—Everyone who lives has one or two worries.
A week since the Big Mom Pirates' attack, the third ship of reckless fools confident in their skills came to assault Water Seven.
Sitting on a ship sliced cleanly in half from top to bottom, Kanata sighed.
"I thought rampaging a bit would clear my head... but not really."
"Y-you bastard...! Our ship, how dare you...!"
Kanata's bounty hadn't increased from this incident.
The newspaper headlines prominently featured "Big Mom Pirates Clash with Echo Octavia," written as a three-way melee including the Witch crew... but it differed from the facts, and the Government probably couldn't fully grasp the situation. Besides, Kanata and Linlin's bounties weren't that different. Even if she'd defeated her, it was questionable whether the amount would rise.
"Bad luck. That's how it goes for pirates. Remember that."
Her advice probably wouldn't reach those sharing the sinking ship's fate.
Whether for bounty money or fame, there were surprisingly many such reckless fools. Being pirates, maybe being impulsive and thoughtless was natural, but still—she wished they'd at least sense mortal danger.
They'd proudly announced their names, but were so underwhelming Kanata had already forgotten. Was this average for the first half of the Grand Line?
(Not much of a challenge... is this it?)
Jumping from the sinking ship off Water Seven's coast, she froze the sea to create footing.
She'd been taking a walk offshore, lost in thought, when she happened upon the pirate ship, but they were small fry with barely any money. Their weakness was admirable—how had they even made it to Water Seven? Though thinking about it, being constantly chased by monsters like Navy Admirals or the Golden Lion was the abnormal part.
Being chased by the Navy was self-inflicted, but being targeted by the Golden Lion and Big Mom was mother-related—she wanted to complain.
Her father was also a bombshell, giving her a headache.
"...Rocks."
A pirate apparently active until about five years ago.
"Apparently" being vague because the Government had suppressed nearly all information about them, so not much circulated. Even so, the "Rocks Pirates" were whispered about among people. Only their annihilation was reported worldwide, but she'd heard most crew members scattered.
Their excessively brutal, merciless deeds spread instantly across islands, making their threat known worldwide without even newspapers—pirates who should be called the "epitome of evil."
When she tried gathering information about Rocks, only insults emerged—he was a monster in human form, people were relieved he was dead—curses flew constantly.
Just listening was depressing.
Being told a man she'd never met was her father was strange enough, but when that father received nothing but curses from everyone she asked... the feeling was immeasurable.
With gloomy feelings, she headed back toward the cape where the ship was moored.
"Oh, you're back. Feiyun caught a big one today."
"Yeah, I saw from outside. She seems enthusiastic."
Water Seven could barely do agriculture due to annual high tides called Aqua Laguna and accompanying land subsidence. Therefore, most food depended on imports.
Recently, some pirate had forcibly requisitioned things and rampaged, causing chronic food shortages.
They had money but no goods.
With no other choice, they decided to catch food themselves.
She'd glimpsed it briefly when returning—today they'd caught a large Sea King, so food wouldn't be a problem.
Outside, they seemed to plan on butchering the Sea King for a barbecue—noisy preparations underway.
"Did that clear your head at all?"
"Not really. Just more headaches. Being captain is tough."
"I don't think being captain relates much to your worries... but well, you can relax for a while. Worry to your heart's content while you can."
Jorge laughed while doing the books.
When busy, there's no time to worry. Being able to worry meant having that much leeway.
She hadn't told anyone about her conversation with Octavia yet. She trusted them, but information could leak from anywhere. She knew full well that the Navy or Government learning about it would end badly. Better safe than sorry.
"We need to seriously find a cook too... and a shipwright if there's one anywhere."
"Can't you invite Tom?"
"I tried once, but he refused. He said building ships here suited him better than traveling by ship."
"That's too bad. People with skills are valuable."
Valuable, but how many craftsmen would agree to become fugitives?
Refusal was normal. Quite difficult.
Regarding cooking, Kanata could do it, but doing it daily was exhausting. Feeding dozens required considerable effort.
