Several years had passed since the night Mary Geoise burned.
Time, indifferent and relentless, flowed onward.
Within the quiet chambers of the Roselith Estate, Saint Roselith Seraphina spent her days immersed in newspapers delivered from across the seas.
The world spoke to her through ink and paper.
War.
Pirates.
Revolutions.
Shifting powers.
Yet with every article she read, a restless ache stirred within her heart.
She had trained.
Endured.
Perfected.
Her original plan had been simple:
She would not leave Mary Geoise until she reached the level of a Great Swordsman.
But reality proved less obedient than ambition.
Despite mastering Rokushiki, refining her Armament Haki (Busoshoku Haki), and steadily sharpening her Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku Haki)…
She had remained stalled at the peak of a swordsman for over two years.
The missing element was obvious.
Combat.
Experience.
Life-and-death encounters.
Seraphina folded the newspaper slowly.
Her expression calm.
Her decision absolute.
"No…"
A whisper.
Then
"I must set sail."
Bruce, standing nearby, froze.
He had heard that tone before.
It never preceded anything reasonable.
"Whether as a pirate… or a Marine."
Seraphina declared.
Bruce resisted the overwhelming urge to press his fingers against his temples.
"Pirate King… or Marine Admiral…"
Her voice carried dangerous excitement.
"I will become one."
Marine Admiral is at least realistic, Bruce thought grimly.
Pirate King is a catastrophe waiting to happen.
Bruce cleared his throat carefully.
"Saint Seraphina… a pirate's life is incompatible with your status."
Seraphina tilted her head.
"…Go on."
"If you wish to leave Mary Geoise, you may do so under official World Government authorization."
"An official?"
She considered briefly.
"…How dull."
A pause.
"Still… becoming a pirate would indeed be troublesome."
"Recruiting a crew alone would be inefficient."
Bruce exhaled silently.
Perhaps disaster had been averted.
"…Then I'll join the Marines."
Bruce's relief evaporated instantly.
"Yes."
Seraphina nodded to herself.
"That's perfect."
"I'm joining the Marines."
Before Bruce could object, she was already moving.
Light footsteps.
Unstoppable momentum.
"Saint Seraphina!"
Bruce hurried after her.
"Please reconsider!"
Though Seraphina called it a "discussion," Bruce knew the truth.
With Victor Roselith's boundless indulgence, this would be nothing less than an announcement.
Victor Roselith listened in stunned silence.
"My daughter… wishes to join the Marines?"
Every paternal instinct screamed in protest.
The seas were merciless.
Pirates monstrous.
Battles fatal.
He had only one child.
One treasure.
Yet when Victor saw Seraphina's expression…
Determined.
Unwavering.
Radiant with purpose.
His resistance collapsed.
"…Ros Ros…"
Victor sighed heavily.
Then smiled.
"Your father supports you!"
Bruce nearly choked.
"Do you wish to become an Admiral?"
Victor beamed.
"Or perhaps Fleet Admiral?"
Seraphina blinked.
Then laughed softly.
"Father…"
"You're the best to me."
She declined, of course.
Instant promotion would be meaningless.
Strength earned carried weight.
But Victor's unease did not vanish.
Thus, preparations escalated dramatically.
Escort units.
Hidden protection.
Surveillance layers.
Seraphina observed the chaos of arrangements with growing amusement.
That night
She summoned Bruce quietly.
"Bruce…"
A conspiratorial whisper.
"We're slipping away."
Bruce stiffened.
"…Excuse me?"
"I refuse to depart like a ceremonial procession."
Bruce stared.
Then sighed.
Because arguing was futile.
Even under the brilliance of Mary Geoise's eternal lights, security remained tightened after the Fisher Tiger incident.
Patrols increased.
Routes monitored.
Yet none of it obstructed Seraphina.
Her Observation Haki mapped awareness gaps.
Her movements silent.
Precise.
Untouchable.
By dawn
She was gone.
Only a note remained.
Dearest Father,
The world is vast, and I wish to experience it.
Please do not worry.
Seraphina
Victor Roselith stared at the letter.
Helplessness and pride warring within him.
"…Ros Ros…"
"Unbelievable child."
Yet unlike years ago…
He did not panic.
Victor understood now.
His daughter was no fragile noble.
Still
Precautions were necessary.
Moments later, a Den Den Mushi connected him directly to Marine Headquarters.
"I expect absolute discretion," Victor stated coldly.
"And absolute protection."
Mary Geoise lay only hours from Marineford.
But Seraphina felt no urgency.
Freedom itself intoxicated her.
Thus she chose a detour.
The Sabaody Archipelago.
Despite traveling carefully, Seraphina remained unmistakably conspicuous.
Silver hair flowing like moonlight.
Porcelain features.
Eyes forever closed.
Even disguised…
She drew attention.
Fortunately, her Celestial Veil invisible to ordinary perception could only be sensed by trained users of Observation Haki.
Yet secrecy proved short-lived.
Before sunset, World Government surveillance had already identified her presence.
Bruce, accustomed to operating within Sabaody's delicate political balance, selected Island 62 for their temporary lodging.
The Sabaody Archipelago, formed by the colossal roots of the Yarukiman Mangrove, consisted of seventy-nine numbered groves.
Each zone carried its own character:
Illegal districts.
Amusement areas.
Tourist markets.
Ship coating yards.
Government entry ports.
Hotel streets.
Upon reaching the hotel entrance
They were met by men in pristine white suits.
They bowed deeply.
"Saint Seraphina."
"Our apologies for the intrusion."
"Lord Victor Roselith extends his wishes for your pleasant stay."
Seraphina's shoulders slumped slightly.
"…Already discovered."
Bruce wisely remained silent.
The following morning
Their walk through Sabaody quickly descended into absurdity.
Officials cleared pathways.
Civilians shoved aside.
Voices thundered across the grove.
"Kneel!"
"Saint Seraphina has arrived!"
Tourists froze.
Fear rippled outward.
Bodies began lowering instinctively.
Seraphina stopped.
"…Stop."
The command cut like a blade.
A trembling official turned.
"…Saint Seraphina?"
"I said stop."
The air grew heavy.
"If this displeases you," the official stammered nervously,
"We can have the Marines arrest every commoner present…"
"…Perhaps select new slaves for your estate?"
Bruce's blood ran cold.
Seraphina's voice dropped.
Quiet.
Furious.
"That is enough."
Silence fell.
"Bruce."
"Yes, Saint Seraphina."
"We are leaving."
She turned without another glance.
"…Tell them to stand."
The words lingered behind her like an aftershock.
And for the first time that day
No one dared move.