"Goodbye, Bellemere!"
"I'll miss you, Bellemere!"
"Me too!"
"Yo-ho, bye~!"
In late February, exactly twenty days after Xiano set off for the East Blue, the Sunset finally welcomed back its Captain.
Bellemere stayed on board for three full days, spending quality time with her two daughters before departing for Dressrosa.
By the sunflower fields outside the royal capital, Xiano had already arranged with King Riku to rent her a small windmill cottage there.
Opening the window would reveal a golden sea of flowers.
It also came with a suitably sized yard for gardening, close to the bustling areas of the capital with direct road access.
It was Bellemere's dream cottage, allowing her to switch between rural pastoral life and urban scenery at will. If she ever grew tired of living there, she could move to other territories to experience different local customs.
Of course.
At present, the so-called "other territories" only consisted of one place.
But soon, there would be more.
Because with Xiano's official return, searching for a suitable island to serve as their headquarters had officially been designated as the Curtain Closer's top priority.
In fact, over the past twenty-plus days, the crew had already begun gathering intelligence on this matter under Xiano's prior instructions.
Now, with the intelligence gathered, it was time to hold a meeting and finalize their plans.
On the deck.
"This is the nautical chart of the sea area we're about to enter."
Xiano snapped his fingers.
Robin immediately understood, pulling out a long nautical chart from under her arm and spreading it on the table.
Except for Bonney tormenting Agin by riding the big dog at the bow, all other crew members gathered around the long table.
"Uh... this is a nautical chart?"
Nami stared at what looked like a kindergarten doodle, her face full of astonishment.
"...Yeah."
Kuma scratched the back of his head, his weathered face flushing slightly.
With his ability to fly through the sky, most of the intelligence gathering and consolidation for this sea area had fallen to him.
This chart was also his handiwork, drawn while recording from the air. The seven islands were scattered across various corners of this sea area.
The distances between islands, specific latitude and longitude, shapes, and contours...
Had absolutely nothing to do with the word "precision."
But...
"Having a general idea of the island distribution in this sea area is enough for now."
Xiano gave Nami a flick on the forehead, exasperated. "He's not a navigator, why are you comparing? If you want precise charts, draw them yourself later."
"Don't mind him, Robin. Continue with the main topic."
"Mm-hmm."
Robin smiled at Nami, who was clutching her head with teary eyes.
"Everyone pretty much knows the current landscape of the New World. After the Four Emperors established their rule, apart from some scattered islands, the vast majority are under their control."
"But this sea area is special."
"It's wedged between the territories of the Beasts Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates. Neither side has shown any intention to fully claim this sea area, instead treating it as a buffer zone for their conflicts."
"The Whitebeard Pirates currently control the island at the bottom right corner—the southeasternmost one, named Mist Star Island."
"The Beasts Pirates hold sway over the island at the top left corner—the northwesternmost one, called Ember Star Island."
Slender arms suddenly sprouted from the nautical chart, pointing to each of these islands in turn.
Robin then continued:
"As for the remaining five islands, they are all currently unclaimed."
"Having long served as buffer zones in the tug-of-war of war, the original inhabitants were so harassed that they had no choice but to abandon their homes. Most have already relocated to other islands."
"These islands have gradually declined as a result. The two northernmost have even become outright lawless zones, turning into hotbeds for rampant underground black market dealings."
At this point, Robin paused, smiling as she looked at Xiano:
"And it seems our Captain has taken a liking to the island right in the middle?"
Six stars and one moon—the other six islands were all named after stars, while the central one was called Crescent Moon Island.
True to its name, it was a large, crescent-shaped landmass, once rich in underground mineral resources, with towering highlands at its center that made it easily defensible.
It would indeed make a perfect stronghold.
"The middle island?"
Xiano stared at the center of the chart before suddenly slamming his fist down, rattling the entire table.
"No, you're wrong, Robin! Not just the middle one—all of them!"
Grinning, he made no effort to hide his ambition, spreading his fingers and jabbing them firmly at the center of the five unclaimed islands.
"I'm taking all five of these islands!!"
"Enough with small-scale skirmishes. If we're choosing a stronghold and formally establishing our territory, how could a single island ever satisfy me? We're seizing this entire stretch of sea in one go!"
Five whole unclaimed islands.
And in terms of land area, population, and economic foundation, they were all quite substantial—far from barren wastelands.
If not for their precarious location, such places in the New World would never have gone unclaimed.
After all…
On one side was Kaido, on the other, Whitebeard.
No one dared to defy two Sea Emperors and wedge themselves in between for trouble.
But he was different.
Xiano was also a Sea Emperor!
Having repelled two Marine Admirals in succession, fought the so-called "Strongest Creature" Kaido to a standstill, and forced the World Government into a ceasefire agreement…
With such illustrious feats and a reputation that shook the seas, he had more than earned his place anywhere in the New World!
