The Capone Family's three-masted sailing ship left White Wax Island at dusk.
The Godfather stood at the stern, his cane resting on the rail as he watched the red-and-white fan-shaped family crest at White Wax Island's docks gradually shrink into the sea mist.
Before leaving, the strategist handed Koldo a thick stack of West Blue supply lists. The ink on them had not even dried yet; they had been hastily written that day at a long table on the commercial street, with steam from the stewpot rising around them.
The Godfather did not take the strategist back to West Blue with him. Instead, he left him in East Blue.
"From now on, you'll follow Mr. Barlow."
As he spoke, the Godfather straightened the strategist's tie, the gesture exactly the same as when he had promoted him years ago.
"The Capone Family has no intelligence network in East Blue. Coordinate properly with the Uchiha Family."
The strategist bowed and accepted the order. When he turned around, Barlow was already waiting for him at the docks.
Barlow had one hand in his coat pocket and held the route schedule Koldo had just given him in the other. Without looking up, he said to the strategist, "The ship leaves in twenty minutes. Read through it first. If you have questions, ask them onboard."
The strategist opened the schedule, and the corner of his mouth twitched. Every route had been timed down to the minute. It was on an entirely different level from West Blue's "close enough" dispatch system.
At the docks, Roy and Mila stood side by side, though an awkward half-arm's distance separated them.
Roy usually stood around lazily, always draping an arm over Mila's shoulder. Now, both hands were properly tucked into his pockets. Mila had her arms folded across her