Because their routes didn't align, the two parties parted ways after the feast.
According to Chinjao, Dressrosa had now fallen into the hands of the Beasts Pirates, and the Riku royal family had previously failed to prove they could protect their allies.
Therefore, he decided to take the Tontatta Tribe to the Kano Country.
At least in their own territory, no one with any sense would covet the Tontatta Tribe.
Regarding this, older Tontatta like Gancho were somewhat reluctant, while younger ones like Mansherry and Leo were quite expectant.
After sending off that large group of people, the large ship returned to silence.
"Honestly, when those little ones were around, they always seemed noisy. Now that they're gone, it feels a bit unaccustomed."
Naomi gazed into the distance, somewhat melancholically.
Kalifa offered no comment… she didn't mind. She goes wherever Karin goes.
"Thank goodness, the ship is still here."
Karin breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the familiar hull.
Although she learned from the Happo Navy that the Shark Emeralda had been anchored not far from Punk Hazard all along, seeing it with her own eyes was more reassuring.
As the ship drew closer, Karin turned her head to look at Kalifa, signaling she could act.
"Mmm..."
Kalifa frowned at the smell of the corpses but used Geppo to step into mid-air, then decisively activated her ability.
"Soap Sheep Cloud - Great Tidal Wave!"
Countless bubbles gushed out rapidly, covering the entire ship in the blink of an eye.
This move was originally used to leave enemies no room to dodge, ultimately losing their ability to move, but it was also quite useful for cleaning.
Watching Kalifa operate over there, Karin couldn't help but sigh.
"Such a convenient ability..."
The speaker might be unintentional, but the listener was intentional. Naomi, like a wronged little wife, looked at the captain on her head with a resentful gaze.
'So what if it's a Devil Fruit...'
Of course, thinking is one thing… finding a decent fruit isn't that easy.
After all, even the most ordinary Devil Fruits cost hundreds of millions of Berry, not to mention they are rare and unpredictable when one might be found.
Moreover, even without a Devil Fruit ability, Naomi felt she wouldn't lose to Kalifa now.
The half-human, half-snake form did feel uncomfortable for Naomi at first.
Both in combat and daily life.
But as time passed, she gradually got used to it.
Now she could silently approach enemies using her snake tail and coil in places she couldn't stand before.
Not only that, but her senses were also enhanced.
Some snakes can sense prey through temperature… Naomi also gained this ability.
Even in heavy fog or deep night, living people were as obvious as 'light bulbs' in her perception.
The snake-human transformation truly seemed like an 'evolution' on her, as Orochimaru said.
Of course, there were downsides too.
The suddenly increased strength often caused her to lose accuracy when drawing her bow, and after enduring great force, her longbow seemed to have developed some cracks.
Fortunately, Karin promised that after finding Naruto, he would make her a new, unbreakable bow.
As for Devil Fruits...
Hmph!
Naomi looked at the sea surface below.
She had one advantage Kalifa definitely didn't have.
She could swim!
Not only swim, but she could even breathe underwater!
That's one win.
Kalifa zero wins, she one win, that's two wins!
While Naomi was still immersed in her thoughts, Kalifa had already cleaned the Shark Emeralda inside and out, top to bottom.
Not only did she handle the corpses and bloodstains that seeped into the deck, but she even cleaned the deepest stains hidden in the corners of the bottom cabins.
Now, the entire ship seemed to 'sparkle'.
As the first warship Karin captured, the Shark Emeralda surpassed other ships in sailing speed, firepower, and armor protection.
At least the large cargo ship they currently sailed couldn't withstand a single encounter with the Shark Emeralda.
If there was one drawback, it would be—
"Mmm... Now I realize, isn't this ship a bit ugly?"
Karin turned to look at Kalifa.
Kalifa offered no comment, indicating complete trust in the captain's aesthetic.
Around Karin, Kalifa seemed to revert to the cold, taciturn secretary from Water 7.
But her words also reminded the other two.
Well-
Mad Treasure's aesthetic was indeed not praiseworthy.
The ship's shape simply didn't match its superior sailing parameters.
"Understood. Those patterns are graffiti… I'll deal with them immediately."
Bubbles appeared on Kalifa's hands again. After a few wipes, she completely removed the 'shark mouth' pattern on the bow.
Naomi just opened her mouth, hesitant to speak.
'Ah, the last trace of Psycho P in this world was also erased.'
But upon reflection, she wasn't very familiar with the guy anyway… they were just hands recruited by Mad Treasure.
Her heart felt lighter instantly.
Not just the shark mouth… even the sharp bow became slightly 'rounded' under the Awa Awa no Mi's ability.
As Karin herself said, "That pointed bow isn't convenient for me to stand on."
She seemed to be getting more accustomed to her 'bird habits'.
However, apart from the bow, Karin didn't fuss much elsewhere. She only erased half the name on the hull, making it simply the [Emeralda].
That sounded much better.
The Emeralda had three driving methods.
Sails, steam, and the oars in the lowest cabin.
No wonder… for Mad Treasure, faster speed meant a greater chance of seizing treasure in competition.
It could be said that apart from recruiting hands, most of his acquired wealth was used to enhance this ship.
Even among the [Supernova] ships, the Emeralda could hold its own.
...
"But it's really annoying, that bastard Sasuke."
The night sea seemed calm, so the Emeralda used steam power.
Standing at her exclusive bow, Karin suddenly said something seemingly out of nowhere, startling Naomi, who was feeding her beside her.
"Sasuke? The one Chinjao mentioned… Captain Karin, your comrade?"
Nearby, Kalifa, responsible for checking the course, subtly adjusted her glasses, pricking up her ears.
For some reason, the other two women on this ship had an interest in Karin's 'romantic affairs' that went beyond normal comradeship.
This couldn't be elaborated on… before anyone pointed it out, Karin wouldn't notice.
"Ah, that arrogant guy."
Actually, this wasn't the first time Naomi heard about Sasuke from Karin.
Back when Kalifa and the others hadn't boarded, and they were still inside Master Lantern's belly, Karin had told her stories.
Among them, the great, chivalrous, benevolent, kind 'Naruto-san' aside-
Descriptions of Sasuke were basically fixed at two points.
'Arrogant', 'trying to act cool'.
This led Naomi to preconceive Sasuke as an average-looking but overly confident man.
"Who would have thought that kid could have two beauties chasing after him."
In Karin's eyes, Sasuke had no charm whatsoever.
She completely didn't believe the so-called many girls chasing Sasuke in the Ninja Academy… he believed that was definitely Naruto's humility.
Therefore, upon learning from Chinjao's 'exaggerated' description that two beauties with different charms were simultaneously pursuing Sasuke, Karin was very displeased.
The reason for her displeasure wasn't jealousy but that she couldn't stand her rival living so well.
Of course, this sounded different to Kalifa.
The cold, icy secretary, upon hearing Karin's words, naturally assumed she had some special feeling towards that 'playboy' named Sasuke.
Especially since this playboy dared to mess with other women.
Snap—
"Hmm?" x2
Karin and Naomi turned simultaneously, just in time to see Kalifa calmly throw something into the sea.
"My glasses accidentally fell."
"...I see."