(Third Burst Update – Please Support with Follows and Flowers!)
With a crew this powerful, it was already certain—
once they entered the New World, Arthur and his men would carve their names across the seas.
But really—how could a crew this strong not have a proper cook?
A team of world-class fighters, surviving on wind and seawater, skipping meals half the time—
if word got out, they'd be laughed off the Grand Line!
Even the old man didn't know how to express his regret.
He rubbed his beard awkwardly before saying,
"Miss Carmen, this old fellow doesn't have much to offer.
The captain promised to find me a Mythical-Zoan – the Vampire Fruit.
I believe he'll pull it off.
If you join us, I'll gladly let you have it instead."
Both Arthur and Carmen's eyes lit up.
Carmen had heard of Devil Fruits of course—mystical treasures of the sea.
But "vampire"? That name alone made her shiver a little.
Arthur, however, slapped his thigh.
"Right! What a perfect bargaining chip!"
He grinned.
"Miss Carmen, if you join my crew, I'll make sure you get a Devil Fruit.
The Vampire Fruit, though—that one's promised to Redfield.
I'll find you another."
The offer was irresistible.
Carmen knew the truth of this age: on these seas ruled by monsters, you needed one of two things—
a powerful backer, or power of your own.
She might be a woman, but her resolve was no weaker than any man's.
And the promise of real strength—the ability to survive and chase her dream—
that temptation was fatal.
"Really?"
"Really. That much I can guarantee."
"Then… fine! But I have one condition."
"Name it."
"Find another woman to join the crew.
I don't want to be the only girl on board."
Arthur chuckled.
"Fair enough! We'll find you a crewmate soon.
And don't worry—these guys may look scary, but they're all good men.
Right, old Sand?"
Crocodile froze, caught off guard by the sudden call-out.
Normally he'd ignore such nonsense—but truth be told, he was already looking forward to tasting Carmen's cooking.
He didn't want to scare her off.
"…If the captain says so, then yes."
Seeing that they weren't as frightening as they looked—especially the big lug Waldo, whose grin was almost childlike—
Carmen's tension melted away.
After a little more persuasion, she finally nodded.
Their cook was officially aboard.
Arthur couldn't have been happier.
A beautiful chef as the newest crewmate—what could be better?
A single Devil Fruit in exchange?
For someone with a system locator, that was nothing.
That night they celebrated again, glasses raised high.
When Waldo returned from a delivery run and saw the joyous scene,
he didn't even have to ask—he knew they'd gained a cook.
Just imagining daily gourmet meals made him grin like a kid.
He grabbed a cup and joined the laughter without hesitation.
The Next Morning
At dawn, a messenger from Iceburg arrived—
their new ship was finished and ready for inspection.
Excited, the group packed up and hurried to Dock One.
As they walked through the streets, people stopped and whispered.
News had already spread across Water 7—
the man worth 510 million berries was in their city.
Citizens kept a respectful distance,
afraid to even make eye contact.
Carmen frowned slightly at the fearful looks.
Arthur noticed and smiled over his shoulder.
"Don't mind them. As long as we live with a clear conscience, nothing else matters."
She thought for a moment—then smiled too.
"You're right."
When they arrived at the shipyard,
a huge vessel stood before them, draped beneath a scarlet cloth.
Iceburg himself waited proudly beside it.
The Straw Hat Crew had come to see them off as well.
Even they were stunned when they spotted Carmen among the group.
Luffy pouted under his straw hat.
"Why'd they get their ship built first…?"
He didn't get to finish—
his crewmates immediately clamped a hand over his mouth.
Idiot!
They could practically feel the murderous aura from Arthur's group.
Now was not the time to talk back.
Luffy quickly shut up, rubbing his head sheepishly.
Arthur only chuckled.
Then he turned to his new ship.
"Let's give our new companion a name."
"Companion?" Carmen asked, puzzled.
"That's right. For those who sail the seas, a ship is more than wood and nails—it's a crewmate."
The sincerity in his eyes caught her off guard.
Carmen bowed respectfully toward the shrouded ship.
"Hello, I'm Carmen. Please take care of me from now on."
To everyone's shock, the ship gave a faint, almost imperceptible tremor—
as if replying to her greeting.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Even Carmen's eyes widened.
Now she understood—
Arthur hadn't just meant to treat the ship as a companion.
The ship was alive.
And she couldn't help but feel her excitement grow.
This journey… was going to be something special.
Arthur smiled quietly.
Only he knew the truth—
the vessel now housed a genuine Ship Spirit, born from the world tree he'd provided.
He stepped forward, gripped the red cloth, closed his eyes for a brief moment of focus—
then yanked it free.
Whoosh!
The covering flew away, revealing a magnificent golden-scaled ship gleaming under the morning sun.
"From today onward," Arthur declared,
voice ringing clear across the docks,
"you'll be known as the Golden Scale!"
A carp of gold is no creature of the pond—
once it meets the storm, it becomes a dragon.
He believed it wholeheartedly.
In the days to come, Arthur's crew and the Golden Scale would make history,
their names sung across every sea.
And so, Arthur officially stepped into the Great Pirate Era—
a true pirate at last.
Their legend was only beginning.
When everything was ready, he raised his hand.
"All hands! Prepare to sail!"
"Next stop—Sabaody Archipelago!"
Excitement surged through the crew.
Even the ever-calm Redfield and Crocodile couldn't hide a flicker of anticipation.
After so long adrift, they finally had a ship—a home.
"Feels… good," Crocodile muttered, almost smiling.
"Yeah," Redfield agreed softly.
Arthur laughed.
"Waldo—let's move!"
"Aye, boss! Hahaha! This ship's a beauty!
With you leading us, everything just feels right!"
He gripped the helm with both hands.
"Hold on tight, everyone!
Set sail!"
The Golden Scale roared to life, slicing through the waves.
Spray glittered in the sunlight as their adventure truly began.
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