Flags

The sky was a deep blue, like a flawless, translucent emerald.

The high-rising sun hung in the sky like a gem set within that enormous emerald, dazzlingly bright.

"So this is what sailing at sea feels like? Compared to being on island clouds, this really lets you feel the sea breeze more directly! This is amazing!"

Yamato ran around the deck lap after lap in excitement. Having finally left Amazon Lily, where she had lived for so long, her enthusiasm showed no sign of fading.

"Calm down, Yamato. This is only Paradise, the first half of one of the seven Grand Line routes. Once you see the strange sights of the New World, you might jump right off the ship."

Dressed in a violet-patterned kimono with Ame no Habakiri at her waist, Hiyori spoke calmly. The gentle aura she had developed through years of practicing musical instruments softened the killing intent of the famed blade at her side.

"I would like to dive into the sea and swim freely, but unfortunately, my only options would be drowning or getting fished back out. The side effects of a Devil Fruit are such a hassle."

"It would be great if Big Brother could invent something to suppress those side effects someday. I really want to swim to my heart's content in the ocean during summer!"

As they chatted idly, Baby 5 was cleaning the deck some distance away. Looking around at the colossal warship, large enough to rival a small island, she could not help but stare blankly.

"Where did His Majesty get such a huge, dilapidated ship?"

"More importantly, there's something even more crucial we haven't decided yet—the pirate flag, the pirate flag! A pirate should obviously have a pirate flag!"

Hearing Baby 5's question, Yamato shook her head carelessly. Instead,