The month of training had come to an end, and the crew had integrated seamlessly into the lives of Wano's people. Oden's retainers and Kanata's subordinates had formed deep bonds, often spending their breaks trading stories and techniques.
On the night before their departure, a grand banquet was held. The air was thick with the scent of sake and roasted meat as the samurai celebrated the upcoming journey of the friends they had made.
"That month went by in a flash," Junxi noted, leaning against a wooden pillar.
"We managed to beat some discipline and combat sense into them," Kanata replied. "They're at least functional now."
"As long as they don't die. We'll handle the heavy hitters; they just need to make sure they aren't overrun by the rank-and-file."
Kanata and Junxi were satisfied. The crew was no longer a liability; they were a unit. They weren't expecting their subordinates to win the war, but they expected them to survive the crossfire.
"Is the ship ready?" Kanata asked.
"Supplies are loaded. No one left anything behind," George reported. "We also secured a significant amount of Sea Prism Stone and high-quality Wano steel."
Wano was the source of the world's Sea Prism Stone craftsmanship. While the Navy had begun using it recently, the most refined techniques remained here. Kanata had purchased a stockpile of shackles and reinforced weapons to deal with the ability users they would inevitably face in the New World.
As the final checks were completed, Zen, Oden, and the other retainers arrived at the port to see them off.
"Are your goodbyes finished, Zen?" Kanata asked. "It'll be a long time before you see this place again."
"I'm ready, Captain," Zen replied with a smile. "I always knew this was a temporary stay."
"I'm here as my father's representative," Oden cut in, crossing his arms. "I still don't like you, but I'll admit the joint training was useful. I'll give you my thanks for that, at least."
"Still as stubborn as ever," Kanata shot back. "Maybe I should have beaten a little more humility into you while I had the chance."
Their relationship hadn't improved an inch. At best, they had reached a point of mutual respect for each other's monstrous strength.
"Now, now," Zen interjected. "We're leaving today. Let's try to be civil for once."
"If you say so, Zen," Oden grunted.
"We'll be back eventually," Kanata said, looking toward the castle. "I'll need Lord Sukiyaki's help again once we find the next Poneglyph."
The plan was to reach Lodestar Island and then resume the search for the final stones. Since Sukiyaki was one of the few who could read the ancient script, Wano would remain a vital destination for her. Oden likely knew the language as well, but since he refused to join her crew, he was of no use to her on the open sea.
"I'm surprised your men trust you not to sneak onto my ship," Kanata noted.
"It's frustrating," Oden admitted. "Your ship is the fastest way to see the world, but I think I'd suffocate under your rules within a week."
"A wise realization. I have enough trouble on my hands without a loose cannon like you breaking my chain of command."
Kanata laughed as she turned toward the ship. Oden's forehead pulsed with an angry vein, but he didn't follow. He watched as the crew boarded the vessels one by one.
"Next time we meet," Oden shouted, "I'm gonna be strong enough to blow you away!"
"I look forward to it," Kanata called back.
In their spars, she had never even touched the true extent of her Devil Fruit powers. If she unleashed her full frost, she would have permanently altered Wano's climate. If Oden could eventually reach a level where he could face her in a true life-or-death struggle, he would truly become the guardian Wano needed.
"Time to go! Cast off!"
The ships pulled away from the docks of the Hidden Port. On the pier, Yasuie and Oden waved, their figures growing smaller as the fleet descended back toward the turbulent New World seas.
***
A few days after leaving Wano, the fleet docked at an "Autumn Island" to gather intel and allow the crew some downtime. The climate was cool and crisp, and the local markets were overflowing with affordable produce.
Kanata sat at a sidewalk café with Gloriosa and Kaye, peeling fruit with a small knife and arranging the slices on a plate of ice.
"How long are we staying?" Gloriosa asked.
"A week. Everyone needs to find their sea legs again after being on land for a month."
While they were in Wano, Shiki and Big Mom had largely stabilized their territories. Kanata wished the chaos had lasted longer to keep them distracted, but at least her own crew was stronger now.
She opened the morning paper. The Navy was becoming more active; headlines featured Garp clashing with Roger and Sengoku pursuing Shiki. Though Admiral Zephyr's retirement had shaken the ranks, the Navy still possessed enough "monsters" to keep the Great Pirate Era at bay for now.
"The World Pirates have been clashing with the Golden Lion's main fleet," Kanata noted. "They've been driven back several times, but they're still active."
"Byrnndi World," Gloriosa mused. "The 'World Destroyer.' He's a man who doesn't know when to quit."
World was a 200-million-berry pirate who had been ravaging Shiki's territories, turning entire islands to ash before vanishing. Shiki likely hadn't stepped onto the field himself yet, or World would already be dead.
