Parting

Amira slowly emerged from the woods.

"Looks like we won't be having fish tonight. Let's eat fruit instead."

"Huh? But I want fish." Shalria pouted and muttered.

Amina looked at Charlos with a pleading expression.

"Lord Charlos, could you please go catch us a fish?"

"Why don't you go?"

Amina grinned.

"Lord Charlos, did you forget? My sister and I ate Devil Fruits, so we can't go into the sea."

"Sigh, fine, fine."

Charlos turned around and plunged headfirst into the seawater, swimming hard through the sea.

Amira looked at the other two.

"Then let's get the campfire ready first. Once he comes back with the fish, we'll grill it."

"Yay!"

Charlos held his breath and swam hard beneath the waves.

Before long, a large octopus slowly swam past him.

Charlos immediately chased after it.

The octopus noticed it was being pursued and waved its tentacles, swimming even faster.

Charlos desperately increased his pace as well.

But humans ultimately could not outswim creatures of the sea. After a long chase, the octopus still escaped far into the distance.

Charlos helplessly surfaced, took a deep breath, and dove back underwater.

This time, he set his sights on a tuna.

The tuna stared at Charlos, and Charlos stared right back at it.

As if sensing the provocation, the tuna suddenly turned and charged straight at Charlos. It was incredibly fast, its mouth sharp and pointed.

On the shore, Shalria bit into an apple as she gazed at the endless sea.

"Why hasn't he come out yet?"

Amina quietly watched the sea and gently shook her head.

Just then, a black shadow suddenly burst out from the woods.

Dressed in a black suit and wearing a crow mask, it was Black Crow.

He moved with ruthless speed, charging straight at them.

"Oh, here he comes again."

Clang!

A crisp, hard collision rang out.

Amira instantly coated herself in Armament Haki and raised her leg to meet Black Crow's kick head-on.

The two immediately became locked in combat, fists and kicks clashing so quickly that only afterimages remained.

"Sis, I'll help you!"

Amina immediately stepped forward and joined Amira in attacking Black Crow.

The sisters worked together seamlessly, their attacks building in wave after wave.

Before long, Black Crow, who had launched the fierce surprise assault, gradually fell into a disadvantage.

Amid the chaos, a black shadow flew through the air from the sea.

The tuna shot straight toward the center of the battlefield like a cannonball.

The three of them stiffened and instantly pulled apart.

Whoosh—

The tuna shot precisely through the gap and slammed into a large tree behind them. Its tail twitched faintly, its eyes rolled white, and it went completely still.

Seawater splashed as Charlos slowly walked out of the sea, drenched from head to toe.

"They really don't let anyone have a moment's peace."

He raised his eyes to Black Crow, his tone relaxed. "How about I keep you company for a few rounds?"

Beneath the mask, Black Crow's whole body stiffened, cold sweat instantly breaking out across his back.

He gave Charlos a deep look, not daring to linger, then flashed away and vanished into the depths of the forest.

The battlefield instantly returned to calm.

Charlos turned toward the tuna hanging from the tree and said flatly:

"Alright, let's eat fish."

And at that moment, the Celestial Dragon Imperial Ship slowly approached across the sea.

Shalria took a large bite of fish and swallowed it with effort.

"Mmm..."

"What's wrong, Shalria?"

"After two years of eating without salt, it really feels awful."

Charlos reached out and patted her head.

"Look over there. Those days are about to end. Over these two years, all of us have grown a lot."

"Hehe, of course! But Brother, we're about to part ways."

Charlos ruffled her hair again.

"Have you made up your mind? You're not going out to sea with Brother to have adventures?"

"No. I'm going to the Marines and beat up those pirates."

"Alright."

At that moment, the magnificent Celestial Dragon Imperial Ship slowly docked by the shore.

Akali leaped down from the ship's deck onto the beach and looked toward the woods.

"Black Crow, your mission is over."

From within the forest, Black Crow's figure slowly emerged. He gave a slight nod and remained silent.

Akali then turned to Charlos, her manner respectful.

"Saint Charlos, please board the ship."

After steadying their emotions, the group boarded the Celestial Dragon Imperial Ship one after another.

Charlos casually ordered, "Akali, bring me a newspaper."

"Yes."

Charlos took the newspaper and swept his gaze across the front page.

A wanted poster was plastered in the center, showing a young little girl in the photograph.

It read: Devil's Child Nico Robin, bounty of 79 million Beli.

Shalria leaned over for a look and drew in a sharp breath.

"Hiss... She looks about the same age as me. Why is she worth so much?"

Charlos raised a hand and lightly tapped her nose.

"You're worth much more than she is."

"Of course I am!"

Charlos put down the newspaper and waved toward the side.

Akali immediately handed him a Den Den Mushi.

With a click, the call connected.

"Hello, Grandpa."

The scene shifted to the Rosy Family's main hall.

The Rosy Family patriarch answered the call, his voice accompanied by a few coughs.

"Cough, cough. What is it, Charlos?"

"Grandpa, what's wrong? Are you sick?"

"I'm old. I don't have many years left. Tell me, what do you need?"

"Grandpa, my training is over, but I don't want to go back just yet."

"If you don't want to come back, then don't. It's fine to have some fun outside."

"Hehe, thanks, Grandpa!"

The old man continued:

"Oh, right. The ship I had custom-built for you is finished. I'll send someone to sail it over to you later."

"Grandpa, you're so good to me!"

Charlos spoke seriously.

"Grandpa, there's one more thing. Shalria wants to join the Marines."

The person on the other end of the call immediately frowned.

"Nonsense! How can she join the Marines?"

"She says she wants to catch pirates."

The old man sighed helplessly.

"Where can't she catch pirates? Does she have to join the Marines? Bring some CP agents along, and she can deal with whichever pirate she wants. She'll be free and unrestrained. Isn't that more comfortable than the Marines?"

Charlos smiled and asked in return:

"What if I wanted to fight Whitebeard?"

The Den Den Mushi fell silent for two seconds.

Then the old man's calm voice came through:

"As long as you're not afraid of getting beaten up."

Charlos immediately backed down.

"Hehe, forget I said anything."

After a moment of silence on the other end, the old man reluctantly compromised.

"Fine. If she wants to go, let her go. I'll put in a word with Marine Headquarters later. No one will dare make things difficult for her."

Shalria's eyes instantly lit up, and she grinned, showing her bright white teeth.

"Hehe! Then I'm joining the Marines!"

"Brother, you'd better be careful. Don't let Shalria catch you one day."

"Hmph! Brother, I'll wait for the day you catch me!"

Charlos hung up the Den Den Mushi and turned to Akali beside him.

"Where is the ship Grandpa prepared for me now?"

"At Water 7."

"Is Water 7 far from here?"

"Very far."

Charlos nodded.

"In that case, we'll go to the nearest port and wait for them to sail the ship over."

Akali bowed in acknowledgment. "Understood."

Before long, the Celestial Dragon Imperial Ship smoothly arrived at a coastal port and slowly docked.

Charlos leaped down from the ship, landing steadily on the port grounds.

Amira and Amina followed close behind, landing one after the other.

Shalria waved her little hand at Charlos.

"Brother, I'll be leaving first!"

"Mm." Charlos nodded gently.

Akali bowed and said, "Saint Charlos, your personal ship will arrive soon. If you encounter danger along the way, use the Den Den Mushi to contact us at any time."

Charlos lifted his chin, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance.

"Don't underestimate me. I didn't train for these two years for nothing."