Chapter 410: Return to Carmé Island
"Yes!"
The Flying Pirates sailed off in the opposite direction, clearly going to cause trouble for the Navy.
Charlotte looked around.
"Set course for Carmé Island—we're going home."
His voice was firm, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Home!"
The crew erupted in cheers. After six long years of sailing across the four seas, they were finally returning to their base. Everyone missed Carmé Island.
---
Carmé Island
"Captain's really coming back today?"
Carter stood at the port, both excited and a bit somber.
Excited, because with the captain back, they had their backbone again. No more tiptoeing around every day.
Somber, because he had failed in the task the captain had entrusted to him.
Aside from the areas near Carmé Island, most of the islands under the Rockefeller Pirates had been lost. Carter blamed himself deeply.
"Carter! The communications officer says the ship's on its way. If nothing happens, they'll be here today!" Paul said eagerly, staring out at the sea.
"Damn it… two years! We've swallowed our pride for two whole years. It's finally time to reclaim our honor!" Isaac grumbled.
"Relax. Once the captain's back, things will turn around," Paul said, patting Isaac's shoulder.
"Yeah. With the captain, nothing is impossible," Carter agreed.
Three of the four division commanders—Carter, Paul, and Isaac—were gathered at the port. Only the second division commander, Ralph, was missing—still tied up with affairs in Wano.
On a nearby rooftop, a man in crimson robes leaned on his parasol, staring at the sea.
"So you've finally returned… Six years, Charlotte. Don't disappoint me."
Red Count Patrick Ledfield's voice was a whisper lost in the wind.
When he saw the black dot on the horizon, he smiled and disappeared from the rooftop.
---
Aboard the Poseidon
"We're back! We're back!"
Crew members dashed across the deck cheering.
Barrett walked out, a smirk on his face as the island came into view.
"So this is our home?"
Klein looked out in wonder.
Though born in Wano, he had spent most of his life aboard the ship. This was his first time feeling what "home" truly meant.
"Yes. That's our home—Carmé Island."
Ileana joined him, resting her hands on the railing, smiling as the island grew nearer.
All of Charlotte's children gathered on deck, smiling brightly at the familiar coastline.
"Oh, my dear bed! Six years! I wonder if you still smell like home!" Caesar shouted dramatically.
Estes gave him a look of pure disgust.
"You're too old to be talking about your bed like that."
"You don't understand! That bed was my childhood. My long-lost youth!"
Caesar's exaggerated melancholy made Estes laugh out loud—her first genuine laugh in a while.
As she laughed, her spirit lightened—and her observation haki surged uncontrollably.
"I broke through?!"
Estes looked stunned.
"You've been too tense," Charlotte said as he walked over. "Bottled-up feelings block growth. Letting go opened your path."
"Tense…?"
"Yeah, sis," Caesar added. "You're always pushing yourself too hard. What's the rush?"
Smack!
Charlotte swatted the back of Caesar's head.
"Not everyone gets to goof off like you."
"Hehe…"
Caesar only grinned.
The ship pulled into port amid a sea of cheering voices.
"Welcome back, Captain!"
Thousands of voices roared as Charlotte stepped off the ship.
He saw familiar faces—and many new ones.
Carter, Paul, and Isaac were front and center, grinning ear to ear.
They had fought, bled, and lost comrades to protect Carmé Island in his absence.
"You've all worked hard," Charlotte said quietly.
"Not at all!" the crowd roared back in unison.
Some couldn't hold back their tears.
"Let's party!"
Charlotte shouted with a wide grin.
"Party!!"
The crowd erupted again.
Carmé Island hadn't seen joy like this in years. Friends embraced. Laughter rang out. Tales of hardship and adventure flowed freely.
Charlotte turned to Carter, whose hair was now streaked with white.
"You've really worked hard," he said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Carter had followed him for 20 years—from a young man in his twenties to now.
Without a word, Charlotte pulled out a golden ring from his bracelet.
"A gift. For your loyalty. I hope you'll stay by my side."
The gold wasn't ordinary—it contained pure gold. A treasure few could ever dream of owning.
"Thank you, Captain…"
Carter's eyes welled with tears.
"Captain! Don't we get gifts too?"
Paul and Isaac jogged over.
"Of course!"
Charlotte tossed them each a ring.
"Haha! Thanks, Captain!"
Charlotte didn't tell them the rings' true function. Better to keep such things secret.
"Where's Ralph?" Charlotte asked, noticing the absent commander.
"Wano. He's been swamped and can't leave."
Charlotte's eyes narrowed.
"What's going on?"
"Rebellions. Constant unrest. A man named Kurozumi Orochi has been stirring up trouble with rogue samurai. Ralph's barely holding it together."
"Kurozumi… Orochi?"
"Yes."
"I see. I'll take care of it," Charlotte said, eyes sharpening.
---
Read up to 35 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin
[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]
*Thank you*