Three months had passed.
The remnants of the old World Government had been completely eradicated. The once-untouchable Celestial Dragons had become despised and hunted like rats in the streets. Still, upholding humanitarian principles, the new world powers chose to publicly put them on trial. Those who had committed no serious crimes—such as many innocent children—were spared. Not everyone deserved death, after all.
In the aftermath, all the nations came together to form a United Government. Kings were no longer chosen by lineage, but through democratic elections in each country. The United Government was responsible for overseeing the fairness of these elections.
The Navy was reorganized as an independent force, separate from the United Government, tasked with monitoring both it and the individual nations. In return, both the United Government and the member nations had the right to oversee the Navy's actions. This created a unique three-way check-and-balance system between the United Government, the nations, and the Navy.
As for the pirates who helped bring down the World Government, their past crimes were forgiven—on one condition: from now on, any act of violence or evil would result in immediate and total pursuit by the Navy.
The once-revered title of "Pirate King" was rebranded as Adventure King.
The newly-formed United Government not only allowed people to sail in search of treasure—it actively encouraged it. But now, it was no longer "pirate crews" heading out to sea. They were known as adventure teams. Every major region established dedicated supply stations for adventurers, and an official Adventurers' Guild was created to rate teams based on their achievements and the strength of their members.
Whitebeard, Roger, and Golden Lion, with their incredible power and influence, became the only three adventure crews with a score over one billion. The Red Count, despite being just as powerful individually, was ranked only 65th due to being a solo adventurer.
Each team that reached the final destination would receive the official Adventure King title from the United Government, a ten-billion-berrie reward, and a mysterious prize buried at the end of the journey.
And because Roger had already reached that destination in the past, he was officially named the First Adventure King, claiming the ten billion reward without lifting a finger.
Thus, the Age of Great Pirates never began.
Instead, the Age of Grand Adventure had officially dawned. Countless people took to the seas, following in Roger's footsteps to chase the dream of finding the ultimate treasure.
Meanwhile, in the world of the Slimes...
"Ahhh, now this is the life," Rimuru sighed, sprawled lazily on Ranga's back. One hand held a popsicle, the other fanned himself lazily. "All that fighting and killing? Totally not my vibe."
Ranga's tail spun like an electric fan, stirring up a refreshing breeze. The wolf had a giant frozen slushie between his paws, which he licked nonstop while puffing out chilly white mist with every breath.
"But seriously..." Rimuru's eyes narrowed at the group lounging around him.
Roger, Whitebeard, Garp, Sengoku—and even Kong—were all lying in deck chairs, eating snacks and sipping icy drinks like they were on a tropical vacation.
"This is literally my house, you know," Rimuru groaned, massaging his temples. "Did any of you even bother to ask if you could come over?"
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard laughed, raising his drink. "Don't be so stingy! We're all guildmates here, aren't we? As guild leader, you should be organizing gatherings for us!"
"Heh," Rimuru sneered. "Wow, sorry! I must be the worst guild leader ever. But do any of you leeches stuffing your faces with my snacks and my money even hear yourselves?"
Whitebeard flushed red with embarrassment and quickly slurped his drink—the one he'd bought using Rimuru's allowance.
"Don't be like that," Garp said casually, arms behind his head. "Tell you what—next time we'll invite Kuzan and Sakazuki. Let those two whip up some ice cream and barbecue for us!"
Rimuru (=_=!) stared at him, deadpan. Classic Garp. When it comes to insane ideas, you're truly peerless.
Far away in the One Piece world, both Kuzan and Sakazuki sneezed at the same time. Weird… am I getting sick? Or is someone talking about me? Why do I feel a chill down my spine...?
Back in the Slime World, Sengoku gave Garp a death glare. That kind of talk? A complete embarrassment to the Navy.
"Anyway, pops," Rimuru turned to Whitebeard, "what's up with Blackbeard?"
"I kicked him out," Whitebeard said, his face suddenly grim. "That bastard doesn't deserve to be called my son. He could never carry the weight of my name."
Garp gave Whitebeard's thigh a friendly smack. "C'mon, lighten up! Ace is doing fine, isn't he? I didn't even go that hard on Sakazuki—just beat him up a couple dozen times. You've got nothing to stress about!"
Everyone else: (=_=!!) A couple dozen times?! Are you even listening to yourself right now?!
"Forget it," Whitebeard said, letting out a long sigh. "The world's changed. I've moved on."
"That's the spirit!" Garp laughed carelessly. He pulled out a bottle of weird, rainbow-colored liquor and guzzled it straight from the mouth. "No point worrying so much. Let's enjoy the peace while it lasts!"
"Wait a sec…" Rimuru squinted at the bottle. "Where'd you get that?"
"Found it under your bed," Garp said, grinning. "Didn't know you were hiding the good stuff. But hey, you're still a kid—leave the drinking to us adults."
"You idiot!" Rimuru snapped, his face bright red with fury. "Could you not be such a shameless freeloader?! And FYI, that's not alcohol!"
Garp paused mid-swig. "Huh? It's not?"
"That's slime juice I squeezed out of a bunch of multi-colored slimes when I was bored," Rimuru said with a creepy grin. "It took me forever to fill one bottle. Sooo... how's it taste?"
Garp turned a terrifying shade of purple. "S-s-slime juice?! You—"
Before he could finish, a revolting flavor exploded in his brain. He collapsed instantly, frothing at the mouth.
The bottle had contained extracts from acidic slimes, poisonous slimes, golden slimes... basically every type of slime Rimuru had encountered. Only someone as insane as Garp could've managed to chug it down.