Departure

Lu Ge also found it a pity. The two sisters really were beautiful, but without any fighting ability, he did not dare take them along. After all, the outside world was extremely cruel. If he brought them, he would have to take responsibility for their safety.

Sanya ignored the disappointed sisters. She swept her gaze over the crowd, then called sternly to a young woman among them, "Kama, step forward!"

"Huh? Me? Me? Can I really?" The woman whose name had been called pointed at herself in disbelief before running out excitedly.

Looking at the young woman in a nurse's uniform, Lu Ge recognized her at once. Wasn't she Kama, the doctor who had misdiagnosed his elephant trunk as a poisonous mushroom when he had first transmigrated? Was her medical skill really up to standard?

Seemingly noticing Lu Ge's doubts, Kama hurriedly defended herself, her face flushing red. "Um, don't misunderstand. I only misdiagnosed you before because I'd never seen a man. Actually, my medical skills are pretty good."

"I can vouch for that." Sanya nodded seriously. "Kama's medical skills are indeed quite good. Although she is far inferior to her teacher, she is more than qualified to serve as the ship's doctor. Her teacher is rather old and unsuitable for going to sea with us, so she is the best candidate."

Lu Ge said, "All right, bring her along."

"Wha? Really? That's wonderful! I never thought I'd get to go to sea one day!" Kama immediately jumped with joy, making the two bouncing slimes on her chest especially eye-catching.

Sanya nodded and looked toward Mana, the mature beauty standing nearby with an expectant expression. "Mana is a navigator and also a reserve member of the Kuja Pirates. She is already a qualified warrior and is eligible to board the ship."

"Yay!" Mana immediately jumped happily as well, and the large slimes on her chest bounced along with a cheerful boing-boing, making it hard for Lu Ge to look away.

You women... Is this how you test an old cadre?

Sanya looked around once more before finally fixing her gaze on a tall woman dressed boldly. "Kikyo, step forward."

A stunning woman with a cool, aloof air calmly stepped out from the crowd.

Lu Ge could not help looking her over. This was his first time seeing her, but he had to admit that she was truly gorgeous. Her tall, fiery figure was beyond reproach, especially those long phoenix eyes and the high black ponytail. She was exceptionally eye-catching.

Looking at her, Lu Ge always felt that she seemed familiar. She should have appeared in the anime before.

However, she was not a character who appeared often, and so much time had passed that he could not remember clearly.

Seeing Lu Ge looking at Kikyo, Sanya immediately introduced her. "Her name is Kikyo. Although she is only sixteen, she is already a qualified warrior and an outstanding reserve member of the Guardian Warriors. In less than a year, she will become an official member and a true Guardian Warrior."

With Sanya's explanation, Lu Ge immediately remembered who she was. The future captain of Amazon Lily's Guardian Warriors—her strength was surely among the best of the younger generation.

Lu Ge nodded. "She looks very dependable. Kikyo, right? From now on, you'll be our navigator."

"I will not fail in my duty!" Kikyo saluted with a serious expression. Though she dressed rather boldly, she was actually quite a proper girl.

"Captain Sanya! What about me? Me too! I want to go!"

"And me! Me too~"

At that moment, two large figures ran out from the crowd. They were Cosmos and Stobi.

The moment Sanya saw them, she sternly rebuked them. "Nonsense! It will be several more years before you two can go to sea!"

"That's right! Cosmos, Stobi, you're still young. You can't go to sea yet. But in a few years, I'm sure you'll both be selected."

"Aww, but we want to go now."

Cosmos and Stobi looked thoroughly disappointed. At the same time, they turned pleading gazes toward Lu Ge.

Lu Ge immediately made a helpless expression. "If you want to go to sea, then work hard to hone your skills. Once you become powerful warriors in the future, you will naturally be able to join the Kuja Pirates."

"We'll work hard."

The girls' eyes immediately became resolute.

After that, Sanya selected another ten warriors who would also serve as sailors. The personnel for this voyage were finally settled.

Counting carefully, Amazon Lily had deployed fifteen people this time. Including Lu Ge, there were sixteen in total.

Sanya, Mana, Bolan, Kama, and Kikyo were considered important figures of Amazon Lily. As for the other ten, their sturdy builds made it obvious that they were suited for heavy labor.

Sanya clapped her hands and loudly announced, "All right, the selection is over. Go make your preparations. We're leaving immediately."

"Yes, Captain!"

Everyone's faces were filled with excitement and anticipation.

Those who had not been selected, however, all wore disappointed expressions.

Seeing this, Sanya immediately encouraged them. "Don't make such faces. Once we find the previous Empress, we will certainly rebuild the Kuja Pirates. When that time comes, all of you will have a chance."

At those words, the women's eyes lit up. Their disappointed expressions were replaced with determination. They had to work hard, had to train diligently. When the Kuja Pirates were rebuilt, they had to be selected.

Half an hour later.

Lu Ge and his group waved goodbye to those seeing them off at the harbor and boarded the ship.

Standing at the bow, Lu Ge stared ahead. Filled with anticipation and barely contained excitement, he called out sternly, "Set sail! Move out!"

Upon hearing Lu Ge's command, the two Yuda immediately dragged the massive ship toward the Calm Belt...

Watching the island recede farther and farther behind them, Bolan was both excited and nervous. "It's my first time going to sea. I'm really excited and nervous! Kikyo, are you nervous?"

"What is there to be nervous about?" Kikyo looked completely calm, but her slightly trembling hands already revealed how excited she was. She was merely putting on a calm front.

Only Mana stared ahead and said solemnly, "We're about to enter the Sea Kings' nesting grounds. Everyone, focus and stop chatting."

Upon hearing that, the women immediately became serious.

Although the Yuda escorted them, that did not mean Sea Kings would never attack. Some powerful Sea Kings, or those immune to poison, were not afraid of the Yuda. Once they entered their territorial waters, they could still launch attacks.

Seeing how serious and vigilant they were, Lu Ge looked at the still, placid sea around them and asked, "Are we already in the Sea Kings' nesting grounds?"

Sanya nodded solemnly. "Yes. Although the Yuda are escorting us, we still have to be cautious. After all, some Sea Kings are not afraid of the Yuda. The chances of that happening are low, though."

Lu Ge immediately complained, "Now that you say that, I feel like we're probably going to run into one."