his fury—and the pirates' bonfire of destruction, burning a place once called "home."
This was the North Blue, a sea both filthy and romantic. It harbored mafia syndicates second only to those of the West Blue and dreamers no less than the ones in the South Blue.
But to Sakazuki now, any place touched by pirates was—
"Hell."
He clenched his teeth, legs like lead, barely able to move. But his will forced his broken body forward.
Gently, he laid Hailey down and began digging a grave with his bare hands, wanting to bury her in the land they once called home.
At the very least... she wouldn't be alone beneath the earth.
"Sorry, kid. I got here too late."
A shadow fell over him, and a gentle voice spoke from behind.
"Who's there?!"
Sakazuki tensed. Perhaps it was instinct, but he grabbed a handful of dirt, spun around, and glared at the stranger, ready to strike if needed.
But after a moment's hesitation, he shifted, shielding Hailey's lifeless body behind him.
This time... I'll be the one to die in front of you.
The thought crossed his mind in despair. He knew he was like a flickering candle in the wind—one touch and he'd be gone.
"Not bad. Good instincts."
The man—Ross—nodded with approval. He wasn't bothered by the hostility; he could clearly sense the hatred emanating from Sakazuki.
But it wasn't directed at him. It was equally shared with all pirates.
It seemed Sakazuki had instinctively assumed he was one of them, despite the goodwill Ross had tried to show.
Ross couldn't blame him. From his observation—through the use of Observation Haki—this battered young man might be the only good person left alive in the burning town.
His gaze shifted to the girl's corpse behind him. Once again, Ross was reminded of the sea's cruelty.
"Sorry, sir. I..."
Sakazuki, after a pause, let his hostility fade. He realized the man before him wasn't a pirate.
After all, pirates don't talk—they let their blades do the speaking.
"It's all right, kid. I understand. I've seen too many scenes like this in my travels."
Ross offered a soft smile and extended his hand for peace.
"I'm Ross, a traveler of the seas. And you?"
"Sakazuki. Her name was Hailey. She... she was my family."
Sakazuki spoke while gently lifting the girl again with his dirt-covered hands. His expression was tender at first, lost in memory—but in the next breath, his eyes were full of hatred once more.
"Sakazuki...? Sakazuki...!"
Ross repeated the name under his breath, surprise flashing in his eyes.
As a transmigrator, he knew exactly what that name meant.
No wonder... No wonder this kid's hatred was like still water—deep and all-encompassing.
Akainu's hatred of pirates wasn't just ideology—it was born of blood, trauma, and loss.
Ross had originally thought this journey would be like any other: gain some experience, help some people, raise a few kids, and move on.
He never expected to meet the future infamous Akainu.
Now that he had... the plan had changed.
"I understand. You're in pain. The helplessness of being unable to avenge your loved ones must be overwhelming."
Ross crouched down beside him, placing a firm hand on Sakazuki's shoulder.
"But that's okay. As long as you carry hope, a miracle may arrive at any moment. Just like me."
"You now have two choices. I can avenge you right now—or you can wait for the day you take revenge with your own hands."
"Can... I really?"
Sakazuki froze. He hadn't expected such a response. In this cruel world, people didn't help others—not like this.
But the hatred burning in his heart... and that flicker of hope...
"Carry hope, and perhaps... a miracle will arrive."
Even if the man before him looked no stronger than a random thug—he wanted to believe.
Ross could see the doubt in the boy's eyes, even though he hadn't voiced it.
Fair enough, Ross thought. At 2.3 meters tall and skinny as I am, I probably don't look too intimidating...
"Looks like you're underestimating me, kid. But know this—size isn't everything. Now, tell me your decision."
Thud—!
"Kill them all!"
Without a second of hesitation, Sakazuki dropped to his knees, cradling Hailey's body and bowing his head.
"Even hesitating for one second would be disrespectful to the dead!"
He knew... If he didn't ask Ross for help now, when would his loved ones ever rest in peace?
Right now, he entrusted everything to this man.
His gaze was firm. His tears were gone.
"Raise your head, child. Begging alone won't fulfill your dreams."
"If you hate pirates that much—then aim for the top of this world!"
At his words, a cloud suddenly lifted the two of them—along with Hailey's body—high into the sky.
Sakazuki stared in awe as Ross's calm, powerful voice echoed in his ears.
The warmth was gone. Ross's tone was now cold and divine—like a god, beyond reach.
Behind him, Sakazuki looked up and saw Ross's towering silhouette against a breathtaking sky.
"What you need now isn't grief... or admiration."
"It's a goal. Keep moving forward. Forward. And forward again—until you surpass it!"
As his voice resonated through the air, clouds swirled over the burning town, forming a majestic vision.
It was like...
A blazing sunset.
Ross raised his hand and clenched it in the air. The clouds twisted like a cyclone above the town, absorbing all the flames—forming a searing, fire-infused vortex.
A few tears fell from Sakazuki's dry eyes once more.
Flames of hatred—reborn as embers of hope.
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