Pudding's three eyes instantly welled with tears, but this time, they were tears of joy. "Yes!"
Ten minutes later, the Blumarine Jackson set sail. Katakuri and Perospero stood at the harbor, watching the infamous pirate ship disappear over the horizon.
"Hehehe… they're really just leaving like that?" Perospero licked his candy staff. "I thought they'd make more of a scene~ Perospero~"
Katakuri's gaze remained fixed on the distant horizon, a faint smile hidden beneath his scarf. "Pudding looks genuinely happy."
Perospero's expression darkened. "If the Sea God is leaving in such a hurry, it must be important. Alert all the islands and enter emergency protocol."
Meanwhile, atop Totto Land Castle, a now-calm Charlotte Linlin slammed her fists against the walls of her room in anger. "Reed, you little brat! How dare you "
Her movements froze suddenly. She clutched the wound in her back where the Black Tide Greatsword had pierced her; an unstoppable thread of blood mist silently seeped into her veins.
As the Blumarine Jackson sailed past Wano Country's waterfalls, Reed stood at the bow, blood mist billowing behind him like a cloak. His crimson eyes scanned the Flower Capital below. The streets were clean, shops lined the avenues, and children played in the alleys. He had seen similar scenes in Totto Land, confirming that Oden was safe.
"Seems like Oden's administration is doing well," Tesoro said, leaning against the ship's railing.
Reed let out a quiet laugh. "Better than that drunk Kaido, at least."
When the ship docked, Kozuki Oden hurried over with the Nine Red Scabbards. The Wano generals wore heavy dark circles under their eyes, clearly sleep-deprived.
"Reed! You finally came," Oden said as he rushed forward. "Please, help my wife, Hikari Kozuki. Her condition is critical."
Reed jumped off the ship, blood mist spreading across the ground like a red carpet. "Where is Hikari Kozuki?"
Inside the Tenshukaku, Hikari Kozuki leaned weakly on the tatami mats. When Reed entered, a faint blush touched her pale face.
"Lord Reed…" she struggled to rise. "I saw… a blood-red sun… devouring Wano Country…"
Her voice was weak. "Twenty years from now… his successor will come to Wano… but by then, this place will already be "
She coughed up a mouthful of blood before finishing. Oden rushed to support his wife, while Reed's blood mist wrapped around Hikari's wrists, channeling life force directly into her body. Thankfully, this was only a basic life energy loss, which Reed could fully replenish.
As vast life force flowed into Hikari, her condition visibly improved, her emaciated body gradually returning to normal.
"Keep going," Reed said, his voice calm and steady.
Hikari trembled, clutching Reed's sleeve. "Someone… someone is trying to rewrite 'that dawn'…"
"That dawn?" Reed frowned in confusion.
Hikari shook her head. "I'm not sure. I only heard that phrase. Reed, remember when you left before? You told me to understand the meaning of time."
Time is the embodiment of the Way. Through its passage, we observe how the Way operates within all things.
You also spoke of a realm called "Freedom," a state where one breaks free of worldly constraints and temporal limits, achieving true spiritual liberation. But I have not reached that realm. My Devil Fruit awakened, I saw past events, and heard that phrase. When I tried to listen more closely, I woke up.
"I understand, Hikari. Don't worry, I understand. You can rest now." Reed helped everyone rise and leave the room. Oden followed, finally letting out a long breath.
"Yes…" Oden scratched his head. "She…"
"She's fine," Reed interrupted. "Her life force has fully recovered. A few days of rest, and she'll be completely fine. Physically, there's nothing wrong now; just mentally exhausted. A good sleep will fix it."
"Captain," Tesoro said, approaching from behind. "What Hikari saw "
Reed withdrew the blood mist. "It's not important."
"But "
"Tesoro." Reed turned, his crimson eyes deep under the moonlight. "Some things are better left unknown."
Tesoro paused, then nodded knowingly. "Understood."
And so, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the prophecy Hikari had witnessed.
"Gurgle "
Suddenly, Oden's stomach growled loudly. He laughed awkwardly. "Well, now that things have settled, I'm getting hungry! Everyone, I've had the kitchen prepare sukiyaki…"
A small smile tugged at Reed's lips. "Perfect. I'm hungry too. Let's eat, crew!"
At dinner, everyone gathered around a low table. The Nine Red Scabbards took turns toasting. Denjiro shared stories of Wano's reconstruction, and Kawamatsu performed Fish-Man Karate, eliciting laughter from all. The tension of earlier events seemed to vanish entirely.
"Uncle Reed !!!"
A clear, childish voice suddenly pierced the courtyard's calm. Two small figures sprinted through the gate, the sound of wooden sandals striking stone echoing sharply. Hiyori stumbled from running too fast, nearly falling, but her sister, Hizumi, grabbed her collar just in time.
"Slow down!" Hizumi scolded, though she herself ran even faster, half her hair undone.
Reed turned just as the two little swordswomen crashed into his arms. The blood mist softened their impact, though he still stepped back half a pace.
"Oh, our little swordsmen have returned?" Reed squatted, holding both children. "Let me see if you've grown taller."
Hiyori clutched his collar, eyes red. "Uncle Reed, you liar! You said you'd come in three months!"
Hizumi looked serious, but her blinking eyes betrayed her emotions. "It's been… two years! My sister and I practiced swordsmanship every day! One day, we'll be great swordsmen, just like you."
Reed paused, then chuckled softly.
"All my fault," he said, brushing dust from Hiyori's face. "But it seems you didn't slack off. Wow, the calluses on your hands are much thicker than last time. Both little swordswomen have been working hard."
Oden stood nearby, hands on his hips, laughing. "Haha! These two girls have worn me out! They pull me out for sword training every morning!"
"Reed, I have to tell you! My darling daughter, Hizumi, even defeated a child three years older than her last month!"
"Damn it, there's no need to brag about that."