The silhouette of Elbaf had already appeared where sea met sky, the shadows of giant fern plants piercing through the clouds.Usopp on the lookout suddenly called out.
"Hey! Everyone, look! There's a Marine warship off the starboard bow!"
Everyone followed the sound and saw a warship, different in design from the Training Ship but also flying the Marine flag, cutting through the waves toward them.
As the two ships drew closer, the atmosphere on the deck immediately became lively.
Especially on the warship's deck, Perona was spinning excitedly in place, and Yamato was even more thrilled, waving her massive kanabō.
Soon, the two ships sailed side by side, with planks set up as a temporary passage.
A figure was the first to step onto the Training Ship's deck.
He carried the Black Blade Night on his back, and his hawk-like sharp eyes swept across the scene.
It was none other than the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk.
He looked at the group of excited and curious trainees on the deck, his gaze lingering on Zoro for a brief moment before finally settling on Orion's face.
His tone was calm but carried a hint of teasing.
"It seems like the Fleet Admiral is in high spirits, personally taking a bunch of kids out for training."
Before Orion could react, a pink figure, holding a small red umbrella, drifted over like a ghost, bypassing Mihawk and rushing toward Orion with a fragrant breeze.
"Fleet Admiral—"
Perona let out a coquettish, tearful cry, clinging to Orion's neck like a koala, her legs tightly wrapped around his waist.
She spoke excitedly: "I missed you so much! Every day, every moment—I thought of you while eating, while sleeping—I missed you so much I almost turned into a real ghost!"
Close behind, the tall Yamato rushed over quickly.
She planted her enormous kanabō on the deck and then boldly patted her chest in front of Orion.
"Fleet Admiral! I've grown into a true man now! Leave boring tasks like searching for Poneglyphs to Robin and the others. From today on, I will stay by your side and follow you as we sweep through the Grand Line!"
As she spoke, Yamato's eyes sparkled, her undisguised admiration and excitement almost overflowing.
Just as Orion was about to speak, a chilling killing intent emanated from beside him.
Hancock had, at some point, appeared by his side.
Her beautiful eyes were icy cold, fixed intently on Perona, who was still clinging to Orion.
"How dare you!"
Hancock took a swift step forward, grabbing Perona by the back of her collar and pulling her off Orion as if plucking a chick.
She said coldly: "How dare you throw yourself at my husband! Do you have no regard for your life!"
As she spoke, her long, beautiful leg lifted high, ready to kick Perona into the sea to feed the fish.
However, just as she was about to strike, a translucent, giant ghost suddenly emerged from Perona's body and, with lightning speed, pass into Hancock's body.
"Thud!"
Hancock, who had been radiating an imposing aura just moments before, suddenly went weak in the knees and knelt straight on the deck.
She then supported herself with her hands, her entire body shrouded in a gloomy shadow.
Beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead, her eyes vacant, as she muttered despondently to herself.
"This queen... this queen is nothing but a beautiful vase... I can't do anything right... I don't deserve to be by the Fleet Admiral's side... My very existence is a mistake..."
"Horororororo!" Perona, seeing this, triumphantly put her hands on her hips and let out her signature laugh.
"Orion-sama is mine! Mine! Mine! No one can take him from me!"
After speaking, she spread her arms again, ready to throw herself into Orion's embrace once more.
But Orion didn't even glance at her, merely reaching out a hand to precisely grab the back collar of her dress, then casually tossing her aside.
Perona let out a short cry of surprise as her entire body was hung on the crossbeam of the main mast, feet dangling off the ground, swaying like laundry waiting to dry.
"Lord Orion! What are you doing?! Let me down! Let me down now!" She flailed and struggled wildly.
Orion suppressed a laugh and ignored her, turning his gaze toward Mihawk as he calmly said.
"You contacted me days ago saying you'd reached Elbaf. Why are you still lingering at sea? Shouldn't you have entered Elbaf by now?"
Mihawk glanced at Perona flapping on the mast and Hancock kneeling on the deck drawing circles, his facial muscles twitching involuntarily.
He opened his mouth to say something but ultimately decided it was better not to get involved, so he went straight to the point.
"We originally planned to enter Elbaf first, but we intercepted a public distress signal from a Marine base in nearby waters."
"The royal family of Pordovia, one of the World Government affiliate kingdoms, suddenly changed course while relocating to the Holy Land and headed for Hachinosu Island."
Mihawk paused before continuing, "The Marines initially received intelligence that the royal ship had been kidnapped by pirates, but when support forces arrived, they discovered this was entirely a scheme orchestrated by the Pordovian royal family themselves."
"Over the years, they've been secretly dealing with the pirate Wang Zhi from Hachinosu Island. Fearing reprisal after moving to the Holy Land, they conspired with Wang Zhi to stage this kidnapping, attempting to slip away unnoticed."
"The Marine forces that discovered the truth engaged in fierce combat with the Hachinosu pirates but fell into an ambush and suffered heavy casualties. One officer managed to send out a distress signal using a public channel at the last moment, which we intercepted."
After hearing Mihawk's account, Orion frowned slightly and asked, "When did this happen?"
Recently, he had been solely focused on training these recruits, having forgotten about the pirate paradise of Hachinosu Island and the fact that Wang Zhi—a remnant of the Rocks Pirate Crew—remained active in the New World.
Since they've come across this situation, there's no need for this so-called 'final paradise for pirates' to continue existing.
Perona, still hanging from the mast, quickly answered.
"Just half an hour ago! We were about to pass through Elbaf waters to rescue them at Hachinosu Island when you happened to arrive, Fleet Admiral!"
"I see." Orion nodded decisively and called out sideways: "Morgan!"
"Here!"
"Relay the order: the Training Ship will immediately change course toward Hachinosu Island!"
"Yes!"
As soon as Morgan left, Zoro—still wrapped in bandages—suddenly emerged from the crowd.
His battle-hungry gaze fixed on Mihawk as he curled his lips into an unruly smirk, declaring in a deep voice.
"Hawk Eyes, I challenge you—"
Before Zoro could finish his sentence, an orange figure flashed to his side.
"Thump!"
Nami clenched her fist and mercilessly knocked Zoro on the head, her expression fierce as she scolded him.
"Zoro, what are you thinking about challenging people at a time like this?! Didn't you hear we need to support our comrades? Why is a directionally-challenged moss-head like you causing trouble at a time like this!"
Caught off guard and struck, Zoro crouched down clutching his head, a large bump visibly swelling on his scalp.
The pain made him gasp sharply, and he couldn't help but curse.
"Madwoman! Don't you know your punches hurt like hell?!"
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