Gawain frowned, a trace of regret flickering in his eyes.
It was the same with the sniper skill experience—utterly incompatible with his fighting style.
After all, he didn't use firearms, and a flying slash didn't demand the pinpoint precision of a sniper shot.
In short—
The skill offered almost no meaningful improvement to Gawain himself.
Still, even if this experience couldn't be transferred into more relevant skills, it could at least serve as training material for his subordinates.
After all, as Gawain's own strength continued to grow at an astonishing pace, even Kuro—the strongest in his crew—was now nearly two levels behind.
That kind of gap between captain and first mate wasn't ideal. A proper vice-captain should at least be strong enough to hold the line. Even if Kuro couldn't match Gawain's level, he should be at least Silver-rank.
Otherwise, he'd be of little help in serious battles.
That said...
Kuro was more of a strategist than a warrior. It wasn't exactly fair to blame him for falling short.
The best they could hope for was to find a suitable Devil Fruit or rely on Kuro's faith evolving into something stronger.
After contemplating for a while, Gawain's gaze fell upon the badge.
"If this kind of ability exists, it must be linked to the badge function," he murmured. "But this sort of thing can't be rushed. While the functions seem irregular, there's a discernible pattern to how they awaken."
"Reputation increases, bounty spikes... and maybe—"
As he thought aloud, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Maybe when I officially enter the Grand Line, I'll get a completely new badge."
"But the fact that the badge's ability is random... that's a bit annoying."
He exhaled softly.
Gawain glanced once more at the sniper and navigation experience he had gained, then sighed and shelved the problem for now.
His attention turned fully toward honing his Armament Haki.
In the days that followed, the Gawain Pirates established a base in the sector of territory allotted to them by Grayza.
Wooden houses stood shoulder to shoulder, simple in structure but orderly—enough to resemble a budding town.
Though exhausted from construction, the crew wore contented smiles.
This was the life they had dreamed of: peace and stability.
And they all knew who made it possible.
Zoro and the other training maniacs didn't even bother building a proper training room. Instead, they found a clearing behind the mountain and jumped right into their personal regimens.
This time, with the martial arts tournament just two months away, everyone silently agreed to train in isolation.
They were determined to secure the position they desired in the tournament.
And, naturally, they didn't want their techniques exposed in advance.
Gawain had no complaints.
As long as they were training hard, he didn't care how they did it.
Even if someone plastered a picture of his face on a target board, he'd accept it without protest.
Early Morning.
The sun peeked over the horizon, casting golden rays onto the harbor waters.
A pirate ship bobbed gently at anchor, its silhouette bathed in the dawn light.
Kuro stood on the deck, ordering the crew to lower the pirate flag and raise a port flag instead. But no flag could mask the bloodstained, violent aura that clung to the vessel.
Kuro didn't mind.
In fact, that was exactly the impression he wanted.
Gin, who was accompanying Kuro on the journey, leaned silently against the railing, eyes fixed on the scene ahead.
"The people Jasmine sent out left two days ago," Grayza reminded them. "If all goes well, you should arrive at the Goya Kingdom's capital before they do."
"Bring them back safely, too."
"Got it."
Kuro waved his hand nonchalantly and gave the order to set sail.
Minutes later, the ship's sails disappeared into the horizon.
Watching it vanish, Gawain turned to Grayza.
"Then I'll be heading out as well," he said. "At this rate, we should arrive in Loguetown just in time for the auction."
"Be careful," Grayza replied.
"I will."
Gawain adjusted the brim of his felt hat, boarded a freighter, and quickly disappeared into the cabin.
Bang!
The cabin door shut behind him.
Gawain approached a mirror. His facial features and body began to shift, transforming visibly within minutes.
In place of the captain stood an utterly unremarkable man.
This was the power of Harmony—his precise control over every muscle allowed for seamless disguise.
Even Kuro and the others wouldn't recognize him face-to-face.
This time, Gawain's objective was simple: attend the auction in Loguetown.
If he could avoid conflict, he would.
At the same time.
Grand Line — Twin Cape.
The massive whale Laboon continued to ram the Red Line with unwavering determination.
He longed to reunite with the Rumbar Pirates—his companions who had vanished long ago across the sea.
Boom!
After a violent collision, Laboon sank back into the sea. A fresh, bloody wound marred his head.
But not even pain could stop him.
On a nearby lighthouse stood Crocus, watching in silence.
It wasn't apathy that held him still.
He'd seen this scene countless times. He had tried to stop Laboon, reason with him, even beg him.
But the whale never wavered in his faith.
He believed his friends were waiting for him on the other side.
Boom!
Another crash. Laboon plummeted into the sea, splashing water so high it became a torrential rain.
Crocus's expression shifted.
He turned.
In the distance, a battered pirate ship limped through the waves, slowly approaching.
A tall figure stood at the bow, pale-faced and masked, radiating a chilling aura.
Crocus's pupils shrank.
"Laboon!" he shouted, urgency in his voice. "Enemy incoming!"
Laboon paused and dove into the sea.
Crocus turned and hid within the lighthouse.
Only after the damaged ship passed into the East Blue did he reappear atop the lighthouse, brows furrowed.
"A dangerous man…"
"Roger's hometown has just seen a pirate worth over a hundred million berries. And now those bastards—the Shichibukai—are entering the picture too."
"They really won't let us have a moment of peace."
He sighed.
Then his eyes widened—blood was rising in the sea.
He rushed back inside to prepare medicine for Laboon.
Elsewhere.
Hanafuda's pirate ship crashed down the mountain current, finally entering the East Blue.
His face twisted in disgust, as if he had swallowed something vile.
"That bastard Zephyr... even in that state, he's still clinging to me?" he spat.
He doubled over, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
His body trembled, visibly weakened.
But his eyes burned with rage.
"Next time…"
"Next time I'll kill him for sure!"