"Dinner's up, wives—huh? Karin, if you'd come five minutes earlier I wouldn't have needed to cook," Karl grumbled, carrying out the last platter.
"Hehe, Captain, let me try your cooking once in a while. Besides, I'm here on serious business with Daphne," Karin said, completely unabashed.
"What 'serious business' could you possibly have with her?" Karl squinted. He clearly didn't believe it.
"Karin-chan wants to open a Jaya Island Gourmet City," Daphne cut in. "It's a solid plan. I'll help design it—this could blow up."
"A food city? Approved! Finally I won't have to cook," Karl said instantly, thumbs up.
"By the way—where are Bunsen and Enel? Haven't seen them in two days," Karl added, suddenly realizing the island had been a little too quiet.
"For a captain, you sure don't notice much. They told me they were heading out to train when you were busy," Daphne shot back.
"Ambitious, huh? Good for them. Me, I can't grind like that anymore—routine training barely moves the needle." Karl sighed. He was at that awkward stage where power only rose through breakthroughs.
"Ahem… eat before dinner goes cold." Hancock finally piped up, watching the soup's steam thin out.
"Right! Food first. People who don't eat are thinking wrong!" Karl declared. "You all go sit. I'll fetch Aili."
Karin set down her cup after a few bites. "Captain, your cooking's pretty decent. If you ever get bored, explore culinary arts a bit."
"Pass. No time." Karl waved.
Daphne tapped the table. "You're stuck on the next step in training, right? Think gravity. A gravity chamber… you know the kind."
Karl's eyes lit up. "A gravity chamber… that could work. But we don't have the tech. Think Vinsmoke Judge can build one?"
"He should. He made your combat suits—compared to those, a grav chamber is straightforward," Daphne said. In her head, though, her thoughts were racing: If only I could kidnap Judge to make universal capsules… now that would sell. She caught herself grinning a little too darkly.
"Karl darling, why is Daphne smiling like a villain?" Hancock whispered.
"What are you plotting, Daphne? Spill," Aili scooted closer, curious.
"Ahem, nothing. If you go see Judge, take me along—I have… very important gadgets to ask him about," Daphne said, eyes sparkling.
"Got it," Karl said, still a little suspicious.
Next morning, Karl and Hancock were still dozing when Daphne burst in.
"Up! Both of you! Have you seen the time?" Her hands were on her hips. Today was Sky Island pickup day, and she still had to help design Karin's food city that afternoon. Busy was an understatement.
"It's still early…" Karl sat up, hair a mess, rubbing his eyes.
"Karl darling—the blanket!" Hancock squeaked, tugging the covers up, cheeks pink.
"Hancock, you said you wanted to see Sky Island. If you don't move now, I'm leaving you behind," Daphne said, thrusting a dress into her hands.
"No! I'm coming!" Hancock sprang up and dashed into the wardrobe.
"We didn't have to start this early…" Karl yawned.
"Maybe don't stay up so late," Daphne said dryly. "Moderation. Heard of it? Your energy isn't infinite."
"…Right, right," Karl coughed, ears slightly red.
"Not coming with us?" Karl asked Aili after breakfast.
"I can't. I'm at a critical stage," Aili said, eyes bright. If her research hit, they'd have a sustainable Devil Fruit pipeline.
"Alright then—wish us tailwinds."
Karl wrapped an arm around each of them and shot into the sky.
They touched down on Angel Island minutes later.
"Ha-so! Lord Karl!"
"Whoa, those two ladies are stunning. As expected of Lord Karl…"
The Skypieans were enthusiastic—Karl's help had brought them a fortune in dials and shells.
"Good to see you all," Karl waved.
"This is Sky Island? It's beautiful," Daphne said, taking in the glacier-white island clouds and golden light.
"Mhm… truly lovely," Hancock agreed, eyes sparkling.
"Ha-so! Lord Karl!" Gan Fall arrived atop Pierre, the airborne bird-horse, with impeccable timing.
"Been a while, Gan Fall. All well?"
"Thanks to you. You're here to take the Shandians home, correct?"
"Yeah. We've set up a company on Jaya, and we're short-staffed. Their ancestors came from there anyway—heading back makes sense." Karl gestured with a smile. "Let me introduce my wives: Boa Hancock and Murphy Daphne."
"Oh? Married already? Congratulations!" Gan Fall bowed politely. "An honor to meet you both."
"Hello, Gan Fall," Daphne returned the greeting.
"We're all friends here—no need for formality. Let's head for Upper Yard, Apayado. The chief should be waiting," Karl said, stepping onto a drifting cloud path.
The three of them moved off together, snow-white cloud roads unfurling ahead like bridges in the sky—toward an old land ready to return home.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/FicHaven786