As I approached the ship, I was getting ready to throw the ropes aboard, but first, I had to inspect the keel.
Peering through the periscope, I moved forward with extreme caution—any small wrong move could lead to serious trouble.
The submarine's keel was damaged.I noticed it even during approach—one of the central beams had a crack, and the lower plating was slightly warped.It was likely the result of my previous voyage.
"If I tie up to the ship with ropes, the strain will travel through the entire hull… which means it could get damaged even more and sink. They must have hit something while anchored in the bay," flashed through my mind."
And if the crack spreads, the keel could simply snap... and that would be the end of everything."
Another ship in North Blue won't arrive for two more days.
I'll have to head to the nearest island—this place is far too dangerous, both for me and for Sabo.
But first, there's something I need to do…
Other side of the island:
"Sabo? You're lying!" Ace shouted, lunging at Dogra. "Don't joke about that!"
Dogra sighed heavily and looked away, then raised his hands to signal Ace to calm down.
"Stop it, Ace," Dogra said fearfully. "I'm not joking."
Ace stopped, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"This isn't a joke or a lie, but let me finish!" Dogra replied, his eyes filled with deep concern.
"He's alive. But he's hurt."
"How can you be so sure?" Ace cried, his face twisted with emotion.
Dogra pulled a letter from under his shirt and handed it to Ace.
"It's from some guy," Dogra explained. "He said he was on the island and saw Sabo. He gave me this letter before leaving. I don't know who he is, but we can't ignore this. Sabo is alive."
"GIVE ME the letter!" Ace shouted, snatching it from Dogra's hands before he could say more, and began unfolding it, tension written all over his face.
"Ace, Luffy, Dadan—you don't know me, but I know you.Sabo is alive, but he's been injured and lost his memory. He doesn't even remember his name.
I asked him if he wanted to come back, but he said'no.
'He's still alive, though his condition is stabilizing. He's safe now, and I promise to help him recover.
If he decides to return to you, I won't stop him.
But we need to leave this place—noble soldiers are looking for him, both on land and at sea.
Ace, Luffy, I know you'll become pirates.
So if you ever want to meet me—let's meet on the Grand Line.
Because I will become the Pirate King.— Bellamy!"
Ace took a step back, clutching the letter in his hand.
His gaze was empty, as if trying to process what he'd read, but his thoughts were tangled.
"Bellamy…" he whispered, staring into space. "Who is this guy? Why is he so sure Sabo won't want to come back?"
Dogra, standing nearby, sighed heavily, searching for words.
"I don't know. He looked serious, and his intentions didn't seem shady.
He wrote that Sabo doesn't remember his past and that his condition is stabilizing.Sabo is alive—and that's what matters most," Dogra replied in a livelier tone.
Ace squeezed the letter so hard that his fingers turned white, but a determined look appeared on his face.
He quickly turned to Dogra.
"I don't believe Sabo wouldn't want to come back. He's always been like that—never gave up, always chasing freedom.
And if he doesn't want to return—I'll find him myself.
We'll all find him!"
"Ace," Dadan said calmly. Her voice was steady, but there was a heavy tone to it.
"This isn't just about what you want. Sabo has already made a choice.
You have to understand—if he decides to return, you won't be able to stop him.
He will choose what's most important to him."
Ace wasn't listening. His eyes were blazing, and he was ready to act.
"I'll find him!" he shouted.
But his words began to lose force as he realized no one was supporting him.
"We'll all find him…"
His face twisted in despair, and he took a step forward, but Dadan blocked his path, her gaze resolute.
"Ace, you can't just—" she began, but he, ignoring her, suddenly dropped to his knees and said bitterly:
"Do you really think I'll just leave him there?
We promised each other we'd always be together—we wouldn't leave each other behind!"
Dadan let out a heavy sigh.
She already knew that if Ace didn't calm down, his behavior could spiral out of control.At one point, as he lunged forward again, her patience finally snapped.
"Ace, enough!" she yelled.
She grabbed his arm and, despite his resistance, pinned him to the ground, tying him to the nearest tree.
"You can't change this. Sabo made his decision. You have to accept it."
Ace kept struggling, but only had enough strength for a few more attempts…
Bellamy's Side
Sabo finally comes to and opens his eyes, feeling a heaviness in his head and body. As he surveys his surroundings, his gaze falls on me. I'm sitting across from him, calmly watching his reaction.
I frown slightly, but with a light smile I say:— Finally awake!
Sabo, a bit confused, starts to look around, not understanding where he is.
— What... where am I? — his voice is a little weak, but there's already a hint of concern in it.
— You're on my boat!
— I answer, pointing to the wooden walls of the boat, which are visible from the inside through small windows.
