This is the Sabaody Archipelago.
The entire archipelago consists of 79 giant mangrove trees called the Yarukiman Mangroves (each numbered and designated for various uses such as amusement parks, commercial transactions, and Marine bases). The roots of these trees form the surface, with towns and facilities built upon them. People refer to this cluster of 79 islands as the Sabaody Archipelago.
Due to its position as the gateway to the New World (another route exists via the top of the Red Line for the Marine), it attracts pirates, merchants, and bounty hunters—a chaotic mix of various individuals.
In Area 76, at the Red Star Bar.
The bar was bustling with activity, filled with flashing lights and the sound of clinking glasses.
Like attracts like, and most of the patrons were pirate crews from around the world, their conversations ranging from trivial matters like food preferences to discussions about women, and even world-changing policies and power structures. Once a conversation started, it flowed endlessly like a river.
Crude and shallow talks found great enjoyment among those of similar tastes. This area, teeming with pirates, was a no-man’s land, the least favored by the Marine for jurisdiction.
In one corner of the bar, a table laden with food and drink hosted three people, quietly focused on eating, seemingly there just for the meal.
Finishing a bowl of noodles, Evan swiftly moved on to a roast leg of lamb, savoring the satisfaction of meat filling his stomach—a feeling he hadn’t had in years.
Finally, Evan patted his now round belly, the sense of fullness was as gratifying as the thrill of a fierce battle.
He glanced at his companions, Snow and Crow, who were still engrossed in their meal. Crow was one thing, but even the usually aloof Snow was devouring food with gusto, her cheeks puffed out as she stuffed herself like a ravenous wolf.
Evan, now full, leaned back in his chair and sipped his drink, savoring the taste as it slid down his throat. He gazed at the dim, soft lighting above.
The feeling of being alive, of freedom, was incomparable.
He was never ambitious—titles like Yonko or the pursuit of power didn’t interest him. If he could, he’d have preferred to live a simple life on the small island of Ohara with Robin.
However, as his abilities and enemies grew stronger, his survival and principles drove him to desire more strength and ambition.
To live peacefully and freely in this world was the greatest ambition of all.
“Evan… What should we do next?” Crow asked, mouth full of meat.
Evan slapped him on the head, annoyed, “Just eat. We’ll talk after we’re full.”
Yet, Evan pondered the question himself.
Where to go next?
It was a headache-inducing question for someone as indecisive as him.
The world was vast, and he wanted to see places like Water 7, Fish-Man Island, and Skypiea, and meet powerful figures like Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks.
But the immediate priority was finding Robin. Only then could he feel at ease.
“Ahh,” Crow sighed contentedly, smiling as he finished eating. “Finally alive again!” He reminisced about the meal, wiping the stains from his clothes with a napkin.
Snow put down her bones more elegantly, unlike Crow, who was messier.
“Crow, Snow, what do you want to do in the future?” Evan asked, watching them.
Crow and Snow exchanged glances. Snow remained cold and expressionless, while Crow’s face showed a mix of confusion, bewilderment, and fear.
“Evan, you’re not thinking of ditching us, are you?” Crow asked nervously, his concern evident.
Evan rolled his eyes. “Of course not. We just got out of Impel Down. Don’t you have anything you want to do, like going home?”
Crow shook his head, looking lost. “I don’t have a home. I’ve been an orphan since I was a child. Later, I joined a pirate crew. Seven years ago, I accidentally killed a Marine captain and was captured by the Marine and sent to Impel Down.”
“I see,” Evan nodded, then turned to Snow. “What about you, Snow?”
Snow lowered her head, lost in thought. Her icy silver eyes seemed to hide complex emotions that no one could fathom.
Evan fell silent. A few years older than him, this young woman always seemed shrouded in mystery.
She had survived in Impel Down by pretending to be the leader of the Marine Wolves, maintaining her Hell Wolf form for years to avoid detection.
When Evan first encountered Snow in the snowy forest of Freezing Hell, he had mistaken her for a real ferocious beast—wild, savage, and cold.
Even after she reverted to human form, she remained as cold as a thousand-year-old snow mountain yet occasionally displayed wisdom and elegance, making her even more enigmatic.
“I’ll follow the leader,” Snow said, glancing at Evan before lowering her head again.
“Alright, that’s two against one. You can’t get rid of us, Evan,” Crow said cheerfully.
“You can follow me, but being with me means danger,” Evan said helplessly, downing his drink.
“What could be more dangerous than escaping Impel Down?” Crow asked nonchalantly, refilling Evan’s cup.
“Right, Evan,” Crow added after a moment’s thought. “Are we going to become pirates? We’ll have bounties on our heads now.”
“Pirates, huh…” Evan thought for a moment, then shook his head. “I’m not interested in being a pirate.”
This was his honest answer.
He had no desire to be a pirate. Although some pirates valued freedom and adventure, helping others and fighting evil (like Shanks and Luffy), pirates were the scourge of the sea, hated by many who longed for peace.
Despite some corrupt officials, the Marine included many who fought for justice (like Garp and Fujitora). Most joined the Marine to uphold their ideals.
Ohara’s destruction and his five-year imprisonment had left him with resentment, but he wouldn’t blindly hate the Marine or the world. The true enemy was the World Government, the Five Elders.
Evan didn’t want to side with any faction—be it the World Government, pirates, or the Revolutionary Army.
For the common people, suffering comes in both peace and war.
Only the strong can protect themselves and others. The weak, desiring peace and freedom, are the ones who suffer.
This world lacked many things.
Evan suddenly smiled. “Let’s create an organization.”
“What?” Crow was dumbfounded. An organization?
Was he planning to rebel against the World Government?
“Yes, an organization,” Evan repeated as if convincing himself. “I’ll create an organization where like-minded people can join.”
“The purpose of the organization is to use collective strength to protect what we want to protect!”
“We won’t fight the World Government or the Revolutionary Army for control. We won’t compete with pirates for One Piece.”
“We’ll create an organization solely for protection!”
Crow and Snow were speechless, stunned by Evan’s idea.
In this era of chaos, conflicts were everywhere. No one could remain unaffected.
Creating an independent organization was like sailing against the current, requiring immense power and resolve.
Crow swallowed nervously, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. “What will we call this organization?”
Evan thought for a moment, his eyes shining. He smiled. “We’ll call it ‘Akatsuki.’”
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