"Are you planning an alliance?" Gloriosa asked.
"If our enemies are the same, he's a useful tool. If he refuses to cooperate, I'll just have Skura use him as a test subject for those new drugs."
Kanata's goal was simple: weaken Shiki and Big Mom by any means necessary. If she couldn't recruit World, she would simply dismantle him and take his resources.
"Information is the problem," Kanata said. "We need to know where he's hiding."
"In the New World, that's easier said than done without a network," Gloriosa agreed.
However, when they returned to the ship, Scotch and George arrived with a breakthrough. They had heard a rumor spreading through the local taverns.
"A Pirate Alliance?" Kanata asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Apparently, a group of captains who hate Byrnndi World are gathering to take him down once and for all. He's pissed off too many people—civilians and pirates alike."
The "World Destroyer" lived up to his name, leaving nothing but ruin in his wake. Now, his victims were organizing a massive ambush to end his reign.
"They're using a Vivre Card to coordinate the rendezvous," George explained, handing a small scrap of paper to Kanata. "The main fleet gathers in three days on an island about a day's sail from here."
Kanata tucked the paper into her pocket. "Perfect. We'll join this little 'Alliance.' Whether we save World or bury him depends on what kind of man he is."
***
"JIHAHAHA!! It's been a while, Roger!! Are you finally ready to become my subordinate?!"
"WAHAHAHA!! Don't make me laugh, Shiki!! I wouldn't serve under you for a single second!!"
In a remote sector of the New World, two of the four strongest pirates in the sea were colliding. On one side, the Great Pirate Admiral, "Golden Lion" Shiki, and his massive armada. On the other, the elite crew of "The Ghost" Gol D. Roger.
Shiki was obsessed with Roger's strength and had been trying to recruit him for months.
"Look at reality, Roger! Between the Navy, Whitebeard, and Big Mom, the world is a mess! If you and I join forces, we can sweep them all aside!! It's a perfect deal!!"
"Reality?! Don't give me that crap, Shiki!! A pirate is someone who chases dreams!! I have no intention of being bound by your 'reality'!!"
The weather was clear, but the sea was beginning to churn as their wills collided. One sought Domination, the other sought Freedom. As always, when words failed, steel took over.
"I'm not letting you get away today!! I'll sink you to the bottom of the ocean!!"
"Come and get me, Shiki!! I'll blow you away!!"
Their Conqueror's Haki clashed, splitting the sky. Black lightning danced across the waves as the Golden Lion's fleet engaged the Oro Jackson.
"I haven't seen you in a while," Roger shouted over the roar of the cannons. "I heard you were busy getting kicked around by Kanata!!"
Shiki's face twisted in fury. "Quiet!! That girl has been a massive pain... Wait, how do you know her?!"
"We're friends! We met by chance and shared a meal!!"
Shiki let out a sharp, cruel laugh. "Friends?! Roger, you really are a fool. Do you have any idea whose daughter she is?!"
"I don't care!! Daughter of a king or a beggar, if we eat from the same pot, we're friends!!"
Shiki's grin became predatory as he swung his blades, unleashing a shockwave of Haki. Roger parried it easily, his eyes sparking with excitement.
"You like her, don't you?" Shiki sneered. "That's why this is so pathetic. Because if my theory is right, Roger... you are Kanata's parents' enemy!"
Roger froze. "What?! What the hell are you talking about?!"
"JIHAHAHA!! Find out for yourself!!"
Shiki refused to say more, using his Float-Float powers to hurl massive chunks of the ocean at the Oro Jackson. The battle raged for hours, ending only when Roger's crew managed to navigate through a sudden storm to lose the armada.
That night, Roger sat on the deck of the Oro Jackson, staring at the stars with a bottle of sake in his hand.
"Still thinking about what Shiki said?" Rayleigh asked, stepping out of the shadows.
"Yeah..." Roger sighed. "I invited that girl to join my crew once. If I'm the one responsible for what happened to her parents... I might have said some pretty cruel things to her without knowing it."
"She didn't mention it," Rayleigh noted. "You couldn't have known."
"That doesn't make it right," Roger said, standing up and tossing the empty bottle aside. "I'm a pirate. I've made plenty of enemies. But being the enemy of a friend? That sits wrong with me."
Roger looked at his first mate, his grin returning.
"Rayleigh! We're changing course! We're gonna find Kanata and talk to her!"
"Are you prepared to be punched?" Rayleigh laughed.
"Wahahaha! If she hits as hard as her mother did, it's gonna hurt like hell!!"
The King of the Pirates had made his decision. He was going to find the "Witch" and face the truth of the past.
***
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