"With Baccarat and her Devil Fruit, it's obvious we won't encounter a single marine. That's better anyway—it's not like we won't face them eventually," Lafitte said with a composed expression.
He walked toward the practice room, smiling faintly. "I must inform the captain at once about the matter of the Shichibukai Hancock."
Law, resting Kikoku on his shoulder, spoke coldly: "It's troublesome to sail while constantly surrounded by marines. I prefer this smooth voyage—it allows me to train without worrying about attacks every hour of the day."
Hawkins nodded calmly. "After all, the captain will become a Shichibukai in the future. It's wiser not to clash with the marines now, so we avoid unnecessary trouble later."
At the door of the training room came a soft knock, knock, knock~~. Lafitte did not enter immediately, but knocked first out of courtesy.
"Captain, I bring good news," he announced. Though he knew Drake temperament, he preferred to avoid barging in unannounced.
"Enter," came Drake voice from within. With a creak, Lafitte opened the wooden door and stepped inside.
It was his first time entering the practice room. He saw Drake brandishing his Sword, while on the left side sat several women watching his training.
"Lafitte, is there good news in the newspaper?!" Honey Queen asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Carina nodded, her voice gentle and melodic. "It must be about Boa Hancock… she's surely in the paper."
Two days earlier, Drake crew had stopped at Kilerth Town. While exploring, the women met Carina, a traveling singer. They recruited her successfully—helped, of course, by Baccarat's fruit, which increased the odds of persuasion. Discovering her talent, the crew was delighted; at future banquets, her songs would lift the atmosphere.
"I think it's about Boa Hancock's actions," Betty said lightly, exhaling smoke from her cigarette.
Lafitte handed the paper to Baccarat and explained, "Indeed, it's news about Boa Hancock."
"I'll step out now," he added politely. The training room was Drake private space, and Lafitte preferred not to linger.
The women gathered around, opening the newspaper. "Wow!!" they exclaimed in surprise at the chaos Hancock was causing.
Perona floated into the air, her small face shocked yet admiring. "This princess truly thinks Boa Hancock is beautiful!"
The photo showed Hancock with her long hair flowing, her face serene, her purple dress accentuating her figure. Even through the print, her arrogance radiated—an aura of superiority that made her seem above all others. The women agreed she was stunning.
"The most beautiful woman in the world is indeed extraordinary," Reiju said with a smile, caressing her chin as her eyes gleamed with admiration.
Carina's sweet voice chimed in: "She's strong, and her aura is overwhelming. She's perfect. No wonder so many men pursue her—it's only natural."
Betty blew out smoke. "She's caused quite a stir in the Grand Line, taking down pirates with bounties in the tens of millions."
Hana smiled. "It seems Drake words were right. Provoking the most beautiful woman in the world—she's proud and arrogant, and she'll surely display her strength to impress him."
Baccarat looked at Ethan and said: "Captain, Boa Hancock has entered the Grand Line and drawn the attention of all sides. Many pirates are eager to see the world's greatest beauty. In the future, she'll encounter powerful figures she may not be able to handle."
Ethan did not stop his practice. With Shinku Hazama flashing, he replied calmly: "Don't concern yourselves. Let events unfold. If she is killed, it only proves she lacks strength and is unworthy of cooperation."
The admiration of other men for Hancock meant nothing to Drake. Since the age of five, he had devoted himself solely to training. Only weeks ago had he set out to sea, determined to pursue his goals. When the time was right, he would respond to the women—but for now, his focus remained unshaken.
Hearing Drake's cold words, all the girls froze for a moment. She is the most beautiful woman in the world, don't you care? That was what they thought as his words sank in. To them, Drake seemed cruel for speaking so coldly.
"If Boa Hancock heard this, she would be stunned. The most beautiful woman in the world would be shocked if a man treated her like this," Hana said, shaking her head with a wry expression.
Betty exhaled smoke and agreed: "Our captain values strength above all. Why should the world's most beautiful woman matter if she is weak?"
Carina covered her mouth, laughing softly. "If Hancock were here, I'd love to see her face. She'd be surprised first, then furious, Shishishi~~"
Perona floated in the air, giggling. "I want to see it too—it would be hilarious, horohorohoro…"
Reiju glanced at Baccarat, smiling. "Drake remains calm. Since we met him, he hasn't been swayed by anyone."
Baccarat nodded with a faint smile. "His heart is firm. He has his own goals, and not even the most beautiful woman in the world can shake him."
