"To the Giant Kingdom of Elbaf?"
"Young Master, it should take about half a day!"
A powerful, resonant voice answered from behind Reno.
At the forefront of the guards stood a man with long brown hair and a stern expression. He radiated an aura of authority without needing to speak.
Roge!
One of the Karst Kingdom's two strongest warriors.
Raised in Karst since childhood and meticulously cultivated by King Layton, Roge was a genius with a towering physique and formidable strength. He served as Reno's personal bodyguard.
Not only was he a master swordsman, but he also wielded both Observation and Armament Haki. Furthermore, he was a user of the Zoan · Ancient Type: Golden Sword-Lion Fruit, making his combat prowess exceptional.
For this voyage, Reno had brought along about thirty elites from the kingdom, skilled in either taijutsu or swordsmanship, all under Roge's command.
"Half a day, is it?" Reno murmured.
He wasn't sure if Charlotte Linlin had been abandoned by her parents yet, or if Carmel had already taken her in.
If she had been adopted, he would have to eliminate Carmel first, then slowly bond with Linlin.
If Carmel hadn't gotten to her yet, things would be much simpler.
Five-year-old Linlin was simple and kind. She was only abandoned because her appetite was too massive for her parents to support, leading them to leave her on Elbaf to survive on her own.
At that moment, Linlin would be at her most desperate and helpless. If he appeared then, offering warmth and enough food, he would become a beacon of light in her world.
Naturally, Reno hoped for the latter!
"Roge, full speed ahead! Get us to Elbaf as fast as possible!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
After receiving the order, Roge cast a subtle glance at Reno.
He had watched Reno grow up. Since childhood, Reno had been different. While other kids played, Reno spent his days reading and studying everything he could.
As he got older, he began training. Swordsmanship, Observation Haki, Armament Haki—he dabbled in it all, day after day, repeating the cycle relentlessly.
Roge was the person who had been with Reno the longest and witnessed his growth firsthand. He firmly believed that Reno would achieve greatness and lead the Karst Kingdom to unprecedented heights!
Elbaf!
Located in the New World, it was the land of the giants and universally recognized as the world's strongest nation.
The strength of the giants was undeniable. Even an average adult giant warrior was a formidable force.
In the original story, Big Mom herself admitted that if she had secured the aid of the giants, she could have become the strongest Emperor.
The House of Lambs.
A place established by Mother Carmel specifically to house homeless children.
"Children, I'm planning to go out and buy food for the next few days. Is there anything special you'd like to eat?"
The elderly Carmel reclined in a rocking chair, slowly exhaling a puff of smoke as she asked with a benevolent smile.
"Mother, I want bananas!" a brown-haired boy in a long black coat said with a grin.
"Mother, I want cake!"
"Mother, me too! Me too!"
The children, who had been playing just a moment before, swarmed around Carmel, shouting over one another.
"Don't rush, there's plenty for everyone."
Carmel looked at the children dotingly, responding to their requests one by one.
"Jace wants bananas, right? Mother will bring them for you."
After memorizing everyone's requests, Carmel confirmed once more with the first boy who spoke. Her eyes narrowed into slits of delight as she looked at Jace.
Of course, it wasn't because she truly loved Jace.
It was because Jace had the best potential among this batch of children.
No, to be precise, not just among this group.
In her nearly forty years of trafficking children, nearly ten thousand kids had passed through her hands. Carmel had developed a keen eye for judging talent and potential.
For most children, she could tell at a glance if they had what it took.
After observing the children for a long time, especially given Jace's recent performances, Carmel could confidently conclude that his talent was among the very best she had ever encountered.
He might even rank in the top few.
It was simple math: the higher a child's talent, the higher the price they fetched.
This was exactly what the World Government yearned for. They weren't short on money; they were short on talented children.
A single prodigy could sell for a price equivalent to dozens of children with average potential.
The promise of a high return made Carmel exceptionally attentive to Jace, almost to the point of fulfilling his every wish.
"Alright, Mother has memorized all your requests. Jace, while I'm away, you're in charge of looking after everyone."
"Don't run off anywhere. stay here and wait obediently for Mother to come back, okay?"
Puffing out one last ring of smoke, Carmel stood up from her rocking chair.
"Don't worry, Mother. I'll definitely watch over everyone," Jace promised, thumping his chest with confidence.
After giving a few more reminders, Carmel picked up her basket and left.
On the Warship.
Reno stood at the bow with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out at the horizon.
Behind him, Roge, who was peering through a telescope, suddenly frowned.
"Young Master, Elbaf is just ahead, but I've spotted a merchant ship in the distance heading towards the island as well!"
Hmm?
A merchant ship?!
Reno frowned, a thought suddenly striking him.
Could it really be that coincidental?!
He took the telescope from Roge and looked in the direction of the ship.
It appeared to be an ordinary merchant vessel with about seven or eight people on deck.
However, a particular couple caught Reno's attention.
The man was dressed plainly and wore a serious expression. The woman was tall, with pink hair.
Reno's gaze instantly locked onto the woman, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled upward.