After receiving full authorization, the Marine warship passed smoothly through the massive Gates of Justice, leaving the controlled currents behind as it sailed into open waters.
The atmosphere gradually changed.
The further they moved away from Marineford, the quieter the sea became until even the wind itself seemed to slow.
They were approaching the Calm Belt.
"Teacher… why are we leaving so soon?"
Kuina's voice came from behind, slightly breathless.
She had clearly run all the way back.
Her short hair was damp with sweat, and her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady her breathing. Not long ago, she had still been wandering through Marineford with curiosity, exploring every corner she could find. It was her first time at Marine Headquarters of course she wanted to see everything.
She had even stopped by the residential quarters and ended up sparring with a Marine swordsman she encountered along the way.
And just when she had gotten into the rhythm
She was suddenly called back.
Seraphina turned slightly, her silver-white hair swaying gently with the sea breeze.
"I'm simply… a little impatient to meet an old friend."
There was a faint smile on her lips.
Subtle.
But unmistakable.
Kuina froze for a moment.
Then blinked.
Her thoughts… derailed instantly.
An old friend?
Someone who could make her usually calm and distant teacher show such a faint but genuine smile?
That alone was shocking.
"…Who is it?" Kuina asked, her curiosity completely exposed now.
"You'll know when we arrive."
Seraphina's tone was calm, offering no further explanation.
That only made it worse.
Kuina's imagination immediately spiraled.
Her expression turned serious.
Then suspicious.
Then slightly horrified.
"No way… it's not some old lover, right?!"
She muttered under her breath, shaking her head immediately after.
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Her teacher didn't seem like that kind of person.
Right?
"…It must be someone from the Marines," she continued thinking. "Maybe from training days… or a former comrade…"
Her mind drifted briefly to Hina and the others she had met before. Back then, she had already investigated carefully what kind of relationship they had with her teacher.
Just comrades.
Nothing more.
She had confirmed it.
"…Good," she whispered to herself.
Meanwhile, not far away, Bruce stood silently, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
Unlike Kuina
He already knew.
After all
He had been there seven years ago.
He had personally handled the aftermath.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"The Pirate Empress…" he thought.
Boa Hancock.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Ruler of Amazon Lily.
The only woman among them.
Even within intelligence circles, her reputation was… exceptional.
Beauty beyond reason.
Strength beyond expectation.
Bruce exhaled quietly.
He was curious.
Very curious.
The warship sailed steadily forward.
Soon, they had fully entered the Calm Belt.
The sea became eerily still.
No waves.
No wind.
No sound.
Even the sails hung limp.
Only the low mechanical hum beneath the ship its Seastone-enhanced propulsion kept them moving forward.
"Stay alert," a Marine officer muttered.
Everyone knew this place.
The territory of monsters.
Massive shadows occasionally moved beneath the surface.
Gigantic.
Slow.
Watching.
Sea Kings.
Although Marine warships were coated with Seastone to mask their presence, it wasn't perfect. If one of those creatures chose to approach
There would be no easy escape.
But today
The sea remained calm.
Too calm.
Time passed quietly until
Seraphina suddenly raised her hand slightly.
Her expression sharpened.
"…There."
Bruce turned.
"What is it?"
"I can feel it," she said softly. "An island… ahead. High elevation. Dense presence… and people."
Bruce frowned slightly and immediately raised his binoculars.
He scanned the distant horizon carefully.
At first
Nothing.
Then
A faint outline.
"…Twenty nautical miles," he muttered.
A mountainous island slowly came into view, rising sharply from the sea. One peak stood taller than the rest, almost resembling a natural fortress.
Bruce lowered the binoculars slowly.
His expression changed.
Twenty nautical miles.
And she sensed it directly?
His gaze shifted toward Seraphina.
For the first time
There was genuine shock in his eyes.
Even with Observation Haki
That level of range was… abnormal.
A thin layer of sweat had formed on Seraphina's forehead.
Subtle.
But visible.
She had pushed her perception far.
"…It should be there," Bruce finally said. "That is Amazon Lily."
Seraphina exhaled slowly.
Then
A faint smile appeared.
"…I see."
At last.
Her grip tightened slightly at her side.
"Hancock…"
"I'm here."
Meanwhile
On the towering cliffs of Amazon Lily
Two Kuja warriors stood watch.
"Belladonna! Look there!" one of them shouted, pointing toward the sea.
A warship.
Clearly visible from their elevated position.
"It's a Marine ship!" the other replied, her expression immediately turning serious.
No ordinary vessel could reach this place.
"Aphelandra!" Belladonna called out sharply. "Report immediately to the Snake Princess!"
Her voice echoed across the mountain stronghold.
The calm of the island
Had just been broken.