That night,
Ulu and her daughter Urutia went into battle together.
It was a grand dinner prepared for the children.
During the meal,
to celebrate her reunion with her daughter,
Ulu—who normally didn't drink much—ended up having cup after cup of wine.
By eight in the evening,
the children were already asleep under Ulu's guidance.
Bonney was still lost in the joy of cooking, humming softly as she cleaned up.
Sugisawa Yuuto stepped out onto the deck, comparing the permanent pointer's direction with the map.
Although he wasn't a professional navigator,
after spending so long drifting across the seas, he had learned a few things.
If it were the Fairy Tail ship, once the route was set, he'd never have to worry—the ship could follow the course perfectly on its own.
But now, they were aboard an ordinary sailing vessel, and these were the treacherous waters of the New World.
Yuuto stayed alert. After all, there were dozens of children aboard—he couldn't afford to be careless.
Squeak—
The sound of a hatch opening.
A beautiful black-haired girl, slightly unsteady on her feet, stepped out into the night.
"Urutia, go to bed. I've got the helm covered," Yuuto said casually.
But the next second—
Urutia's steps quickened.
She leapt forward, throwing herself into Yuuto's arms, wrapping around his neck.
"President…"
Her flushed face lifted slightly, eyes hazy with drink and emotion, gazing at him without blinking.
"What's wrong?" Yuuto asked, raising a hand to gently caress her smooth cheek.
"President… thank you," Urutia murmured softly.
"I've never felt this happy before. Everything I have now—it's all because of you. I became a member of Fairy Tail, and I reunited with my mother. It all feels like a dream, too good to be real…"
"How could it be a dream?" Yuuto smiled. "From now on, this will only become more real."
"Mm." Urutia nodded slightly.
Silence lingered for a moment.
"How long are we going to stay like this?" Yuuto asked quietly.
"I was just thinking… how can I repay you, President?" Urutia whispered, her breath warm and sweet with wine.
A moment later—
"I've decided."
Urutia suddenly pushed him back a step, eyes gleaming.
The scent of orchids and soft perfume filled the night air.
Yuuto didn't resist.
He accepted Urutia's gratitude in silence.
He wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and with a soft leap, they vanished from the deck.
"Bonney-chan, where's the President?"
After tucking the children in, Ulu returned to the dining hall on the first floor.
"President's watching the night outside right now," Bonney mumbled, half-asleep. "Sister Tia went too…"
Ulu nodded, pushed the door open, and stepped out onto the deck.
She looked around but saw no one.
After a moment of dazed stillness, she raised her gaze toward the watchtower above the mast.
Her lovely face flushed red.
It could only be said that—mother and daughter were truly alike.
Her reason for seeking out Yuuto tonight had been the same as her daughter's:
to thank him sincerely for reuniting their family.
And with her affection at its peak,
Ulu had been ready to give everything.
She just hadn't expected her daughter to get there first.
An hour passed.
Then two.
Then three.
"Sister Ulu, what are you doing? Where are President and Sister Tia?"
A well-fed Bonney poked her head out onto the deck.
"Oh, it's nothing, Bonney-chan. You should go to sleep," Ulu said quickly, pushing the girl gently back inside.
Late that night,
Ulu exhaled softly and raised her hand.
Moonlight streamed through the cabin window,
catching the silken threads between her fingers until they gleamed crystal clear.
"President…" she whispered.
New World — Marine G5 Base
One of the few major Marine strongholds in the New World.
Unlike the calm seas of Paradise, the New World was filled with monsters.
Only monsters could survive here.
Those stationed at a New World base were, naturally, among the strongest in the Marines.
For instance, the G1 Base Commander, Flying Squirrel, was a pillar of Marine Headquarters—an elite Vice Admiral with a fearsome reputation.
By contrast, Vice Admiral Vergo, the commander of G5, was far less famous.
