"Since Kaido's in, Karl… do you think we could open a courier outpost in Wano too?" Daphne's eyes lit with pure business instinct. Wano was a place you couldn't ignore on the Grand Line.
"It's not impossible," Karl said, shaking his head, "but we don't play savior. We run our business, move seastone out, and that's it." He knew Daphne's heart could be soft; he had zero interest in "saving the nation."
"I get it," Daphne nodded. "No meddling." A beat, then: "By the way—do you think Pluton is really buried under Wano?"
"Could be," Karl admitted. "But Pluton isn't something we can control—not now. Let's not poke it."
"Captain, what's Pluton?" Adrian asked.
"One of the Three Ancient Weapons," Karl said. "Legend says one shot can wipe an island off the map. But I doubt it's 'just a ship.' If it were that simple, Uranus or Poseidon could counter it easily—Poseidon can command Sea Kings, remember."
"So there are three," Aili leaned in, curious.
"Uranus. Poseidon. Pluton. Each can overturn the seas. You'll learn more later. Honestly, I don't know that much either." He shrugged. Known: Poseidon was the Mermaid Princess, Shirahoshi. The other two? Still shadows and rumors.
"Ohhh~," everyone chorused like they understood. Karl rolled his eyes.
"Don't worry about the doomsday toys. First—let's get home."
Several days later, the Tiger God slipped through the Calm Belt and glided into Tiger Roar Island's harbor.
"Lord Karl, this is Tiger Roar Island?" Hancock stood at the rail, curious. Amazon Lily was also in the Calm Belt; the comparison was inevitable.
"Mm. Forests everywhere except the holy peak in the middle." Karl exhaled. Coming home hit different.
"Gah-hahaha! Karl! Heard you made a name out there—welcome back!"
A booming laugh rolled down the pier.
"Uncle Darren! Long time!" Karl bear-hugged the veteran.
"Grandpa Darren, look who I am!" Ann hopped down, blue combat suit gleaming, the sword at her waist cold and proud.
Darren squinted, then broke into a grin. "Ann? You've grown. The cake-gremlin who tugged my sleeve is now a real swordswoman, eh?"
"Of course! I've been training super hard!"
"Hahaha! Alright, get home—you're expected. Your folks and sister must've felt you coming."
"Got it, Uncle Darren!"
"Captain, I'm heading home first," Adrian said.
"Go," Karl waved. "Karin?"
"I'm checking in on my little den! See you, Captain!"
"Then we'll head back too."
"Mom! Grandma! Grandpa! Ann's home!"
Ann spotted them waiting at the gate and rocketed forward.
"My baby—look at you—did you get hurt?" Lu Jiu fussed from head to toe. She'd seen the bounty posters.
"I'm fine, Mom! I'm super strong now! Grandpa, Grandma, I missed you too!"
"Good, good. Our Ann's a fine young lady now."
"Hehe. Obviously!"
"Alright, inside, inside," Berg said, grinning. "Karl, Aili—and these two young ladies—come in, come in!"
Warmth flooded Karl's chest the moment he stepped over the threshold.
"Uh… Lord Karl…" Hancock tugged his sleeve, suddenly shy.
"Dad, Mom, Sis—introductions." Karl cleared his throat. "This is Boa Hancock. This is Daphne Murphy. And you know Aili. They're… my wives."
"What? All three are your wives? Karl, you didn't bully them, did you?" Lu Jiu's eyes went sharp. Berg and Emma both fixed Karl with the same parental stare.
"No, no! We're together because we love each other. Really." Karl raised both hands.
"Uncle, Auntie, pleased to meet you. I'm Daphne Murphy. We truly chose Karl, and he's never bullied us," Daphne said, steady as a rock.
"Th-this concubine also loves Lord Karl very much!" Hancock blurted, cheeks aflame. "I-I also brought gifts for Father, Mother, and Sister Lu Jiu. I hope you like them! Lord Karl, the things—quickly!"
Karl hurriedly pulled bundles from his storage bangle.
"You lucky brat," Lu Jiu muttered, but she was smiling as she sat the girls down. "Gifts can wait. Sit, sit."
Emma glanced at Karl, then at the trio, then smiled. "If they're your women, then when's the wedding?"
Every gaze snapped to Karl. The three women held their breath.
"This trip back is for that," Karl said at once. "We'll hold the ceremony here on Tiger Roar Island."
"I've already prepared the dresses and the rings," he added, earnest. "I'll treat them right."
"Lord Karl…" Hancock trembled forward and hugged him tight. Aili's eyes shone. Daphne bit her lip, relief and joy mixing warm.
"Ahem," Berg said, rising. "I'll go see the mayor and get the arrangements started. The town hasn't had a big celebration in a while."
"Thanks, Dad!"
Emma folded the girls in with a conspiratorial smile. "If Karl ever bullies you, tell me. I'll straighten him out."
Laughter bubbled through the room. The talk drifted to Karl's childhood—scraped knees, stolen buns, and the time he swore he'd build a ship bigger than a mountain.
Home smelled like tea and old wood, sounded like easy laughter, and felt—finally—like rest.
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