The next morning, the sun had just risen, and the Wind Rider sailed quietly through the morning mist.
On the deck, Caelan and his companions sat around having breakfast.
Compared to the joy of the previous day, the atmosphere this morning was noticeably awkward.
Nami, Tashigi, and Vivi all had dark circles under their eyes. It was obvious none of them had slept well.
Meanwhile, Caelan and Robin, the "culprits" of last night's unrest, ate happily as if nothing had happened.
To be fair, the people of the pirate world had excellent physical constitution. Even though Robin had lost her virginity the night before, aside from her pale face, she showed no other signs of fatigue.
"Robin has great endurance. Still so full of energy despite not sleeping all night, Nami commented faintly, her tone laced with a mix of jealousy and grievance.
Tashigi didn't know what to say. She simply buried her face in her food.
They had finally tried to make a move, but they didn't expect to lose so thoroughly.
"It was pretty good," Caelan said with a satisfied sigh as he put down his bacon sandwich.
Although it had been Robin's first time, her Flower-Flower Fruit abilities had seemingly endless uses. The experience had been quite impressive.
Hearing that, Nami and Tashigi's expressions grew darker, and even Vivi, who hadn't initially minded, now looked a little irritated.
"It's nothing. You'll understand in a few days."
Robin's tone was calm, as though nothing had happened.
But the hand gripping her table knife was trembling. She clearly wasn't as composed as she seemed.
Who would understand?!
And you definitely weren't calling it "nothing" last night!
Nami and Tashigi didn't even have the strength to retort. They simply flushed and focused on their food.
"Alright, alright, let's drop it. Let's talk about our next destination."
Seeing that the atmosphere was turning sour, Caelan forcibly changed the topic.
"Our next stop is the legendary Florian Triangle. They say dozens of pirate ships disappear there every year."
As she spoke, Nami's earlier awkwardness faded, replaced by seriousness.
This mysterious and dangerous sea was not to be taken lightly.
"No need to worry too much. There's only one Warlord of the Sea there—Gecko Moria," Caelan said casually.
That guy was pitiful in his own right. He had challenged Kaido, lost all his comrades, and had never recovered since.
But once Caelan arrived, Moria would be even more pitiful.
He might not be worth bounty rewards, but having him as a lackey wouldn't be bad.
Caelan sipped his juice with a cheerful look.
"Right, just one Warlord," Tashigi nodded along, trusting Caelan's confidence.
"Just one Warlord?!"
"Don't make it sound so simple!"
Nami clutched her hair and nearly exploded.
That's a Warlord of the Sea! A major figure! Was it really okay to be this reckless?
"Well, it's not wrong. Maybe in Caelan's eyes, the Warlords really aren't that big a deal," Vivi said, tilting her head thoughtfully.
"That's true. Caelan already defeated one of the Warlords. That so-called 'God' Enel wasn't any weaker than them," Robin added, nodding in agreement.
"I get it, but we still shouldn't be careless!" Nami emphasized.
After all her time on the Grand Line, she understood just how unpredictable things could get.
"She's right. Caelan, don't be careless!" Vivi chimed in as well.
Suddenly, all the girls united and started lecturing their overly confident captain.
"Alright, alright, I promise I'll take every enemy seriously," Caelan said with a smile, looking at the reunited, lively group of girls.
He had never been careless. He just approached enemies strategically with contempt, and tactically with caution.
After finishing breakfast, Caelan helped the girls with their daily training. It was the final day of their Ten-Day Haki Awakening Crash Course.
The women had awakened their Haki, but unlike Caelan, they didn't start out at Marine Headquarters level. Their Haki was still in its early stages.
However, once they became proficient, their strength would leap significantly. They would be able to fight pirates with bounties of 70 to 80 million with ease.
Just as Nami and the others were relaxing on the deck, something unexpected happened.
"Caelan, look! There's a woman floating in the sea!"
Nami pointed to the ocean and cried out in surprise.
A woman was drifting toward the Wind Rider on a plank, carried by the waves.
"Let's fish her out first."
Caelan wasn't planning to get involved, but after taking a glance, he suddenly found her face familiar.
Soon, Tashigi hauled the woman aboard. Her figure was voluptuous, and even with her eyes closed, her sharp, elegant features revealed a wild beauty.
Her soaked clothes clung to her body, outlining her curves, and her fishnet-covered legs were especially eye-catching. Even the typically composed Caelan took a second look.
Based on those iconic long legs, Caelan recognized her—CP9 agent Kalifa.
But shouldn't she be searching for the blueprints of Pluton in Water 7? Why had she ended up here?
Caelan rubbed his chin and fell into thought.
"Who are you… and where am I?"
The woman opened her eyes, dazed.
She quickly glanced at Robin, then at Caelan.
Both were high-priority targets.
And this mysterious man, Caelan… might be even more important than Robin.
"You were drifting at sea. We picked you up," Nami said matter-of-factly. "No need to thank us, but if there's a reward, don't hold back. We won't be polite!"
"Sorry, I don't have any Berries on me."
"My name is Kalifa. I was once the mayor's secretary in Water 7. After I resigned, I used my savings to travel the world. I ran into a storm and lost everything. If not for your help, I wouldn't have made it."
Kalifa put on a pitiful expression, then smiled gratefully at the group.
Nami and the others softened a bit. Losing everything in a storm after years of saving… it was tragic.
Even Robin, typically composed, seemed to believe her.
Caelan, of course, saw through her. As expected of a CP9 agent—her acting was top-tier.
If he hadn't read the manga, even he might have been fooled. Maybe not the first time, but the second.
Kalifa saw the shift in the girls' expressions and quietly celebrated.
Good. Everything was going according to plan.
As long as she could get close to Caelan, she could infiltrate successfully.
"Captain, I can't repay you for saving my life… so I'll offer you my body instead!"
Kalifa flung herself into Caelan's arms, her voice seductive.
It was her first time playing this bold of a card, but if it helped her deal with Caelan, it was worth it.
She was ready to reject him the moment he responded.
Kalifa glanced at Caelan out of the corner of her eye, heart pounding.
(To be continued.)
***
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