The man in hakama with long golden hair—Golden Lion Shiki—sat drowsily on the throne installed on his ship.
Not even smoking his usual cigar now, the subordinate pirates he'd brought along by his own decision seemed somewhat confused by his unusual atmosphere.
Suddenly told "We're heading to Paradise," they'd followed along, but... not even told what they'd be doing, they were waiting for instructions on what to do.
Then appeared a clown-like man—Dr. Indigo—making foolish "pupp-pupp-pu" sounds, desperately trying to convey something through gestures.
Everyone focused on that, began thinking what he was trying to convey—
"Boss Shiki! We've arrived at Water Seven!"
"You can talk!?"
Everyone except the drowsy Shiki delivered that retort.
Shouting loudly made even Shiki look toward Indigo with surprise.
"Hm? Oh... huh? Jaya?"
"I said Water Seven!! ...That aside, Boss Shiki. If you're tired, why not rest in your room?"
"Right... thinking I might meet that woman's kid, I can't sleep at night."
"A child too excited about a trip to sleep!!"
Laughing cheerfully—jihahaha!—Shiki gazed at the wanted poster of the girl—Kanata—he'd viewed repeatedly.
Indigo sighed, told the subordinate pirates "Instructions will follow," and urged them to return to prepared rooms. He'd judged Shiki's current state wasn't good for a pirate fleet admiral.
"You're quite fixated on that girl."
"Well yeah. The woman who's probably this kid's mother, when I was on Rocks' ship, made me eat bitter pills many times... fought to the death many times... many times... that damn woman!!"
Calming the suddenly exploding Shiki, having tea prepared, taking a breath.
Only Indigo and other executive-class members could do this. Ordinary crew members couldn't muster courage to stand before this man while angering him.
Shiki drank tea, continued talking while stifling a yawn.
"That woman Octavia. Her personality was shit personified, but her strength alone was real. Linlin often got used as a punching bag by her."
"Linlin... you mean that Big Mom? That's quite..."
"She's tough so got used as a punching bag many times, but most others generally died in one hit. A difficult woman, but that strength was truly attractive. Wanted her as a subordinate... no, actually I don't want that woman as a subordinate after all."
In other words, Shiki's aim was quite simple.
"If she's that one's daughter, can expect future growth too. Early bird gets the worm, jihahaha!!"
Lighting a cigar, standing from the throne, Shiki moved his body lightly.
He'd heard they'd fought the Marines at Arabasta recently. Where they headed afterward was unknown, and they didn't seem to have clashed with the Marines since.
From here, searching required human wave tactics.
"For now I brought eighteen ships, eight subordinate pirate crews... what do you think, Dr. Indigo? Think we can find them?"
"Can't say much about that... the Grand Line is vast too."
"Jihahaha! No doubt!"
A question of whose luck was better—Kanata's or Shiki's.
If they didn't find her, he'd like to increase numbers further... but focusing too much here would leave the New World side thin.
Whitebeard and Roger had no greed so wouldn't attack, but Big Mom and other pirates scraped by daily. Carelessly dispersing forces risked having territories ravaged.
Still, Shiki judged it worth moving.
"I've heard the name many times, but never seen a wanted poster for that Octavia person."
"Hm? Haven't seen it. Called 'Reverb' Octavia."
"I'm afraid I don't know."
I see... Shiki stroked his chin.
Information about the Rocks Pirates seemed controlled. Perhaps information not circulating publicly. How they'd rampaged was nostalgic, but it was also true they were a crew bad enough to kill each other.
Still, seemed too soon to be forgotten... though Indigo was a researcher not particularly enthusiastic about information gathering, so perhaps only he didn't know.
"The way of the world... I'll teach you eventually. For now, I'm sleeping."
"Understood. Please rest well."
"Yeah. Have them search randomly, and if we don't find her, that's that. I'll think of another method."
With the Marines also pursuing, taking too much time might make them clash, but Shiki didn't care a bit about that.
If they interfered, he'd crush them. Natural means for an absolute powerhouse.
"Even among those on Rocks' ship, many didn't know Octavia's face, but those who knew and saw this kid's face would go kill her. Before that, gotta find her no matter what."
Even suffering some disadvantage, pulling this girl to his side would be cheap, Shiki laughed again.
—Though if she had strength like her mother with absolutely no prospect of becoming an ally, eliminating her now would prevent future threats.
☆
Zephyr and Sengoku were troubled.
Though they'd deployed forces pursuing Kanata, three months had passed with no trace. When headquarters repeatedly sent notices to return, Golden Lion arrived.
Orders from the Fleet Admiral came not to return to headquarters but patrol, so they'd strengthened vigilance crossing several islands from near Water Seven.
As the two considered next moves, after knocking, Belk brought a report.
"Vice Admirals Lonz and Saul both report searches found nothing. Additionally, Golden Lion is staying at Water Seven. Subordinate pirates are scattered and moving."
"I see... what the hell is Golden Lion doing coming here at this busy time?"
"He's a cunning man. Should assume he's moving with some purpose... but this time having no signs concerns me."
A man who always moved with schemes, this time alone moved suddenly.
Or perhaps the Marines just failed to notice signs... either way, being reactive was fact.
"It bothers me that subordinate pirates are scattered and moving. Are they searching for something?"
"...I hate to think it, but is he trying to bring the 'Witch' under his umbrella?"
If so, an extremely concerning situation for the Marines.
Golden Lion's forces growing stronger aside, considering Kanata's growth potential, future New World power balance might collapse significantly.
His own strength aside, Golden Lion possessed massive forces.
Big Mom possessed tremendous individual power.
Whitebeard possessed power that could destroy the world.
And Roger led small but powerful companions with one-against-a-thousand ability.
