"Dressrosa, huh..."
"Come to think of it, have you guys heard about that rumor?"
"What rumor? Don't keep us in suspense!"
"Many soldiers who originally 'didn't exist' have come back!"
"Didn't exist? Came back? What the hell are you talking about?"
After Karin and the others left, similar conversations began among many within the G-5 base.
The center of their discussions revolved around one point.
Dressrosa.
It was precisely because Karin mentioned this place that it was brought up for discussion again.
In fact, as early as over ten days ago, when Sasuke and the others raided the Dressrosa palace, an 'anomaly' occurred that could affect the entire world.
With the death of the Hobi Hobi no Mi's user, Sugar, all the people turned into toys regained their human forms.
Although some of them were turned into snake-men again not long after, or were simply killed outright, the impact they caused was undeniable.
Fifteen years.
For a full fifteen years, all those who disappeared in Dressrosa reappeared in others' 'memories'.
This sudden emergence of a collective consensus was undoubtedly extremely eerie.
From the perspective of places thousands of miles away from Dressrosa, it was as if a person had suddenly appeared in their memory out of thin air.
But this person who appeared out of thin air didn't seem out of place… they would only be surprised why they had forgotten about the person before.
Including the Marines, the upper echelons of the major forces quickly realized this was the work of a Devil Fruit user.
Although the principle wasn't clear, by gathering information on the missing persons, their last known locations all pointed to Dressrosa.
To prevent public unrest, the Marines began to suppress the rumors as soon as they started spreading, and it had been quite effective.
But now, after being reminded by Karin, everyone focused their attention on it again.
"It seems we really need to go to Dressrosa, don't you think so, Vergo-san?"
Bound by gravity and unknown chains, Vergo knew his last chance was gone and gave up arguing outright.
It was pointless.
The young master was captured, something had clearly happened in Dressrosa, and he was now targeted by this Fujitora.
And judging by the evidence the other party produced, it hadn't been just a day or two.
Of course, he could still argue vehemently, saying his calls were just to other people.
But again, it was pointless.
Once an accusation appeared, the suspicion couldn't be shaken off.
Never mind that his backside was truly covered in filth… even if he were innocent, being targeted by an Admiral candidate, it would be hard to regain his innocence.
"I have already reported the matter here to Headquarters. After their orders arrive, we will go to Dressrosa together."
After speaking, Fujitora ignored Vergo's ashen face, signaling his men to drag him away and keep him under close guard.
For a non-Devil Fruit user like Vergo, apart from 24-hour uninterrupted surveillance, there really wasn't any other good method.
Thinking of this, Fujitora recalled the chains, like 'seals', that Karin left on Vergo before leaving.
'Truly remarkable talent.'
'This Karin-san.'
'If she could join the Marines, she would probably be a formidable asset.'
Fujitora smiled and shook his head, thinking of her relationship with Naruto.
'No, if she's Naruto-san's companion, she likely wouldn't be willing to join an organization like the Marines.'
…
Snap—
The crisp sound of chains breaking echoed. Even Lucci's face showed a hint of relief.
Karin didn't go back on her word. After entrusting the children to the Marines, she removed the [Life Locks] from their necks as promised.
Kaku touched his neck in disbelief.
When the Life Lock was on, it couldn't be felt at all, but after its removal, there was an illusion of the entire upper body feeling lighter.
Indeed, the feeling of life and death being in another's hands was too uncomfortable.
"Now I finally understand those slaves..."
However, Kaku's words were interrupted by Karin.
"That's far from it."
"I only restricted your freedom, I never enslaved you. With me, you didn't have to actually crawl on the ground like dogs."
Saying this, Karin's bird face showed a human-like mockery.
"Don't tell me you World Government's agents don't know the fate of those Celestial Dragon's slaves."
Karin had passed Mary Geoise several times with Naruto. The slaves' miserable state was vivid in her memory. Karin didn't have a good impression of CP, the World Government's accomplices.
If the others hadn't practically helped those children with their actions later, she wouldn't be so accommodating now.
Hearing Karin's words, Kaku gave an awkward smile and didn't say more.
This was indeed the truth, undeniable.
After saying this, Karin's tone suddenly became lighter.
"Alright, I've kept my promise. The matter of you attacking me before is settled."
"I'll let you off at the next island, or you can take a lifeboat and leave on your own."
After speaking, Karin flapped her wings at Naomi, signaling they could leave.
Now only the two of them were operating this large ship, so the workload had doubled.
She also had to continuously control the wind to steer the ship's direction. It was more laborious, but at least they didn't need extra hands to raise or lower the sails.
"Captain, can I stay?"
At this moment, Kalifa, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.
Kaku looked at her with an incredulous expression, while Lucci showed little surprise, as if he had already guessed Kalifa's decision.
CP9 had completely disintegrated ever since Stussy took over.
Not to mention Jabra, who died at the hands of Naruto-
Kumadori and Fukuro were transferred and had now lost contact.
Blueno was also drafted to participate in the Summit War, and his fate was unknown.
Only the three of them remained from the partners who had trained together since childhood.
And after seeing Kalifa's intimate interactions with the children, Lucci had actually guessed it might come to this.
For no other reason.
Unlike them, who were orphans from childhood, Kalifa's father had been a CP agent.
And reportedly, she had a sister who was also an agent in another department.
She joined CP9 simply following her father's footsteps, not like them.
Because of this, the 'brainwashing education' Kalifa received wasn't as deeply ingrained as theirs.
Long ago, as the leader, Lucci had sensed the difference between Kalifa and the rest of them.
"Hey, Kalifa, what do you mean—"
Kaku still wanted to say something, but Lucci stopped him.
Lucci walked up to Kalifa. Under the gaze of Karin, who had turned around, and Naomi, he asked Kalifa seriously,
"Are you really sure about this?"
"Yes, I... don't want to do the things from the past anymore."
Kalifa's hand gently touched her arm, where the children had bandaged her.
"We've made too many mistakes. Tragedies like those children—"
"Those aren't our sins!"
"But we were also 'accomplices', weren't we?!"
Kalifa said this last sentence almost in a roar.
It was clear that during her time with the children, she had experienced considerable inner turmoil.
Her not-yet-completely-extinguished humanity was reignited by the children's innocence.
Also reignited was the guilt in Kalifa's heart.
"Enough, Kalifa. If it's just for this reason, you don't need to leave."
Kaku still wanted to persuade her, but Lucci shook his head.
"I understand."
Then, without another word, he led Kaku, who still wanted to speak, towards the stern.
At this time, Karin also fluttered her wings and flew over, landing on Kalifa's shoulder.
"Actually, what he said isn't wrong either... If you're just feeling guilty about past actions, you don't need to leave them."
"They are your comrades, right?"
Karin's attitude towards Kalifa was much better.
The 'malice' in this woman's heart was far less than that leopard's.
But Kalifa stared blankly at the setting sun in the distance, then finally shook her head gently.
"I know Rob Lucci… he's an ambitious person."
"He doesn't feel guilty for his actions, and I… after this, can no longer ignore his behavior either."
"Rather than argue later, it's better to part ways now."
'A difference in principles?'
'No wonder.'
Hearing this, Karin nodded.
Such debates were countless in the Ninja World. How many schemers, for the sake of an ideal, were willing to painstakingly plan for decades, killing countless people.
'But...'
She suddenly seemed to realize something, looking at Naomi, then at Kalifa.
'How, without realizing it, did my team become an 'all-female squad' again?'