One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 186 An Unexpected Surprise, The First Territory

Everyone immediately turned to look at Nami.

Nami felt a little uneasy under their gazes, shrank back, and muttered, "Why are you all staring at me like that! I really don't understand..."

"Fool!"

Nojiko tapped her on the head in annoyance, "I don't know what you're listening to. The original old place, of course, refers to the restaurant where their relationship started!"

Is that so?
Nami looked at Link with a puzzled expression, half believing and half doubting.

"Indeed."

Old Link nodded with a smile, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes. "When I went to Thunder Isle, I dug up a treasure map under the old site of the restaurant. Then, following the guidance, I found this pitcher plant, or rather, the dream plant, under the highest rock peak on the island."

"Dream Grass?"

"Yes, it is a user of the Paramecia-type Dream-Dream Fruit."

Old Link looked at the pitcher plant and sighed, "It can create incredibly realistic illusions, allowing people to confront their deepest fears."

"This ability can be used to scare away powerful enemies, as well as to hone one's own will and domineering spirit, and to cultivate future generations. This can be considered the last gift that guy Rocks left to my clan."

Xia Nuo listened attentively.

No wonder those warriors I saw before all had considerable Armament Haki; they probably developed such strength through long-term training under the power of the Dream Grass.

It can drag people into a dream...

This sounds somewhat similar to that Kirin Fruit user in the Knights of God, whose name he forgot.

He suddenly understood, but there was still one question that remained unanswered.

"Old man, if it's about confronting your deepest fears, then how come I'm seeing Rocks himself?"

Shano couldn't help but ask, "And it's young Lox... I've never met him. I wasn't even born when he died."

"That's not your nightmare, it's mine."

Old Link blushed. "That Doflamingo, although I don't know what his nightmare was that made him retreat without even trying to steal the Sacred Fruit, that guy is a monster with Conqueror's Haki. Illusions can only scare him away temporarily. He's definitely not satisfied and will come back again."

"So I had no choice but to try to challenge my nightmares and see if I could break free from my fear and regain the state of my youth..."

"As you saw, you overestimated yourself. Forget about tempering your will, I couldn't even withstand the impact of Conqueror's Haki and passed out. If it weren't for you breaking that nightmare just in time, I'm afraid..."

It can even enter other people's nightmares?

Xia Nuo glanced at the pitcher plant, and his interest in it grew even stronger.

"Although the Agatha Islands are remote, because they are located in the New World, they are almost always attacked by pirates every month, but we have basically repelled them all."

Young clan leader Noah clenched his fist: "However, we really can't handle someone of Doflamingo's caliber..."

"It's because I'm too old to protect you all," Old Link said sadly. "If I were twenty or thirty years younger, that guy wouldn't have been so arrogant..."

"Grandpa! Please don't say that!"

Noah hurriedly said, "You have already sacrificed too much for us. If anyone is to blame, it should be me, the young clan leader. I am too weak, not as strong as you were when you were young, and I cannot protect my people."

"Silly boy..."

Old Link chuckled wryly and patted Noah's head.

He had a son late in life, but the son died unexpectedly. Noah, the eldest grandson, took on the duties of the young patriarch at a young age, but he did so willingly and without complaint.

He trained diligently from a young age, and by the age of twenty, he had already cultivated his physique to become the strongest in his clan. He also mastered both types of Haki and personally defeated powerful enemies with bounties of hundreds of millions on multiple occasions.

That's enough for him to be proud of.

If it were the previous New World, Noah's strength would have been enough to protect the Agatha Islands.

But unfortunately...

More than a decade ago, the Great Pirate Era began.

The number of pirates gathering in the so-called second half of the Grand Line is increasing, and their average strength is also getting stronger.

One Shichibukai was already too much for his old bones to handle. What would happen to the tribe if a new powerful enemy attacked after he left?
unless……

Old Link raised his head and his gaze fell on Xia Nuo.

Ok?
Xia Nuo raised an eyebrow slightly.

As he listened, he sensed something was amiss. He felt that the old man knew he was nearing the end and was preparing to entrust his son to someone else.

Now it looks like...

It seems I was right after all?

At this moment, Old Link finally made up his mind, solemnly stood up, and bowed deeply to Shano:
"Lord Xia Nuo, in principle, I should not be so rude as to owe you a debt of gratitude, but I do have a request..."

You're really coming...

Xia Nuo sighed inwardly and helped Old Link up: "Please just say it."

