One Piece: Reborn in God's Valley

The next day.

"Book, move faster. Lead the way. If that boy leaves I wouldn't be able to thank him."

Chinjao's signature conical head was still wrapped in bandages as he barked his orders with urgency.

"Y-Yes, Captain. That guy's staying at the inn on the west end of the commercial district. Erbao told me to keep an eye on him, I wouldn't dare slack off." Book replied, rushing ahead.

Under Chinjao's constant urging, the group arrived at Ashen's inn in just a few minutes.

At that moment, Ashen had just finished his breakfast. He was carefully wiping down his sword with a clean white cloth. 

Though the sword remained pristine even inside its scabbard, cleaning it daily had become a habit.

Thud.

Chinjao, stepping into the inn's dining hall, immediately spotted Ashen in the corner. He strode over quickly and dropped to his knees.

"Hey.... I was a fool yesterday. I struck without thinking, disgracing myself and the Kano. I've come today to ask for forgiveness," he declared loudly, drawing surprised looks from everyone around.

Ashen didn't rise from his seat. 

He simply replied with casual indifference, "I didn't take yesterday's events to heart. Just chill and let's just call it a friendly spar."

He slid his sword into the sheath slung across his back, then stood and said to Chinjao's subordinates.

"Help your commander up. He's still the leader of a military force, no need to do this."

"Captain values loyalty and righteousness above all else. So, we all know what he did isn't embarrassing in the slightest."

"That's right. Captain is a role model to us all."

The subordinates, just as hard-headed as their leader, chimed in one after another, entirely convinced of their stance.

Ashen gave up arguing. "Fine, whatever. I have things to take care of. I'll be going."

He couldn't deal with this bunch any longer. Skirting around them, he left the dining hall and headed down the street.

In the past few days, Ashen had scoped out a medium-sized shipyard and planned to commission a pirate ship there today.

Back in the dining hall, seeing Ashen leave, the others rushed to help Chinjao up.

"Captain, he's gone already. You don't need to keep kneeling."

"What? You idiots. Why didn't you say something sooner?"

"You were way too into it, alright?" the group retorted in unison.

Elsewhere.

Ashen walked toward the west side of the Kano with his hands in his pockets. That's where the shipyard he had chosen was located.

"These people are so damn stubborn," he muttered.

As he walked, his Observation Haki picked up Chinjao and his men rapidly approaching.

Less than a minute later, Chinjao blocked his path.

"Hey... please wait. I haven't repaid your kindness. I can't let you leave just like that."

"I told you, it was nothing. Don't worry about it," Ashen said, clearly getting a headache.

Chinjao grew even more emotional. 

"No, no, no. It may have been a small favor to you, but to me it was a life-altering event.

That bastard Garp smashed my drill head, I couldn't even protect my treasure hoard afterward. I felt like dying.

I'll never forget what you did for me. I must repay you."

He continued earnestly, "Please, at least let me show you some hospitality. The King has prepared a banquet in the royal palace. You must come with me."

"…Fine. My name's Ashen V. Helgrave. Just call me Ashen."

Faced with Chinjao's persistence, Ashen knew he had no choice. Otherwise, the guy would probably keep chasing him forever.

Truth be told, ever since arriving in Kano, Ashen had been curious about the mysterious king. With Chinjao as a bridge, this made things simpler.

"Hiyahoho..... Excellent. I'm honored. Please, this way." Chinjao beamed and led the way.

…

Guided by Chinjao, Ashen walked across a long suspension bridge toward the royal palace perched high above.

He took in the view of the palace as they ascended, elegant, unfamiliar, and fascinating.

The two of them wound their way through several corridors before reaching the second floor of the main hall.

A grand dining table was already set, brimming with wine and delicacies. 

The King of Kano sat with his sleeves tucked, a warm smile on his face as he looked at Ashen. Seated beside him was the commander of the country's army.

After a round of pleasantries and thanks, the banquet began. 

Ashen didn't hold back, he devoured everything in sight. The palace food far surpassed anything he'd had in the commercial district.

After several rounds of drinks, the king motioned for the attendants to leave. Only the four of them remained.

"Mr. Ashen," the king began, "I've heard you're here to purchase a pirate ship. Are you planning to form a pirate crew?"

"That's right," Ashen replied without hesitation. 

"The world is on the brink of great change. A new era is about to dawn. To survive on these seas, strength alone won't be enough. I need a crew, a force of my own."

"Just as I thought."

The King's expression was calm, though there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"I had hoped to invite you to join Kano. But now, I see that would've been foolish. A man with such ambition would never be content with a small land like ours."

Ashen set down his wine cup and laughed. "Hahaha. What I'm planning is bound to attract trouble. I'd rather not drag this country into it."

The King was taken aback. He exchanged a glance with the commander, then joined in the laughter. 

"Hehehe…. Mr. Ashen, your ambitions are indeed extraordinary. With your strength, you're more than qualified to make a name for yourself in the New World. 

So why haven't we heard of you until now?"

The commander kept his eyes on Ashen with a cheerful expression, ready to step in and defuse the situation if needed, something he and the King had long practiced together.

Ashen picked up on the probing behind the question but didn't mind. Frankly, if he were in their shoes, he'd do the same.

A stranger with impressive strength suddenly appearing in your country, what kind of king wouldn't want answers?

"Haha. There's nothing I need to hide."

Ashen laid it all out. "The pirate crew I was part of before... every single one of them was a monster. There was no room for someone like me to stand out.

But that crew was wiped out ten years ago. The World Government deliberately erased every trace of it. So it makes sense that none of you have heard my name."

"Ten years ago... don't tell me...."

Chinjao, who had been silent until now, finally broke his silence.

Even the King showed a flicker of shock.

"That's right. The Rocks Pirates."

Since they already knew, Ashen didn't bother hiding it.

Sure, there was a risk they might leak his identity, but he didn't believe they were that foolish. 

And even if they did, it didn't matter. It had already been ten years. One way or another, he was bound to clash with the Navy. There was no point trying to hide forever.

"No wonder you're so powerful. A former member of the Rocks Pirates."

Chinjao looked as if a great mystery had been solved. Suddenly, losing that duel didn't feel so unjust.

Ashen thoroughly enjoyed the meal. The three power-holders of the Kano suited his tastes, straightforward, passionate, and unpretentious.

An unexpected bonus. Chinjao, in his eagerness to repay Ashen, personally took on the responsibility of commissioning the ship. 

He promised to use Kano's best materials and craftsmen for the job.

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