"Ellie," Karl sighed, "Daphne's situation is… complicated. I promised her I wouldn't share the details, but she's completely trustworthy."
He tightened his arms around her as he spoke softly. "She leans on me more than she loves me. In this world, I'm her only family. You have your brother. Hancock has the Kuja Pirates. Daphne—she has no one but us."
Ellie buried her face against his chest, voice small but firm. "Then promise me—just us three. No more."
Karl met her eyes, serious. "I swear."
"Hmph. Good." Her lips curled. "You'd better be happy—you've got three women now. But Hancock won't be so forgiving."
Karl chuckled nervously. Hancock, for all her lovestruck temperament, was a Conqueror's Haki user. Two women were her limit already.
He kissed Ellie's forehead. "My dearest wife, you'll help me convince her… right?"
"Hmm~ depends on my mood."
"Depends, huh?" Karl grinned. "Then tonight, I'll make sure your mood's very good."
"W–wait, Karl—ah! We're on the ship, they'll hear—!"
"Relax," he murmured, tugging at her robe. "I built these cabins with top-grade soundproofing."
"Bad man…" Her protest melted into laughter and sighs, and soon the night was filled with soft, stifled sounds of passion.
When Ellie finally cried out in delight and exhaustion, Karl smiled faintly. One crisis defused. Two women who talked over Den Den Mushi were dangerous; harmony was survival.
By morning, the ship was peaceful. Ellie and Daphne were chatting together like lifelong friends. Domestic peace truly is priceless.
Marine Headquarters
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, reports from the North Blue—Blood Sword Karl's crew has been sighted there."
Sengoku set his pen down. "The North Blue? What's he doing there?"
"They attended the Dinos Kingdom auction," Brannnew said. "Bought four Devil Fruits, then visited Germa 66. Their ship's still sailing north."
"Investigate their purpose," Sengoku ordered. "And instruct North Blue forces not to engage. A man like that doesn't move without reason."
"Yes, sir!"
As Brannnew left, Sengoku rubbed his temples. "Blood Sword Karl… what game are you playing?" Ever since his rise, Karl's actions seemed erratic—powerful, yet detached from any grand agenda. It was maddening.
The Tiger God, North Blue
"Captain," Enel called, chomping an apple, "I'm almost out of apples."
Karl eyed him. "You live on those things."
"Apples are divine."
Karl sighed. "Fine. Bansen, find us the nearest island. Karine said supplies are low anyway."
A day later, the Tiger God docked at a nation called the Dreamlight Kingdom—better known by its poetic name, the Rainbow Kingdom.
The moment they stepped ashore, they were surrounded by shimmering hues. Vast orchards of seven-colored trees blanketed the hills, their fruit glittering like jewels under the sun.
The Rainbow Fruit had made this country rich—at least, for the nobles. The commoners, bound by cruel law, weren't even allowed to taste it.
Merchants had turned the fruit into a luxury symbol for the upper class. Its flavor? Barely better than cucumber—but status trumped sense.
Soon the nobles forced the entire nation to plant only rainbow trees, even replacing grain fields. The poor now worked endlessly for a few coins, barely affording imported food as prices soared sky-high.
Ellie clasped her hands. "It's beautiful… like a rainbow that never fades."
Karl nodded. "Beautiful, yes. Let's rest first. We'll resupply tomorrow."
They found a comfortable inn near the main plaza. But as Karl looked through the window at the streets, his brow furrowed.
"Something's off."
"What is it, Captain?" Adrian asked.
"The harbor was booming, yet the people look starved," Jerry said, echoing the thought. "Thin faces, worn clothes…"
"Exactly," Karine added. "And I checked the market—food's absurdly expensive, yet people still line up for it."
Karl leaned back in his chair. "Not our concern. This world is full of injustice we can't fix. We protect our own—that's all that matters."
Bansen nodded. "Aye. The sea's already cruel enough."
Karl glanced around the table and smiled faintly. Good. None of them are naive.
Ellie stood, stretching. "Daphne and I are going shopping. She needs clothes—and Ann, you're coming too."
"Yay! Girls' trip!" Ann cheered.
"I'm off to buy apples," Enel declared, vanishing in a flash of lightning.
Karl waved lazily. "Stay sharp. If anything happens, call me with the Den Den Mushi."
"Got it, Uncle! Let's go, Ellie-sis, Daphne-sis!"
The three women disappeared into the colorful streets, laughter mingling with the hum of a kingdom built on illusion—
a rainbow that hid the gray suffering beneath.
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