At this time, the three girls were bathing in the luxurious hotel, chatting idly about their daily lives.
Last night's "routine" had nearly worn them out.
"Husband, where did he go?"
In private, they still called Elior their husband.
But in public, especially around others, they always addressed him as "sir."
"He looked so beautiful while he was sleeping. I even saw his eyebrows twitch before he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep! Hehe…"
"Hey, Reiju, do you even have the strength to keep your eyes open?"
Reiju groaned. "Barely. I just woke up earlier. By the way, Bonnie, rub my back for me!"
"Get lost!" Bonnie snapped.
Gion suddenly asked, "Haven't we gained another 'sister' recently?"
Reiju sighed. "Yes, the cake has gotten smaller again."
They compared Elior to a cake. Once divided between the three of them, now there was an extra person — Hiyori.
And it probably wouldn't be long before that "Snake Princess" entered the picture as well.
Bonney shrugged.
"That woman, Hiyori… she's fine, I guess. A good person, but honestly, aside from her beauty, she doesn't bring much to the table."
"Only beauty?"
Gion raised an eyebrow.
Reiju explained, "Her beauty surpasses all of us. She's on par with Hancock. But don't forget, our husband values us not just for our looks, but because we're capable—because we can play a role in his ambitions and be a strong, gentle haven for him."
Gion nodded. "If she's just a pretty vase, she's no real threat."
Bonney grumbled. "But then there's someone else! That Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock herself — the most beautiful woman in the world — she showed up at the palace that day. I don't even know when our husband charmed her. That woman… she couldn't wait to throw herself at him!"
Reiju still looked shaken. "She's the real threat. Hundreds of times more dangerous than Hiyori!"
"Boa Hancock?!"
Gion was stunned.
She frowned. "I knew he wouldn't let someone like her slip away… and I was right."
Bonney sighed. "I'll admit it. She's unbelievably beautiful—and frighteningly powerful."
Reiju added, "A born king! In terms of Conqueror's Haki, she's tied with Big Mom herself."
Peach Rabbit admitted, "A woman like that is truly extraordinary."
Reiju, however, smirked. "But even so, our sister Gion is the strongest. Though… with her arrogance, always looking down her nose at people, she can be unbearable."
Bonney chuckled. "True, but she checks all the boxes: strong, capable, beautiful. If I were a man, I'd fall for her too."
"Fair enough."
Reiju sighed. "And yet, our husband is still not even twenty…"
She covered her face.
"I'm seventeen now. I'll be eighteen soon!" Bonney declared.
Gion smiled faintly. She remembered clearly—after all, she had been Elior's first woman. Delicate, mature, gentle, and the one who understood him best.
"Not even eighteen yet, and already…" Bonney muttered, covering her face too.
Gion said softly, "I don't know how all of this will end. I just want to stay with him forever. Recently, I even learned three new dishes!"
"Oh? Is Lady Gion evolving into a cook now?"
Just then, Elior returned.
After a brief greeting, the three women quickly tidied themselves. Each emerged radiant, more dazzling than water lotuses, dressed in elegant clothes, and followed him outside.
Gran Tesoro was immense, filled with endless streets and alleys. Even if you bought nothing, you could wander for hours.
"Let's eat first, then buy some clothes" Elior said.
To him, these women were his family in another world. Treating them well was only natural.
It was nearly noon.
For the three women, shopping—especially with Elior by their side—was irresistible.
The day slipped by, and night fell as expected.
According to Tezoro, the Celestial Dragons should be arriving soon.
"I hear they're almost here" Elior said calmly. "Do you want to watch them die?"
"Celestial Dragons? Die?"
The three women froze, instantly realizing his intent.
"You're going to kill the Celestial Dragons again?"
Gion's heart clenched. As much as she despised the Celestial Dragons she didn't want Elior constantly taking such dangerous risks.
The Celestial Dragons… they weren't simple targets.
Killing them was far graver than killing a Marine admiral.
Xebec had crossed too many forbidden lines, even slaughtering Celestial Dragons.
And in the end… his story ended in tragedy.
She had heard it directly from Tsuru.
The thought soured the mood completely. Shopping no longer seemed appealing.
Reiju and Bonney shared the same heavy thoughts.
They saw Elior then—smiling coldly, baring his fangs.
He bought Gion a mask from a street vendor and placed it on her face.
"Wouldn't want the Marines recognizing you."
"…Mm."
She nodded, falling silent.
Elior studied her for a moment. The look alone made her tremble.
She knew—he might be displeased.
As his woman, she was supposed to support him without hesitation.
Then Elior hailed a carriage. Together, they set off for the place Tezoro had prepared, where the Celestial Dragons would arrive.
Meanwhile, at Gran Tesoro's private port, a massive warship docked.
It carried the four Celestial Dragons—and three more battleships followed behind.
For four Dragons traveling together, an entire escort fleet was only natural.
The pirates and merchants anchored nearby quickly fled. One glimpse of a Celestial Dragon's form was enough to send shivers through any spine.
Of course, the Celestial Dragonshad their own separate port—untouched by "filthy common air".
Tonight, four of them had arrived: three men and one woman, a family of four, parading with their slaves in tow.
Tezoro himself was already waiting at the dock.
In the past, he would never have needed to welcome the Celestial Dragons personally. But tonight was different.
Because Elior had decided their fate.
Tonight, the Celestial Dragons would die—and the world would hear that Gran Tesoro now belonged to Elior.
And from this day forward, no Celestial Dragon would ever set foot here again.