One of Zephyr's students, fresh out of training, felt deep sympathy for Spandine's condition. "Then… do we just let him die like this?"
The ship's doctor, who had seen countless such cases, merely shrugged. "It's unfortunate, but that's the harsh reality."
"Before he dies, we will get the truth out of him," Zephyr said, his face dark with anger.
He held no affection for anyone from the World Government — even if, deep down, he knew he was still just an instrument serving their will.
He stepped forward and looked up at Spandine, pinned to the cross.
"I am Zephyr, Commander‑in‑Chief of the Navy's Guerrilla Division. Behind me stand Vice Admirals Garp and Dalmatian. Tell us — what were these Government agents sent here to do? And what is the meaning of this absurd mission we were ordered to carry out?"
"Ughhh…"
Blood poured from Spandine's mouth. Zephyr struggled to hold back his frustration.
He was already furious enough: out of the 1,500 elite troops he had brought along — all his own students — nearly 600 had been lost for the sake of this vague, unexplained assignment. How could he not resent the Government?
"Speak!"
He bit out the word through clenched teeth.
"N‑no… this is… the Government's… highest secret…" Spandine gasped, choking on his own blood. "Save me… and the Navy will be…"
"I care nothing for your secrets!" Zephyr snapped, ready to tear the impaled man from the cross right then and there — until Garp quickly stepped in to stop him.
Garp looked up calmly. "The Navy is one thing, and the Government is another. Your life is in our hands now. If you want any chance of treatment, you must tell us clearly."
For all his usual easygoing manner, Garp was still a veteran of nearly fifty years in the Navy. Even though he knew Spandine was already beyond saving, he spoke as if there was still hope.
The ruse worked. A flicker of desperate hope for survival flashed in Spandine's eyes. With great effort, he forced the words out: "The Sea… the Sea King…"
He managed only those two syllables before his voice cut off.
He was dead.
"The Sea King…"
The phrase hung in the air, echoing in everyone's minds.
"Come on — let's head back to Headquarters for now," Garp said, patting Zephyr on the shoulder before leaping back onto the figurehead of his own ship.
Zephyr turned away, caring little for the fate of the dead agents, but his thoughts raced. The Sea King… does that mean the legendary weapon of the same name?
---
Elsewhere, Grimm steered the stolen Kuja warship back toward their territory, deliberately altering his course so as not to cross paths with Zephyr and his fleet.
Shirahoshi, who had not swum freely in the open ocean for quite some time, darted playfully back and forth alongside the hull.
Seeing her light‑hearted joy, Grimm asked, "Not afraid anymore?"
Surrounded by a school of colorful fish, Shirahoshi froze for a moment, then lifted her head to look at him.
After a few seconds of silence, she gave a shy but genuine smile. "I was very scared at first… but now I feel much better."
"Good to hear," Grimm replied, then asked curiously, "Why do you call me 'Lord Father' so naturally? We've barely met more than a few times."
"Lady Mother told me to address you that way," Shirahoshi explained, splashing water gently with her hands.
Lady Mother? Hancock? A flicker of surprise crossed Grimm's face, followed by a faint smile. Well, that works out nicely. Things were moving in the direction he had hoped.
Though still young and vulnerable, Shirahoshi was already showing signs of growing into someone capable of standing on her own. Hancock had clearly raised her well.
SPLASH!
The sound of waves drew their attention. A ship bearing both the Kuja crest and Grimm's own flag was sailing toward them.
Standing at the bow was Mary, who waved excitedly the moment she spotted them. "Lord Grimm! Shirahoshi! Thank goodness you're safe — are you both unhurt?"
---
One day later, inside the palace on Amazon Lily.
"I am so sorry…"
Gone was the imposing, fearless aura of the Pirate Empress. Instead, she stood before him like a little girl who had made a terrible mistake, bowing her head in silent submission.
Seeing this, the surrounding guards could only stare with hearts fluttering, their minds filled with adoration.
"Even when she looks so soft and vulnerable, Her Majesty is still adorable!"
"Like a gentle kitten… I wish I could reach out and pat her head!"
Hancock kept her face lowered so far that it nearly pressed against her own chest.
Shirahoshi blinked her large eyes, sensing the atmosphere, and wisely chose to remain silent. She turned instead to look at Grimm, standing opposite Hancock.
"Enough," Grimm said simply.
Hancock immediately lifted her head, her eyes wide and hopeful.
"It was not your fault," Grimm continued as he walked toward the main hall exit. "But be prepared. If they failed this time, they will surely try again — and again."
Originally, Grimm had planned to entrust Shirahoshi to Jaina's care, given her immense power.
But it was clear now that a strong bond had already formed between the girl and Hancock. Moving her around would only unsettle her further.
The World Government had set its sights on Shirahoshi because she was Poseidon, the Sea King.
As for how they had learned of her identity, Grimm could guess well enough — the Government's vast resources and network of spies went far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
They would not sit idle while he gained control over such a weapon. They would strike again.
"I have already ordered Violet to carefully screen every new member who has joined our ranks," Hancock said, stepping close to him and speaking in a low voice.
It might bruise some egos, but it was the most effective way to root out infiltrators.
"Yet now that the Government knows of her existence, each failed attempt to seize her only makes it more likely they will decide to kill her instead," Nyon warned, stepping out from behind a nearby pillar.
"If they cannot have her, they will ensure no one else can either. Keep her within the deepest parts of the palace and place her under the strictest protection."
"Go away, Nyon! Can't you see I am speaking with my husband… I mean, with Lord Grimm?" Hancock waved her hand impatiently.
Nyon retreated to the side but kept her gaze fixed on Grimm, waiting for his decision.
"Let her stay here with you, Hancock," Grimm said after a moment of thought.
"We don't know when she will fully master her powers. For now, treat her well and win her trust — otherwise, the Sea King will remain nothing more than a powerless child."
"As for the World Government? Do not worry," he added with a dismissive wave, slipping an arm around Hancock's slender waist.
"Unless they are willing to wage an all‑out war, every force they send will only be crushed in the end."
"Truly worthy of Lord Grimm — so confident and commanding," Hancock replied, her cheeks flushing pink.
Nyon stood by the doorway, slapping her forehead lightly. "Honestly… never thinking of the consequences. The two of them really are cut from the same cloth."
As Grimm and Hancock walked down the streets of New Amazon Lily, they drew the admiring glances of many women along the way, though none dared interrupt them.
"Lord Grimm, do you plan to set sail anytime soon?" Hancock asked softly.
__________________
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