The scolding always came with an inevitable smile, as the adults shook their heads while stuffing freshly baked bread into her hands.
She once thought that she would forever live carelessly like this, tumbling into adulthood and then muddling into old age.
Until she truly became part of the Navy, truly fought for the justice in her heart, and on that rain-soaked, desolate battlefield, adopted those two pitiable little girls and one black-haired brat.
Suddenly, there were people who needed her to become a "reliable adult."
She began to clumsily learn how to cook burned porridge, awkwardly mend the socks with holes, and toil in the Orange Garden until she couldn't straighten her back…
Just to feed three crying infants that, in turn, re-granted her life.
And now.
In a blink, more than ten years have passed…
The brat who once needed her tender care had already grown into a man that the whole world had to look up to, today even bringing her to the top of this world.
"It's wonderful, Shano."
Belle-Mere gazed at the distant sunset, and then murmured again.
Shano smiled without speaking.
He just stood beside her, handed over two red bean buns, then also began to tear into them, quietly watching the sea with her.
After an unknown period.
Shano finally spoke:
"Let's watch a bit longer, wait until the sun has fully set, then we'll set off."
"Alright."
Actually, Shano initially didn't want to spend extra time on the road.
So, he had Kuma use his ability to send him flying here, and planned to use the Teleportation Staff's power to directly transport back to the New World.
Two thousand points per person, four thousand for two, quite expensive, but it would save at least half a month's journey. Shano now could afford it.
But now, he changed his mind.
Let's just ride back to the New World along the edge of the Windless Zone.
As the boy grows up, isn't it right to spend more time accompanying his mom?
...
The twilight stretched a long golden-red beam over the sea, as Shano and Belle-Mere sat at the top of the Red Earth Continent, watching the last ray of sunlight sink into the horizon.
"It's time to go."
Shano stretched lazily and turned to his mom, "The upcoming journey might be a bit thrilling, are you ready?"
Belle-Mere snorted, stuffing the last bite of red bean bun into her mouth, clapping off the crumbs:
"Don't underestimate me, you little brat, excitement is what I want! Back when I rowed the boat with you three brats in stormy weather, you were so scared you clung to my waist and wouldn't let go!"
"Who would remember such things!"
Shano laughed heartily, took out the hovercraft from the capsule, and flicked his fingers.
"Hold tight."
Shano mounted the motorcycle, Belle-Mere deftly jumped onto the backseat.
The engine roared, the motorcycle soared high, rushed out off the cliff, zooming straight down along the rock wall of the Red Earth Continent.
Simultaneously, Belle-Mere's scream rang through—
"Ahhh, brat, how could you go down like this!"
...
An hour later.
The hoverbike smoothly cruised across the Windless Zone, Belle-Mere, cheeks puffed, held her arms crossly.
And ahead, Shano drove the motorcycle with a grievance, his ears red from tugging, three large bumps on his head still swollen, emitting wisps of smoke.
Women, truly creatures of contradiction.
Even mothers are the same.
All along the way, terrifyingly massive Super Large Sea King Species noticed the speeding motorcycle, lowering themselves menacingly to charge forward.
But just as they got near, their bodies abruptly froze, the next moment swiftly hastening away as if frightened.
"These big fellows sure know their place."
Belle-Mere raised an eyebrow, "Could it be they read newspapers too, know your identity as a Sea Emperor?"
"It's the Supreme King aura…"
Shano sighed, "By the way, Mom, don't you also have it?"
"Me? Impossible!"
"Then how could you hit me so painfully, even the Navy Grand Admiral or the Seven Warlords of the Sea can't really manage that, do you know… huh?"
Shano suddenly braked the motorcycle, unexpectedly lifted his head, looking ahead.
Talk of Seven Warlords of the Sea brings Seven Warlords of the Sea?
"What's up?" Belle-Mere curiously poked her head out, following Shano's gaze.
There at the end of their sight, a uniquely shaped large Pirate Ship was slowly navigating.
The bow had two giant serpents pulling the ship, its hull of red-black main tones paired with vermilion sails, with the Nine-Headed Serpent Skull mark on the sails.
Whether the structures or the figures along the railings, all carried a strong Amazon Rainforest vibe.
"Are they all girls?"
Belle-Mere noticed the most distinct detail at first glance, some surprise in her voice, "A hundred people on the deck, seems like there isn't a single man?"
Her amazement mirrored the curiosity of the female warriors on the ship.
"Look quick, there's a man!"
"Where? Really, and he's super handsome!"
"What's he riding, looks like a white horse, but so odd…"
Amid the chatter, a cold and proud voice suddenly rose from the rear:
"Why have we stopped suddenly, what are you all fussing about?"
"Empress!"
The female warriors immediately halted, respectfully stepping aside to clear a path.
On the deck, an elegant figure emerged.
Her long black hair flowed like a waterfall, her stunning face bearing an innate pride, dressed in a fitting red robe, with long slender legs in high heels. She approached the rail, her gaze cold and condescending.