Marine Headquarters – Marineford.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office...
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was listening intently to the ever-diligent Brannew's mission report.
"Still no trace of the Saint Rosward?" he asked once Brannew finished.
Despite ongoing efforts, the Marines had failed to track down Sora's whereabouts. Their only option was to keep directing the North Blue branches to investigate.
The worst thing about pirates was exactly this: after a raid, they could simply vanish into the vast sea, making pursuit nearly impossible. Although several pirates had been apprehended recently, there was still no sign of Sora.
"Admiral, the Saint Rosward seems to have vanished into thin air. We haven't picked up a single trace," Brannew said with a frown. "And there's no record of any shipyards in the North Blue modifying such a massive vessel."
He paused mid-sentence, correcting himself.
"Pardon me—the criminal Sora. We're not supposed to call him a Godslayer, per orders from the World Government."
Sengoku scowled. The pressure from the higher-ups was intense, yet the Marines hadn't even managed to locate their target. He needed results—and fast.
"Anything unusual going on in the North Blue recently?" he asked, changing tack.
"Nothing major, sir," Brannew replied quickly. "However, a trading group called the Five Seas Trading Company has been operating in the waters around Reverse Mountain, attacking pirate crews attempting to flee into the Grand Line."
"They've even rescued multiple merchant ships and luxury liners. Many of the pirates they've taken down had bounties in the tens of millions. Their strength has impressed other merchant groups, and many are trying to form alliances with them."
"However, reports say the company has now headed to the East Blue."
Five Seas Trading Company? Headed to the East Blue?
Sengoku frowned. He'd never heard of such a group.
"How exactly do they take down pirates?" he asked.
"Reports indicate they use the ship's ram to disable enemy vessels, then follow up with gunfire and cannon blasts. They never engage in boarding combat or loot the treasure."
That ruled out Sora. Someone of his swordsmanship—who'd killed a Celestial Dragon, CP0 agents, and the king of Kachinov—would never go through such trouble. Especially not when the pirate ships themselves could be more valuable than the bounties.
Sengoku also didn't believe that someone who had robbed royal treasures and murdered a noble would just start rescuing merchant ships and ignore treasure entirely.
"Are there any photos of the company's leader?"
"Apologies, Fleet Admiral. None at all. They never make contact with the ships they save and vanish before anyone can get a clear look."
"I see..." Sengoku muttered, deep in thought.
East Blue – Near Cocoyashi Village
"Here you go, Anna."
Sitting at the bow of the Divine Slave, Sora grinned as he sliced open a Devil Fruit, cutting off a piece and holding it between his fingers.
This was one of the two Devil Fruits he'd earned in the North Blue—specifically, the Zoan-type Neko Neko no Mi: Snow Lion Form and the Paramecia-type Bako Bako no Mi (Box Box Fruit).
Naturally, he was feeding Anna the feline one. He already had a "puppy" maid—why not add a "kitty" maid too?
"Yes, young master."
Anna knelt down beside him, her eyes glittering with excitement. She ate the piece from his hand, never looking away as she blinked at him adorably.
Cheeky girl, trying to seduce me again, Sora chuckled to himself, continuing to feed her the foul-tasting Devil Fruit.
She had been trying to charm him for days, knowing full well that only he could decide when she'd be allowed to eat the fruit.
"Good girl," he praised, patting her on the head.
Anna's eyes lit up, and she nuzzled against his palm like a loyal kitten.
Over time, she'd figured out that the more obedient and eager she acted around Sora, the more affection and rewards she received. So, she had gone all-in with her performance.
『Ding! Anna's affection has reached 100. She is now eternally loyal. Feedback rewards doubled.』
Sora raised an eyebrow at the system's announcement.
Affection below 50 was easy to raise—especially with his high charisma. A few conversations were usually enough.
Above 50, though, it took consistent interaction. Breaking past 80 required real effort.
Even Shalria, who was utterly infatuated and submissive, hadn't hit 100 yet.
Reiju had stalled completely at 80. He'd need to find another method to boost hers.
[Profile: Anna]
Status: Princess
Affection: 100
Combat Rating: One Star
Yield: +20 Physique, +20 Vitality, +20 Spirit per hour
[Note: One-Star Combat yields x1. Affection 100 yields x2 bonus.]
Thanks to the Zoan fruit, Anna had reached one-star combat rating.
That meant her feedback to Sora now included all three key stats—physique, vitality, and spirit—tripling his gains over time.
As per the system rules, if any crew member achieved a one-star rank in any stat, Sora would receive returns from that trait.
Anna's gains were now matching Shalria's.
With these two feeding him strength, it wouldn't be long before his body stats rose from three stars to four—enhancing his power even further.
"Young master, we're approaching Cocoyashi Village," Shalria announced with a respectful bow as she approached the bow.
"Have Reiju stay on the ship. You two come with me," Sora said as he stood up and stretched.
This was the village where Nami had grown up.
But his target today wasn't Nami—it was her sister, Nojiko.
As the Divine Slave docked at the shore, Shalria alerted Reiju in the lab and followed after Sora, ready to disembark.
Sora led Anna and Shalria toward Cocoyashi Village.
He'd already seen the latest bounty posters—Monkey D. Luffy had defeated Crocodile in Alabasta.
Sora's plan was clear: he would quickly abduct Kaya, Nojiko, and Makino, then head into the Grand Line to capture Vivi—before intercepting the Straw Hats at Jaya Island.
Then, he'd take Nami and Robin right from under Luffy's nose.
"Let's go. You're about to get new sisters."
_____
[You give me a power stone, and I will give you a mass release deal? And if you like this story, add it to your library and give me a review, and I will reward you with mass release.]