"Make sure you swallow it all with gratitude."
Aboard a Navy vessel in the Grand Line, Captain Tina — wearing a rose-red suit and a Pocky stick in her mouth — smiled as she spoke.
Mmm…
Laurentina nearly choked on a bite of pan-seared steak. Her natural poise wavered for a moment.
"Um—Captain Tina's steak is delicious. The aroma hits you, and the texture is perfect," she managed, composing herself.
"Ha! I'm glad. I'll have to thank the chef who taught me," Tina said, swirling a goblet of deep red wine and sipping, pleased.
Outside, the wind slanted and a fine rain drew a mist across the sea. The navigator warned there was a winter island nearby; cold currents bled outward from the isle, chilling the surrounding waters.
"Report, Captain — bearing ten o'clock: traces of the Knight Pirates have been spotted."
A ponytailed seaman reported to Tina inside the cabin.
"Knight Pirates?" Tina frowned, unconsciously trapping a Pocky between her fingers. "The remnants of the knightly order driven out from Polisia?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Open fire, soften them up — then bring the ship alongside!"
"Yes, ma'am!" The seaman saluted and left.
Polisia was the knightly nation occupying that winter island. Its rulers had long preached the virtues of knighthood — humility, honor, sacrifice, honesty. The order's Temple Knights were the nation's strongest force: the best among them could rival Marine officers. Polisia had been a regional power, consistently among the top ten allied nations.
Under the reign of King Buozion, however, things changed. Ambitious, cruel, and increasingly isolated, Buozion set his sights northward on a rival island, Waara. He launched a sham "holy" crusade with ten Temple Knights — the "Knightly Campaign" — which sent the kingdom into chaos. The prince-led rebels tore through his forces, and Buozion fled abroad.
Franz, the once-loyal commander of the Temple Knights, became an exile and founded the notorious Knight Pirates.
Knights turned pirates — the irony tasted bitter.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ship shuddered; its supports groaned.
"Are they this strong?" someone muttered.
Seconds later came the roar of battle.
Tina pulled on her cloak and strode from the cabin. On deck, Navy sailors were locked in combat with pirates. With Franz — bounty 140,000,000 Berries — leading them, the fight had grown dire.
"Captain — that leader's tough!" the ponytailed seaman reported after cutting down a pirate.
Tina could see clearly now. The man in gilded armor rode an armored warhorse and brandished a knightly lance, charging through the Navy lines like living artillery.
"For the honor of knighthood! Victory shall be ours!" Franz cried.
"HAH!!!"
Spurred by Franz, the ragged, armored pirates fought with renewed vigor. Wounded fighters staggered to their feet and rejoined the assault as if possessed.
"Tch. A Knight Fruit user, huh? That's annoying." Tina muttered.
She extended both hands. Iron-barrier rails shot up and surrounded friend and foe alike.
"Binding Rails!"
The two iron bars snapped together like a cage. Everyone was restraind — everyone but Franz.
He rode his horse onto the rail as if it were a podium, looking down with disdain.
"You're good, Black-Rail Tina. Too bad glory doesn't shine on you," he sneered.
The warhorse snorted and surged forward with breathtaking speed. Franz lunged, lance cracking the air like a golden tidal wave.
"Lance of Judgment!"
The charge sliced a gust that tore strands from Tina's hair.
She narrowed her eyes, pinned enemies to the deck, and turned to meet Franz.
A thousand black lances materialized and shot forward at blistering speed.
"Black Spear Array!"
Franz's body stiffened; he braced his lance like a shield that shimmered white and translucent. The incoming spears only stirred ripples across his barrier. Then with a backward shove he sent a concussive air blast back at Tina.
"Justice Shield Strike!"
"Hmph. Want to fight a Temple Knight? Train a few decades and come back!" Franz sneered as he took the hits with contempt.
Tina grimaced. Even after dodging the blast, her face showed strain.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
She and Franz slammed into close combat and disappeared into the melee, trading blows beneath the rising spray.
Seizing the moment, Laurentina freed the bound Marines. Her gaze flicked between Tina and Franz.
Their hand-to-hand skill was comparable — but Franz held a monstrous Fruit power advantage. Knight-type Devil Fruit abilities dramatically increased raw combat potency.
The Marines' faces went white. The ponytailed adjutant raised his flintlock but could not bring himself to squeeze the trigger.
"Is the assessment team asleep? His bounty must be way higher than 140 million!"
Clang!
Both sides pulled back and faced each other across the deck. Tina looked battered; Franz looked untouched, and his attention suddenly landed on Laurentina.
She's… beautiful.
White hair… red eyes?
Franz's composure wavered; cold sweat beaded his brow. This was the devil who had once slain a Supernova. He could not afford to hold back.
"Born to honor, die in glory; my heart is like my blade — better to break than bend. Brothers, lend me your strength!"
"For honor!" the pirates roared.
"Aura of Devotion!"
At Laurentina's quiet command, the pirates' morale withered. Conversely, Franz's aura swelled until his exposed skin shimmered with a metallic gold.
Tina tossed a black spear. Franz took it full on — not even flinching. The spear left no mark.
"Hahaha! When knights offer me their strength, the world kneels beneath my feet!" Franz cackled as he stomped forward. The steel deck buckled under each step.
Damn. He's strong, Tina thought, frowning.
"Tina—sister, let me go!" Laurentina finally spoke up.
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