Towards noon, Gazelleman suddenly appeared, running around the camp and inviting all the former Beasts Pirates. "King-sama, Momonosuke-sama wishes to convene all the pirates for an important announcement."

"Do you know what this is about?" King asked him apprehensively.

"No," Gazelleman replied, "only that it concerns everyone. Excuse me sir," Gazzelman bowed, "I must run to inform everyone."

"Dismissed." King released him, but looked at Robin.

"Go," Robin told him, "I will continue to practice here a bit more."

King walked towards the concourse in the center of which, on a makeshift stage, stood a sturdy young man. For a brief moment of Deja Vu, it seemed to King that he saw Kozuki Oden standing in front of him. Kozuki Oden, the man who almost defeated Kaido, and only due to some vile trickery did he finally lose the battle and was executed. But no, it was his son, Kozuki Momonosuke, who miraculously turned from an eight-year-old boy into an adult man overnight.

King's gaze scanned the crowd. The Beasts Pirates sneaked amazed looks at him accompanied by whisperings. They had never seen his face before.

However, not only the Beasts Pirates were there, but also samurai and Wano people, who fixed admiring gazes at Momonosuke.

"Dear people," Momonosuke began, "yesterday we celebrated our victory over Kaido and Orochi, the end of their reign and the beginning of a new and hopeful period for the people of Wano." he said. "I walked around among you people yesterday, and listened to you. There are among you, Beasts Pirates, many people who have chosen to change to our side and feel comfortable with the matter, but there are also many who fought to the end against us and now they dread what would happen to them."

King's breath caught. Now that Kaido was dead, he was the most senior representative of the Beasts Pirates. Will Momonosuke decide to take revenge on him for his father's death? He would no doubt punish him for the order he gave to kill him when he escaped with Shinobu. The world is changing, his face is exposed and he doesn't know what's going to happen. He slightly increased the flame on the back of his neck to feel a little less vulnerable.

"My goal at the moment," Momonosuke declared, "is to restore Wano. In order for that to happen, I have decided to stop the cycle of revenge and hatred, and give you all a sweeping pardon for all your actions up until the day before yesterday."

The expressions of shock on the faces of the Beasts Pirates matched the expression on King's. They were so used to being punished for failures, that they could not believe what they had just heard. Hesitant applause began on the part of the samurai, and slowly intensified until they swept the entire crowd.

Momonosuke signaled for the people to stop, and continued his speech. "From now on, you have several options: you can either join us as Wano residents, or as soldiers in the Scabbards Army led by Kin'emon, or if you are interested in continuing to be pirates, feel free to get organized, or join one of the existing crews here, with their captain's consent of course, go out to sea and leave Wano."

The applause began again, but King raised his voice and called, "But, Momonosuke-sama! The sweeping pardon can't possibly apply to me too!"

Momonosuke stared at King. Despite the makeshift stage, and the young man's three meters height, King was still taller than him. "And why not?" asked Momonosuke.

"I..." replied King, "I gave a command that was personally against you, to kill you... How can you forgive me?"

"And now," asked Momonosuke, "are you still interested in killing me?"

"Now there's no point anymore," replied King. "And also, if I had known the day before yesterday what I know now, I would not have given that command that way."

"In that case, there's no reason the pardon shouldn't apply to you, King." said Momonosuke.

King fell to his knees and bowed. "Thank you so very much, sir, I never expected..." King said emotionally, "And you can call me A-Arbel. The assumed name King is no longer relevant."

The Beasts Pirates exchanged glances. How many years have they known King? Never before had they heard or known his first name.

"Very well, Arbel." Momonosuke replied.

"Still, I feel responsible." Arbel added, "When I rode with Robin, I saw up close how polluted the rivers in Wano are. I know the pollution was caused by the weapons factories that served us. With your permission, when my wing heals enough to use my devil fruit, I will take it upon myself to destroy them."

Momonosuke smiled broadly. "I give you my permission - Degozaru."