23 The world is never calm.

Most of the time in the world of One Piece, plans are never what they seem. Two days after the intoxicating feast enjoyed by the Blue Pirates, they soon set sail for the Syrup Village. The day had come, the time for incognito, passing in an unnoticed attempt with many mistakes. As Axel began to ponder his thoughts on his stupidity, he couldn't comprehend anything more than the fact that his arrogance led him to flee due to the accumulation of problems that began to settle in. Kuro, a pirate. Deuce, a pirate. The ingenious Gad, a pirate. Agatha, a pirate.

It's a collection of people that the World Government cannot overlook.

Axel had associated with numerous pirates under his command. As the captain of many wanted individuals, he believed that perhaps the innocence of the pirate world would be preserved in the hearts of the Marines. But it turns out that their intelligence system exceeded expectations.

A dark scenario. What to do, what to do? Axel isn't prepared to fight on equal footing against individuals who plague the world. The crew isn't enough. They don't handle their Devil Fruits well, and there are issues with Gad, Kuro, and Nihtal. A fall into betrayal can be seen at any moment if they sense weakness. Axel held three posters with substantial bounties.

...

Axel, Marine swordsman.

50,000,000 Berries.

Wanted dead or alive.

In attempting to usurp the kingdom of Fosstres, he has committed several crimes against the World Government. Captain of the Blue Pirates.

Deuce, "Fire Soldier."

40,000,000 Berries.

Wanted dead or alive.

Attacked nobles are dangerous and very vicious. Vice-captain of the Blue Pirates.

Kuro, "Hundred Plans."

25,000,000 Berries.

Wanted dead or alive.

Faked his death, massacred numerous Marines, and faked his death.

-We can't go back to Syrup Village, Ussop, - Axel said.

-Why, Axel? We promised Kaya that we would return from our adventures, - Ussop said.

-What will happen when the Marines find out that we are criminals? You, more than anyone, saw how the government enslaved people. They blame us for usurping the kingdom of Fosstres. What will happen to the village when the Marines chase people because they are looking for criminals? They've seen us help Mr. Kaim, and if they think Mr. Kaim is an accomplice, what do you think the World Government will do to them? - Axel explained.

-But Axel... What will happen to Kaya? - Ussop asked.

-We will return when we have a better intelligence system. But you know who we need to be able to visit Kaya, - Axel said.

-To that damn Kuro. My intelligence is good, but I can't organize a series of details the way that idiot can. I can know what Kuro is thinking, but I can't execute everything Kuro does. I can know everything about my crew, but not everything outside my crew, - Axel continued.

-I need a crew, Nakamas who join me and cover my weaknesses. Without Deuce, I couldn't defeat the Paper Man. Without you, I wouldn't understand many things about my crew. Without Agatha, the food would never be prepared, and the ship wouldn't have the order it has. Everyone is important. There's Gad and the triplets, who have some helmsman knowledge. They are the children of the sea, and if someone falls overboard, there's no better companion than Gad, who is a hammerhead shark, - Axel said.

-Wow! -- Ussop exclaimed in defeat. -- What are our next plans? I'm sorry, Axel, I'm just scared of what might happen. It's the first time I'm leaving my home without knowing if I'll come back. What if I get lost at sea? I've heard of pirates who ran out of food, -- he said in growing panic, regretting his departure as a pirate without saying goodbye to Kaya. But he understood Axel's words. He didn't want anything bad to happen to Kaya.

-Don't worry, we have enough food to last. First, let's go into hiding. The East Blue is too small for our crew, - Axel said.

-So, it's time, - Ussop said.

-Yes, let's go to the Grand Line, - Axel said, smiling. In bad times, keep a good face.

The sound of the snail shell echoed.

"Pururururuur. Pururuurur."

-Axel, a snail hasn't stopped ringing, - Agatha said, handing him a large snail the size of a soccer ball, courtesy of the king of Fosstres.

-Cadmius, my friend, - Axel said.

-Axel... - Cadmius began to fall. He had betrayed his friend by revealing everything to the CP9, but facing the forces of the CP9 was something he couldn't overcome.

-It happened just as you said. The government sent very powerful people to investigate, and I gave them all the information about you, about your four crew members. Deuce, the fire guy, Kuro, Tashigi the swordsman, and you. I'm sorry, - Cadmius said.

-Don't worry. It's something that had to happen. I'm glad you're safe, King of Fosstres. Save your homeland. I will live a life of adventures. Good luck, Cadmius, - Axel said.

-Thank you for everything, - Cadmius said, crying softly for Axel's acceptance, even though he had revealed everything about him, even though he had saved his nation. -- I can only thank you for saving my homeland and defending me from my uncle Fellas. But you know I must protect my country with all my heart, - Cadmius said.

Flashback.

-Axel, you're welcome to stay as long as you want, - Cadmius said joyfully, paying numerous debts and settling taxes, pleasing large merchants, and improving new guards and Gasparde, the power of Fosstres is on its way to growing.