Using this stretch of sea as a war buffer, driving the people away?
No matter.
Once it became his stronghold, his territory, all of that would be a thing of the past!
...
BOOM!
Violent thunder tore through the sky.
A massive bolt of lightning struck down, landing squarely on the Sunset's mizzenmast.
CRACKLE!
Flames immediately erupted, but before they could spread, a flurry of icy snowflakes drifted over, encasing the mast's surface.
The snow melted into water, and the fire quickly died out.
"At Marine Headquarters, there's a specialized unit responsible for monitoring and extinguishing fires in Marineford."
Smoker puffed on his cigar, glancing sideways at Nojiko with a smirk. "If you joined that unit, I bet you'd become its highest-ranking officer within months."
"Stop teasing me, the wind's getting stronger. Go steer the ship!" Nojiko said irritably.
"Isn't Jack handling that now? Why call me?" Smoker asked, puzzled.
"That guy got food poisoning. He's been stuck in the toilet since this morning and still hasn't come out." Nojiko sighed. "It's those dried orange slices my mom brought from the East Blue. Though well-intentioned, they've been around so long they must have gone bad... My brother and I didn't dare eat them, but that fool kept going on about how they tasted like Lord Xiano's hometown and wolfed them all down."
Serves him right. He'll probably be stuck there for at least three days...
Nojiko shook her head.
After Smoker returned to his post, she, as the lookout, climbed up to the crow's nest and raised her monocular telescope to scan the horizon.
"We've entered these waters already," Nojiko murmured to herself. "Surprisingly smooth sailing so far."
Wisteria—that was the name of this sea centered around Crescent Moon Island.
After four full days of sailing, the Sunset had finally approached these waters.
Following Lord Xiano's orders, the Sunset didn't plan to stop at any islands along the way but would head straight for Crescent Moon Island at the center.
But just then...
"A ship?"
Nojiko blinked in surprise. After confirming several times through her telescope, she immediately rang the alarm bell in the crow's nest.
"Attention everyone! Unidentified ship spotted at three o'clock!" she shouted. "Approximately five nautical miles away and closing in!"
Kuina was the first to burst through the door and arrive on the deck.
Drawing Wado Ichimonji, she calmly looked up at the distant black speck on the horizon.
There was no need to disturb Lord Xiano. Ever since their days in Paradise, dealing with incoming pirate ships had been her responsibility.
She'd cut down too many ships along the way.
If this one showed even the slightest hostility, it would be no exception...
Huh?
Kuina's brows furrowed slightly.
As the distance between them narrowed, her Observation Haki could now envelop the approaching ship.
It was a short, chubby little sailboat, quite ordinary.
Strangely, she couldn't sense any human presence on board, nor could she spot anyone on the deck.
A ghost ship?
Her gaze shifted downward to the ship itself.
This time, she made an additional discovery—a faint, indistinct aura emanating from the hull, one that felt vaguely familiar, as if she'd encountered it somewhere recently...
A flash of realization crossed Kuina's eyes. Shaking her head with a wry smile, she sheathed her sword.
"Not enemies. Let's rescue them."
Huh?
Nojiko and Smoker looked at her in confusion.
People? Where?
Without answering, Kuina went to the corridor below deck where a certain professional lifeguard was napping while sheltering from the rain and kicked him overboard.
Ten seconds later.
The Master Swordsman girl stood with her arms crossed, staring at the motionless sea surface in puzzlement when—
A soaking wet Agin climbed onto the deck from the stern, looking displeased, and kicked her overboard in return.
...
In the end.
Thanks to the joint efforts of the two lifeguards.
The chubby little unmanned boat was finally hauled onto the Sunset's deck.
Agin lazily flopped back down to continue his nap, while Kuina, grinding her teeth in frustration but unable to protest since she'd started it, had no choice but to go take a proper bath.
After taking a hot shower and changing clothes, I returned to the deck.
Many more crew members had gathered here by now. Xiano, who had been training in the exercise room, was also called out by Nojiko.
Meanwhile, the rescued ship had finally regained consciousness.
"Ugh... where am I?"
A chubby old man's face appeared on the ship's bow, looking pale and weak with dazed eyes. "Was I lucky enough to escape?"
"Long time no see."
Xiano sat on a chair with his legs crossed, gazing at the talking ship as he spoke leisurely. "Mr. Henry."
"Who's there?!"
The plump little ship struggled to turn around. Upon seeing Xiano's face, it immediately jolted in shock:
"Lord Xiano?!"
The fright instantly sobered it up. With a "poof," the chubby little ship disappeared.
In its place stood a portly, white-haired old man wearing gold-rimmed glasses.
This was the merchant they'd encountered at sea during their meeting with the Red Hair Pirates.
—Henry, the Current Breaker, user of the Ship-Ship Fruit.
