White Ghost and the others were downstairs, drinking and talking about where they most wanted to visit once their grand journey began.
"I've already been to Fishman Island," Brook said, raising his glass. "Next, I want to hold concerts on Amazon Lily, and then at that 'second Amazon Lily'—Kamabakka Kingdom!"
White Ghost gave the walking skeleton a sideways look.
"If you go to Amazon Lily, those terrifying warrior women will grind you into bone dust and throw you into the sea," he said dryly. "As for Kamabakka Kingdom…"
He smirked.
"By the time they're done with you, the hair on your legs will be thicker than mine."
Everyone burst out laughing. Gordon slapped Brook's back.
"Yeah, Brook, you sure your skeleton frame can handle all that… enthusiasm?"
"Why does it always end up like this?" Brook wailed, and took a long drink.
Jango leaned back.
"I'm more interested in challenging strong fighters," he said. "I feel like my ability and technique have hit a bottleneck."
White Ghost nodded.
"Then when we pass through the West Blue, we'll visit the Flower Country. They've got a strong martial culture there—it should suit you."
Kuro pushed up his glasses.
"On our travels, we should recruit more reliable crew," he said. "Lay the foundation for when you start carving out territory in the New World."
He added, half-joking:
"And since you have such absurd luck with Devil Fruits, you might as well keep using that luck along the way."
Uta hugged her knees, eyes shining.
"I want to hold a concert on every island we visit," she said. "Even if I can't change much, at least I can bring some warmth to people who are struggling."
Hiyori's gaze was full of quiet determination.
"I want to get stronger," she said. "So I can help White-bro in the future."
Stella and Ain sat on either side of White Ghost, saying nothing—just watching him with gentle smiles.
Wanda and Pedro chimed in that they would use the journey to push their bodies to the limit, training constantly, and even tried—somewhat tactfully—to prod White Ghost about when the "no-moon Sulong medicine" might be ready.
While the group was chatting and joking, the sound of slow footsteps came from upstairs.
Supported by Señor Pink and the squirrel mink, Lucianne carefully made her way down.
Señor had wanted to carry her, but Squirrel had refused. Walking was better for her recovery, and nobody was allowed to argue with the doctor.
Stella and Ain immediately went up to help. Señor was gently pushed aside with a scolding that he was "too clumsy with those big hands."
"Yo, you're awake," White Ghost called, raising his cup. "Señor, don't just stand there like a statue. Your wife's not going to sprout wings and fly off. Get over here and drink."
Señor moved over, swallowing hard. He started to kneel on instinct, but White Ghost grabbed him and shoved him onto the seat next to him.
"Big men shouldn't kneel all over the place," White Ghost said. "Especially not my people. Sit. Drink."
He picked up a bottle and tipped it into Señor's mouth before the man could protest.
Laughter rippled through the room. Lucianne smiled too.
She had let go of the past. This man had never given up on her, even when she couldn't respond at all.
"Thank you, White Ghost," Lucianne said, bowing her head slightly. She couldn't exactly stand and bow right now.
"Don't mind it," White Ghost said, shrugging. "Just lending a hand. Saved a good couple, and in return, I got a real man on my crew. Fair trade."
He poured another drink for Señor.
Señor didn't say much. He knew himself well—now that his wife was saved, he had completely cut off any lingering attachment to Doflamingo. From here on out, all he wanted was to repay this new boss.
"I still have to thank you," Lucianne said gently. "I heard… you not only saved me, but also helped Señor leave the pirates behind."
"I told you, don't overthink it," White Ghost replied. "But you do need to focus on recovering. In a while, we're going to travel the world. It'd be a shame if you missed all the scenery because your body couldn't keep up."
"I understand," she said, smiling sweetly.
Señor's eyes filled again. He lowered his head, trying to hide it, but the tears still fell.
Jango immediately seized a bottle and poured it down his throat.
"Boss already said it," he scolded. "A grown man shouldn't be sobbing all the time—drink!"
White Ghost looked around the courtyard and raised his voice.
"Contena!"
Whoosh.
The teleporting youth appeared in the yard, then strode inside and dropped to one knee.
"My lord, what are your orders?"
Everyone else was used to it by now. They'd nagged him about the way he addressed White Ghost, but he simply refused to change.
"Shut up and sit," White Ghost said, pushing him into a seat.
"Alright, Señor Pink, Lucianne. Since you're both here, I'll properly introduce everyone."
He hiccuped.
"Kuro and Jango—the first two who followed me. Both from the East Blue."
"Nice to meet you," Lucianne said, bowing her head again.
"The two sitting beside me—Ain and Stella—are my women," White Ghost continued.
Stella smiled warmly. Ain's face turned bright red; this was the first time he'd said it so plainly in front of everyone.
"The two little ones there: the green-haired one is Hiyori, from Wano in the New World. The other is Uta—a remarkable singer.
"Brook and Gordon are also musicians."
He clapped Contena on the shoulder.
"And this troublemaker here is Contena. One of us."
"Nice to meet you all," Lucianne said. "I'm Lucianne. Please take care of us from now on."
Everyone greeted her in turn.
Contena was a little stiff, but White Ghost didn't let that slide. He grabbed a bottle and started pouring.
"Let's see you act all serious now," he said. Jango gleefully joined in, helping to "teach" Contena with more booze.
When the table's alcohol started to run dry, White Ghost pulled several more bottles from his bracelet—his private stash.
The men proceeded to drink like there was no tomorrow.
The women supported Lucianne as she took a slow walk around the yard, stretching her legs and getting used to moving again.
On the men's side, things quickly devolved into a full-blown drinking contest.
"Jango, don't tell me you're done already," White Ghost said, laughing loudly. "Come on, keep going!"
"Hic—Boss," Jango slurred, swaying. "How can a man say he's 'done'…"
"Yeah, yeah," White Ghost said. "Drink first, talk later."
By the end of it, only White Ghost, Kuro, and Señor were still upright at the table. Everyone else was collapsed on chairs, benches, and even the floor.
The women had long since gone upstairs to rest.
Ever since the number of women in the house had grown, White Ghost rarely slept upstairs. He'd usually crash downstairs or just stay out all night.
"Hic… Boss," Señor said, eyes unfocused. "Are we… just going to travel forever?"
White Ghost shook his head, feeling pretty buzzed himself.
"Traveling's the main goal," he said, "but picking up talented people along the way is just as important.
"Once you've all grown enough, we'll head into the New World."
Kuro wiped his glasses with a corner of his sleeve.
"Got your eye on any particular territory yet?" he asked.
"There are two options I'm considering."
White Ghost rubbed his temples.
"First is Wano. It's Kaido's turf, sure, but that just means we have to fight. In the New World, isn't the rule simple? Whoever hits harder gets to talk."
"Kaido…" Señor sucked in a breath. Even Doflamingo was afraid of that man.
"Relax," White Ghost said. "I did say there's a second option."
"Second is the Hive Island, the territory of that old fossil Wang Zhi. With some proper rebuilding, that place could be turned into an excellent stronghold."
Kuro nodded.
"As long as you've decided on targets," he said. "What about bringing some people from the base along?"
White Ghost shook his head.
"Leide and a few others in the base are basically there to keep an eye on me," he said. "They act dumb, but I'm pretty sure one of them's CP.
"We'll recruit as we travel. That way we know they're people we can trust. I already have a few candidates in mind… just depends if fate lets us run into them."
"…Got it," Kuro said.
The three of them clinked their cups together one last time as the night deepened around them.
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