Wano was one of the strongest nations in the world, second only to the World Government itself.
A true great power — one that could stand against the Navy, even make the World Government hesitate to set foot on its shores.
Its most famous protector was none other than Shimotsuki Ryuma, the Dragon-Slaying Samurai.
He could cut down any foe in a single flash.
A swordsman undefeated in his lifetime.
That alone was what piqued Magnus's interest in Wano.
As a swordsman himself, the idea of crossing blades with such a peerless master stirred a primal urge in him.
"But the wind is strong today!"
Magnus stood on the deck of the Millennium Falcon. With land so near, all the crew had gathered outside.
The seas of the New World stretched boundlessly.
Yet already tall stone pillars rose around them — the signs of nearing an island.
"The wind's picking up, the waves too. Likely because we're close to Wano. The gales from the outer seas are being shaped by the coastline."
Magnus watched carefully. As the only navigator aboard the White Wolf Pirates, his nights were often restless.
"I really need to train a new navigator…"
He thought it over. Shiki and Newgate? Both were brutes who couldn't even read properly, and they hated studying. Zephyr wasn't much different. If he had book-smarts, he'd never have ended up a pirate.
That left only Toki and Tsuru.
Stussy's main role was doctor; splitting her focus wasn't wise. Ripley managed supplies and fought when needed, and while she might squeeze in some time, Magnus didn't have high hopes there either.
He even handled the cooking himself.
The crew's power had grown, but most duties still fell to him — navigator, cook, and, without Stussy, even doctor.
The sea was vast, but finding companions who came with specialized skills and could also keep up in strength was nearly impossible.
One strong man alone could never reach the peak.
"Rocks must be realizing that by now," Magnus chuckled, before calling out, "Ripley, fifteen degrees to port! Hold the heading! We need a steady current. Get caught in a whirlpool and someone's swimming down to push the ship!"
He cast a glance at Shiki and Zephyr. Both stiffened. Even Newgate froze.
He remembered too well the time he and Rocks had been forced overboard to push the ship out of a whirlpool.
But now? He was a Devil Fruit user. Falling in meant drowning instantly. Even bathing left him weak. That was the price of power.
Still, as he grew into the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Newgate understood how much Magnus had given him. His power now was night and day compared to before.
A pale glow shimmered around his hand as he clenched it tight.
"Brother Rocks, next time we meet, I won't lose!"
Strength was the eternal theme. Yet being a pirate also meant seeing the wonders of the sea — that was the true meaning of sailing.
Aside from Magnus and Ripley, the average age of the White Wolf Pirates didn't even reach twenty.
Especially Zephyr, only sixteen, and Linlin, practically still a child.
They were mesmerized by the view as the waters grew clearer. From the deck, countless sea creatures could be seen below.
"An octopus!"
"A tuna!"
"Carp — so many carp!"
The spectacle even drew the usually silent Tsuru to lean over the rail.
Suddenly, a carp nearly half the size of the Millennium Falcon leapt skyward, tail slapping the sea, spraying water across her.
The chill sank deep, as though purifying her heart.
"Beautiful sight, isn't it?"
Magnus had appeared at her side.
"Young ones shouldn't brood too much. Whatever the future brings, the important thing is to enjoy the present."
"After all—"
"When the sky falls, it's the tall ones like me who'll hold it up."
He knew what weighed on her mind. Until she chose her path, her worries would linger.
But he was right.
For now, the Navy's intelligence network hadn't contacted her. For now, her identity was simply that of an apprentice of the White Wolf Pirates.
She brushed back her wet bangs and smiled faintly.
"Captain, do you say the same things to Ripley and Toki?"
Magnus shrugged.
"You're all important to me."
Tsuru laughed softly. But this time, it wasn't a forced smile. She had truly eased.
"Is training us really the only reason you came to Wano?"
"That's the main reason."
"And the other reason?"
Magnus gave her a sidelong glance, wolfish eyes making her heart skip. But he still answered.
"If possible, I want to open trade routes with Wano. To see its borders opened."
That had been his plan at first.
He had even thought, if Wano resisted, he would force its gates open.
But after Zephyr and Tsuru joined, and with his bond with Toki changing, he abandoned the idea.
"For now, let it be."
That was his conclusion.
Wano had many warriors, but in this era, he doubted it held anyone at Admiral level.
Without such power, Wano wasn't even worth his concern.
In his mind, Zephyr and Tsuru were far more valuable.
It baffled her. Was this crew really a pirate band, or a trading company carving new routes?
Shouldn't a pirate crew this strong be pillaging, or conquering Wano outright?
Was his goal truly just their training?
She wanted to know more.
From his words and behavior, one thing was clear: Magnus was gentler with his female crew. That matched the reports she'd received from the Navy.
White King Magnus didn't crave power or wealth.
What interested him most was women.
The intel even said every woman on his ship belonged to him, that once aboard, none could escape his grasp.
She didn't know where the Navy had gotten it.
But from her own eyes… it almost seemed true.
Except for young Linlin, every woman aboard seemed connected to him.
Half her melancholy came from this alone.
From the moment she boarded, she had dreaded Magnus making a move, had steeled herself to sacrifice even that much.
Because she was a spy.
And as a spy, if it secured intelligence, nothing was too great a price.
Not even her own chastity.
But knowing it and facing it were different things.
She was still under twenty. Still a girl. With dreams of her own.
And Magnus hadn't forced her. He trained her instead, guiding her like a real teacher.
In just a few months aboard, she had grown more than she ever had in the Navy.
It left her deeply conflicted.
"White King Magnus… what kind of man are you?"
Luckily, Magnus couldn't hear her thoughts. Otherwise, he'd cry out in protest.
What nonsense — every woman aboard his ship falling prey to him?
Whose rumor was that?
Yet… wasn't it almost true?
If he sorted out things with Stussy in time…
In any case, Magnus admired Tsuru's potential. He wanted her as an aide, not to harass her.
Ask Ripley, Toki, Stussy. Which of them hadn't chosen him of their own will?
And if Tsuru wanted to know more, he didn't mind telling her. Some things required many minds together.
Magnus might not care if Wano opened its borders, but such an act would still benefit his faction enormously.
He was about to discuss it further, to draw on Tsuru's sharp mind, when his brow suddenly furrowed.
"Captain, what is it?"
"Something's falling…"
"What…?"
Following his gaze, Tsuru's eyes widened.
A colossal waterfall roared before them. At its base, countless carp leapt upward, straining as if to transform into dragons by crossing the Dragon Gate.
And high above — thanks to her keen sight — Tsuru spotted a small dark shape.
"That's… a ship!?" she exclaimed.
(End of Chapter)
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