She closed her eyes and began transmitting a stronger mental wave with a clear intention through the link with the little skylark: "Robin... I will come in February.
I am coming to find you.
If possible... have the lark give me a more explicit'signpost.'"
This was not a specific command, but more like a prayer and a projection of will.
She didn't know if Robin could understand, or if the little skylark could carry and transmit more complex information back.
Waiting was agonizing.
A few days later, when she entered a deep sensory state again, she vaguely captured a difference—the little skylark seemed to be consciously performing a regular, short-distance circling around the island where it was located, and in a specific direction of the island, it lingered slightly longer, seemingly 'gazing' at something.
Was it a coincidence, or a response?
Seraphilia dared not be certain, but she firmly noted this subtle anomaly and marked it on the sea chart.
January passed in tense preparation and anticipation.
On the first day of February, Marineford was shrouded in a cool morning mist.
Seraphilia was already fully prepared.
She changed out of her Marine uniform and into dark gray casual clothes suitable for movement, covered by a warm cloak.
Important items were stored in her close-fitting 'Cloud Pouch'—this was a new application she developed, using highly compressed and structurally stable Cloud Mist to form close-fitting inner armor, safely storing a small number of crucial items inside, such as money, medicine, Robin's birthday gift (which was a handwritten copy of an extremely rare ancient botany monograph), a silver hair chain inlaid with tiny blue mica stones custom-made with part of her salary, and the wooden Robin.
The kintoun 'Little White' had shrunk to the size of a fist, quietly resting on her shoulder, its screen displaying a well-behaved waiting kaomoji: (◕‿◕) zzz
She did not disturb too many people, only offering a solemn bow of farewell outside Teacher Tsuru's office.
Garp was reportedly off on 'vacation' in the East Blue again; otherwise, there would surely have been another lively send-off.
Walking to the edge of a secluded cliff at Headquarters, Seraphilia stopped.
Before her lay the vast, boundless sea, the sea breeze biting cold.
She took a deep breath and held Little White, who was on her shoulder, in her hands.
Little White immediately stretched its body, returning to the standard size capable of carrying one person; its smooth cloud body shimmered with a pearlescent luster in the morning light.
"Little White," she said softly, "this time we have to fly for a long time, very far.
Go find the little skylark, go find... her." She transmitted the clear sense of direction and the longing to search in her heart to Little White through the mental link.
Little White's body glowed faintly, and the kaomoji on its screen became firm and eager: (•̀ᴗ•́) و ̑̑ GO!
Seraphilia leaped onto the cloud surface and stood firm.
With a thought, a denser glimmer enveloped Little White, and then, it silently slipped off the cliff edge, plunging into the vast sky.
The speed was not fast initially; she was adapting to the control and stability of long-distance flight.
Little White autonomously adjusted its energy absorption and consumption, maintaining a steady, efficient cruising speed, heading straight west.
Soon, Marineford became a small dot on the sea behind her, then disappeared from view.
All that remained around her were the azure sky, cotton-like cloud layers, and the boundless ocean below, sparkling with thousands of golden scales under the sunlight.
Lonely?
Yes.
The path ahead unknown?
Yes.
But Seraphilia's heart was filled with unprecedented tranquility and determination.
No responsibility of the Marines on her shoulders, no scrutinizing eyes behind her.
At this moment, she was just Seraphilia, a person rushing toward an important appointment.
She adjusted her posture and sat cross-legged on the cloud.
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