Several days later, somewhere in the New World.
In stark contrast to the turmoil and anxiety gripping the outside world, this stretch of the Great Sea enjoyed a rare spell of peace and calm.
The cloudless azure sky resembled a freshly washed sapphire. Warm, brilliant sunlight spilled freely over the shimmering sea, casting layers of glimmering gold across its surface.
A few white seagulls glided leisurely through the gentle sea breeze, letting out clear cries.
Across these waters, as tranquil as a painting, the Straw Hat Pirates' ship—the Sunny Merry—sailed steadily toward their next destination, the Land of Wano, its white sails billowing as it cut through the waves.
Compared with when they had left Zou, however, two unmistakable figures had joined those aboard.
Beneath the spacious mainmast, Katakuri, who stood over five meters tall, leaned against the wooden railing with his arms folded.
The sea breeze stirred his short, purplish-red hair. The leader of the Sweet Three Commanders, whose name had once struck terror into countless pirates throughout the New World, still maintained his cool, composed bearing, but his gaze was much softer than it had been in Totto Land.
Nearby, beside the little open-air kitchen, Pudding wore a cute apron, her face glowing with a sweet, happy smile as she carefully prepared a special chilled fruit juice for Ronan.
As the Straw Hat Pirates' newest companions, the brother and sister had officially boarded the pirate ship that would soon turn the world upside down.
On the sunlit lawn deck, Nami lounged lazily in a beach chair, dressed in a breezy swimsuit.
She held open the latest newspaper, which she had just bought from a News Bird. The sea breeze stirred its pages with a soft rustle.
After reading for a while, Nami suddenly sat upright and looked toward