Hizumi puffed up her small chest with pride but quickly frowned, as if remembering something. She glared at Reed. "Uncle, you still haven't explained why you took so long to come!"
Blood mist swirled at Reed's fingertips, forming two delicate butterflies that gently landed on the girls' shoulders.
"Because…" he lowered his voice, adopting a mysterious tone, "Uncle went to find the best gifts in the world for you."
The two little girls' eyes widened instantly, their breaths slowing in anticipation. "Really? What gifts?"
Reed snapped his fingers. The blood mist expanded and solidified into a miniature version of the Blumarine Jackson, appearing right in the courtyard. On the deck, chibi Moria was locked in battle with a tiny Enel, while Tesoro sat on his golden throne, counting coins. Every figure was vivid and full of life.
"Wow!!" Hiyori gasped, completely astonished.
Hizumi, however, furrowed her little brows. "But… we can't eat this or play with it…"
"Why rush?" Reed laughed, tapping her forehead. Suddenly, the "Blood Mist Ship" disintegrated with a soft pop, raining down candy. Each piece contained a different fruit filling, special treats collected from islands they had visited.
Reed had a habit of preparing gifts for children on every island he visited. Now, even in their hurried departure, he had gifts ready.
"When Reed goes to war, he brings gifts, but he never comes back on time. Stop licking your lips, little girl! He doesn't even care about you!"
"Strawberries from the New World! Cloud candies from Skypiea! Coral preserves from Fish-Man Island…" Reed held up a gold-wrapped candy. "And Tesoro's special gold leaf chocolate but only one per day."
The two little girls squealed with delight and ran to pick up the candy, forgetting their earlier frustration. Hiyori even generously shared some with a servant hiding behind a pillar. "Try it! Uncle Reed brought it!"
Tesoro leaned down, whispering a complaint. "Captain, you look like…"
"Like what?" Reed pressed his forehead to Tesoro's, staring intently.
"…Nothing." Tesoro swallowed the words, suppressing the thought of "King of Kindergarten Teachers."
The sun set, and the scent of dinner wafted through the courtyard. Reed watched as the girls proudly displayed the candy to everyone. Even the normally serious Denjiro exaggerated his praises. Hiyori tiptoed to shove candy into her mouth, while Hizumi clung to Enel, begging him to demonstrate his lightning abilities.
"Wow !"
Hiyori and Hizumi exclaimed almost simultaneously. Their wide eyes sparkled as they stared at the tiny figure in Stella's arms. Lati blinked her emerald-green eyes, curiously studying the two older sisters approaching her.
"So small! So cute!" Hiyori stretched up on her tiptoes, gently touching Lati's tiny hand with her finger.
Hizumi approached with a serious expression, studying Lati for a long moment before suddenly asking, "Uncle Reed, is this your child?"
"Pfft " Reed and Tesoro nearly spit out their tea.
Raising an eyebrow, Reed replied, "No, this is Tesoro and Stella's daughter, Lati."
"Oh!" Hizumi suddenly understood but then frowned again. "Then why is Lati's hat the same color as Uncle Reed's cloak?"
Hiyori tilted her head, echoing the question. "Yeah, yeah!"
Reed's blood mist gently drew the two girls into his embrace. Clenching his fists, he playfully drilled the thought into their little heads.
"Listen, I'm not married! That bedtime drink wasn't from me? You two little fools!"
"Ouch, Uncle Reed! We're sorry, we're sorry!"
Stella couldn't help but giggle softly. "Lord Reed is actually Lati's great-uncle."
"Great-uncle?" Hizumi counted on her fingers. "Then how should Lati call us?"
Hiyori's eyes lit up. "Sisters! We're her sisters!"
Lati seemed to be infected by their enthusiasm. Waving her tiny hands, she squeaked happily, making the two girls giggle uncontrollably. Hizumi immediately pulled out a treasured candy from her pocket and, treating it like a precious gem, handed it to Lati. "Here! Super delicious!"
Stella gently reminded her, "Lati is still too young. She shouldn't eat candy yet."
Hiyori's face lit up with an idea. "Then we can teach her swordsmanship!"
Hizumi nodded vigorously. "Yes! When she's older, we'll take her to the dojo!"
Perona also joined in as "Pirate King," or rather "Kid King" fun, since the pronunciation was the same.
Floating midair, her pink parasol spinning, Perona looked down at the three little girls. "From today on, you must call me Miss Perona!"
Hiyori's eyes sparkled. "Sister Perona can fly! That's amazing!"
Hizumi held her wooden sword tightly. "I, I will fly too! Using sword energy!"
Lati sat in her stroller, reaching out to Perona, babbling joyfully. Perona proudly stepped down, conjuring three mini ghost dolls. "Here, this is your gift~"
"Wow!" the three girls exclaimed in unison.
Moria crouched in the corridor below, hissing with laughter. "Little Perona finally has fans too."
Enel snorted coldly. "Childish."
The next moment, Perona's negative energy pierced his chest, leaving him collapsed in the corner, drawing circles repeatedly.
Leaning against a cherry blossom tree, Reed held a cup of sake in the blood mist. Tesoro leaned close and whispered, "Captain, is our ship turning into a kindergarten?"
"What?" Reed sipped his sake. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, no, not at all." Tesoro raised his hands in surrender. "Just reminding you, next time you bring children aboard, inform the finance department so they can prepare a budget."
Perona floated over, complaining. "Lord Reed! Hizumi says she wants to be my deputy!"
Hizumi ran after her, shouting, "I will win! My swordsmanship is stronger than yours!"
Hiyori clutched her ghost doll, softly saying, "But Sister Perona can fly…"
Lati suddenly squeaked, and the BT mecha in her stroller lit up. Its mechanical arms gently lifted her, letting her float as well.
"Wow!" The three girls were enchanted, chattering excitedly around little Lati and the BT mecha.
Reed watched the children play happily, a smile naturally spreading across his face. Blood mist quietly expanded, transforming the courtyard into a small playground, complete with swings and slides.
"Uncle Reed is the best!" Hiyori cheered, rushing to the swings first.
Hizumi shouted back as she ran, "When I become deputy, I'll give you even more allowance!"
Perona, indignantly, chased after them. "I'm the captain!"
Stella carried Lati over to Reed and smiled softly. "It seems Lati's future adventures are going to be truly exciting."
Raising his cup, Reed toasted, "Isn't this wonderful?"