There was still nearly a month left before the Reverie the grand World Conference held at the summit of the Red Line would officially begin. For most Marines assigned to escort duties, this period was one of constant movement, coordination, and pressure.
But for Saint Roselith Seraphina, things were… different.
Standing quietly within her temporary quarters at Marineford, she gazed out through the wide window toward the distant sea. Warships moved in organized patterns across the harbor, their sails marked with the unmistakable insignia of justice. Orders rang out in the distance. Boots struck against stone. Steel clashed in training grounds below.
Marineford was alive as always.
Yet none of it disturbed her thoughts.
Unlike other officers tasked with escorting kings and dignitaries from various kingdoms, Seraphina's assignment was far less restrictive. She was only required to be present at Mary Geoise ten days before the Reverie commenced. Until then, her time… was her own.
That alone spoke volumes.
Even within the rigid structure of the Marines, such freedom was not granted lightly.
When her request for early leave had reached Fleet Admiral Sengoku, there had been no hesitation in his approval.
Not because he was lenient
But because he understood exactly who he was dealing with.
Seraphina was not someone who could simply be placed into a convenient position and forgotten. In recent weeks, several high-ranking posts within Marine Headquarters had been vacated positions once held by individuals whose influence far exceeded their actual strength. Corruption, complacency, and quiet removal had cleared space within the system.
However, those roles were administrative at best. Titles without weight. Authority without power.
To assign such a position to Seraphina would not only be wasteful it would be insulting.
Her strength had already crossed into a domain that demanded recognition. While she had yet to officially be named an Admiral candidate, the gap between her and that title was no longer significant.
More importantly… Sengoku still needed her.
The security of Pangaea Castle during the Reverie was not a task that could be entrusted lightly. The gathering of kings, the presence of the World Nobles, and the ever-present shadow of political tension made it one of the most volatile events in the world.
And Seraphina
Was uniquely suited for it.
Not just because of her power.
But because of her origin.
A faint breeze stirred the curtains beside her.
Seraphina closed her eyes briefly, then exhaled.
"…Approved," she murmured softly, recalling the moment her request had been granted.
There was no reason to remain idle here.
If she was to take leave
She would use it properly.
It wasn't long before she stepped out into the open corridors of Marineford's inner fortress. Officers moved past her quickly, some saluting, others instinctively stepping aside. Even without releasing any pressure, her presence alone commanded awareness.
She had only taken a few steps toward the exit when a voice called out behind her.
"Hey are you Seraphina-chan?"
The tone was lively. Unrestrained.
Seraphina paused, then turned.
Approaching her was a tall woman with long dark hair and a confident stride. Her Marine coat hung loosely over her shoulders, the justice kanji visible across her back. There was strength in her posture refined, controlled, unmistakable.
A Vice Admiral.
"…And you are?" Seraphina asked calmly.
"Ah sorry, that was sudden!" the woman laughed, raising a hand lightly. "Name's Gion. Vice Admiral. You can just call me Gion."
There was no arrogance in her tone only openness.
Seraphina studied her briefly.
Gion.
The name was familiar.
A swordswoman. Highly regarded. One of the few within Marine Headquarters spoken of as a potential candidate for the rank of Admiral known by the codename Momousagi.
More importantly, she was closely associated with Vice Admiral Tsuru, one of the most respected figures in Marine strategy.
"I've been meaning to meet you for a while now," Gion continued, smiling with clear interest. "It's not every day another female swordsman rises this fast through the ranks."
There was no hostility in her words.
Only genuine curiosity and a hint of admiration.
Seraphina inclined her head slightly. "You overestimate me."
"Not at all," Gion replied immediately. "If anything, people are underestimating you."
She stepped a little closer, lowering her voice just enough to keep their conversation private.
"I heard you've been assigned to Reverie security. Alongside Admiral Borsalino, right?"
"That's correct."
The smile on Gion's face faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression.
"…Then you should be careful."
Seraphina did not respond immediately.
Gion continued, her tone quieter now.
"That place Mary Geoise it's not like the rest of the world. The people there… especially the World Nobles… they don't think the same way we do."
There was restrained irritation in her voice. Not enough to be insubordination but enough to be noticed.
"I don't like the idea of someone like you being sent there," she added honestly. "If necessary, I can speak to Fleet Admiral Sengoku again "
"There's no need."
Seraphina's voice was calm but firm.
Gion stopped.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku made this decision with full understanding," Seraphina continued. "And as for Mary Geoise…"
A faint, almost imperceptible shift passed through her expression.
"I am already familiar with it."
Gion blinked.
She didn't fully grasp what Seraphina meant but something about the way she said it made further questioning feel unnecessary.
"…I see," she said after a moment.
Then, just as quickly, her expression brightened again.
"Well! In that case, just make sure you don't overwork yourself."
She leaned slightly forward, a playful glint returning to her eyes.
"And you don't have to be so formal with me, you know. 'Vice Admiral' sounds too stiff."
Seraphina remained silent.
Gion grinned.
"You can call me big sister."
There was a brief pause.
Then
"…Sister Gion."
The response came naturally.
Gion froze.
Then her entire face lit up.
"Ah ! That's perfect!" she laughed, clearly pleased. "You've got good taste!"
For the first time, a faint trace of amusement touched Seraphina's gaze.
"…I have matters to attend to," she said. "I'll be taking my leave."
"Alright, alright," Gion waved lightly. "Next time we meet, we're grabbing a meal. No excuses."
"…Very well."
With that, Seraphina turned and continued on her way.
The closer she got to the harbor, the quieter her surroundings seemed to become.
Or perhaps
It was simply that her thoughts had grown louder.
Seven years.
That was how long it had been.
Time had passed. The world had changed. She herself had changed.
But some things
Refused to fade.
Stepping onto the deck of a waiting warship, Seraphina paused briefly as the sea breeze brushed against her face. The scent of salt lingered in the air. The distant cry of seagulls echoed overhead.
Her hand tightened slightly at her side.
"…Are you well?"
The question escaped her in a whisper so soft it was almost lost to the wind.
A memory surfaced.
A girl.
Proud. Defiant. Unyielding.
Eyes that refused to bow to anyone.
Her gaze sharpened.
Resolve settled within her like ice.
"Boa Hancock…"
Her voice was no longer soft.
No longer distant.
It carried certainty.
"I'm coming to find you."