Soon, the Wind Rider, having packed everything, set sail once more, with Gecko Moria piloting a large ship closely behind.
"Goodbye, my desolate and ruined land!"
Moria looked at the gradually fading silhouette of the Thriller Bark and couldn't help but sigh.
He had lived here for ten years, and leaving now did stir some emotion.
But he quickly pulled himself together. From today on, he could no longer be as decadent as before. He had to follow Caelan and challenge Kaido once more.
"Moria-sama, do we really have to follow Caelan-sama?"
Hogback still looked bewildered. His boss suddenly had a new boss.
"There's no debating it. Even if I was forced, a man should keep his word."
Moria was calm, having fully accepted the situation.
In truth, following Caelan wasn't bad. At least now there was hope for revenge against Kaido.
And judging by the news reports, this was likely a reliable leader.
"Understood, Moria-sama."
Hogback lowered his head in silence.
"Also, fix Absalom's body as soon as possible. He won't be dying again."
With that, Moria turned and went back into the cabin.
Without a life-saving moment to deepen their bond, Moria and Absalom didn't have the strongest relationship.
Still, Absalom had been his subordinate for years. Turning him into a zombie as a form of commemoration felt appropriate.
"Honestly, I think it'd be better to bury him."
Hogback mumbled quietly behind him.
Absalom was already dead, and now he had to be made into a working zombie. That was just pitiful.
…
On the Wind Rider, the mood was cheerful.
Nami dove into the treasure pile, her eyes shining with gold.
Tashigi was polishing the black blade, Shusui, which she had obtained from the zombie Ryuma, deeply absorbed in her task.
Caelan was teasing Perona, who now wore a maid outfit, occasionally drawing out startled squeals.
This was a punishment decided by Nami and the other girls—Perona had to serve as a maid for a while.
No matter what they thought of it, Caelan was thoroughly enjoying it.
"I really didn't expect Caelan to walk off with a Warlord of the Sea too."
Vivi looked at the large ship trailing behind them and made a blunt remark.
Robin nodded in agreement, still finding it all a bit surreal.
They had thought kidnapping Perona was the limit. But Caelan had gone beyond expectations and even taken Moria with him.
That was a Warlord of the Sea, one of the strongest forces recognized by the world.
Each Warlord had the power to destroy a country. Alabasta had been a perfect example.
If Caelan hadn't stepped in, Alabasta would have had no chance of resisting Crocodile.
Kalifa looked at Caelan playing with Perona but couldn't help feeling a bit concerned.
His ambition was already glaringly obvious.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea were meant to help the World Government maintain balance on the seas, but now they were falling under Caelan's command.
This man was clearly headed for rebellion.
But now that she was aboard Caelan's ship, there was no turning back.
After two days of sailing, the Wind Rider finally exited the Florian Triangle and arrived at a Marine base to exchange the bounties.
Two Marine vice admirals came out to greet them, which took Caelan by surprise.
"Vice Admiral Gion of Marine Headquarters greets you, Caelan."
Gion smiled warmly, her lips curling into a charming grin.
Since the end of the Marine Headquarters meeting, she had been waiting along Caelan's travel route, hoping for a chance to meet him. Now, that wait had paid off.
"Vice Admiral Tokikake of Marine Headquarters."
In contrast to Gion's enthusiasm, Tokikake was cold, and there was a hint of hostility in his expression.
As Gion's self-proclaimed future partner, he had naturally followed her when she rushed to meet a man.
Seeing how much attention Gion was giving Caelan made him burn with jealousy.
What was so great about this guy? So what if he was a little stronger, more heroic, and more famous? What made him so special?
Caelan looked at the two and was a bit confused.
Logically speaking, these two should be stationed at Marineford, not here.
And this Tokikake... was too obvious with his emotions.
He'd only said a few words to Gion, and now the man's eyes were bloodshot like a vampire.
How rude.
A playful glint flashed in Caelan's eyes.
"Hello, Vice Admiral Tokikake."
Caelan extended his hand to Tokikake and greeted him kindly.
"Hello, Caelan."
Caught off guard, Tokikake shook his hand with a bit of guilt.
Was Caelan actually this polite? Had he been too harsh earlier?
Caelan nodded, then turned to Gion and extended his hand again.
"Hello, beautiful lady."
"Hello, Caelan."
Gion's smile grew brighter as she reached out to shake his hand.
Under Tokikake's envious gaze, Caelan and Gion held the handshake a few seconds longer than necessary.
Damn you!
Tokikake stared at Caelan, nearly bursting into flames from jealousy.
His handshake with Caelan had been brief, but Caelan held Gion's hand like they were glued together. It was clearly intentional.
He had pursued Gion for so long but had never received such intimacy.
For a desperate man like him, even a handshake felt like an intimate act.
"Vice Admiral Tokikake, why are you blushing? Feeling unwell?"
Caelan asked with a gentle smile, looking concerned.
"It's nothing. The weather's just a bit hot."
Tokikake clenched his teeth and spat out the words.
Gion looked at Caelan with amusement. This man had quite the mischievous streak.
"Caelan, is there anything we can help you with?"
Gion asked sweetly.
"I've caught some pirates. I'd like to exchange them for bounty."
Seeing Tokikake about to explode, Caelan decided to pull back for now.
Hmph. What kind of pirates could be around here? Just a bunch of small fry.
Tokikake scowled, dismissing it all in his mind.
"Moria, bring down the pirates."
Caelan shouted to the large ship trailing behind. Moria immediately moved to escort thousands of pirates down.
"Huh? What the hell is this?"
Tokikake stared, stunned.
That was Moria—the same Warlord who usually ignored orders from the World Government. Why was he escorting pirates for Caelan?
Suddenly, even the thousands of pirates seemed less important in comparison.
"Moria, weren't you staying in the Florian Triangle? Why are you following Caelan?"
Gion asked in confusion.
"Caelan-sama's grand ambition and demeanor deeply moved me."
Moria's face twitched as he answered expressionlessly.
Did they really have to rub salt in his wounds?
These two vice admirals were clearly just here to embarrass him.
"Eh!?"
Gion and Tokikake both stared at Caelan in shock, as if their brains had short-circuited.
This was a Warlord of the Sea, someone even the World Government had difficulty controlling.
And now... Caelan had him completely under his command?
(To be continued.)