An Encounter Outside Loguetown

About a week later.

Taking the convenient route across the Calm Belt, the warship entered the East Blue. Noah's hometown, Raccoon Dog Island, home to the 16th Branch, drew closer by the day.

Noah spent most of that time in the training room.

He had now set the Gravity Training Field to fifteen times normal gravity.

With the boost from an Acceleration Card, he encountered no serious bottlenecks. His strength rose steadily at a pace far beyond anyone else's.

Now and then, he spoke with Momousagi and Shiya.

Momousagi had finished her leave and set off with the veterans who had served under her for years. She was headed to the West Blue First Branch to take command of the base, and was waiting for her second-in-command to hurry over and "help her build her empire."

During one call, she complained that Noah had fought far too earnestly on his last night before leaving Marine Headquarters. Worse, his stamina had carried him from dusk to dawn, for more than ten hours.

Her legs still ached, and she still felt weak.

Noah had no answer. He could only scratch his head and grin sheepishly.

Things were more complicated for Shiya.

Her eldest brother had died of a serious illness, leaving the Lotte Kingdom without its only dependable heir. The remaining older princes and princesses were spoiled beyond hope.

From the old king's remarks, he seemed inclined to make Shiya first in line for the throne.

"Should I start calling you Your Majesty someday?"

That was how Noah teased her over the phone.

"...But I don't want to be a queen."

The Den Den Mushi, sporting long, soft blue hair, lowered its eyes and looked dejected. "I just want to graduate soon, then stay by your side, Noah. I could be your