Old Link said in a deep voice, "I am already 104 years old. If nothing unexpected happens, it will be within the next year or two... Although the tribe survived this ordeal with the help of you and Mr. Xiong, we are ultimately powerless to protect ourselves in this increasingly dangerous sea area."

“Therefore…” he raised his head, “I would like to ask Your Excellency to take in our Agatha family and make us your vassals!”

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room was taken aback.

"Grandpa?!" Noah's eyes widened. "You've already..."

“Noah, I’ve lived for over a hundred years, so trust my judgment.” Old Link raised his hand to stop him, staring intently at Shano.

His body has aged, his strength is no longer what it used to be, and even his domineering aura has almost disappeared.

But the experience of dealing with people over the past century remains, as does the experience of sailing the seas with Rocks back then...

Can't go wrong.

The young, black-haired boy in front of me has a very similar temperament and aura to Rocks, or more accurately, Rocks in his early, younger years.

Beneath his majestic and powerful kingly demeanor lies a kind and gentle heart.

However, later on, Rocks' ambition grew rapidly, and he gradually went astray.

Would the boy in front of me do that?
Who knows!

But... Old Link grinned. He was an old man, almost dead, and heaven couldn't be so cruel as to let him misjudge twice in a row!

"Of course, Your Excellency, we will not accept your kindness for nothing. Although the Agatha clan is not a large clan, they have lived by hunting for generations. There are more than a thousand adult warriors in the clan, each of whom is proficient in Armament Haki and has considerable combat strength. They can all become your most loyal subordinates at any time, following in your footsteps and obeying your orders."

"In addition, I am willing to give you the sacred fruit of the clan, the Dream Grass. Perhaps its ability will not be very effective for training a top expert like you with a domineering aura comparable to Rocks, but it can help you hone your subordinates and enhance their will and domineering aura."

Very tempting conditions.

The crew members were somewhat surprised and glanced at old Link a few more times. They hadn't expected that the old man would trust their captain so much.

As for Nami...

She didn't care about any of that; her eyes immediately lit up.

Hey hey hey!!! The entire Agatha family wants to defect to us! Doesn't that mean the dream she mentioned on her way to Fishman Island is finally going to come true?
After the older brother officially took his first steps to conquer the new world, it was finally time for them to have their first territory.

Xia Nuo pondered for a moment.

Then he looked up and met old Link's gaze.

Under that earnest gaze, the black-haired boy finally grinned and said, "Now that things have come to this point, it would be too hypocritical of me to refuse again."

"From this day forward, the Agatha Islands will be the territory of the Enders!"

He accepted this trust!
All he's doing is raising his flag and name to protect the thousands of villagers on the island. If he doesn't even have that much confidence, how can he possibly achieve his ultimate dream?
Moreover, unlike his many previous acts of helping others without expecting anything in return, this time there was a real and tangible reward.

Leaving aside the Dream Fruit that can train cadres, just the fact that there are suddenly thousands of loyal soldiers who can use Armament Haki among the subordinates is enough to tempt anyone.

Of course. With so many people around, he doesn't plan to bring them along yet.

The Agatha Islands are now considered his first territory, but the islands are still too small and relatively isolated and primitive, unable to accommodate a large population, making them unsuitable as a base.

Once we have a base camp, we can transfer any soldiers who are willing to help defend the territory.

Those who don't want to go can stay on the island and continue living their lives as before.

Shano's promise relieved old Link, and a smile finally appeared on the old man's wrinkled face.

"Everyone, listen up!"

He turned to look at the people in the room, his voice weak yet full of authority:

"From this day forward, the Agatha family will regard Lord Shano as their master and swear to follow Lord Shano's banner to the death!"

Grandpa, I hope you really didn't misjudge him...

Noah took a deep breath, his gaze hardening. As the young clan leader, he was the first to kneel on one knee, his right fist pressed against his chest: "I swear to serve Lord Shano to the death!"

As for Chia, he was already beaming with joy. He had followed them all the way from Thunder Island and trusted Shano and the others much more than his older brother, wishing the two families could become one.

He immediately knelt down as well, imitating his elder brother by pounding his chest. The other soldiers in the room followed suit, their movements synchronized and their voices loud and clear.
"I swear to be loyal to Lord Shano to the death!"

……

That night.

Under Old Link's personal supervision, a grand bonfire dinner was held on the open ground of the main island to entertain the crew of the Fallen Ones.

For a time, toasts were exchanged and guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely.

The young warriors in the tribe were filled with awe and curiosity towards the cadres under Shano. At first, they were a little reserved with each other, but under the combined effect of alcohol and dancing, they gradually became one with each other.

