"Alright, let's proceed with these arrangements for now."
Kaito Arisawa nodded slightly. Then he looked over the gathered captains and allowed a faint smile to appear on his face.
"Everyone performed exceptionally well this time. In addition to the rewards you've earned, I'll have the chef team prepare a banquet tonight. We'll take the opportunity to relax properly."
"The captain is too polite. This is what we're supposed to do!"
"Captain, you'd better drink a few more cups tonight!"
"Long live the captain!!!"
The captains all broke into smiles. A few of the more spirited ones even cheered loudly.
Although the casualties had been heavy, the life of a pirate was always like this. Everyone had long been mentally prepared. It was impossible to sink into despair because of losses alone.
Especially after winning a battle—without a banquet or celebration, morale would truly begin to falter.
…
Under Kaito's orderly instructions, everyone moved into action.
The fallen were given proper rites at sea.
The wounded were treated.
Meanwhile, after Mangu, Neferpet, and Sandy gathered the prisoners, Kaito personally inspected them.
He unleashed Conqueror's Haki and subdued many of the captured Marines.
The results did not disappoint him.
Although pirates and Marines stood on opposite sides, and the Marines naturally showed more resistance toward Kaito than the gang members he had subdued in the past, the disparity in spiritual willpower remained overwhelming.
Among the more than 1,500 captured Marines, none could withstand the force of his Conqueror's "submission."
One after another, their expressions shifted—from defiance—
To awe.
To surrender.
Kaito did not overlook Sandy either.
Though Sandy had performed well in the earlier battle, loyalty was never left to chance.
Reinforcement was necessary.
In fact, assigning Sandy to help gather prisoners had been part of that plan from the beginning.
By the time all post-battle matters were handled, night had already fallen.
True to his word, Kaito ordered the banquet to begin.
The fleet—now expanded to fifteen ships—remained anchored at sea. Inside and outside the vessels, tables were set with food and wine. Laughter and conversation echoed across the decks as the pirates embraced the hard-earned relaxation.
At the bow of the No. 1 ship, Robin leaned casually against the railing, a glass of fine wine in hand.
"This time we gained quite a lot," she said calmly. "Not only have we completed the Six Forms, but our forces have expanded to around seven thousand."
"Yeah." Kaito leaned beside her, watching the crew celebrate below. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Before we realized it, we've grown to this scale."
"The more we grow," Robin replied, turning to face him, "the more cautious we need to be."
She lowered her voice slightly.
"I questioned the newly recruited Marines. The man you killed wasn't just any officer—he was West Blue's Deputy Admiral. He had just transferred from Naval Headquarters, and he was even a former comrade of the current Marine Marshal."
She paused.
"Now that we've killed him—and absorbed so many Marines—Headquarters will absolutely investigate. When they do, there's no doubt they'll intensify their pursuit."
Kaito met her gaze and nodded.
"I'm fully aware," he said calmly. "There's no need to worry too much."
As he spoke, he reached out and pulled her gently into his arms.
Seeing that he remained composed rather than intoxicated by victory, Robin visibly relaxed.
The War Pirates were expanding at astonishing speed.
But expansion meant visibility.
And Marine would never tolerate a pirate crew growing unchecked.
Robin understood this clearly. That was why she had reminded him.
After a moment of quiet intimacy, Kaito glanced around.
"By the way, where's Neferpet? I haven't seen her."
Robin immediately jabbed him lightly with her elbow.
"You still have the nerve to ask? What you did to me last night was one thing—but you even dragged Neferpet into it. She's still so young."
"Uh… not that young," Kaito replied defensively. "She might look small, but she's actually an adult."
"Being an adult means you can just pull her into that? You really have no shame."
"I'll take that as a compliment," he replied shamelessly. "But seriously, where is she?"
"Hmph. She's probably in the training room. You know how she is. Aside from eating and fighting, she lives in there. If not for her special ability, training like that would destroy her body."
Kaito's expression softened slightly.
"She's been through too much. It's natural that she's desperate to grow stronger."
"As long as she stays within safe limits, we should support her. Her talent is exceptional. Honestly, I don't think it'll be long before she catches up to you."
"If she does, I'll be more than happy."
"…You really are something."
The two continued chatting quietly, leaning against one another as the celebration carried on around them.
The Six Forms were martial techniques passed down by the World Government.
The very fact that they were preserved and institutionalized proved their immense value—no less than the Eight-Impact Fist, perhaps even superior.
During his battle with Henry, Kaito had used his mind-reading ability to extract the remaining three forms from Henry's memory.
The Six Forms were now complete.
Because of the high number of wounded, the War Pirates remained anchored for two days.
During that time, Kaito distributed the complete Six Forms throughout the crew for training.
On the third day, the fleet set sail once more.
"For now, expansion is sufficient. Next comes refinement… and preparation for the Grand Line."
The massive fleet advanced across the sea.
Beyond the main formation, two warships connected by chains could be seen circling rapidly like speedboats.
They were being dragged.
By Kaito himself.
In the open water, he swam powerfully—pulling both ships behind him like a humanoid Sea King.
Under his extraordinary Constitution talent and relentless physical training, his body had been improving at a frightening pace.
One warship was no longer enough.
Now he dragged two.
As he hauled the vessels forward through sheer strength, Kaito's mind remained focused on what lay ahead.
The Grand Line.
The true stage.
And he intended to arrive prepared.
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