In her dream, the world shifted into that familiar, hazy dimension."Dover, Dover! I'm here again!" Anna called cheerfully. Ever since she'd "confessed" to Doflamingo, she'd dropped all formality around him.
Without a word, Doflamingo swung a kick that sent her flying backward.
"Hey! What was that for?!" Anna sprang to her feet, dropping instinctively into a fighting stance.
"Fufufu… didn't you ask me to help with your training?" His grin was sharp, his tone dangerous. "Then let's begin."
He flicked his fingers, and threads of gleaming color streaked toward her — the infamous Five Colored Strings.
"So that's how it is, huh? Then don't blame me for hitting back!"
Anna gathered dream-cloud energy into her hands, shaping it into the sword Marco and the others had given her. She slashed at Doflamingo's attack, the threads colliding with her blade in a shower of sparks that weren't quite real.
They clashed again and again — slash meeting string, burst meeting counterburst. Neither of them held back, though the dream world spared them from any real injury.
Only when Anna felt the edges of her dream sphere begin to flicker — a sign it was about to collapse — did she lower her weapon.
"Thanks, Dover," she said with a small smile, stepping out of his dreamscape.
"Fufufu… I hope you'll set sail soon, little bird." His words echoed faintly as she woke.
Morning Light
Anna sat up in bed, stretching her arms high with a big yawn."There might be real combat practice today… what should I wear?"
She rummaged through her closet, scanning through her training outfits until something caught her eye — a soft, familiar shirt folded neatly at the back.
"Oh, I haven't worn this in ages! I used to love this fabric — I even thought about using it as pajamas once, but then forgot all about it."
She held it against her, smiling. "Perfect. This, with the black skirt… yeah."
After dressing, she clipped on the hair accessory Izo had given her — a gift she always treasured — and trotted downstairs.
"Anna's up! No training in the mountains today — we'll train by the coast instead." Shanks' voice came from across the room as he noticed her coming down the stairs.
"Okay, Shanks! Let's go!" she said eagerly, practically glowing with anticipation. This would be her first real combat experience.
"No rushing off without breakfast," Marco interjected, crossing his arms with a knowing smile.
"Of course not! You think I'd skip Thatch's food? Never!" Anna hopped onto the stool by the counter, ready and waiting.
"I think you just forgot," Thatch said dryly as he brought over a steaming plate.
"How could I? My stomach's been waiting for your cooking all night!"
"Haha, fine then — eat up so you can get to training."
Anna dug in, shoveling rice and meat with speed that made everyone else blink.
"Slow down before you choke," Izo warned, watching her with faint amusement.
"I'm done, see? No choking!" Anna wiped her mouth, hopped off the stool, and grabbed Shanks by the arm. "Come on, let's go!"
On the way to the shore, a thought suddenly crossed her mind.Wait… why's Thatch been cooking all the meals lately? Where are my parents? They're usually up early — even if they're late, Thatch sends them food… but I haven't seen them for days now.
She frowned, but then shook it off. Forget it. I'll ask when I get back.
At the Coast
"Shanks, do you think those pirates will really come today?" Anna squinted out at the glittering sea. Not a single ship was in sight.
"Who knows?" Shanks said with a smirk. "But whether they come or not, you still need to train."
Anna gripped her sword, her excitement rekindled. "Right!"
They sparred for a while until, suddenly, Shanks stopped mid-swing.
Anna paused, lowering her blade. "What's wrong, Shanks?"
He smiled faintly. "Your other training is about to start."
"Other training?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah. The kind you've been looking forward to the most."
Before she could reply, he vanished in a flash — hiding himself behind the dense trees, suppressing his presence completely.
Anna blinked, puzzled for half a second, then realized. "Ohhh… actual combat!"
She turned back to the sea, eyes shining. Sure enough, within moments, a pirate ship appeared on the horizon, its black sails cutting across the blue.
Anna rubbed her palms together, grinning. "Hehe, finally! I've been waiting for this."
The Ghost Horse Pirates
"Boss! Boss! Look — there's a woman on the shore!" a scrawny pirate shouted, squinting through a telescope.
"What? Let me see!"
Dark Vivian snatched the scope, shoved the man aside, and peered through it. His eyes lit up instantly. "Well, well, well… what a pretty little thing. I've decided — she's going to be my twentieth wife!"
"Second Brother, you're unbelievable," Madakxfian said with a laugh, shaking his head. "You can't even feed the ones you've got — seven of them are already dead."
"All the more reason to get more!" Vivian licked his lips, staring hungrily at Anna's figure on the beach. "They're just women — when one dies, you replace her."
Madakxfian sighed. "You're hopeless, Second Brother. Fine, fine — get us to shore, boys! Full speed!"
The crew scrambled to obey.
Anna watched them jumping around on deck and snorted. "Acting all excited, huh? Let's see how long that lasts."
The Confrontation
"Boss, boss! We're here — and she still hasn't run away!" one pirate cackled.
"Perfect! She's waiting for me!" Dark Vivian leapt from the ship and landed in front of Anna with a flourish, a rose clenched between his teeth.
Anna's brow twitched. Oh, this guy's insane.
"Little beauty," Vivian purred, kneeling dramatically on one knee, "how would you like to become my twentieth wife? I'll give you unimaginable happiness and love. You'll be safe under my protection forever. What do you say?"
Anna blinked, speechless. Twentieth wife? He's serious?
"What's the matter, my dear?" Vivian pressed a hand over his heart theatrically. "Am I too beautiful for you to strike? Or are you just too shy to say yes?"
He removed the rose from his mouth and gave her what he clearly thought was a devastatingly charming smile.
Anna raised her sword slowly, expression flat. "No, I'm just trying to decide whether you're dumber or uglier."