"Annika...?"
Gloriosa paused, her gaze settling on the figure waving to her by the edge of the deck.
Even from a distance, she could see Annika's smile, her happiness practically spilling from her eyes and brows.
Gloriosa felt a moment of relief. So happy-did she get Newgate to agree?
But soon, a fresh layer of worry smothered that relief. Annika did not understand many things, and she feared the girl would blindly agree to whatever conditions he offered.
"Big Sister Gloriosa~"
Gloriosa did not answer immediately. She merely nodded lightly, then hurried aboard.
Everyone else was inside the ship. Only Annika stood on the deck waiting for her, looking as though she had been there for a long time.
"Why are you so happy? Did Newgate agree to help?" There was a hint of caution in Gloriosa's voice.
"Yes." Annika nodded.
"What... conditions did he set?" Gloriosa's heart tightened slightly.
"Lord Newgate is very kind. He said he didn't need any payment," Annika said with a soft laugh.
Gloriosa's gaze flickered slightly.
Whitebeard truly was a man who put loyalty and friendship first. He had agreed so readily, without even asking for payment.
Gloriosa suddenly felt a little regretful. Had she known this would happen, she should not have taken such a roundabout approach, nor asked Annika, who understood nothing, to ask on her behalf.
"Did he say when he could leave?" Gloriosa asked. Time was short, and she wanted to leave immediately if possible.
"Everyone is waiting for you, Big Sister Gloriosa," Annika said.
Gloriosa froze for a moment. "Everyone?"
"Yes." Annika nodded. "Everyone said they were willing to help."
Gloriosa's gaze lingered on her face for two seconds, as though making sure she had heard correctly. "You mean... the entire Rocks Pirates?"
"Yes," Annika said, unable to contain