"We'll search leisurely. At least two or three months will be needed anyway."
Saying she'd rest in her room, Kanata returned to her quarters.
***
That night.
While barbecuing Sea King meat at the cape, Kanata was asking Dragon several questions.
"Do you know anything about the Rocks Pirates?"
"Hmm... I heard Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Big Mom—plus Wang Zhi and Silver Axe—all belonged to it."
The Government had avoided putting Rocks-related incidents in papers to suppress them. Accurate information barely circulated.
Among that, Dragon's information was trustworthy. After all, his father had directly fought Rocks.
Though apparently he didn't like talking about it.
"They traversed every sea, plunged every nation into terror... apparently a terrorist-like group directly targeting the World Government. Considering my goals, I'd be doing the same thing—can't speak badly of others."
Biting into Sea King steak, Dragon spoke self-deprecatingly.
While overthrowing the World Government meant the same thing, their subsequent goals differed. Though perhaps not something to disparage, Dragon seemed concerned about chaos arising from overthrowing the World Government.
He didn't want to wreck the world. Just because you could defeat the World Government and seize the Celestial Dragons' power didn't mean you could do anything.
"Terrorists, huh... they must have had matching strength."
"A pirate who once had Echo Octavia as his right hand, fought the Navy on some island, and lost... Garp wouldn't talk about it, but apparently Rocks was a monster it took both Garp and Roger to finally defeat."
"What? Why does Roger appear there?"
"I don't know either. There was probably some grudge between Rocks and Roger."
"I see..." Taking a sip of alcohol, Kanata mulled it over.
She apparently had various connections with Roger. A benefactor who saved her life, but simultaneously her father's killer. Though she had no intention of seeking revenge.
Garp was... that kind of man. She hadn't known he directly defeated Rocks, but between a Marine and a pirate, such things happened.
But—she turned her gaze to Dragon.
"Dragon, Garp, Roger, Rocks... the D Clan has surprisingly many members."
Kanata's own bloodline connected to the D Clan. Even without drawing each other together, fate was mysterious.
"There are others in the Navy besides Garp, apparently. I don't know details."
"In an organization that large, two or three isn't strange... but what exactly is 'D'?"
Dragon didn't know the reason either. Garp too, and his parent... from long ago, it had been in the name.
Octavia's instruction to "seek the Poneglyphs" might also be to learn about that.
Kanata couldn't read ancient script, but she had someone in mind who could.
Cleanly cutting the Sea King steak and eating it with a fork, she remembered the person she'd looked up to as a sister.
"...Maybe I should consider that angle too."
"What?"
"The World Government forbids reading Poneglyphs. Octavia said to seek Poneglyphs... saying they're necessary to reach the unknown final island."
"I see..."
Octavia had said an island beyond Lodestar Island. Kanata's memory was hazy, but she tried remembering the final island's name... and gave up, unable to recall it.
Optimistically thinking she'd remember when necessary. She wasn't particularly interested in the island's name itself.
"I don't know much about Poneglyphs, but regarding the ancient script written on them, I know someone who can read it. Let's try going to Lodestar Island once, and if there are no other clues, we'll need to have the ancient script deciphered."
She'd rather not cause too much trouble... but they were also reading ancient script to research the Void Century. They were walking the same dangerous tightrope.
In emergencies, staying close made protection easier. In that sense too, she wanted them nearby.
However.
"Knowing such information—does that mean Octavia reached that Lodestar Island?"
"Who knows, I don't know either. Maybe that Roger guy also reached it—"
"...You know Roger?"
"I met him once. A benefactor who saved my life."
Thinking back, Roger being in the West Blue then might also have been to search for Poneglyphs.
Ohara was the holy land of archaeology. To obtain information about ancient script and Poneglyphs, you'd search there first—certainly reasonable.
"What strange connections. Now you've connected with three of the great pirates in the New World."
"...Frustratingly, yes."
She didn't want connections with two of those three, but circumstances wouldn't allow it.
