Little Luffy was thrilled.
He had never expected to be this strong already.
"Now we can go hunting wild boars!"
(Original) Luffy: Wait, I was able to beat Sabo when I was a kid? This is insane.
The Luffy from the original timeline was completely dumbfounded.
Back in his world, when he was young, he couldn't even touch Sabo or Ace in a fight.
Ace and Sabo were evenly matched, but Luffy had a 0% win rate against both of them.
Yet, in this alternate world, his other self had just easily defeated Sabo.
This was shocking.
Was education really that important?
The Luffy from the original world began to feel a little jealous.
(Present) Luffy: What's so strange about that? Sabo was never my match, hahaha! Don't tell me you actually lost to him in your world?
(Original) Luffy: Well… yeah, but I'd beat him now!
(Original) Sabo: Keep dreaming, Luffy. You still can't beat me.
(Present) Sabo: Hey, other me! I'm about to fight Luffy now! Come help me take this guy down!
(Present) Luffy: Haha, you think the two of you together can beat me?
(Present) Sabo: Don't get cocky! You just trained for half a day longer than me. If we had the same training, I'd wipe the floor with you!
The two versions of Luffy and Sabo started arguing in the public chat, while in the video…
Little Luffy proudly dragged Sabo back to Ron.
Like a child seeking praise, he grinned.
"I caught him!"
"Tonight, we catch the wild boar!"
"And tomorrow, we catch Whitebeard!"
Little Luffy felt his future was bright.
(Original) Shanks: Newgate, you're being hunted by a kid. Hahahaha!
(Present) Whitebeard: I swear, I really don't want to be on Luffy's radar. It looks like I'm in for a rough few years.
Ron ignored Luffy's nonsense about "catching Whitebeard" and turned to Sabo.
"Well, what do you think? You couldn't even escape from Luffy. Still think running away is the answer?"
Sabo huffed, feeling extremely unwilling to accept this loss.
"Tch! I was just careless. Give me another chance, and I'll definitely escape!"
Ron chuckled.
"Alright. Luffy, catch him again."
Little Luffy hesitated.
"But it's getting dark… and I still need to go up the mountain to catch wild boars."
Clearly, he was losing interest in Sabo.
This guy was too easy to catch.
No challenge at all.
Right now, all he wanted was to get revenge on the wild boar that had chased him down the mountain earlier.
Sabo felt humiliated.
Even a little brat three years younger than him was looking down on him.
Unacceptable!
"I bet you're just scared you won't catch me again," Sabo taunted.
Luffy grinned.
"Nah. No matter how many times you run, I can catch you."
A new chase began.
Again, Luffy caught Sabo.
And again.
And again.
Seven times in total.
Each time, Luffy's speed and control over Soru (Shave) improved.
Each time, Sabo's frustration grew.
Garp: That kid Sabo has talent. He's picking up tricks as he goes. His speed is much better than before, and Luffy is mastering Marine II. They're both improving at the same time.
Ron sipped his tea, smiling.
"Finding a sparring partner is just one part of my plan."
By the seventh capture, Sabo had had enough.
Ron glanced at him.
"You still running?"
"No!" Sabo shouted.
He glared at Luffy.
"There's no point running—I'm going to beat him!"
"I'll get stronger… and I'll win!"
Sabo's frustration had turned into determination.
Ron chuckled.
"It seems you finally understand."
Sabo suddenly froze.
He thought back to his past conversations with Ron.
He had run away from home because he hated his country and his parents.
He thought freedom lay outside.
But no matter where he went…
The same kind of corruption and cruelty existed.
Just like running from Luffy—no matter how far he ran, he was always caught.
So what was the point of running?
Would running ever solve anything?
If he truly wanted a better world, why not change it himself?
A realization hit him like a storm.
"I won't run anymore," Sabo said seriously.
"I've decided to stay in the Kingdom of Goa."
"I'm going to change this place."
Then, for the first time, Sabo looked at Ron with genuine gratitude.
"Thank you."
Ron took another sip of tea and smiled.
"I didn't tell you anything. This is the answer you found yourself. No need to thank me."
(Hara) Sengoku: Amazing! What a brilliant method! He made Sabo walk the right path so naturally. No wonder he became the King of Goa!
(Original) Garp: Sengoku! I finally get it! This is what you meant about "stimulating" Sabo!
Meanwhile, in the chat…
(Original) Sabo: Wait… I actually stayed in Goa and changed everything? What happened to Goa Kingdom in your world?
(Present) Sengoku: It became the most beautiful country in the East Blue.
It's the first place in East Blue where everyone is equal.
There are no more refugees. No more lost, wandering people.
And… it is one of the founding nations of the Peace Federation.
Sengoku from the original world froze.
(Hara) Sengoku: Wait… the Peace Federation?
How is that possible?
The World Government would never allow a member nation to create another federation!
Sengoku in the present world didn't answer.
Instead, he turned to Ron, who stood beside him, drinking his tea calmly.
(Present) Sengoku: (Ron… are you the man behind the Peace Federation?)
This question had haunted Sengoku for a long time.
As Fleet Admiral, he knew more secrets than most.
Everyone assumed Sabo, the King of Goa, was the mastermind.
But Sengoku wasn't so sure.
The more he thought about Ron's actions and influence over the years…
The more he suspected that Ron was the real architect behind everything.
Was he trying to replace the World Government?
Had he planned all of this from the beginning?
A terrifying thought crossed Sengoku's mind.
He could only hope…
That he was wrong.
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