The next day, Marineford — Crescent Bay.
A medium-sized Seastone warship rested quietly at the pier.
Roughly eighty meters long, its appearance was no different from a standard Marine vessel—plain, sturdy, and practical.
"Rear Admiral, is this our new ship?"
Nelson looked at it with barely concealed excitement.
Karl nodded. "That's right. From now on, this will be our ride. Seastone-powered—meaning we can move freely even through the Calm Belt."
Then he added casually,
"Oh, and congratulations. You've been promoted to Ensign, Nelson."
Nelson scratched his head, grinning foolishly.
"I'm just riding on your coattails, sir."
"Karl!"
A female voice suddenly called out.
Nelson turned around and saw a Marine woman dragging a suitcase as she ran over. Her sea-blue long hair bounced lightly with each step.
"I thought you weren't coming!" Karl said.
She laughed softly. "How could I not? Don't even think about leaving me behind."
Ain playfully shoved him, then glanced at Nelson before turning her gaze to the new warship, a small smile forming on her lips.
Today, Ain wore a cream-yellow short-skirt Marine uniform.
Dark gray thigh-high stockings, neat black heels, and—just like Karl—a white Justice cape draped over her back.
She looked both sharp and youthful… with a dangerously strong hint of uniform appeal.
Karl's heart skipped slightly.
She came prepared.
"Right," Karl said, clearing his throat.
"Let me introduce you. This is Ensign Nelson, my adjutant."
Then he turned to Nelson.
"And this is Ain. We trained together in the same intake—she's my friend. Ain, uh… what rank are you now?"
Ain puffed out her cheeks and turned her head away, clearly displeased.
Karl coughed awkwardly.
"Well… anyway, she'll also be my adjutant from now on. Both of you are."
Only then did Nelson finally relax.
Ah… good. Crisis averted.
"Alright," Karl said, turning toward the ship.
"Boarding. Our destination is Amazon Lily."
Without waiting, he strode onto the Seastone warship and headed straight for the lounge.
Ain stood there, stunned.
Huh?
This isn't working at all… Didn't Sister Gion say this would be effective?
Nelson cleared his throat.
"Ensign Nelson," Ain said calmly.
"You can call me Major Ain from now on."
Nelson froze for a second, then nodded.
Status: minus one.
Three minutes later, the Seastone warship slowly pulled away from the pier, heading toward the Calm Belt.
Inside the lounge, Karl sat with one leg crossed over the other, sipping tea and reading the newspaper.
Raven and Shusui rested quietly beside him, completely ignored.
Ain walked in and looked at him helplessly.
"You're really relaxed, you know that?"
"Oh, you're here," Karl said lazily.
"Sit. Want some tea?"
Ain waved him off, her gaze drawn to the two swords beside him.
"Hey… those look impressive."
"Oh? These?" Karl said casually.
"Here. Play with them."
He picked up both swords and tossed them straight into Ain's arms.
"W–wait!" Ain froze, then stared in disbelief.
"This is… the Great Grade Sword, Black Blade Shusui?! Ryuma the Dragon Slayer's blade?!"
"Yeah. Moria gave it to me. Feels pretty good in hand. Wanna try it?"
Ain shook her head hurriedly, looking a little dejected.
"I'll pass. My swordsmanship just barely counts as beginner level. I'm not like you—you've already fought the world's greatest swordsman."
Karl lowered his newspaper slowly and stared at her.
"…You use swords too?"
Ain nodded and stretched out her hands.
Two silver short blades appeared, one in each hand, reflecting a cold gleam under the lights.
"Tch. Impressive."
Karl nodded once—then calmly picked up his newspaper again and resumed reading, completely ignoring the stunning beauty standing right next to him.
Ain's eyes widened.
That's it? I'm being ignored just like that?
"Hey, Karl!"
"Yes? If you've got something to say, say it."
"Can't I just call you without a reason?"
Karl sighed inwardly.
If you're bored, bite a lighter or something—just don't interrupt my slacking.
"Sure, why not," he replied flatly.
The room fell silent again.
After struggling for a moment, Ain finally sat down like Karl, picked up a newspaper, and followed his example.
The sound of pages turning and tea being sipped filled the lounge.
Just like that, the entire morning passed.
When Karl finally put the newspaper down, Ain stared at him suspiciously.
Does he live like this every day?
—Yes. Yes, he does.
Whenever they were traveling, Karl's routine was simple:
tea, cigarettes, newspaper—repeat.
"Eh? You're still here?" Karl asked, surprised.
Ain rolled her eyes.
"Where else would I go? There's nothing to do. It's almost mealtime—coming with me?"
Karl glanced at the time and nodded.
"Yeah. Sounds about right."
They walked out together.
Karl noticed the odd, gossip-filled looks from the soldiers. He didn't care, but Ain's cheeks slowly turned red.
Two people alone in the lounge all morning… Anyone would misunderstand, she thought.
Yet in reality, they'd barely spoken the entire time.
After lunch, the sun was bright and warm.
Karl stretched lazily.
"Nice weather today. How about we sunbathe a bit?"
Ain: "...?"
Ten minutes later, she watched in silence as the Marines efficiently brought out lounge chairs, parasols, and refreshments.
This wasn't a mission.
This was a vacation.
"Come on, Ain. Don't be shy," Karl said, already lying down.
Ain hesitated, then went back to her cabin.
When she returned, she wore a relatively conservative black swimsuit.
Blushing, she lay down on the chair beside Karl.
"…Is this really okay?" she asked softly.
"Everyone else is working, and we're just… relaxing."
Karl smiled.
"You'll get used to it. Besides, we're officers—our main job is eliminating pirates."
"Everything else can be handled by the soldiers. We don't need to do everything ourselves."
Ain nodded slowly.
On Tsuru's ship, she'd always been the one handling everything else.
This was new—and a little uncomfortable.
"So," she asked, changing the topic,
"Our mission is to invite that Pirate Empress, right? The world's most beautiful woman?"
"Mm."
"Do you think she really is the most beautiful?"
Karl sensed danger instantly.
A trap question.
After a brief pause, he replied smoothly,
"I've never seen her. How would I know?"
"Who knows—maybe she's not even prettier than you."
Ain's lips curved upward. She turned toward him, smiling brightly.
"You think I'm pretty?"
"Obviously," Karl said without hesitation.
"You were one of the most famous beauties of the 24th training intake."
Ain's heart fluttered.
Looking at Karl's profile, she thought silently—
You too.
Not just the 24th intake… but the most handsome man in the Marines.
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