Over a stretch of sea in the East Blue.
Dawn lounged on a sun chair, lazily basking in the sunlight. Beside him, Baby 5 wore a new dress she had bought with Makino and carried over a glass of juice and a plate of curry.
"Here, I made the curry Makino taught me. Try it and see how it tastes!"
It had been some time since Dawn brought Baby 5 back. From the Grand Line, through the Calm Belt, and now in the East Blue, Baby 5's attitude toward Dawn had gradually improved.
After all, she was still a child under ten. She had been abandoned from the moment she could remember, then came to care deeply about being needed by others. At Doflamingo's side, she had mostly seen dark things, so she naturally cherished these warm days even more.
Looking at the steaming curry, Dawn sat up and put a spoonful into his mouth. Feeling the delicious, familiar taste spreading across his tongue, he could not help giving Baby 5 a thumbs-up.
"You really do have talent for cooking. From now on, I'll leave my three meals a day to you," Dawn praised as he watched Baby 5 smile.
Baby 5 lifted her chin. "Of course. And I haven't neglected my training either."
Dawn wiped the curry from the corner of his mouth. "That's good. Cooking is important, but strength is important on the sea too. It can protect you from being hurt by others."
"When the time comes, I'll just protect you," Baby 5 said with her hands on her hips.
Hearing that, Dawn flicked Baby 5's smooth forehead. "I'll deal with my own enemies. You only need to protect yourself."
Ignoring Baby 5's pout, Dawn took a comfortable sip of his juice.
"Report! A ship has been