The Next Day North Blue, over a certain sea area.
"Report…"
"An island sighted ahead to the right. A pirate ship is docked on the shore. An island sighted…"
At the sound of the siren's voice, Burgess leapt up, eyes gleaming. "There really is a pirate ship! Finally, a fight! Wiihahahaha~~" He raised his arms in excitement.
Doc Q looked in the same direction, coughing as he smiled strangely. "It's been too long since I killed anyone. At last, I'll see blood again."
Lafitte twirled his cane, smiling faintly. "Remarkable. Since we set sail, this is the first group of pirates we've encountered. Still, whether we change course or not isn't up to us."
He grew serious. "The ship's course can only be altered by Captain Drake."
Law nodded in agreement. "We wait for the captain's order. For now, ignore the situation."
Hawkins added calmly: "A ship can only have one captain. Whatever course we take, it is his decision alone. That is beyond question."
Footsteps echoed across the deck.
Hana's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Pirates are appearing—and luck has arrived with them."
"Until now, good fortune only came when recruiting new members or allies," she added.
Betty gazed toward the shore. "This time, things will be different."
Carina frowned, then smirked mischievously. "When the time comes, we'll steal their treasures."
Perona floated higher, laughing gleefully. "This princess will show those pirates true fear, Horohorohoro…"
Burgess jumped again, laughing wildly. "The captain's here—it looks like I'll finally get a big fight!"
Doc Q chuckled darkly. "At last, pirates to kill. I've waited too long. Let's hope they're not too weak."
Lafitte placed his staff before him, smiling like a knight. "Ordinary pirates won't be enough if they wish to challenge us."
Law rested Kikoku on his shoulder, his voice cold. "What I want most is to see the captain fight. But this is North Blue—there are no powerful pirates here. It's unlikely he'll make a move."
Hawkins nodded. "If the captain does act, it won't concern us. Low-ranking members must gain their own experience."
Soon, the ship reached the shore and stopped beside the other pirate vessel. As they gazed at the massive hull, the crew began to murmur among themselves.
Burgess laughed excitedly: "With such a big pirate ship, the opponent's strength must not be weak at all. Now we can finally have a good fight!"
Doc Q looked at the vessel with a mysterious smile. "That ship is larger than ours… why don't we take it? Our current ship is far too small."
Hawkins, expressionless as ever, said quietly: "In the future, more newcomers will join us, and space will become scarce. Taking that ship is a wise choice."
Law nodded, his tone cold. "It's true. Our current ship won't last much longer. It's time to change."
"How cool, how cool~~" Perona's eyes sparkled as she smiled. "That ship is amazing. Let's make it ours."
Carina stared at the vessel without blinking, her voice filled with excitement. "Such a huge pirate ship… there must be countless treasures aboard. I can't wait to see what we'll find."
"I know that flag," Reiju said, touching her chin with a smile.
Hana leaned forward eagerly. "Reiju, what's their origin? Why is their ship so large?"
The others fell silent, Honey Queen watching Reiju expectantly.
Reiju brushed her hair back, her flawless face calm as she explained: "I've studied the famous pirate groups of the North Blue. That flag belongs to the White Demon Pirates."
"Captain Oliver the White Demon is the most notorious pirate in the North Blue, with a bounty of 83 million Belly."
She looked around, smiling sweetly. "He's ruthless. Over the years, he's committed countless crimes, killing marines and civilians alike. Though the Navy has pursued him relentlessly, he always escapes, leaving them in frustration."
Burgess shrugged, looking disappointed. "Only 83 million? Too weak. A real fight needs someone with hundreds of millions."
Lafitte adjusted his top hat, speaking softly: "That's unreasonable. The Four Seas are not the Grand Line. Bounties here are far lower. For someone in the North Blue to reach over 80 million, Oliver's strength is certainly formidable."
Law nodded in agreement. "This is the highest bounty I've heard of since setting out to sea."
Hawkins remained calm. "I've heard of him. He's a well-known pirate in these waters."
"Since he's so evil, it makes perfect sense to steal his ship," Hana said with a wide grin.
At that moment, Drake's voice rang out, calm and commanding: "Take everything. That ship will belong to us from now on."
"Yes, Captain Drake!"
"Hurry, move everything to the big ship, hahaha…"
"Quickly, there must be treasures aboard~~"
"Bad luck for them, crossing paths with Captain Drake."
"Save the chatter—let's talk after we've taken it…"