They'd be fine for a while, but thinking about entering the New World gave her a headache already.
Noticing Kanata's distasteful expression, Dragon poured her a drink to distract her.
"Meeting Roger isn't unpleasant, but meeting the other two would just cause more trouble. If Whitebeard was also a Rocks Pirates crew member, there's plenty of possibility for conflict."
Octavia seemed to have earned enmity from many directions, she sighed.
Nothing but headaches. Sighing over worries would let happiness escape.
She gulped down the alcohol Dragon poured and ate Sea King steak. Simply seasoned with just salt and pepper, but not bad.
Overcooked and somewhat tough was the flaw, but Kanata preferred this much texture.
They'd invited Tom, Iceberg, and Kokoro—at the edge of her vision, each seemed to be enjoying food and drink. With Scotch as host, Kanata had nothing particular to do.
"...I hope things stay peaceful for a while."
"We live far from peaceful lives. Even doing nothing special, trouble comes from the other side."
"Heh, true enough."
She wished for at least a little rest.
Looking skyward, a brilliantly shining moon had reached overhead.
If the end of this sea were as clearly visible as that—thinking such things, Kanata took another sip of alcohol.
***
One week later.
A visitor came to the Witch crew—or rather, to Kanata.
A Celestial Dragon.
"...What business do you have with me?"
"How should I know? He apparently brought Navy warships..."
"More trouble," she muttered.
Jorge silently nodded, and both simultaneously shrugged.
She'd received a summons from the Navy. Belatedly, Kanata was a bounty head—she'd be cautious, but... she didn't think they intended war now. No need to worry.
"A Celestial Dragon—Saint Donquixote Homing. What business does he have this time?"
Exasperated by the unexpected guest, Kanata headed to the warship alone.
Marines naturally pointed guns at her warily, but Kanata paid no attention, sending her gaze to the disembarking Saint Homing and Belk standing behind him.
Though armed, Belk didn't seem very motivated. Saint Homing seemed the opposite—full of motivation.
(This feels like trouble...)
Whether coincidentally—or naturally... Kanata's prediction was correct.
"It's been a while, Saint Homing. May I ask what business brought you here?"
"Ah, it has been. Though only about a month since then."
The wryly smiling Saint Homing said, "I brought food."
To Kanata frowning suspiciously, Belk began explaining instead.
"Since Water Seven was used as the Golden Lion's temporary base, food shortages were a concern. This island cannot produce food self-sufficiently."
"...So you'll sell food at an opportune time?"
"A merchant's way of thinking. We can understand but don't sympathize—Saint Homing says he'll donate this massive amount of food to the island."
That was bad.
Kanata reflexively pressed her hand to her forehead at Saint Homing's thoughtless action. Belk seemed to agree, shrugging where Saint Homing couldn't see.
"...Is there enough to reach all islanders?"
"We loaded the warship to capacity, but we don't know the population."
"...Is it uniform? Is it even food distribution?"
"To avoid nutritional imbalance, it became diverse ingredients. He intends to distribute the ingredients directly."
"...Did you clear this with your superiors or the mayor here?"
"Saint Homing's independent decision."
Immediately judging she shouldn't get involved, she turned on her heel saying, "If it doesn't concern me, I'm leaving."
But Belk stopped her.
"We called you for a separate matter. Hearing Echo Octavia appeared, we're told to compile information."
"That then. Right, that's what I'd be relevant for."
Saint Homing's matter was apparently separate from calling Kanata.
Should she rejoice at avoiding trouble, or lament the Navy directly telling her to "hand over information"? She was supposedly a high-bounty fugitive.
Saint Homing moved somewhere with another officer, while Belk held a notepad, ready to question her.
Come to think of it, the man usually first dispatched at times like this wasn't here.
"By the way, where did Garp go?"
"Hearing Echo appeared, he demolished about five mountains for warmup. After fierce protests reached the Navy, he's under house arrest."
Kanata laughed despite herself.