— Your things had the name "Sabo" written on them. Is that your name?
He looks at me, but remembers nothing. His expression becomes even more lost.
— Sabo... I don't know...
— his voice trembles a little, as if he's trying to remember, but can't.
I sit across from him, and in the silence, I decide to ask:
— So, what do you remember?
Sabo sits there, trying to concentrate, but his eyes are just as empty as his thoughts.
— Nothing… It's all like a fog, — he says, bringing his hand to his temple, as if trying to tear through the veil of forgotten memories.
I nod, thinking over his words, then speak with some understanding:— Looks like you've got amnesia. You've lost your memories.
— I knew that, but still, I thought maybe something might've changed.
I nod slightly, understanding that for him this isn't obvious right now. He can't understand why his memory is so shattered. I had to help him a little, to explain what lies ahead.
— Well, since you've arrived…
— I begin, pausing to gather my thoughts.
— There's something important I need to tell you. You're not just an ordinary person… You're part of the local nobility. Your "family" is looking for you on the island. I think you should consider going back.
— NO! I don't want to go back! — said Sabo.
— Why? — I asked, trying to stay calm.
— I don't know, — he said, his voice was quiet and almost lifeless.
— But I do know one thing: that's the last place I'd ever want to be.
My internal anxiety grew, but I knew I couldn't leave him in the dark. If he refused to return, I had to tell him everything. Without the truth, his choice wouldn't be complete — only if he agreed after knowing everything would it be far better than if I kept something from him.
— I saved you when you were drowning in the sea, — I said, raising my eyes and looking into his. — Your ship was sunk by a Celestial Dragon because you got in their way. You were lucky you didn't die right then and there.
I saw his face pale. He froze, as if the words had shocked him to the core. His hands clenched nervously, and his breathing quickened. He was clearly shaken, and I understood that this information was shocking for him — but necessary.
— I don't want to lie to you,
— I continued.
— You are part of the nobility of the Goa Kingdom, and they are looking for you there. But that's not all. You don't know me, but I know you — and your sworn brothers, Luffy and Ace, too. They're waiting and they will be looking for you.
I fell silent, giving him time to take in what I'd said. It was a lot of information, and he was confused — but I couldn't leave him without a choice.
— Do you want to go back, after all of this? — I asked, looking into his eyes. — The choice is yours.
Sabo stayed quiet for a long time. His gaze was unfocused, and he was clearly battling a storm of emotions. He was trying to comprehend what he'd just heard.
Finally, he lifted his gaze and met mine. In his expression, there was no longer despair — but determination.
— You're right... — he began, his voice still slightly trembling, but there was a firmness in it now. — I don't know what to do with this… I don't remember my past, but… I feel like I don't want to go back there. I don't want to be a part of that world I came from.
Sabo paused, thinking over his words, and his gaze became more confident. He took a deep breath and looked at me.
— I don't know what the future holds for me, but I won't go back. I need to be free. That's all I can say for sure. — His face brightened slightly, and despite how difficult the situation was, his eyes were full of resolve.
I could understand him. He was seeking freedom, and in his words I heard the same passion I felt for my own path. This guy wasn't someone who wanted to live by someone else's rules.— I understand, — I said when he fell silent, looking into his eyes, filled with resolve. — You want freedom, Sabo. So do I. That's why I'm going to become the Pirate King — the freest man in the world. I won't live by rules others force on me.
Sabo tilted his head a bit, listening.
— You're going to become the Pirate King? — he repeated, as if surprised, but also intrigued. — Really? That's your goal?
I nodded, and the fire lit up in my eyes as I spoke again.
— Yeah, I'm going to become the Pirate King. And I'm building my crew. I'm looking for people who want to be free. To be honest, that's the real reason I came here. I'm looking for people who aren't afraid to choose their own path. I'm giving you a chance to be a part of this crew, Sabo. You won't be alone, and if you want, you can come with me.
Sabo was silent for a moment. His eyes wandered around the boat, as if he was trying to grasp the weight of this offer. He was searching for his freedom — and now he was being offered a path that could lead him to it.
— You… want me to be part of your crew? — he asked, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
I nodded again.
— Yes. You can find your freedom in our path. Can I count on you? If you don't want to, I'll understand, because this will be a tough adventure where we'll risk our lives more than once — the choice is yours.
He looked at me carefully, and then his face cleared just a bit.
"After a few minutes of silence, Sabo replied."
— I… I'm in. — Sabo seemed to have made his decision, and his voice was full of certainty. — I won't go back, and I won't live by someone else's rules. I want to be free. If that's what you're offering, I'm ready.
I smiled.