-I can't do that. The World Government will come and ask for trouble if they know we're comrades. They might propose a coup against you. A coup! It sounds ridiculous, - Axel said.

-It's not. Listen to me. You're a king; you must watch over your people. Tell them everything you know, except that the Simon Pirates joined my crew. When they do, the government and the Marines will doubt you less, and all the blame will fall on me. When I can become more powerful, I'll come for you and help you again. Until then, do your best, and make your people prosper. You have Gasparde; follow my rules. Never leave the country, never send Gasparde out of the country, and never trust anyone, even the Marines. Always keep a cool head; the shadows are dark, and you might fall again, - Axel said.

Cadmius looked defeated, but he nodded. -I will do as much as I can. Now I have two extra powerful bodyguards. I think everything will be positive for me. Come, I'll give you the Den Den Mushi and some wines from Fellas, - Cadmius said.

End of flashback.

...

Ding,

Link status.

"You are the first subject with a bounty in the Hidden World Travelers process. You have achieved a milestone by having the highest bounty in the East Blue. You have received 100 experience points. You have received a diamond chest. You have opened the diamond chest and received the special ability 'Bullet Time.' Increase from 0.1s to 0.10s. To master, it requires physical and mental ability of 2000 points."

...

-A powerful ability, but not really worth the 2000 status points it needs. They are double the ones received. In six months of work and multiple calculated achievements, I have a total of four and a half years for this world to go to hell, - Axel thought, looking at the horizon.

Now that my chances are well received, I need an expert opinion. One who might help me. I think the one who can give me the best data is that man. I need a training time of two months; the attack power of those guys needs to be upgraded before the Grand Line. – axel thought

Tashigi arrived with a red face.

-I saw the bounty, Axel. How is it that, for saving the King of Fosstres, you were accused of trying to usurp his kingdom? You worked so hard to save the people, -- Tashigi said. -- You didn't receive the real money that the king wanted to give you as a reward, to distribute among the needy. Now they blame you for trying to usurp the kingdom you saved. It's unfair; the Marines are unfair, -- Tashigi said, sad, tears streaming down, seeing a soul as pure as Axel's marked like that of a pirate.

-Don't cry, Lia. It's the injustices of life. The only important thing is to follow our principles. To hell with the bounty; the only important thing is that my companions always believe in me, that you believe in me, - Axel said to Tashigi.

-It's still not fair. There was a time when I thought about joining the Marines to protect the innocent, - Tashigi said.

-Let's keep doing it because we have to be Marines to follow our beliefs, - Axel said.

-Well, I'll improve as much as I can, - Tashigi said with a big smile, infected by Axel's optimism.

-I mean, he gave me a sword in thanks for saving old Hummus's forge. They call it 'Red Salvation.' It's a good sword, - Axel said.

-Wow, it has the quality of a Wazamono sword. It's very well made, - Tashigi said, forgetting about the bounty posters.

-It's yours, 'Red Salvation,' created to save old Hummus's forge. Now, it's a sword that seeks to protect people's dreams, - Axel said, handing over Red Salvation.

"I can't take it; you earned it. I didn't win; I've been defeated twice on this journey, and I'm weak. I carry defeat after defeat these days. Deserving such a fine sword without earning it is a dishonor," Lia said.

Ussop was slowly sliding out of the captain's room exit. While making a slow turn and sticking to the wall, trying to mimic stealth movements that Axel had taught them, taken to the level of ridicule. His clumsy steps.

He crashed into the cabin door, causing a terrible noise throughout the room.

-Hahaha, -- Lia said. -- He's a very funny man,-- Lia said, who saw Ussop's funny actions so well.

-Then you'll accept the sword, - Axel said.

-I will when I deserve it. Keep that sword for me, - Lia said.

-Fine, but it's only meant for you, - Axel said.

-Well, remember you mentioned something about helping me train my sword skills. I'm willing to take on that challenge, - Lia said.

-As it will be, we'll fight for this new challenge. I also need to train my skills, - Axel said.

-You'll never let me catch up; every time I take a small step, you take a giant leap, - Lia said.

-Come on, I have to steer the ship to our next destination. We'll make a stop at an island that claims to be haunted. It's just a false myth. But we'll use those days to calm the waters. For now, train by swinging your sword 100 times with all the strength of your arms. Try to make all 100 strikes equally powerful. When we arrive, I'll teach you the water dance, - Axel said.

-100 strikes equally, - Lia repeated.

-Yes, all the same. Every strike you make has to be equally powerful as the previous one. Regardless of the strike, each one has to be fulfilled and be identical. Every missed strike, you'll have to start from scratch, - Axel said.

-Alright, I'll do it. Remember what you told me. I'll do this work, - Lia said, excitedly, puffing her cheeks.

-Yes, make sure to take a breath and release it with each strike, - Axel said.

There, Tashigi was seen undergoing a tough training routine, each strike added with great force to stabilize her arms. The strikes continued, and the force she exerted caused a slight breeze to rise.

...