The next day dawned bright and clear. Ryuya awoke, stretched, and left his room to find Kuina waiting for him.
He'd told her not to wait every morning, but she insisted that seeing him each morning energized her for training. Ryuya didn't argue.
He sensed Carina in the orange grove; she'd eaten some oranges and fallen asleep, thankfully sheltered from the wind by the thick branches. Luffy and Koby were still asleep.
Ryuya asked the ship's spirit, "How long until we reach the nearest island?"
The wind chimes responded: about half a day.
Ryuya told Kuina, "Let's practice. Let's catch a Sea King for a snack."
Kuina nodded, and they went to the deck. They spoke openly, Ryuya having deactivated his Bijo Bijo no Mi abilities. Even a slight sound could wake Carina.
Hearing their footsteps, Carina awoke, cautiously peeking out. She saw the girl from yesterday, Kuina, drawing Ominous.
The rising sun glinted off the blade, radiating a sharp aura. Carina felt a chill. She stifled a gasp.
Kuina appeared on the deck, raising Ominous and cleaving the sea with a powerful slash. Carina despaired; she was truly on a ghost ship! No human could be this strong.
Ryuya leaned on the railing, looking at Carina in the orange grove. "How was your night?"
Carina, resigned, placed her bag on the ground and said from the tree, "I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I didn't take anything. Please let me go!"
Ryuya shrugged. "If apologies worked, we wouldn't need the Navy."
Kuina's sword energy struck and killed a Sea King. Ryuya gestured, and the Sea King floated into the air.
"Ryūjin Jakka," he murmured, summoning his Zanpakutō. Flames enveloped the Sea King, quickly cooking it.
"Hungry? Have some." He tossed a piece of meat to Carina.
"You won't let me go?"
"Of course not! You dared to steal from my ship! Do you think I'd let you off so easily?!"
"What will you do to me?" Carina asked, knowing she couldn't fight Kuina, let alone the captain.
"What will I do? That's a good question."
A delivery bird arrived. Ryuya paid 100 Belly for a newspaper, commenting, "The East Blue is so cheap.
Newspapers in the Grand Line cost 200 Belly—pure profiteering!"
Carina picked up on his mention of the Grand Line. "You're from the Grand Line?"
Ryuya nodded curtly, reading the newspaper. The headline announced the Navy's Shichibukai recruitment plan!
This had caused a huge stir. Five members were already confirmed, with two spots remaining. They were Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, Boa Hancock, Jinbei, and Crocodile. Ryuya guessed the remaining two would be Doflamingo and Law. Moria was obsolete.
As Ryuya mused, Carina pointed at him, "I remember!"
Ryuya looked at her. "Remember what?"
"You're Admiral White Dove, Ryuya!" She saw his face clearly.
"So?"
Carina hesitated. This wasn't a Navy ship! It looked familiar… then her eyes widened! She remembered seeing this ship in a newspaper she'd stolen recently—the ship of the Dawn Bird leader, a mysterious organization!
Everything clicked into place. But a terrifying thought struck her: Why was Admiral Ryuya on the Dawn Bird leader's ship?
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