Returning to the Holy Land

Aboard the luxurious ship, Charlos sat quietly in the training room, his eyes tightly shut. Robin stood guard outside.

"Rukia, he hasn't come out for three days."

"Then let him stay in there. Hmph, I'm done waiting on him." She handed over the food box she was holding. "Here, you take it in."

Robin took the food box, pushed open the door, and gently set the food down.

"Charlos, come have something to eat."

Charlos turned toward her, slowly stood up, and walked over to Robin.

"What's wrong?"

"I might have to break my promise."

Robin tilted her head. "Huh? Break your promise? Why?"

"I've decided to return to the Holy Land."

Amira and Amina hurried over.

"Charlos, why are you going back to the Holy Land?"

"My training wasn't enough. There are too many monsters hidden in these seas. I need to get stronger."

Meanwhile, Shalria sat aboard another Marine warship, which was heading toward Marine Headquarters. She looked at Akali beside her.

"That's odd. Where's old man Garp going?"

"He's going back to the East Blue, to his hometown."

"Oh, I see. Isn't he going back to resume his duties?"

"I don't think he needs to."

Shalria sighed softly.

"How am I supposed to catch up with my brother Charlos now?"

Akali turned to Shalria and reported in a low voice.

"Lord Charlos is returning to the Holy Land."

Shalria jerked her head up. "What did you say? Is that true?"

"Absolutely."

"That's strange. What happened?"

"According to our information, he fought a battle on an unnamed island three days ago. He realized he couldn't even beat Amira and Amina, so he plans to return to the Holy Land to continue training."

Shalria scratched her ear.

"Oh, so that's it. All right, we'll go back to the Holy Land too."

The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

Shalria changed back into her Celestial Dragon attire, put on her bubble helmet, and returned to the Rosy Family's grand hall.

Charlos signaled his subordinates to bring in the newly purchased slaves. Among the group, three slight young girls were herded forward.

Shalria glanced at them and called out to stop them.

"Wait."

Charlos turned to her. "Shalria, what's wrong? I bought all of these."

"Right, so what?"

"What do you mean, 'what'? Leave these three with me."

Charlos tilted his head. "Why?"

"Why so many questions? Do you want a beating?"

Shalria raised her fist, jet-black Armament Haki coating her white sleeve.

Charlos hastily shook his head. "No, no, no! Take them, take them. You three, go with her."

The three girls timidly followed behind Shalria.

Charlos spoke slowly. "Shalria, could you give me Akali, then?"

Shalria glanced at him. "Akali belongs to our brother Charlos. If he comes back and finds her with you, what do you think will happen?"

"I don't want her anymore! I don't want her!"

"Hmph, coward."

Shalria turned and left with the three young girls.

Charlos watched her go and muttered, "Seriously."

Rosward slowly emerged, riding a slave.

"You idiot, did Shalria bully you again?"

"Father! She stole three of my slaves!"

"How dare she! I'll go settle this with her!"

"You're going to fight Shalria?"

Rosward abruptly stopped, turned toward Charlos, and kicked him.

"You stupid son of mine! Don't say things that ruin the family's harmony! Do you understand?"

Charlos tilted his head, utterly bewildered.

Without another word, Rosward slowly rode away on his slave.

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

Charlos changed into his Celestial Dragon attire, put on his bubble helmet, and returned to the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

Upon hearing the news, the Rosy Family's patriarch hurried to the gates and pulled Charlos into a hug.

"Oh, my dear grandson, you're finally back! Did you miss your grandfather? It's been over two years! Look how tall you've grown!"

Charlos chuckled. "Of course I did."

The patriarch patted his shoulder and asked, "Now that you're back, are you planning to go out to sea again?"

Charlos frowned slightly. "We'll see."

"I heard you suffered a setback out there. That's all right. I'll find you the best master to personally guide your training."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Warmth filled Charlos's heart, and delight showed on his face. "Thank you, Grandfather."

"Go get some rest."

"All right."

Amira and Amina followed closely behind Charlos, while Robin and Rukia cautiously brought up the rear.

Rukia whispered in amazement, "Robin, what is this place? It's so luxurious."

Robin cautioned her softly, "This is the Holy Land, Mary Geoise. Keep your voice down."

Meanwhile, Charlos pushed open the doors to his private chambers and immediately spotted Shalria sitting on his bed.

"Hi."

Charlos paused in surprise. "What are you doing here? Didn't you go to Marine Headquarters?"

Shalria huffed. "What? Can't I come back to my own home to rest?"

"But these are my chambers."

"I know."

Shalria gave him a playful smile. "By the way, I have something nice to show you."

She snapped her fingers, and three timid young girls slowly stepped out.

The black-haired girl leading them immediately spread her arms, shielding her two younger sisters behind her.

Shalria said, "Introduce yourselves."

The black-haired girl's voice was faint but firm. "I... my name is Boa Hancock."

The instant Charlos heard that name, his pupils contracted sharply.

Shalria noticed nothing and looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong, brother? Do you know her?"

Charlos quickly composed himself and said evenly, "No. I just thought she was very pretty."

"Right, brother? That's why I specifically got them from that idiot Charlos."

Shalria beckoned to Hancock.

Boa Hancock timidly stepped forward and cautiously peeked out, looking docile.

"Look how well-behaved she is."

Charlos frowned. "Shalria, you've gone too far."

Shalria reached out and pulled Boa Hancock into her arms, then looked up at Charlos. "What is it, brother? She's mine now. Are you trying to steal her?"

Charlos stared at what she was doing.

Shalria then looked at the three girls. "By the way, I haven't mistreated you. Tell him, have I bullied you?"

Boa Hancock stole a glance at Charlos and answered quietly, "N-no."

"Then have I treated you well?"

"We have food and water. Very well."

Charlos stepped forward, his gaze grave. "I don't believe it. Tell me, how did you end up here?"

Boa Hancock looked hesitantly at Shalria.

Shalria gently patted her back. "Be good. Just tell him the truth."

Boa Hancock said softly, "I sneaked out to sea with my two younger sisters to play. We ran into human traffickers, who captured us and made us slaves. In the end, we were sold to the Holy Land."

After hearing this, Charlos strode forward, pulled Boa Hancock out of Shalria's arms, and tore open her top to examine her back.

Shalria panicked at the sight and lunged at him, shoving Charlos to the floor.

"What are you doing? You pervert!"

"I'm not."

Boa Hancock hastily pulled her clothes closed and curled up.

Shalria demanded furiously, "Then why are you taking someone's clothes off without asking?"

Charlos rose from the floor, his expression serious. "I was just checking whether she had a Celestial Dragon brand on her back."

Shalria froze at his words, then snorted coldly.

"A brand? Of course she doesn't. I took them from that idiot Charlos before he had a chance to brand them."