"Okay, okay—no more crying." Karl handed Murphy Daphne a handkerchief. "No one's going to bully you here. Let me introduce the crew."
Daphne's eyes were still red, but the panic had drained from her face. In a world where pirates could end you on a whim, finding a compatriot felt like finding land after months at sea.
"That's Ellie—our doctor," Karl said deliberately, slipping an arm around Ellie's shoulders with a grin. "Also my wife."
Ellie's tiny pout vanished; she brightened instantly. "Daphne, it's fine now. We're crewmates."
"Thank you, Ellie."
"The helmsman is Bansen—Ellie's older brother.
Rifle over there is Adrian, our sniper.
The big guy is Jerry, shipwright—fish-man, genius with tools.
Kitchen queen is Karine—her cooking will ruin you for all other food.
You already know Enel.
And this," Karl nudged the blonde girl beaming with pride, "is my niece, Portgas D. Ann."
"Portgas D…?" Daphne blinked—yep, that surname.
"It's what you think," Karl said, easy as ever. "We'll explain later. For now—welcome party."
"Usual routine!" Karine clapped. "Griddles and grills!"
The deck filled with the scent of sizzling meat and spice. Bottles clinked.
"To our new crewmate!"
"CHEERS!!!"
Jerry downed a mug. "Karine's brew just keeps leveling up, wahahaha!"
Bansen nodded, expert on liquor matters. "Better than the batch we had on Fish-man Island."
"You've been to Fish-man Island?" Daphne's curiosity overflowed. "Is it beautiful? Are there really that many mermaids?"
"It's gorgeous," Ann said, eyes soft. "The big sisters there are super nice… and Princess Shirahoshi—so pretty. I miss her a little."
"The princess?" Daphne practically sparkled. A beauty on par with the Empress…
"Don't worry," Karl chuckled, ruffling Ann's hair. "She's got King Neptune and three brothers. Drink your milk."
"Stop messing up my hair, Uncle! You tell me milk makes me taller and then flatten me!"
Laughter rolled across the deck, and by midnight everyone had accepted Daphne as if she'd always been there.
Later, the deck was quiet save for the sigh of the waves. Karl and Daphne shared a bottle under the stars.
"When did you end up here?" he asked.
"A few days ago," she said. "Company emergency. I rushed out, got hit by a car—woke up in this world." She exhaled. "I tried using a noble family as shelter, planned to reach the East Blue—Windmill Village felt like the safest place. But pirates wrecked the country overnight. My uncle tried to marry me off to a pig of a prince. I ran. You know the rest."
"No cheat? Most transmigrators get something."
"Nothing." She drooped. "This is the world of One Piece and I got nothing."
Karl laughed. "I didn't get one either. The body I took over had eaten a Mythical Zoan and… died. I grew up on an island in the Calm Belt. The old man next door was a sword fiend. I trained since I could walk."
"How strong are you now?" she asked softly.
"Admirals can't take me head-on," Karl said, matter-of-fact. "Mythical Zoan—Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Bi'an. The physique boost is monstrous."
Daphne whistled. "Mythical Zoan… rarer than Logias. I'll be relying on you then. Why do you get the OP card while I spawn naked?"
Karl grinned. "Don't worry. I've got a clean training system, and Rokushiki. Want it?"
"Want!"
"When we hit Jaya, I'll teach you. I also commissioned Germa 66 for fifty combat suits. You'll wear one first."
"Germa suits? Yes please." She hesitated, eyes turning distant. "I—was running the family company back home. Took over after studying abroad… then, well… here we are. I hope my parents are okay."
"I'm lousy at comforting people," Karl said, honest. "But if you're on this ship, you've got me."
"Thank you, Karl." She leaned in and hugged him again.
"Actually," he said, half-teasing, half-serious, "since you were running a company… how about running ours? Our logistics venture needs a head. Swiftwind Express—you'll be our General Manager."
"Swiftwind… Express?" Daphne blinked. "You're launching a courier in this world? With pirates everywhere—can deliveries even arrive?"
Karl's eyes glinted. "Already solved. That's why we came to the North Blue to prep. We secured the Giant Honeybee Zoan—think airborne fleets. No storms. No pirates. Pure speed."
Daphne's lips parted, a dawning smile. "Then… I accept. GM Murphy Daphne, reporting for duty."
"Welcome aboard, GM." Karl clinked his cup against hers.
Far below, the sea murmured. Above, the stars watched.
A Den-Den Mushi on the rail crackled to life—brrr… brrr…
Karl picked it up.
A clipped, clinical voice came through. "This is Germa. The… project you requested—the bracelet ate the fruit. There is… something else you should know."
Karl's smile faded. "Go on."
"There's movement on Jaya," the voice said. "Three flags converging. Someone's already heard the name Swiftwind—and they're coming to take it."
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