"Lord Grimm… are you taking this little fish away with you?" Hancock asked as she walked to his side.
Even though she was prone to jealousy, she certainly wouldn't feel threatened by a "chubby little fish" less than four years old! Especially considering Shirahoshi's… size.
"What are you talking about, Hancock? Of course, you are going to be the nursemaid!"
At his words, a faint blush rose on Hancock's cheeks.
Nursemaid? Just now, Lord Grimm called himself the 'Nurturer'… and now I am to be the nursemaid… doesn't that make us… ohhh, how embarrassing!
In truth, what Grimm meant was simply that the Kuja Pirates would be responsible for raising and caring for Shirahoshi.
"EH?!"
Everyone present was stunned. Old Granny hurried over, looking utterly disbelieving.
"Hey, hey! Are you joking? This is the Sea King we are talking about! She is still a child, yes, but she is the Sea King!"
Everything had happened so suddenly that Old Granny didn't know how to react.
This is an Ancient Weapon — Poseidon itself — and you are just handing it over to someone else like this?!
"Hancock, this is something extremely precious to me. I am entrusting it to you now. Take good care of it, do you understand?"
Originally, Grimm had planned to leave her with Jaina. But looking at Hancock right in front of him… why send her far away when she was already here?
Besides, Jaina had enough responsibilities already and might not have the time to look after a child properly.
"Something precious… entrusted to me…"
Hancock repeated those words over and over in her mind, quickly falling into her own fantasy world.
Before long, she began muttering to herself with a lovestruck expression, imagining all sorts of scenarios.
"Hancock… from now on, you will be the child's mother. And as the father… I expect you to raise her well."
"Ah… Lord Grimm!"
"Shh… do a good job… and I shall marry you."
"R‑really?! Truly?!"
Her imagination went further, drifting into thoughts that were definitely not suitable for children.
Her face turned bright red with happiness, and she squirmed with a mix of excitement and shyness.
"I shouldn't… I am not an immoral woman… but… oh, how I long for it!"
She snapped back to reality and promised Grimm earnestly. "Do not worry, Lord Grimm! Leave everything to me!"
Grimm looked at her expression, feeling both amused and helpless. "Then… I leave her in your hands."
Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged glances, completely speechless. Sister… you really are far too easy to fool…
King Neptune watched his daughter — bed and all — being carried onto the Kuja ship. After hesitating for a long time, he finally stepped forward with a heavy heart.
"Lord Grimm… please… you must take good care of my child!"
"Naturally. You have absolutely nothing to worry about."
Grimm understood exactly how Neptune felt. But there was no other way; everything he did was for the greater goal: to overthrow that accursed World Government.
Afterward, Grimm boarded his vessel Mannoroth and continued his journey toward the New World.
Hancock led the Kuja Pirates back the way they came, returning to Amazon Lily to prepare for the great relocation.
It is worth mentioning that Hancock originally wanted to replace the flag of Fish‑Man Island with the emblem of Grimm's crew. Large sailing ships usually had two or more sails.
The crews under Whitebeard often painted their own mark on one side and Whitebeard's symbol on the other — showing they were independent pirates, yet also under his protection.
Hancock wanted to do the same, but Old Granny stopped her, saying there was no rush.
It would be better to wait until they returned to Amazon Lily, or even until they reached the New World, before making such changes.
Hancock was so enraged by this advice that she nearly kicked Old Granny overboard again; only Sandersonia and Marigold's quick intervention managed to calm her down.
No sooner had the Kuja Pirates risen from the deep sea and broken through to the surface than a violent vibration woke Shirahoshi up.
Instantly, the entire ship was filled with the sound of her loud, wailing cries.
"The little darling is crying!" Hancock frowned deeply.
"You promised Lord Grimm you would handle this… so you deal with it!" Old Granny said, walking away. I am too old for this…
Late in the Year 1508 (Sea Circle Calendar)
Grimm, Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom), and Kaido had gradually begun consolidating their power and clearing out territories in the New World.
With unspoken agreement, they eliminated all smaller factions in the central and second half of the New World.
The balance of power was now clear:
- Whitebeard controlled the final section of the New World.
- Grimm held the central region.
- Kaido ruled the area between the central and second half.
- Charlotte Linlin dominated the region between the first half and the center.
Any pirate crew not belonging to one of these three great powers was ruthlessly wiped out.
Not long after, rumors spread that Big Mom had located one of the four Red Poneglyphs.
Kaido — breaking a pact the three had made years earlier in Dressrosa — openly declared war against the Big Mom Pirates, determined to seize the stone for himself.
Meanwhile, Grimm was inspecting a nation under his rule that was currently undergoing reconstruction.
"That mad dog… breaking the treaty so casually. Though I must admit, I didn't expect that agreement to last this long either…"
Grimm looked at the newspaper in his hand. The headlines were filled with news about the impending war between him and Kaido.
However, the true matter of the Red Poneglyphs was known only among the highest‑ranking pirates.
Lower crews didn't even know such things existed. Grimm had deduced the truth simply by observing the actions of Kaido and Big Mom.
For two years, both had been sending people to retrace the steps of Gold Roger. It seemed Big Mom had struck gold first.
Now Kaido couldn't sit still — even if it meant war — he had to get that stone.
"That crazy brute… once he steals it… who does he plan to get to read it for him?" Grimm wondered to himself.
"BRUUUUU BRUUUUU!"
Suddenly, the Transponder Snail beside his chair began to ring. Grimm's eyes narrowed slightly as he picked up the receiver.
Princess Otohime's voice came through, sounding nervous and anxious.
"Umm… Lord Grimm… I believe that Mr. Whitebeard may be coming to see you very soon. Please… be on your guard."
"What?!"
Grimm's eyes sharpened.
He remembered the agreement they had made: Fish‑Man Island could choose two islands from among twelve kingdoms to serve as their new home on the surface, and in exchange, Grimm had gained possession of Poseidon — the Sea King.
Just a week ago, Neptune had confirmed their choice: Ragna Island and Refal Island — known as the Twin Islands.
They were the closest to Fish‑Man Island and situated near each other; a fish‑man could swim between them in just two days.
But there was one remaining issue: Which flag should fly over the New Fish‑Man Twin Islands?
Previously, Fish‑Man Island had flown Whitebeard's flag. But now, Fish‑Man Island was under Grimm's protection.
After much hesitation, Neptune decided to ask Grimm for his opinion.
Originally, Grimm intended to tell him to raise his flag. But the fact that Neptune had asked… meant he clearly didn't want to do it.
Very well then… let them fly Whitebeard's flag for now.
It didn't matter. One day, Grimm would make Neptune tear down Whitebeard's flag willingly and proudly raise his own.
For now, letting them keep Whitebeard's flag would actually save Grimm a lot of trouble.
Grimm hated the idea of people being under his rule while their hearts belonged to someone else.
Let them cling to their old loyalty for a few more years… I already have the Sea King… and that is more than enough.
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