"Is it really that bad?" Rosen actually thought it was decent. After all, he had his own experience reserves, though borrowed from others, which made his thinking somewhat rigid.
From Rosen's perspective, Bones and the others had fairly rich combat experience.
"That iron-clad one isn't bad, but the rest are terrible," commented Hathaway, sizing up MR.5 and the other officers.
Rosen took a bite of the fragrant grilled octopus leg in his hand, adding some seasoning before speaking. "How about you train them, then?"
He asked tentatively, though he didn't hold much hope. Hathaway was, after all, a queen—unlikely to act as a drill instructor for his crew.
Yet, to his surprise, Hathaway agreed. "Fine."
"Uh, really?" Rosen wasn't sure he'd heard correctly. Had she just said yes? Or had he missed a word?
"Your Majesty, could you train me too? With Alice gone, I'm worried my progress will slow. Oh no—this fish is burnt!" Natalie exclaimed mid-sentence, panicking.
The crew burst into laughter at her flustered state. With no children aboard, Natalie was the first, naturally earning doting care from the older men and women.
The Dawn was livelier than ever.
"Fine. But my training is intense—potentially life-threatening. Do you have enough medical supplies?" Hathaway's words sent a chill through Robin, Valentine, and Miggs, who were grilling nearby.
'That dangerous?' Meanwhile, MR.5 and Bones, oblivious, remained unfazed.
"Let's hear their thoughts. Strength is good, but willingness is key for efficiency. Oh, can you teach Haki too?" Rosen almost agreed outright but reconsidered—individual will mattered.
As for injuries, even without medicine, his vitality could handle it.
"I can, if they have the potential."
"No, I meant—teach me when you have time." Rosen was frank. Hathaway's mastery of Haki was exceptional. While swordsmanship wasn't his forte, his Conqueror's Haki was too valuable to waste.
"You?" Hathaway was taken aback. She'd witnessed Rosen's strength firsthand—why would such a powerhouse lower himself to learn from her?
"Yes."
"Good. I've wanted to fight you anyway."
'Wait, did she misunderstand something?'
---
"We're in." When Rosen gathered the officers, they all agreed—even Robin joined the training.
"Oh, do you have a vice-captain or something? Can I be a captain too?" Hathaway suddenly asked. She disliked being subordinate.
"Trying to usurp me?" Rosen was speechless. Was she openly declaring ambition in front of everyone?
But it was better this way—no misunderstandings later.
"Can I?" Hathaway blinked, clearly unfamiliar with pirate customs.
Rosen grimaced. 'How do I respond to that?'
Robin covered a chuckle, while Bones and MR.5 exchanged glances. 'Are they about to fight?'
"If you were my subordinate, sure. Pirates follow strength. But you aren't."
"What about vice-captain?"
"You have a thing for titles?" Rosen sighed. Oddly, Hathaway craved rank yet had relinquished rulership of Lantis—hardly the act of a power-hungry person.
"Not really. If not, no big deal."
"So cool! Make her vice-captain!" A smitten crewman blurted out.
"You—clean the ship solo for a week." Rosen scowled. 'Unbelievable.'
"Y-yes, Boss!" The sailor snapped back to reality, shuddering. 'Did I really say that?'
'Please don't let Robin or MR.1 think less of me…'
Hathaway's question made Rosen realize something: as the crew grew, roles needed clarification to prevent chaos and infighting.
Decisions couldn't stall if he was absent—indecision was worse than bad choices.
His crew respected him, but unlike Luffy's, their bonds weren't as tight. Structure was necessary.
"Since everyone's here, let's formalize positions. First Mate: Nico Robin. Second Mate: Bones, leading the combat team. MR.5, Valentine, and Miggs as deputies. I'll head the New Order, with Hathaway as deputy."
"The New Order? What's that? What does a deputy do?" Natalie mumbled through a mouthful of fish, curious if her queen had really gotten a title.
Hathaway also looked puzzled. 'Is this a high rank or not?'
"Future allies outside the Dawn will fall under your command. We're equals in the New Order, but I know it better." Rosen didn't yield here—this was non-negotiable.
"So my authority matches yours?" Hathaway nodded, satisfied.
"Yes, but you won't decide Dawn matters—though suggestions are welcome." Rosen kept her role external.
For now, it was symbolic, but if more allies joined, her talents would shine. A ruler who unified a dying nation was invaluable—not just for strength, but for governance.
Specialists should handle their fields. Robin and Bones, his right-hand men, would stay close, holding the top two roles.
"Then let's celebrate! Drinks!"
The Dawn erupted in cheer. Watching the revelry, Rosen suddenly understood why Luffy wanted a musician.
He could use one too—good music would elevate the mood.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
A few drunk crewmen, including MR.5 and Valentine, tried flirting with Hathaway. She knocked them out cold.
Bones sipped his drink, then squinted at a distant tributary. A massive pirate ship emerged.
'Am I drunk?'
Meeting pirates on the Sky Path was rare. They'd already found one abandoned ship earlier—this one was sailing.
"Uncle, a ship's approaching! Lots of people aboard," Natalie murmured, belly round from feasting, half-asleep yet still perceptive.
"Captain! A ship's anchored ahead—can't tell if it's Marine or pirate. Could it be from Skypiea? Are we really there?"
"Who cares? One ship's no match for us. Even if it's Marines, who'll help them here? Blast 'em to hell!"
"Aye!"
(End of Chapter)
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