They didn't want to consider the possibility of the power map—currently maintaining equilibrium while conflicting—collapsing now.
"She doesn't seem like a woman who'd join someone's umbrella... no, rather, a rookie not even entered the New World under his umbrella? For Golden Lion, that's quite odd..."
"...That man never moves thoughtlessly. There must be some meaning."
Also a man far from peaceful words. Surely not here for fun, and definitely needed allocating some forces.
Garp apparently still chased Roger as usual, but they'd need recalling that man to Marine Headquarters. Only that man—combat power rivaling Admirals yet moving around freely—was too much of a free spirit.
Zephyr and Sengoku might struggle continuing to pursue Kanata.
"Wanted to prioritize the 'Witch,' but... if the opponent's Golden Lion, can't do that."
"About that."
As Zephyr was troubled, Belk placed one document on the desk.
A document apparently obtained sharing information from a nearby branch.
"The possibility is low, but... recently at Drum Kingdom, a suspicious ship anchors once monthly. Despite having a port, it doesn't anchor at the port, anchoring about a day then disappearing. Considering they weren't at the next island following the Log Pose from Arabasta Kingdom, and no discovery reports from nearby islands either... I judged it's not zero."
"I see... we have no leads anyway. Search here, and if no good, focus on Golden Lion response. How's that, Sengoku?"
"Yeah, let's go with that."
Probably not much to expect. Suspicious ships were common stories—pirate ships often disguised themselves to hide from the Marines.
Kanata's crew had no pirate flag or sail markings, so didn't look like a pirate ship at first glance. Failing to openly dock as a merchant ship, being reported as suspicious was quite plausible.
"Notify Lonz and Saul too. If this misses, we'll pivot to suppressing Golden Lion per Fleet Admiral Kong's request. If it hits, we capture the 'Witch.'"
☆
Drum Kingdom.
Visiting this country again, Kanata's crew was checking cargo to unload, leaving Georges and company making a hundred faces at seeing Ivankov.
"Hey... what is this...?"
"'This' is quite rude-chable! My name is Emporio Ivankov! Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom!!"
"A rare creature...? Zen and Samuel are enough for rare creature quota."
"I'm the rare creature!?"
Being a jaguar-human made him somewhat a rare creature... but saying that, all Animal Zoan Devil Fruit users would become rare creatures.
Zen was extremely rare even among Minks, so calling him a rare creature might be acceptable though.
"Until Skura's studies end. I've heard half a year at fastest, but allowing several months extension for safety."
"Mmm-fufufu!! Please treat me well!! Heehaw!!"
"Yeah, we're counting on you..."
Exhausted Georges seemed to lack energy to retort. Clearly being worked hard by Kureha.
Recently too, entering mountains seeking medicinal herbs and mushrooms, he'd nearly gotten lost then been attacked by Lapahn—carnivorous rabbits with bear-like builds.
Both Zen and Samuel apparently adapted to snow combat, uninjured.
"Didn't think people would increase just being gone a month."
"Met Dragon in this country last month but... right, recruited after parting with you, so you haven't met."
Though they'd talked right in front of Kureha's house, Georges apparently didn't remember.
For now everyone met, and Ivankov came along to Kureha's house, interested too.
Several people carried cargo toward the great tree on the town's outskirts, where Ivankov met Kureha and Skura. Natural perhaps, but Ivankov was aboard as assistant ship's doctor, so apparently had interest in medicine itself.
Though the direction leaned toward health maintenance, physique maintenance, those areas.
"Inject hormones to grow only the face...? Such hormones don't exist...?"
"Now now, calm down Skura. Common sense just doesn't work on Devil Fruit users."
Georges desperately calmed Skura, who was furious with veins popping on his forehead.
Devil Fruit users didn't fit within common sense bounds. Though saying it was pointless, he apparently couldn't accept it.
"Nfufu. Skura seems quite skilled as a doctor, but regarding Devil Fruits not so much-nable."
"I'm a doctor but also researching Devil Fruits. Even so, unacceptable things exist."
"That's no good. You mustn't think common sense applies to Devil Fruits-nashible!"
"I see. Let me dissect you."
"That's way too disconnected!?"
Things had gotten quite lively. Even Kureha looked exasperated: "Brought more weirdos again."
For now, urgent business finished, they'd probably kill time at Kamabakka Kingdom a while, watching Marine movements.
Might as well aim for the "99 Vital Recipes," training the cooks.
But if there was a problem, one thing. The incident reported in newspapers immediately after departing Kamabakka Kingdom.
"...If something's bothering me, it's this."
"We saw this article too, but is Golden Lion really on this side? Why would such a bigshot..."
"Who knows. Don't know why he came, but I don't recall anything troublesome enough to summon such a guy. Just pray we don't meet."
Feiyun and Zen apparently crushed pirates under Golden Lion in the New World before escaping to the West Blue, but hard to imagine that being noticed.
Too late to move on it now, so probably something else... at least, Kanata had no idea.
Golden Lion commanding massive forces in the New World—normally not an existence that should be on this side.
All they could do now was silently pray not to meet.
"Eventually we'll overcome these guys and cross the New World seas. Not opponents we can keep running from, but now's too soon to face them."
"Really okay making enemies of these guys...? I'm nothing but anxious."
"Not just us gaining power, but above all we must consider force expansion. Our current thirty-plus state can only keep running from giant organizations."
Like Golden Lion having subordinate pirates, they needed increasing subordinates loyal to Kanata.
Currently no prospects, and even becoming subordinates, pirate betrayal was routine.
For now, they could only do what they could.
"Come to think of it, Lapahn are rabbits, right? Are they tasty?"
"Nominally carnivores. The meat's tough and smelly, inedible."
"...You ate one?"
Samuel apparently had.
***
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