Ann's heavy sword stood firmly in the ground. She looked at the four people on the ground. Her gaze finally settled on Kuina, Hizumi, and Hiyori. Her voice was still calm, but carried an unshakable determination.
"Hizumi, Hiyori, Kuina. Let's go to sea together."
Ace did a kip-up and jumped to his feet, rubbing his numb arm. He grinned.
"Hey, hey, Ann! That's unfair! You invited them first!"
They were still children. Even though Rhett wasn't always there during their training, he had sharpened their eyes. He had also given them the confidence to match those sharp eyes.
Sabo pushed up his glasses. The lenses gleamed. "Yeah. We haven't even asked them yet."
The two of them looked at Ann, excitement shining in their eyes.
Hiyori asked softly, "Really? Can we really join your adventures?"
Kuina gripped her wooden sword tightly. Fighting spirit burned in her eyes. "If I can go to sea with you, my swordsmanship will definitely improve faster!"
Ann nodded. "Mm. I really want to sail with all of you. In Uncle's words, we're going to write our own stories on the sea."
Ace walked up to Kuina and held out his hand. "Then it's decided! We're going to form the strongest pirate crew! We'll surpass Uncle Rhett's Blood Dawn and become the new Pirate Kings!"
Sabo smiled slightly and added, "It's a shame we won't all be sailing together. But that's okay. Everyone has their own dreams."
Hiyori blinked curiously. "Different crews? Will we be separated? Won't we sail together like Whitebeard?"
Hizumi waved her twin swords excitedly. "It's okay if we're separated! As long as we meet on the sea, we're still crewmates!"
Ann's gaze swept over everyone and finally landed on Kuina. "You. With me." Her tone was firm, as if she had already decided that Kuina would be her crewmate.
Kuina was stunned for a moment, then smiled with determination. "Okay!"
Ace clutched his chest dramatically. "Ann, you stole Kuina! That's so unfair!"
Sabo shook his head helplessly. "Looks like we need to find another swordsman."
"Then how about inviting Miss Hizumi and Miss Hiyori to join my crew?"
Hiyori and Hizumi looked at each other. They stood up and shook their heads at Sabo and Ace.
"I'm sorry, Ace, Sabo."
"But we want to join Ann's crew~"
Ann nodded frantically. Her eyes sparkled like stars. The corners of her mouth curled up without her realizing it. She radiated excitement. She grabbed Kuina's hand and looked at Hiyori and Hizumi. Her voice was full of barely contained joy.
"Together! Together!"
Ace's eyes went wide. He clutched his chest dramatically again. "Hey! All of you chose Ann?! That's so unfair!"
Sabo pushed up his glasses. There was a helpless smile behind the lenses. "Looks like Ann is more charming than us."
Hiyori smiled gently and explained, "Ann just seems the most reliable."
Hizumi waved her little fist and grinned. "And Ann's fighting style is super cool! Her heavy sword is so— impressive!"
Ann was a little embarrassed by the praise, but still nodded firmly. "Mm. I'll protect you!"
Hiyori and Hizumi's excitement suddenly froze for a moment. Hiyori gently squeezed her sister's hand and whispered, "But... Father... Wano right now..."
Hizumi also remembered. Her face fell. "Ah... the closed country policy hasn't been completely abolished yet."
The two sisters both looked in Oden's direction. There was expectation in their eyes, but also nervousness.
Just then, a bold laugh rang out.
"You two little ones, what are you worried about?!" Oden strode over. He stood in front of his daughters with his hands on his hips. His face had his signature bright smile.
"Father..." Hiyori looked up, hesitant.
Oden crouched down and rubbed both their heads.
"Listen, Hiyori, Hizumi! Wano is your home. But the sea is your future! What does the closed country policy matter? Your father has broken countless rules! Go. Experience new adventures. Make new friends."
He stood up and pointed his thumb at himself, grinning.
"Go! Chase your dreams! Denjiro and the others will handle things in the country. As for those stubborn old men—"
He winked and lowered his voice. "You don't need to worry about Wano!"
"Pfft!" Hizumi couldn't help but laugh. Hiyori also covered her mouth and laughed. The gloom in their eyes was gone.
"Really?" Hizumi's eyes sparkled.
"Of course!" Oden laughed. "But—" He suddenly put on a stern face. "Before you go, you have to pass your father's youth test!"
"Huh?!" The two sisters were stunned.
Oden suddenly drew his twin swords and got into a fighting stance. "Come! Let me see if you have what it takes to be warriors of the sea!"
Hiyori and Hizumi looked at each other. They both smiled with fighting spirit. They drew their swords.
"Please take care of us, Father!"
"Dual Swords: Swallow Return!"
"Dual Swords: Flower Blizzard!"
Their figures instantly crossed. Their blades flashed like snow, tracing brilliant trajectories in the setting sun.
......
On the other side, Ann watched this scene and silently gripped her heavy sword.
Kuina stood beside her. "Their father is really great."
Ann nodded. "Mm."
Suddenly, Hizumi jumped back out of the battle. She pulled something shiny out of her pocket.
"Gold Abacus!"
Hizumi held up a shining gold abacus. The beads clinked. She raised her chin proudly. Her fingers moved quickly over the beads.
"Father, don't underestimate me!" Hizumi grinned. "Master Tesoro said that as the future shogun of Wano, I have to understand finances!"
Oden's eyes went wide. "Gold abacus?! Wait, when did Tesoro become your master?!"
Hiyori covered her mouth and laughed. "While you were drinking with Captain Roger, Mr. Tesoro talked with Hizumi for a long time."
Hizumi puffed out her chest proudly. "Master Tesoro said that even though Wano has a lot of resources, its financial management is too backward! He promised to teach me how to multiply the national treasury by ten times!"
"T-Ten times?!" Oden's jaw nearly dropped to the ground.