At sunrise, Karl watched as Portgas D. Ace's ship left Gran Island. A faint smile crept onto his lips.
The stage was set. All that remained now… was to wait.
Next stop: Sky Island.
Karl felt a headache coming on just thinking about it. Ever since the new Daughter Nation was completed and her worries were gone, Boa Hancock had become increasingly… enthusiastic about having a child. Every so often she'd lean close and whisper about how much she loved children, how cute they were, and how nice it would be to have one of their own.
Karl knew exactly what she was thinking. Hancock was getting older, and she felt the pressure. She didn't have the luxury of an ability like the Return-Return Fruit that kept Ain forever young. The legendary Pure Gold and the mythical immortality surgery were both distant fantasies. Hancock was terrified of aging—and even more terrified that Karl might one day lose interest in her.
So in her mind, the only way to secure a future was to have a child.
Karl, on the other hand, wasn't in any hurry. His body felt younger every year, and thanks to countless rewards from the system, his lifespan was now somewhere around 150,000 days—roughly five centuries. By the standards of long-lived species, he was practically still a kid himself.
Sky Island — The New Daughter Nation
Passing through layers of Island Clouds, one could see the imposing golden gate of the Daughter Nation. Nearly a hundred meters tall, the gate was adorned with sculptures of the Boa Sisters and their companions. Although the surface appeared to be made of pure gold, only the exterior layer actually was; the core was stone.
Originally, the plan was to forge the entire gate from gold—but Hancock's two sisters had, ahem, "fuller" figures than anticipated, making the weight impossible. So only the outer layer ended up gilded.
Even so, the sheer opulence of the gate immediately signaled the power and wealth of the nation.
The gate guards—members of the Kuja Tribe—smiled warmly when they saw Karl.
"Lord Karl! Welcome back!"
"How's the kingdom been lately?"
The golden-haired warrior Marguerite grinned. "Everything's been peaceful!"
Karl nodded and stepped inside.
Over the years, the Daughter Nation had fully transformed into a thriving sky kingdom. The architecture was grand and modern, yet the Kuja still retained their traditional clothing and customs, creating a unique blend of ancient culture and cutting-edge development.
The contrast was almost surreal—primitive attire alongside futuristic facilities.
The Queen's Enthusiasm
The moment Karl reached the royal palace, Hancock flew into his arms.
"Darling! You finally came to see me! I've found so many ways to help us have a baby—let's try them all!"
Karl forced a smile. "Those 'folk remedies' aren't reliable…"
"But how do we know if we don't try? Come inside! I've already dismissed everyone!"
Karl sighed inwardly. "You're… very thorough."
A Bloody Banquet — Aboard the Moby Dick
Half a month later, in the New World aboard the Moby Dick, flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Hey Thatch, how's the haul been lately?"
Thatch shrugged. "Same as always. Why? Need something?"
Marshall D. Teach scratched his head, smiling his usual simple smile. "Rakuyo and Whitey Bay helped me a lot recently. I got my hands on some rare liquor and thought we could all share a drink."
"Sure," Thatch chuckled. "Let's invite them. Want to bring Ace too?"
Teach's expression stiffened for a split second. Bring Ace? And kill him too?
"Nah… he's busy. Went out this morning."
"Oh, that's too bad."
Thatch didn't suspect anything. Teach had always been seen as one of the friendliest members of the crew.
The Killings
That night, the four gathered to drink.
"Drink up! This is good stuff!" Teach laughed.
Rakuyo took a big swig. "Damn, that's good!"
The others joined in, laughing, eating, and drinking. Time passed, the atmosphere grew lively… and the poison began to take effect.
When even Rakuyo—who could usually drink endlessly—slumped unconscious, Teach's grin vanished.
He first carried Thatch back to his room.
"Sorry, Thatch."
A flash of steel. Silence.
Then Rakuyo.
Then, for Whitey Bay—he didn't even bother moving her.
No hesitation. No remorse.
After confirming the job was done, Teach slipped away, boarded a small boat he had prepared in advance, and quietly vanished into the night.
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