The Gorosei's Attention

Saint Jalmack's Son's order was: "No one must ever learn anything about the Boa Sisters." That was obvious. If people found out that Saint Jalmack's Son had received a revelation in a dream and had become eager to marry a female slave, it would definitely cause trouble. With the Donquixote Family's precedent, there was no way it would end well.

"Then what is Saint Jalmack's Son doing now?"

"He fell into a coma afterward," Cairns answered tremblingly.

"Are you hiding something?" The Gorosei's gazes were piercing. They were not people who could be easily fooled. Waves of Observation Haki enveloped Cairns, and even the slightest lie could be detected.

"Ah, no!" Cairns repeatedly kowtowed, beginning to spout nonsense to save his own life. "I just thought it was a little absurd. Saint Jalmack's Son was hallucinating! He said he saw some of the future!"

"What future?"

Cairns swallowed in terror. He could not mention the Boa Sisters, but what about Nico Robin? No, the Demon's Child and Ohara's destruction were taboo subjects! Right, he had it!

"He said he saw himself marrying Princess Vivi of Alabasta in the future," Cairns said as though clutching at a lifeline.

That was definitely a dream befitting a Celestial Dragon. Thank goodness he had actually remembered it.

The Gorosei were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Princess Vivi, huh? Is she pretty?"

"He said she has blue hair like the sea and is exceptionally beautiful."

"That Alabasta..." The Gorosei's sigh seemed laden with much unspoken meaning. The superpower Alabasta, the Nefertari Family—the only one of the Twenty Kings' families that had declined to settle in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

"However, that country has no princess. King Cobra has only one queen and no children yet." The Gorosei shook their heads. Youngsters dreaming of marrying wives sure knew how to pick them. Too bad it was only a dream.

The short, fat CP0 agent beside them provided more precise and important information. "However, the Nefertari Queen has been pregnant for some time."

"Is that so? Confirm it again."

"Yes."

Just as the words fell, the Den Den Mushi rang. "Five minutes ago, the Nefertari Queen died of complications during childbirth. However, she gave birth to a princess with all her strength. Blue hair, named—Nefertari Vivi! Princess Vivi—!"

At once, the Gorosei and Cairns all widened their eyes.

Anyone could dream, but this dream had come true!

"Everyone, leave." Excitement hid beneath that calm voice as everyone except the Gorosei was driven from the room.

"Observation Haki capable of foreseeing the future. And Conqueror's Haki." The Gorosei's calm voices had begun to tremble as they looked together at the Robed Elder. "Saint Ichi, there has not been a record like this in five hundred years, has there? A Celestial Dragon who awakened Haki on his own!"

"It is far more than simply awakening Haki!" said the Gorosei member in a dark blue suit, whose white beard and hair hung all the way to the floor. "Conqueror's Haki is not unusual, but Observation Haki that can foresee the future—no, this is not the simple kind of Observation Haki that can only see a few seconds ahead! This power rivals the Voice of All Things! No, this is the talent most suited for a king!"

Before today, Saint Jalmack's Son had merely been an inconspicuous little brat among the many Celestial Dragons, incompetent and cowardly. Just a few days ago, he had even caused a small incident. But since then, he seemed to have changed somewhat?

"Earlier, he even beat up several little brats who provoked him." Only then did Saint Ichi notice this report. He gave a grunt, picked up the surveillance Den Den Mushi delivered by CP0, and played the recording. Light shone from the spy Den Den Mushi's eyes onto the wall, clearly replaying the entire incident.

The five of them found it rather curious. One against three, and he had looked quite imposing. Though it had been an utterly untrained brawl, it had felt very unusual.

"Betting his life, huh?" They all chuckled. The Holy Land of Mary Geoise had not produced a single promising descendant in centuries.

"This matter must be treated with the utmost importance." The Gorosei reached a consensus. "This miracle is also inevitable. It proves that the Celestial Dragons possess the bloodline of the world's rulers!"

"Send gifts to King Cobra of Alabasta. Exempt them from one year of Heavenly Tribute."

"Pass down the order. Alabasta's situation must receive special attention."

"Why not tell King Cobra directly? Princess Vivi's marriage partner must be Saint Jalmack's Son. If things develop in the desired direction, perhaps the Holy Land of Mary Geoise will accept the Nefertari Family's return. Tell King Cobra to treasure this opportunity. This is no joke."

In the darkness, Miming sat by the window. He had not fainted as Cairns had claimed.

Even with the Holy Land brightly lit, it could not stop darkness from falling.

The Boa Sisters lay asleep on the soft bed.

Half a year had passed since they were captured. They had crossed the seas, endured endless torment, and finally been sent to Mary Geoise, cutting off every possibility of escape. Since becoming slaves, this was the first time they had slept in beds. Their bodies had been cleaned and their wounds treated; they would soon recover their health. But what about the wounds in their hearts?

Miming did not know.

Miming gazed at the three unconscious sisters on the bed, his heart incomparably tranquil.

I never expected you to come to my side this way. From now on, I will protect you.

However, he did not yet possess the strength or status to protect them. After all, he was not the head of the Bird Family. When Saint Ni had acted viciously, Miming could only be held back by agents and watch helplessly. Lord Donquixote had been able to take in many slaves and leave Mary Geoise with his entire family because he had been the family head. Even so, everyone knew how miserably he had died.

"Saint Sanming!" Cairns had returned, both excited and worried. "The Gorosei summons you! They ordered you to go to Pangaea Castle the moment you awaken!"

"Those five old bastards?" Miming gave two cold chuckles. "Looks like it's time to get serious."

"Then, regarding Lady Hancock..." Cairns rubbed his hands, looking troubled. "Should I arrange the procedures for her to take up residence in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise?" Elevating a slave to the status of a lady would not be easy to arrange. Slaves were different from commoners, after all, and it would surely cause a huge uproar.

"No need. Even if I want to get married, I don't want to do it in Mary Geoise!" Miming immediately thought of Saint Charlos's wife's miserable appearance during the day. She was scarcely better off than a slave. Letting people know now that he wanted to free slaves would not be a smart move.

"Then?" Cairns was a little confused.

Miming said, "Do this. From now on, they will be my personal slaves. Send them back and keep things the same on the surface. Find them a better private cell, and do not allow anyone to hurt them. Hide them as well as possible. Don't draw those idiots' attention."

After thinking it over, the best way to hide three slaves was still to hide them among a large group of slaves.

Cairns breathed a sigh of relief. This made things easy for him as well. He only needed to provide some care in secret, and Saint Sanming would not attract any criticism. He felt that Miming had suddenly matured a great deal, and his way of thinking had become more grown-up.

Miming came before the unconscious Boa Hancock, lifted the hand exposed outside the blanket, and bent down to gently kiss the back of her cold hand.

Hancock's long eyelashes trembled constantly. She had woken up long ago and was only pretending to be unconscious. The soft bed was merely a fleeting dream she could not believe in. His actions confused her, but frightened her even more. Though Miming had shown her some care in every way, he was still a Celestial Dragon.

"My beloved Boa, I'm sorry." Miming carefully tucked her hand back beneath the blanket and said in a deep voice, "I will definitely find a way to erase the slave mark you bear on your back. So until I gain the power to save you, please endure. You must hold on. I am going to obtain that power now."