Garp would certainly do that. He himself was probably earnestly trying to subjugate pirates.
After laughing heartily, she said, "Echo fought Big Mom and left."
She had no intention of telling the Navy what they'd discussed. She'd considered misleading them somewhat.
"Hmm... not much different from advance information."
"You think asking a bounty head honestly will get accurate information?"
"Our assessment was that there were no noteworthy emotions between you and Echo. You're the type who could cut down even your real parent."
"..."
Kanata narrowed her eyes, observing Belk.
This man's observational skills were considerable. She'd heard his abilities let him fight Junshi on equal or better terms. Abnormally strong for a Captain.
She wouldn't lose in a fight, but felt he'd cling on.
"Didn't she mention any base locations? Her purpose for fighting this time?"
"I don't know. We didn't exchange words about those things."
"...I see. Then I'll report that."
"Is that all?"
"Yes. Sorry to take your time. Thank you."
"..."
"Your expression says it's strange to thank a bounty head. I often work under Vice Admiral Garp. Naturally, similar thinking wouldn't be odd."
In other words, "Besides harming a Celestial Dragon, you've done nothing particularly notable, so we'll leave you alone."
The New World was rotten with heinous criminals. Allocating many forces to Paradise was foolish for the Navy.
Plus Garp hated Celestial Dragons. If Belk was the same, his lack of enthusiasm for this job made sense. Though he seemed the type who'd do his job properly despite disagreeing.
"I move according to my own sense of good. I haven't designated you as evil yet."
"That's fortunate. I hear you're strong enough that I wouldn't want you as an enemy, despite being a Captain."
"Your subordinates were also quite strong. I'd like to spar again—also, I'm already a Commodore."
His rank apparently rose from the recent battle with the Big Mom Pirates.
Against strengthening pirates, the Navy side was also seeking forces. Tough situation, Kanata thought like it was someone else's problem. Though it absolutely wasn't.
She wasn't foolish enough to judge by rank. Garp was essentially like an Admiral anyway.
"But... with Celestial Dragons coming where I am so often, people might make unwanted speculations."
"I share that concern. Especially since Saint Homing and Saint Chrysaor whom you killed were brothers. Power struggles among Celestial Dragons are utterly impossible... but some will suspect connections."
Though that probably wouldn't raise Kanata's bounty. It was already at the limit—worrying was pointless.
Unnecessary charges might increase—but that was old news now.
Connections between Navy and pirates generally created a bad image, but with the World Government controlling newspapers backing them, manipulating public opinion was possible.
Report or don't report—as they pleased.
"If there's nothing else, I'm returning."
"Yes, sorry to take your time—oh right. May I ask how long you plan to stay on this island?"
"Building the ship will take several months. I don't know the specific date."
"I see. It's easier for the Navy if we know your whereabouts."
"If you want a fight, please go elsewhere."
"Without being told, recently major pirates have been making moves in the New World one after another. We probably won't have time to deal with you for a while."
With the Golden Lion and Big Mom coming to Paradise, the New World seas were in utter chaos.
With turf wars among pirates intensifying and citizens suffering damage, the Navy couldn't ignore it.
Plus now a Rocks Pirates officer's survival was confirmed. They had no forces to spare for Kanata's crew.
"We also need to track Echo's movements. Normally I should be patrolling..."
Being a Celestial Dragon's order, the Navy couldn't refuse.
Independent actions disrupting the field were nothing but a nuisance.
Kanata almost sympathized, but reconsidered that they should suffer this much for permitting Celestial Dragon tyranny.
Maybe they should seriously plan Dragon's scheme from now.
***
Several months later:
With numerous pirate crews visiting Water Seven to target the Witch crew's heads, and some crews wanting to join as subordinates, their forces slightly expanded.
The new ship—the Sombrero—was also completed, preparations for the next island ready.
During this, one news item shook the world.
—A certain Celestial Dragon was suspected of using pirates to murder another Celestial Dragon, and his entire family was exiled from the Holy Land Mary Geois.
***
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