Another new year. Now it was January of Sea Circle Calendar 1464.
More than half a year had passed since the battle at the Holy Land of Mariejois in the blink of an eye.
Half a year had also passed since Rocks left.
During this half year, Silas hadn't received any information about Rocks. As if he'd suddenly vanished.
But Silas wouldn't worry about a brat who left on his own. After all, he had great pirate-level strength now. How could he die quietly?
On the other hand, Ripley—after solving Sphinx's retreat problem—finally experienced a transformation in her ability, comprehending the fruit awakening she'd longed for.
Now, Ripley could shrink objects even without touching them. Not considering stamina, she could instantly assimilate and shrink a thousand-meter island by a thousandfold.
The greatest characteristic of Paramecia fruit awakening was assimilation.
Though not obvious in combat power growth, Ripley's current fruit ability strength could easily break through Linlin's special physique. Unless Linlin actively defended with Haki.
And in the new year, Linlin was ten years old!
"Ten-year-old Linlin had undergone a remarkable transformation since age six.
Most notably, she'd slimmed down considerably—where she'd once been noticeably chubby, she was now merely slightly plump with a more graceful bearing.
Though not much taller, she'd begun developing the regal presence that hinted at her future as a pirate empress.
The result was genuinely adorable—a young girl showing glimpses of the commanding beauty she would one day become."
As long as she maintained her youthful appearance and didn't succumb to the ravages of age and excess like in her later years, Linlin would soon become a beauty capable of captivating pirates across the seas.
Then there was Newgate. Since Rocks left, Newgate had become much steadier than before. Finally showing some bearing of the world's strongest man.
The best way to make someone grow was through setbacks.
After losing to Rocks, Newgate truly realized that without strength, there was no way to protect what mattered.
If he'd had sufficient strength half a year ago, would he have let Rocks leave? If Rocks dared to leave, he'd break his legs directly!
Though Silas had said this to him, Newgate deeply agreed.
So after realizing his Haki training had hit a bottleneck, Newgate unhesitatingly spent Silas's gold coins. He ate the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, wanting to master the power he'd wield in the future.
But this power was obviously difficult to control.
After eating the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Newgate's strength actually declined rather than improved. He had absolutely no control over the devastating vibration power coursing through his body.
So much that walking normally, one careless step would create a big hole he'd fall into himself.
The reason for the six-month delay was twofold: first, preparing his mobile island base, and second, waiting for Newgate to fully master his devastating new power.
This journey to Wano was meant for training, not battle—Silas refused to leave anyone behind.
True families never abandoned each other, especially when someone was struggling. The unwavering loyalty in Silas's words nearly brought tears to Newgate's eyes.
But as he aged, this kid's bad habits also emerged. Silas originally thought he was already male chauvinist enough. Turns out Newgate was even more chauvinistic.
"Captain, I think there are too many women on the ship. Leave fighting to us men—how can women participate in battle?"
Then Newgate got beaten up by fruit-awakened Ripley.
"Brat, when you become stronger than me and Linlin, then say such things!"
Right. Though he'd eaten the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Newgate, who'd only initially mastered tremor power, still wasn't Ripley and Linlin's match.
Divided by bounty, Newgate now just reached the 100 million bounty level.
Fruit-awakened Ripley approached 150 million Berry. When sparring with old crew members, Ed was no longer Ripley's opponent—even Lily nearly lost to Ripley.
In four years, his new crew members had already caught up with the old ones.
If Rocks were here, as long as he hadn't slacked off this half year, perhaps he could even fight Roy.
But speaking of fastest growth, it was still Linlin.
Roy and Lily were both great pirates who'd mastered advanced Haki usage. Roy mastered Armament Haki's internal destruction. Lily mastered Observation Haki's future sight.
Though Linlin hadn't mastered advanced Haki applications, she had abundant Haki reserves growing seemingly endlessly. So much that Linlin's special physique and defensive power constantly improved.
Lily could foresee the future. But she couldn't break through Linlin's defense!
Though Roy could handle Linlin, he was aging and had lingering problems from previous battles with Sebastian and was unable to fight prolonged battles now. A short-term upper hand was possible. Long-term, Roy might really capsize.
So now Linlin was the White Wolf Pirates' best fighter besides him.
This left Silas somewhat amused.
Besides that was Stussy, their ship doctor. After Acropolis Port's trial, Silas formally considered her a member of the White Wolf Pirates family, giving her the initially promised reward.
Paramecia: Hormone-Hormone Fruit!
When giving Stussy the fruit, Silas repeatedly emphasized this was a healing-type fruit enhancing recovery ability. He didn't want Stussy developing other functions.
As a sensible doctor, Stussy naturally didn't think elsewhere and wouldn't imagine a fruit could do such things.
She'd only think, 'If I gave Captain Silas an injection when he's injured, would that make him fall for me?'
After all, when someone mentioned hormones, the first thing that came to mind was definitely romance and attraction!
Stussy didn't know why Silas wouldn't make moves on her. But as Silas's power expanded, Stussy felt she needed to accelerate conquest progress.
Her progress bar was full. But unfortunately Silas wouldn't bite!
So every time Stussy looked at Silas, her eyes were as resentful as possible.
Especially after discovering another female crew member aboard, Stussy grew more vigilant.
Could Silas prefer cheerful, powerful women? But she was a doctor! How could she become strong?
Because this Wano trip was for training, old crew members wouldn't follow—all new crew members would.
Captain: Silas
Official Crew:
Ripley (combatant & quartermaster),
Newgate (combatant),
Linlin (combatant),
Toki (logistics)
Doctor:
Stussy
Trainees:
Shiki, Zephyr, Tsuru
After a year, both Newgate and Linlin became official crew members. Toki formally joined the White Wolf Pirates.
And trainees added three: Shiki, Zephyr, and Tsuru.
The White Wolf Pirates set sail again!