Nighttime. The sea breeze scatters the clouds.
Soft starlight spills onto the beach, where Little Sakura lies sprawled, soaking in the gorgeous sky.
Obedient little Leviathan hauls two crates of ice-cold beer out of her belly and sets them beside her.
"Thanks a ton this time. If you ever need anything, just swing by the Kamabakka Kingdom and hit me up!"
A voice calls out. Ivankov struts over the rocks onto the sand.
"Yo-ho! A promise from the Queen of the Queers? Jackpot."
The pink-haired girl gives him an exaggerated bow.
"Such a smooth talker. Good thing you're not actually Haruno-boy, or who'd know how many hearts you'd break."
Ivankov snags a beer from the crate next to Little Sakura and cracks it open.
"Hey!"
Some boozehound roars like a dragon when her drink gets yoinked.
"Me, Bear, and Ginny—we were Celestial Dragon slaves once. After crawling out of that hell, I've always seen those two as my little brother and sister.
Seeing them finally together? Man, it's perfect."
Ignoring Little Sakura's cute little growl, Ivankov chugs a big gulp, eyes distant with memories.
"Their happy ending? That's all you, Haruno-boy!"
"Then here's to love!"
Little Sakura tilts her head and raises her foaming bottle toward Ivankov.
"To love! Hip-ha!"
Two bottles clink in the air, crisp and clear.
Three rounds in, they swap medical tips. Ivankov ends up liking the girl even more.
"Haruno-boy, ever think about joining the Revolutionary Army?"
Dragon's not here, but as one of the founding OGs from the Brave Army days, Ivankov can totally extend the invite.
"Nah, pass. I just wanna live free and easy. Revolutionary Army stuff ain't my vibe."
She downs a swig and shakes her head.
She's never been the patient type to build anything. Joining would just stress everyone out.
Better to keep things like now—team up when it makes sense, but stay at arm's length. Works for everybody.
"But after what you've pulled, the Government's gonna hunt you like crazy!"
Ivankov sets his bottle down, worry all over his face.
"Haha, exactly why it's time to lay low for a bit!"
Little Sakura glances sideways at a row of golden text making faces at her.
"Wait—you're leaving right now?"
Catching the goodbye in her tone, Ivankov shoots to his feet. "Hold up! At least let us host you a little longer.
You're not even staying for Bear and Ginny's wedding?"
"No need. I'm broke—can't chip in for a gift. Just tell 'em congrats and happy marriage for me! Hahaha!"
Laughing, Little Sakura hops onto the speedboat, hoists the sail, and slips away from Revolutionary HQ under three pairs of eyes.
"You two—nothing? Not even a thank-you?"
On the beach, Ivankov plants hands on hips and spins toward the pair behind him.
"She bolted 'cause she was scared we'd thank her all teary at the goodbye."
Bear's shades can't hide his warm eyes. The big softie holds Ginny gently, grinning like an idiot.
"Besides, as long as we're all sailing the seas, we'll run into her again someday. We can thank her properly then—sound good?"
Bartholomew Bear cradles Ginny's hand like it's the whole world's tenderness.
"Yeah, Bear-boy's right! cough cough..."
Still frail, Ginny coughs a couple times, making the other two jump.
"Seriously, Big Bro Iva, Bear-darling—you're both way too careful!"
"Idiot, you're the one who needs to take it easy right now! Hip-ha!"
The three on the island bicker and laugh, just like the old days after escaping God's Valley—no walls between them.
Out on the unpredictable Grand Line, Little Sakura stands mid-deck.
"Been out partying long enough. Time to head home and crash for a while."
She starts to open the system—then remembers an experiment she's been itching to try.
Biting her finger, she slams palms to the deck. Complex summoning runes spread across the wood.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
POOF!
A tiny slug plops out of the smoke, looking around dazed.
"Hm? Oh, Little Sakura! What's up?"
Scooping it into her palm, Little Sakura whispers, "Katsuyu, do me a solid—try reverse-summoning me to the Shikkotsu Forest."
"So you wanna dodge the world-travel cost with this trick?"
The old sage sees right through her and shakes its head. "Sorry, can't do it!"
"Why not?" Little Sakura frowns.
"My reverse-summon can't lock onto you—I don't have this world's space-time scent."
Its gentle voice kills the plan and leaves Little Sakura stunned.
"You mean that 'scent of space-time' from our first meeting? I thought you were talking about my Flying Thunder God talent..."
Having trained in space-time ninjutsu herself, Little Sakura mostly gets it now.
"Hehe, even back then I knew you'd show me a whole new world—so I snatched you up quick!"
Katsuyu squints happily, wiggling its squishy body.
"Sigh, got it. Head back, then!"
Little Sakura flicks a finger to dismiss the summon with a light sigh.
"Sorry I couldn't help."
Katsuyu waves a tiny feeler from her palm, then poofs back to the ninja world in a puff of smoke.
"System, take me home!"
Sneaky smuggling plan busted—Little Sakura grudgingly feeds the system's greedy maw with achievement points.
[Tch. Starting return calculations!]
Wait—did you just tch at me?
[Survival mission: 6 months. Awarding 20 achievement points!]
[Travel function active. Host travel cost: 10 points. Leviathan travel cost: 800 points.]
'STOP!'
Little Sakura's eyes bug out. She slams the brakes on the scammer raiding her wallet.
"Leviathan!"
She softly calls her ship spirit. A girl in a pink raincoat pops up from below deck.
"Whatcha need~ Little Sakura~?"
"I'm heading home for a bit. Can you chill in a storage scroll for a sec? Just a tiny bit!"
Little Sakura clasps hands in a pleading pose.
"~"
Leviathan pouts. "Fiiiine~ since it's ~Little Sakura asking..."
"It won't be long—I promise, partner!"
Little Sakura ruffles her head, flips overboard, and stands on the water.
She seals Leviathan in the storage scroll, calls the system, and lights up the return button.
[Travel function active. Host: 10 points. Special storage scroll: 50 points. Current balance: 1,300.]
[Travel starting! Pfft!]
"Hey, you did just mock me..."
Blinding light swallows Little Sakura, her words lost to the sea breeze.