Jack went off to arm wrestle with people, defeating one muscular warrior after another;

Nami, Nojiko, and the other girls danced with the native girls in grass skirts;
Smoker, drunk, casually started blowing smoke rings, the smoke billowing out of his nose and mouth in various shapes, drawing gasps of amazement from the young soldiers around him...

Tailmon, on the other hand, was seated at the children's table and immediately became the center of attention, surrounded by children who kept asking it questions.

Wow! Kitty, you can really talk!

"Hehe, it's not that difficult. Only a big, stupid dog wouldn't be able to do it!"

"Are you a cat or a mouse? Why are your ears so pointy?"

"You have no eyes! It's a cat!"

"Could you demonstrate that move again? You mean... the one you just used!"

"Well..."

Gatomon swished its tail triumphantly and said mysteriously, "This is my signature move, which I don't usually use lightly, but—"

She blinked. "Since you've all given me such a warm welcome, I'll demonstrate it one more time!"

She leaped lightly into the air, casually slashing out with her two claws, instantly slicing two nearby boulders into several pieces.

The children cheered and clapped enthusiastically.

It's unbearable to watch, it's embarrassing for its owner, how childish... Gin, who was also assigned to the children's table, glanced at Gatomon with disdain, then lowered his head and happily licked his strawberry milk.

……

Old Link and Shano sat side by side by the campfire.

Old Link took a sip of his drink and remarked:

"Since the Great Pirate Era began, nine out of ten people who come to the island are pirates with ill intentions. It has been a long time since we have had such a lively welcome banquet. We are truly grateful for your presence."

It had been a long time since he had been able to put aside all his worries and anxieties about the tribe and happily enjoy a glass of wine like this.

Xia Nuo smiled and exchanged a few polite words before explaining his plans to establish a base camp and the future arrangements for these warriors to Old Link.

Old Link had no objection; holding his wine glass, he laughed even more heartily.

Noah, who was eager to challenge Jack to an arm-wrestling match, was taken aback and turned to give Xia Nuo a deep look.

He was initially worried that this renowned young powerhouse on the high seas might immediately take all these warriors away to use as cannon fodder.

But now it seems I was overthinking things. This Lord Shano is definitely not like those pirates who used to raid and harass villages...

……

The bonfire burned brighter and brighter, and laughter echoed in the night sky.

But everything eventually comes to an end.

The next morning arrived in the blink of an eye.

Old Link, still hungover, went to sleep and rest. Noah and Chia, as representatives, led their people to see off Shano and his party at the port.

"Brother Shano!" Chia stood at the front, waving his arms vigorously. "You have to come again! Next time I'll take you hunting near the volcano!"

Noah remained silent and solemnly gave a warrior's salute.

Xia Nuo smiled and waved to them. Under the watchful eyes of the two brothers, the Fallen Curtain sailed out of the river mouth and headed towards the distant, boundless horizon.

At this moment.

If you look out from the sea, you can see it.

The most prominent mountaintops, river channels, and harbors in the entire Agatha Islands have been adorned with newly sewn flags, which were made overnight.

—The banner of the curtain falls.

……

on board.

Xia Nuo turned his gaze away from Agatha Island, which had now turned into a small black dot, and looked at the system panel in front of him.

As the parchment map unfolds, it illuminates the pitch-black fog of war, revealing not only the winding path they've traveled but also seven interconnected archipelagos.

[Territory: Agatha Islands]

Land area: 350 square kilometers

【Population: 6720】

[Regional Leader: Link]

Happiness Level: Medium → High

Zooming in, the map also shows detailed locations of resources. The Agatha Islands' resources are quite simple, mainly consisting of fishing and hunting resources.

Can such a primitive lifestyle, after temporarily resolving the existential crisis weighing on one's mind, actually lead to a higher level of happiness?

Xia Nuo remained silent.

This is probably the current state of most islands in the One Piece world.

As long as there is no oppression from the Heavenly Gold and no disturbance from pirates, it is actually quite easy for ordinary people to make their lives happier.

With abundant natural resources, they can basically eat their fill, stay warm, and be self-sufficient.

On my journey toward my dream, what I need to do and what I want to do is to help more and more islands achieve this goal.

He squinted, gazing at the distant horizon, the wind blowing his black hair and his black outfit fluttering in the wind.

　Yesterday I created my own alternate story for Rocks, but judging from the feedback, it wasn't well-received. So, for the Agatha Island arc, I simply cut out a side quest on the island and finished it much faster.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)