The shifting winds and clouds on the sea seemed temporarily unrelated to Jin An, but he understood in his heart that the calm was only temporary.
The day he left Dragon's residence, Dragon unhesitatingly brought Luffy with him to the nameless island where Jin An was.
The island was tranquil and filled with an academic atmosphere, like a secluded paradise.
"The academic atmosphere here is indeed very strong."
Dragon looked at the busy scholars before him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
He had never seen such a group so focused on knowledge and research, and this environment filled him with awe.
Just as the two were talking, a small figure rushed towards Jin An like the wind from a distance, his voice filled with unconcealed excitement and joy: "Uncle Jin An, you've come to see me!"
Before the voice even landed, the little bean sprout Ace had already pounced on Jin An's side, looking up at him, his eyes shining with adoration.
Jin An smiled and stroked Ace's hair, asking gently, "Ace, how are your studies lately?"
Hearing this question, Ace's originally excited little face instantly dimmed a little. He sighed and said with some frustration, "The knowledge points that the grandpas are teaching are a bit difficult, and I'm still working hard to learn... But!"
Halfway through his sentence, his tone suddenly changed, and the light of excitement rekindled in his eyes, "But I've already mastered the Navy Six Styles that Shanks taught me!"
Jin An smiled and nodded in approval, "Well done, Ace. But if you encounter something you don't understand, be sure to ask your teachers in time, they will be happy to help you. If you ask Shanks for advice, he will be very happy too."
Ace nodded repeatedly, a look of determination in his eyes.
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to the baby in Dragon's arms, revealing a hint of curiosity.
"Uncle Jin An, who is he?"
Jin An smiled slightly, his tone gentle:
"Ace, from now on, you are no longer the youngest child on this island. Look, this is Luffy, he is much younger than you, you must protect him and take good care of him."
"Little brother?"
Ace repeated softly, his eyes filled with surprise and novelty.
He seemed to feel a surge of responsibility in an instant, and although he was still young, he already had determination in his heart.
A hint of excitement flashed in Ace's eyes. He was no longer just a child, but a big brother.
"Sister Robin will definitely be very happy to have a little brother join us."
After Ace finished speaking, he couldn't wait to turn around and run towards the library.
He couldn't wait to share the news and looked forward to introducing this new little brother to the people on the island.
Watching Ace's departing back, Dragon silently turned his gaze to Jin An, a trace of gratitude and trust flowing in his eyes.
Although he had hesitated, he was now convinced that he had made the right choice.
Entrusting Luffy to Jin An, he believed that the child could receive the best care and education on this peaceful island.
Jin An's gaze also turned to the distance, and he sighed inwardly.
One of his original intentions for saving the scholars of Ohara was to provide these children with a better growing environment.
Now, Ace and Luffy, these two future stars of hope, had begun to sprout on this fertile land of knowledge.
He couldn't help but pray softly, hoping that they could grow up healthy here and become the power to change the world in the future.
But he also knew that the environment was crucial to the children's development.
Although this was a paradise for academics, he also worried whether Luffy and Ace would be bound by the books and knowledge here, becoming "bookworms" who only understood theory.
Shaking his head, there were not only scholars here, but also many people who had adventured on the sea.
When Ace and the others were old enough, he would definitely take them out to see the vast world and feel the magnificence of the sea at the right time.
Of course, the foundation for taking them to see everything on the sea was to establish a good worldview.
In any case, he would do his best to protect the future of these children.
Jin An retracted his thoughts, looked at Dragon, and smiled warmly and firmly: "Dragon, don't worry, I will do my best to take care of Luffy."
"Also, you also know the location of this island, you are welcome to come over at any time."
Dragon nodded, the seriousness on his face slightly eased.
He knew that Luffy would receive the best education and protection here, and he could also go after his ideals with peace of mind.
Although he could not be with his son all the time, he believed that this small island would become a hotbed for Luffy's growth, allowing him to thrive.
And on this nameless island with a strong academic atmosphere, the legends of the future are quietly sprouting.
"Then I'll go back to the South Sea first," Dragon said with a smile.
Jin An waved his hand with a smile.
As a gust of wind blew, Dragon disappeared in place.
Jin An looked in the direction where Dragon disappeared, and a complex wave of emotions arose in his heart.
He knew how heavy the responsibility on Dragon's shoulders was, it was a person who shouldered the responsibility of changing the world.
Every time they met, Dragon always had a smile on his face, but Jin An knew that the pressure in Dragon's heart was no less than his.
"He always puts everything on himself," Jin An sighed in his heart, his eyes gradually becoming deep. "I hope he can relax a little and not push himself too hard."
He gently patted Luffy in his arms, feeling the warmth of this little life.
Jin An also felt a little emotional in his heart, he had to share some of the burden for Dragon, for their common goal, and also for this future hope.
The wind brushed across his face, bringing a hint of coolness. Jin An looked up at the sky, as if he saw Dragon running around in the distance.
At this moment, his mood was both calm and firm.
"I'm relieved that the South Sea has Dragon guarding it," he whispered to himself, then turned and walked towards the depths of the island, already making more preparations in his heart.
......
Charlotte Linlin stood on the highest point of the island, with the land she had just conquered under her feet.
Her eyes sparkled with fanaticism, and a grim smile rose from the corner of her mouth.
Behind her, the once lush forest was now only charred stumps and debris all over the ground, and the air was filled with the smell of burning and dead silence.
"So far, the Whole Cake Island has recovered nearly half," she murmured in a low voice, her tone filled with undisguised satisfaction.
She knew that the return of each island was a sign of her regaining power, and those who tried to stop her had already turned to dust under her iron fist.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze piercing through the distant horizon, as if thinking about some more far-reaching plan.
Suddenly, she laughed up to the sky, her voice echoing between the empty sky and earth, with an indescribable madness and ambition.
"Mama Mama..."
Her laughter gradually subsided, and finally turned into a cold murmur, "When I have recovered all of the Whole Cake Island, then..."
Her fists clenched suddenly, as if she had already seen the picture of the future.
"This world needs to be more chaotic!"
She punched out violently, as if to shatter everything in front of her and reshape this world into the way she envisioned.
Charlotte Linlin knew that chaos was the soil for her survival. Only in chaos could her power continue to grow and eventually stand at the pinnacle of the world.
And now, she was no longer the Big Mom who simply relied on blood and violence to rule.
Every decision she made, every action she took, was to make this world step by step towards the abyss she expected.
Her eyes were fiery and resolute, as if she had seen through the layers of obstacles and saw her ultimate goal.
That was a more chaotic and more disordered world, a world where only the strongest could dominate.
And she, Charlotte Linlin, would be one of the strongest.
The sea breeze howled past, blowing her cloak and making it flutter.
Her laughter dissipated in the wind, but the suffocating sense of oppression was deeply imprinted in the hearts of everyone who followed her on the expedition.
...
