A Partnership Between the Two Associations

The group left the barbecue restaurant and wound through the streets until they reached a spacious villa estate.

Ace gently opened the gate. Two little girls in anime-style outfits stood at the entrance, each holding a large toy cutlass.

"Ta-da! Heavenly Punishment Girl Enju has arrived!"

"Ta-da! Heavenly Punishment Girl Hina has arrived!"

"Welcome back, big brothers Ace, Luffy, and Sabo!"

Ace looked at the two adorable girls blocking their way, and a bright smile spread across his face.

"Ah! Enju, Hina, we're home!"

The two girls blinked, then broke into delighted smiles.

"Hey, hey, hey! Ace, do I look good in this outfit?"

Ace, Sabo, and Luffy exchanged glances. The three smiled at one another, their expressions full of affection.

The girls might have looked sweet and adorable, but they were also important members of the crew.

The Cursed Children brought back from Black Bullet several years earlier had begun to settle into life in the New World. After Witch Academy began working with the Adventurers Guild, some Witches who had graduated and wanted to see the world became ideal recruits for adventuring teams.

The Cursed Children's innate Authorities were far from weak. After specialized training, some of those with combat abilities had become quite formidable.

A few of the strongest Cursed Children were already approaching the strength of vice admirals from the Pirate World.

Enju and Hina were the companions Ace's Adventurer Group had found after passing Witch Academy's many tests.

One possessed a powerful transformation Authority. The other had mastered a range of sniping skills and wielded a potent nightmare Authority. They had been among Witch Academy's finest graduates and were now the darlings of the crew.

Just as Ace and the others were racking their brains for more compliments for Enju and Hina, an impossibly sweet