This seemed to be the first time the entire Scarlet Pirates had truly met Sister Rouge. Everyone knew their captain had a beloved older sister, but this was their first real encounter with her.
In the warm, welcoming atmosphere, Reed cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Since everyone is here, let me formally introduce the members of the Scarlet Pirates."
He pointed at himself first.
"Captain: Mistlord Reed."
Moria emerged from the shadows, grinning.
"Combatant: Shadow Master Moria. Heh heh heh."
Enel floated cross-legged in midair, arrogance written all over his face.
"Sniper: Thunder God Enel."
Lina bowed gracefully.
"Navigator: Eye of the Storm, Lina."
Tesoro stepped forward in dazzling gold attire.
"Vice Captain: Golden Emperor Tesoro."
Laboon let out a cheerful call.
"Oooh."
Do not ask why there is no title.
"This is our partner, Laboon," Reed added with a smile. "And our medic, Stella. And…"
His gaze shifted to the baby in Stella's arms.
"Our youngest non-official member, little Lati."
As if sensing the attention, Lati smiled sweetly in her sleep.
Rouge sighed softly.
"What a warm family."
Roger wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders.
"Hahahaha! Then tonight, we are definitely having a grand feast!"
Ace raised his hand.
"I agree!"
Sabo adjusted his glasses.
"I can help prepare the ingredients."
Anne silently raised her whiteboard.
"I can handle the grilling."
And so, beneath the glow of the setting sun, the Roger Pirates and the Scarlet Pirates gathered together in harmony. The sea breeze drifted in, carrying the sound of distant waves, as if even the ocean was laughing along with this rare reunion.
Reed looked at the lively scene before him, a smile unconsciously forming. He raised his glass.
"To family. Cheers."
"Cheers!"
The voices echoed along the coastline of Twin Moon Village.
The next morning, at the dojo's training grounds, four young fighters were locked in a heated argument, their faces flushed red.
"I admire Uncle Reed the most!" Natsumi said, hands on her hips, two swords strapped at her waist. "I practice the swordsmanship he taught me every day. I want to combine Father's style with Uncle Reed's!"
"No way!" Ace swung his longsword angrily. "I even mastered Uncle Reed's Mist God Style!"
Sabo pushed up his glasses and replied calmly.
"In terms of precision, my swordsmanship is closest to Uncle Reed's."
Hiyori smiled gently, but her eyes were firm.
"But Uncle Reed said I have exceptional talent with dual blades."
The argument escalated, until all four drew their swords.
"Then let our blades decide!" Ace grinned. "Whoever wins is the one who admires Uncle Reed the most!"
"Exactly what I wanted!" Izumi drew both of her swords.
Sabo sighed, yet still took a stance.
"This is childish… but fine, I will play along."
Hiyori tightened her grip on her twin blades.
"Please guide me…"
"Dual Sword Style: Butterfly Dance!"
Izumi's small figure spun like a whirlwind, her blades carving perfect arcs. Ace stumbled back, his sword blocking the first strike with a sharp clang, but the second slash tore through his clothes.
"Damn it!"
Fire flared in Ace's eyes.
"Twin Blade Technique: Phantom Rush!"
His longsword became elusive, charging toward Natsumi at high speed. His flintlock gun remained strapped to his back, unused and dangerous to rely on in close combat.
On the other side, Sabo's rapier pierced cleanly into a gap in Hiyori's form.
"Your rhythm is too rigid," he said, adjusting his glasses. "Uncle Reed said the most important thing in dual sword combat is…"
"Adaptation."
Hiyori abruptly shifted her stance, pressing down with her left blade while thrusting upward with her right, forcibly breaking through Sabo's attack.
"Uncle Reed taught me this just last week!"
The clash intensified. Wooden swords sparked under the morning light.
Izumi spun sharply, both blades slashing toward Ace from left and right.
"Dual Sword Style: Returning Swallows!"
Ace's pupils shrank. He blocked with his longsword and grinned.
"Not bad! But Uncle Reed taught me more than just that!"
His sword aura shifted. The once broad, flowing technique became even more expansive.
"Twin Blade Technique: Hazy Moon!"
Natsumi was caught off guard, nearly grazed across the shoulder. She retreated quickly, only for Sabo to appear where she was about to land, his rapier thrusting toward the opening she exposed.
The battlefield shifted. One on one became two on two.
"Miss Natsumi, you are too naive. Forgive me," Sabo said, light flashing across his glasses. "Uncle Reed always said that in battle, you must be aware of your surroundings."
Clang.
Hiyori's blade intercepted his thrust in time. Her voice was soft but unwavering.
"Sabo, your opponent is me."
Her twin swords crossed, striking Sabo's rapier. Everyone knew this was sparring, so every strike aimed for weapons, not flesh. Even Sabo's chosen openings were meant to disarm, not injure.
"Dual Sword Style: Cross Slash!"
Sabo was forced back.
"Damn…"
Ace moved to assist, but Izumi's twin blades blocked his path once more.
"Your opponent is me!" Izumi's eyes burned with resolve. "Today, we settle this!"
Their techniques escalated, from basic sword forms to named styles, then further, infused with Armament Haki.
"Dual Sword Style: Flying Swallow!"
"Dual Sword Style: Blizzard of Blossoms!"
"Twin Blade Technique: Mist Cleave!"
"Rapier Art: Bee Sting!"
Cracks spread across the dojo floor. The onlookers stared in shock.
"Senior Sister Kuina, should we stop them?" someone whispered anxiously. "What if the master finds out?"
Kuina shook her head.
"It's fine. It has not spiraled out of control yet."
Just as all four prepared to unleash their full strength,
"That's enough."
"Calm Style: Annihilation."
A cool, steady voice rang out.
Anne appeared between them without warning. Her greatsword rang like thunder as it intercepted all four attacks at once. Natsumi's twin blades, Ace's longsword, and Sabo's rapier were all firmly halted.
"Anne?!" Ace's eyes widened.
Anne held the massive sword one-handed, nearly as tall as she was, completely unmoving.
"Calm Style: Tidal Wave."
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
The four stared at her in disbelief. Anne was usually so quiet.
She slowly lifted her head, her calm gaze sweeping across them.
"…Childish."
Her greatsword vibrated violently as a surging wave of Haki burst forth.
"Prosper."
All four were hurled into the air and slammed back onto the ground, battered and disheveled.
In terms of raw strength and sheer physical dominance, Anne far surpassed the others. Unlike those who relied on perception or finesse, her power was rooted in her body itself.