Eos

"Lord Shiki."

Du Feld's voice rang out in the dim reception room, his posture as humble as an old dog lying prone on the ground.

"I believe this money should be enough to compensate for your losses."

Shiki held a cigar between his teeth, smoke spilling from the corner of his mouth and forming a hazy curtain between them.

He took the case, snapped open the clasp, and lifted the lid.

The Beli stacked neatly inside reflected the distinctive sheen of ink under the candlelight.

"The Amigo Pirates have followed me for quite some time."

Shiki exhaled a puff of cigar smoke, forcing a trace of grief onto his face.

"Their deaths saddened me greatly. I had originally intended to teach you a proper lesson for sending them to their deaths."

"But since you know how to behave, I'll let this slide for Linlin's sake."

In truth, he did not care about the Amigo Pirates in the slightest.

That bunch of idiots who played music and sang were, at most, replaceable screws in the vast machinery of his Flying Pirates. If they died, they died. He could simply replace them with new ones.

If Du Feld had not been involved, giving him an opportunity to squeeze out some money, and if his IQ research had not truly been so broke it was nearly unable to keep going, he would never have made this trip.

"If the Amigo Pirates knew how highly you valued them, they would surely be very happy in the next world."

Du Feld readily flattered him, forcing a suitably moved expression onto his face.

Having gotten what he wanted, Shiki could not be bothered to linger. The two famous swords on his feet struck the floor with crisp clinks as he turned and left the room.

The rhythm of metal striking the ground faded from near to far, slowly swallowed by the end of the corridor.

Only after the sound had completely vanished from his ears did a man dressed as a butler silently emerge from the shadows.

"Master, how do you intend to deal with that man and woman who robbed our casino?"

Du Feld walked to the wine cabinet and poured himself a glass of red wine. The dark crimson liquid swayed in the glass, reflecting the meaningful smile on his face.

"I intend to take them down personally."

The butler's pupils abruptly widened.

A rare crack appeared on that face that had served Du Feld for years and long since cultivated a professional blank expression.

His lips moved, but he hesitated, stammering.

"Forgive my bluntness... you..."

He knew full well that his master's combat ability was barely better than that of an ordinary person. He could not even beat a slightly sturdier street thug.

Going personally to capture that damned pair?

That was not taking action personally. That was personally delivering himself to his death.

"I understand your concerns."

Du Feld waved a hand. "Don't worry. I'm not going to die."

"I'm going to Totto Land to request reinforcements. I've funded that lady with so much money; she should agree."

"The Charlotte Family are all proud people. If I don't go in person, they won't take me seriously."

Did Du Feld not know how much fighting power he had? The wealthier he was, the more he feared death. His life was far too precious for him to charge ahead with a blade like those hot-blooded youngsters.

He was a businessman.

Businessmen did not solve problems with fists, but connections.

Resources. A network built by throwing money around.

As long as the Charlotte Family was willing to act, they would definitely deal with that damned pair. How could monsters from the New World possibly lose to punks from Paradise?

The advantage was mine.

"Master, you are wise."

The butler's expression shifted from shock to admiration, and he bowed even deeper.

"As long as the Charlotte Family is willing to act, success will be assured. This humble servant congratulates you in advance on your victory."

Du Feld waved his hand and happily took a sip of red wine.

West Blue, on a deserted island.

On the shore, Lucas stood with his arms folded, looking at the Submarine stranded on the beach as he slowly exhaled.

The original green paint on the hull had been completely scraped away, replaced by a fresh coat of black.

The paint gave off a subdued matte sheen beneath the sunlight. Even the porthole frames had been repainted. The entire vessel had transformed from a moldy green turtle into a black killer whale lurking in the shallows.

He truly could not stand green. It made him uneasy.

"Darling, I think we should give it a name."

Baccarat put down the brush covered in black paint, stepped back a few paces to admire the fruits of her labor, then made a suggestion.

Almost the instant her voice fell, Robin spoke.

"Let's just call it Dark Maru."

"I think Lucky Blood is better."

"Dark Maru."

"Lucky Blood."

Seeing the two women about to continue arguing, Lucas immediately made the final decision.

"I've decided. We'll call it the Eos."

The moment those words came out, both women froze.

When several people traveled by sea together, the most common way to pass the time was chatting. After spending so much time together day and night, they had each learned more or less about Lucas's past.

Baccarat hesitated.

"Darling, you should think it over again. Using such an important name on a stolen ship... isn't that a little inappropriate?"

Robin said nothing. Her expression remained as calm as ever, but her eyes clearly conveyed the same opinion as Baccarat's.

A stolen ship. A Submarine they had casually taken from a pirate crew they had wiped out.

Was it really appropriate to give it a name with such special meaning?

Lucas looked at the brand-new black hull and shook his head.

"Sailing ships and steamships both have one major flaw: without coating, they can't travel through the deep sea.

"I'd planned to acquire a Submarine for long-term use a long time ago.

"This Submarine that practically fell into my lap is exactly what I wanted. When I get the chance, I'll hire someone to completely refit it.

"One day, it will become the most technologically advanced ship on these seas."

"This name is perfect for it."

The basic structure of Submarines was largely the same. Even if it were the Polar Tang sleeping on Swallow Island, the finished product would be the same after modifications.

With his current electromagnetic abilities, forcibly modifying it was not impossible.

But he had never formally studied mechanical engineering. If he blindly tinkered with it, it would most likely malfunction.

To be safe, he would wait until he found Vegapunk.

Seeing that he had made up his mind, the two women did not try to persuade him further.