"It really is you, old man!"
Nami's eyes widened beside them. "I thought it couldn't be you at first—the ship you transformed into last time was much bigger than this one."
"I can transform into any kind of ship. This time I chose a small one just to make escaping easier."
Henry smiled bitterly. "Of course, once I hit the sea, I'd faint and lose consciousness soon after. Whether I could escape or not was entirely up to fate."
"I remember you hated your ability, didn't you?"
Xiano raised an eyebrow. "Yet you'd rather jump into the sea and become a ship. Must have run into some trouble?"
"Trouble? Lord Xiano, I almost died this time!"
Being shown concern by a Sea Emperor, Henry immediately became emotional. Pulling out a handkerchief, he wiped his tears while speaking:
"Not only did they rob me of all my possessions, they tried to kill me too! Boohoo... They used Whitebeard's name to gain everyone's trust, then went back on their word. Lord Xiano, is there any justice in this? Is there any justice..."
Whitebeard's name?
Everyone exchanged glances. Xiano also frowned. "You're completely safe here now. Calm down, Mr. Henry, and explain things clearly."
"Y-yes, it's like this..."
Henry sobbed for a long while before finally composing himself—clearly the old man, who'd been quite formidable in his youth, had been thoroughly terrified this time. "Lord Xiano, have you heard of the Ice Witch, White Bay?"
"Yes."
Xiano nodded slightly.
Of course he remembered that name.
One of the 43 Pirate Crew captains who followed Whitebeard into Marine Headquarters during the Summit War.
During Whitebeard and Roger's rivalry, this woman had already been present, engaging in fierce battles with Roger's subordinates.
She could truly be considered a veteran among Whitebeard's forces.
"Since you've heard of her, this will be easier to explain. The southeasternmost Mist Star Island in this Wisteria Sea is under Whitebeard's protection—an important commercial hub among the Four Emperors' territories. The actual ruler of this island is none other than the Ice Witch, White Bay."
"Just last week, this Lady White Bay claimed that Whitebeard was planning a major deal, promising all merchants who invested would receive double returns within a week."
"And you believed that?"
Nami looked at him disdainfully. "After all these years as a merchant, you fell for such an obvious scam?"
"If it were anyone else, I would've scoffed, but this was White Bay!"
Fat Henry cried indignantly, "One of Whitebeard's most trusted veterans, waving the old man's own banner… Little girl, do you have any idea how credible that is? Who'd have thought they'd suddenly turn around and deny everything?"
"The Ice Witch, White Bay…"
Kuma suddenly spoke up. "I dealt with her once years ago. She was a straightforward woman. Logically, she wouldn't do something like this."
It was indeed suspicious.
Xiano thoughtfully rubbed his chin. "So, how much did you lose?"
"A full two billion! Two billion Berry!"
Fat Henry pounded his chest in regret. "That was all my savings over the years! Wuwu… Lord Xiano, when the time came to collect, I got nothing and nearly died there. It's so unjust! Who'll stand up for me now?"
Huh?
Wait!
Wasn't there a capable figure right here who could deliver justice?
Fat Henry suddenly realized, sniffled, and looked pleadingly at Xiano. "Lord Xiano…"
"I—"
Xiano frowned, about to speak, when Fat Henry raised five fingers.
"Five hundred million! Lord Xiano, if you can help me get my money back, I'll give you five hundred million Berry as a reward!"
"I don't—"
"One billion! One billion Berry!"
Fat Henry winced. "That's the most I can offer, Lord Xiano. I know it's not easy for someone of your stature to make a trip, but I'm not the only merchant who got swindled. If you recover their losses too, they'll surely reward you handsomely. This trip won't be a loss!"
"Fine, one billion then."
Xiano hesitated but finally nodded helplessly. "Since you insist, have it your way…"
"Thank you, thank you!" Fat Henry beamed. "No wonder everyone praises your reputation—such chivalry! Oh, by the way, what were you about to say earlier?"
"Me?"
Xiano took a sip of his orange soda and said quietly, "I was going to say that I've always stood up for justice. Even if you hadn't offered money, I'd have gone anyway."
Huh?
Fat Henry's smile froze.
…
Meanwhile.
On the Moby Dick, in an unknown stretch of sea.
"Marco."
Whitebeard leaned back on the sofa as nurses applied medicine to his wounds and asked, "Vista was sent to Mist Star Island five days ago. Still no word from him?"
"Nothing, Pops."
Marco chuckled, flipping through a newspaper.
"Given the distance, he'd only arrive today at the earliest. If he ran into a Storm, a delay of a couple days wouldn't be surprising. Besides, with Vista's strength, there's nothing to worry about."
"Is that so?"
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at the distant sea as he murmured, "But the news from Mist Star Island is truly strange... It gives me an uneasy premonition..."
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