Half a month had passed. In that time, aside from six pirate crews that were swiftly dealt with, nothing noteworthy had occurred.

The New World was vast—and far more dangerous than any other sea. The pirates here weren't just larger in numbers, but more vicious in power. Even the Sea Kings here outclassed those from the Grand Line and the Four Blues.

"It'd be nice to have a floating island like the Golden Lion had," Vane muttered as he sat lazily on the deck, gazing out through the railing at the horizon. "Or an ability like his... Floating above the sea sounds way more exciting than just sailing through it."

Despite everything, life on the calm ocean grew dull. Seeing the same endless water every day could get tiring.

He'd only run into pirates six times in the last half month—and every time, they were crushed without effort.

Behind him, Gion—formerly known as Vice Admiral Momousagi—looked even more bored than he did.

She was no longer a prisoner, not in the traditional sense. She had become a member of Vane's crew, though the idea of a Vice Admiral joining a pirate ship would send shockwaves through Marine Headquarters if it ever got out.

Gion knew exactly why Vane had kept her on board—it was her strength. She was one of the Navy's finest swordswomen, and she was aware of her capabilities. Her loss to Esdeath wasn't due to weakness, but the sheer impossibility of countering Esdeath's elemental power. Even Armament Haki had failed to overcome her. Gion had landed three clean hits, but Esdeath's ability made them meaningless.

And that wasn't the only shock.

She soon realized how underestimated the women on this ship were. Esdeath was a monster in combat—but Kalifa shocked her even more. The World Government once classified her as a non-fruit user with a power level barely worth noting. But now, her power surged to terrifying heights.

Two hundred million volts—lightning that could incinerate her completely.

Kalifa had eaten the Thunder Fruit, and in just three months, under Vane's guidance, she had grown into a force that could stand among the strongest.

Gion now understood why Vane was so dangerous. If his crew was this monstrous, then what kind of monster was he?

And Vane himself? He wielded powers that rivaled legends. He could summon tsunamis with a punch, freeze entire waves, bury fleets beneath the ocean, and conjure golden weapons and magic circles in midair. He was too much.

He was... a little monster.

She could no longer bring herself to resist. This boy's power exceeded the rules of this world. Gion, the proud Vice Admiral, was helpless.

"Ugh."

She sighed heavily, arms crossed. She really was unlucky. What now?

Escape wasn't even an option. They didn't bind her. They didn't even watch her closely. But she knew she wouldn't make it far. Not with Esdeath and Kalifa around—and especially not with Vane.

"Gion, come play some cards," Kalifa called out cheerfully.

Under a large parasol near the bow of the ship, a small table was already set up. Esdeath and Kalifa sat waiting with a deck in hand.

"What do you want? Cards? Poker?" Gion raised a brow.

"Fight the Landlord," Kalifa grinned.

"Not interested."

She was about to walk away when Esdeath smirked.

"What's wrong, old woman? Scared to lose?"

"What did you just call me?"

The words hit Gion like a slap. She wasn't even that old—barely in her late thirties. With her training and strength, she could live another fifty or sixty years. She was only halfway through her life.

"I'm not some frail old lady! If it's cards you want, I'll bury you in them."

She stomped over and sat at the table, eyes narrowed.

Kalifa chuckled. "You'll get used to her."

Esdeath leaned forward, eyes gleaming with a dangerous calm. "Also, just so you know—if you ever try to escape, I'll kill you. Not with any fancy powers. Just my own hands. You couldn't beat me before, and you definitely can't now."

A sharp ice blade formed in her palm as she flicked it playfully toward Gion, who remained still but alert. The message was clear.

She meant it.

Esdeath was deeply protective of Vane. If Gion did anything that hurt or threatened him, she wouldn't hesitate.

"You psycho," Gion muttered. She had no doubt Esdeath would follow through. She'd witnessed the woman's cruelty in battle. She was terrifying.

Kalifa smiled as if it were all normal. "You'll get used to it. I wasn't, at first. But now... this is just how things are."

"Used to it...?" Gion sighed. "That might take a while."

Esdeath shrugged. "Just don't fall for the kid, or we'll have problems."

"Fall for him?" Gion laughed out loud. "Don't be ridiculous! I'm more than twenty years older than him. I have some shame, thank you."

"Glasses Girl, did you hear that?"

Kalifa grinned. "Loud and clear."

"You two..."

The game began. Just a simple session of Landlord, three people at a table, passing the time. But with these women, conversations often stretched on for hours, and the laughter—whether mocking or genuine—filled the salty air.

Meanwhile, the ship known as The King sailed smoothly across the New World's waters. Where it would head next—only Vane knew.

But he had something in mind.

He wanted to challenge the man known as the world's strongest: Edward Newgate, Whitebeard himself.

---

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