A few days later, at the outer harbor of Nine Snake Island.
"Shakky! I'm leaving Nine Snake Island... to you!"
Gloriosa stood on a ship that was similar in design to the Perfume Yuda but was clearly much older, waving to Shakky on the shore. This ship was the previous generation's Perfume Yuda.
She would lead five hundred carefully selected Kuja warriors to return to Beehive Island along with Charlotte Linlin.
Shakky took the cigarette from her lips, gently exhaled a smoke ring, and said half-jokingly:
"I know, Gloriosa. But now, you should call me 'Empress'."
The smile on Gloriosa's face froze instantly.
Looking at her reaction, Shakky couldn't help but laugh:
"Don't worry. Once you officially join the Rocks Pirates, no ignorant pirates will dare to target us anymore."
She paused, her tone turning serious, "Take care."
Gloriosa also nodded solemnly: "Mhm, take care."
Then, Shakky looked up at the massive white dragon shadow above the ship and called out:
"Linlin, I'm counting on you for Gloriosa and these warriors!"
The White Giant Dragon gave a low but clear response: "Mhm, I will bring them back safely."
Of course, everyone understood this was just a beautiful hope. On this sea, parting and danger were never far away.
"Big Sister Linlin, goodbye!"
Beside her, the Damselette Tritoma waved her hand vigorously in farewell.
"See you next time!"
Charlotte Linlin used her giant dragon claws to firmly grasp both sides of the ship, her blue wings spread, and she carried the ship into the air.
During these days on Nine Snake Island, Charlotte Linlin discovered a strange contradiction between herself and Shakky—she liked sweets and disliked smoke, while Shakky never had a cigarette out of her hand and had zero interest in sweets.
As a result, during this time, she and Tritoma had already become well-acquainted, but Shakky, who had been with her the whole time, remained at the level of simple conversation.
The two seemed naturally incompatible.
As they climbed higher, a towering and boundless red continent gradually came clearly into the view of everyone on the ship.
"Is that... the full view of the Red Line?"
Gloriosa looked at the towering, steep, and seemingly endless barrier, marveling instinctively.
"Empress, is Mary Geoise, where the Celestial Dragons live... up there?"
Lilith, also dazed, asked blankly.
"Mhm," Gloriosa nodded, correcting her with a hint of pride,
"Also, call me first mate! I am now the second-in-command of the Heavenly Punishment Pirates!"
Lilith smiled and responded smoothly: "Of course, Lady first mate~"
"Mhm~"
Gloriosa nodded with satisfaction.
The White Giant Dragon carried the entire ship, smoothly weaving through the clouds.
The warriors on the deck gradually recovered from the initial shock of seeing the Red Line, looking curiously and excitedly at the vast ocean and clouds rushing past beneath them.
For the Kuja warriors who were born and raised there, this was an experience they had never had in their lives.
Gloriosa walked to the bow, came beside the dragon claw, and looked up at the white dragon scales shimmering with a faint luster, speaking softly:
"Linlin, at this speed, how long will it take us to arrive?"
"If nothing goes wrong, we'll reach Beehive Island within two days," Charlotte Linlin said,
"What, are you starting to get nervous?"
"A little," Gloriosa confessed honestly,
"After all, that is the base of the Rocks Pirates, the strongest Pirate Crew in the world right now.
But I am more looking forward to truly standing by your side and facing the winds and waves of the New World together."
"Mhm, I'll be waiting for you."
...On the azure sea, a dog-headed Marine ship was cutting through the waves.
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