Yet…
To be entrusted by Fleet Admiral Sengoku to command such a base meant Vergo's power was undeniable.
Under his leadership,
G5 had never faced a serious incident—until now.
"Vice Admiral Vergo, regarding the children who went missing a few days ago—after thorough investigation, it appears to have been an accident. Their parents have accepted the report."
A burly Commodore of Unit 06 stood at attention as he spoke.
"Well. I'll report it to headquarters," Vergo replied calmly, wiping his face with a handkerchief.
But his hand brushed against something solid—a piece of steak still stuck to his cheek.
"As expected of Vice Admiral Vergo, so meticulous…" the Commodore began to flatter him—
But before he could finish, a BOOM! echoed through the fortress.
"The situation's bad! Vice Admiral Vergo—the main gate's been smashed open!"
"What?!" The Commodore's eyes widened in disbelief.
"The gate? That's several meters of solid steel! Could it be… one of the Four Emperors?!"
At the main gate of Marine G5 Fortress—
"Waaah!"
"Big Brother's amazing!"
"Sugisawa Yuuto is the strongest!"
Amid the excited cheers of the children, a large sailing ship glided into the bay.
Clack! Clack!
Dozens of cannons and rifles swiveled toward it.
If the order was given, they'd fire without hesitation.
But—
"Wait!!!"
"Cease fire!"
"Don't shoot!"
"Hold your fire, now!"
The Rear Admirals of the base shouted in unison, halting their subordinates.
It wasn't because of the children aboard.
It was because of the man standing at the bow.
Fairy Tail's President.
The Fifth Emperor of the Sea.
To engage him would mean declaring war on an Emperor—strictly forbidden by the Marines.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's standing orders were clear:
No one is to provoke Fairy Tail.
The Rear Admirals took deep breaths and stepped forward.
"President Sugisawa Yuuto," one said formally. "This is Marine G5 Fortress. May we ask why you've come here today?"
"If there's an issue, we can report it to headquarters. But why break down our gate with such force?"
Their tone was neither servile nor arrogant—just cautious.
"Force?" Yuuto sneered faintly. "Isn't G5 known for using force itself?"
He waved a hand dismissively.
"Never mind. I'm not here for you. Call Vergo out."
Moments later, Base Chief Vergo and his Commodore stepped out of the office.
When the Commodore saw who stood at the bow, his pupils constricted in horror.
That casual conversation earlier—he hadn't truly believed it.
But now…
The Emperor himself was here.
"Fifth Emperor Sugisawa Yuuto," Vergo said coldly. "Because of Fleet Admiral Sengoku's orders, the Marines have tolerated Fairy Tail's behavior. But don't think that means we fear you."
"Don't misunderstand," Yuuto replied with a slight smile. "I'm not targeting the Marines—just you."
He pointed toward a limp figure nearby.
"You should recognize this man. I've taken over Punk Hazard's research institute, so I know exactly what you've been up to."
The man he indicated—Caesar—was lying on the ground like a beaten dog.
Vergo's sunglasses hid his eyes, but the twitch of his jaw betrayed him.
And when he saw the children behind Yuuto, an uneasy dread crawled up his spine.
As expected—
They had come for him.
"Vice Admiral Vergo, what's going on?"
"President Yuuto, what do you mean by this?"
"That man… he looks like Caesar!"
"The one behind the Punk Hazard explosion years ago?"
"President Yuuto, where did you find him? And these children—"
"Enough!!!"
Vergo's roar shook the air.
Jet-black Armament Haki burst from his body as he lunged forward.
But Yuuto didn't even flinch.
Freezing air erupted around him.
"Ice Make—Rose Garden!"
Ulu and Urutia appeared beside him, their mother-daughter magic intertwining.
Countless thorned roses spiraled outward, transforming the entire G5 Fortress into a world of ice and snow.
The mighty Base Commander, Ghost Bamboo Vergo,
was utterly defeated.
...
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