The sea breeze was calm and the sunlight warm as the Curtainfall sailed smoothly across the Grand Line.
Shanu had just finished his morning training. Leaning against the rail, he held a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, enjoying the rare moment of peace and the endless horizon.
Someone crept up quietly behind him. A small hand darted out from under his arm, reaching for the cup.
Before it could touch the mug, smack! — Shanu swatted the hand away without hesitation.
"Ow! That hurt!"
"What are you doing, trying to steal black coffee with no sugar?" he grumbled. "Chef Zeff brewed a whole pot this morning. Go get your own."
"The kitchen's too far…" Nami muttered as she peeked up at him with big, pleading eyes.
"Lazy as ever," Shanu sighed, too used to her antics to care anymore.
Then he noticed the rolled-up newspaper in her hand and raised a brow. "You got the paper this early? Did they finally report Crocodile's incident?"
"I read every page — not a word about it!" Nami puffed her cheeks in frustration and tapped the railing with the rolled-up paper. Tap, tap, tap. "It's been a whole week already! What's the World Economic News doing? Is that bird-brain Morgans asleep?!"
Her captain might not care much, but she did.
She wanted to see her big brother's bounty skyrocket again — to see the entire Grand Line shaken by his name.
But now? Nothing. Not even a ripple.
"It's already been a week, huh…"
Shanu took a slow sip of coffee, letting the bitterness linger on his tongue. "If it's still quiet now, it's not Morgans' fault. Someone higher up's suppressing the news on purpose."
"But the guy's dead. Can they really hide that?"
"For a while, sure." Shanu's tone turned thoughtful. "Looks like the Navy Headquarters wants to buy some time — to clean up their image before the truth leaks."
Since Crocodile's plot hadn't been exposed, the Navy still viewed him as a model Warlord of the Sea, one of their "trusted allies."
And given that he died while following an order from Headquarters, they couldn't just admit the loss. Even the most corrupt company knows to pay for 'workplace accidents.'
So, right now, the Navy's priority was clear — capture Shanu before the story got out.
Then, once they announced Crocodile's death, they could spin the narrative however they wanted.
"Ohh…" Nami mumbled half-heartedly, barely listening.
She slumped against the rail like a wilted piece of seaweed, even her orange hair losing its shine.
No new wanted posters. No bounty updates. Life felt dull.
She thought about how cool it had been when her brother beat a Warlord — and how no one even knew about it!
Ugh! Just thinking about it made her whole body itch with frustration!
"Where's your sister?" Shanu asked. "I saw Nojiko up at four this morning heading to the training room. It's breakfast time now, and she's still not out?"
"Nope." Nami rested her chin on her hand. "She's been training harder every day. Doesn't stop till late at night. I think she won't rest till she fully masters Armament Haki."
Shanu nodded silently. He understood Nojiko well.
She reminded him of his younger self — proud, driven, unwilling to fall behind.
Unlike Nami, who could nap through an earthquake, Nojiko couldn't stand being the only one among the crew who hadn't awakened Haki.
Yes — the Curtainfall Pirates had come far.
Thanks to the buff from the Falcon Statue, almost everyone had now mastered Haki.
Smoker, for example, had it from the start. As one of Zephyr's personal students, he'd learned both Armament and Observation Haki before even graduating from the Navy's elite camp.
Among the crew, Kuina had been the first to awaken Armament Haki — her talent with the sword was extraordinary.
Just three days after leaving Twin Cape, she could already harden and channel her blade with precision.
She was now working on Haki projection and merging it with her sword aura — an advanced skill, progressing smoothly.
Chef Zeff followed soon after, mastering it around Whiskey Peak.
"Call your sister for breakfast," Shanu said. Then, after a sigh, "If she doesn't come out, bring her meals to the training room. Don't forget."
"Mhm!" Nami nodded. She was used to this — back home, she and Nojiko had often carried food up the hill for their brother's training, too.
Once Nami left, Shanu took another sip of coffee and opened his System Interface.
It had been a month since the last marketplace refresh. He'd planned to browse while drinking his coffee — if Nami hadn't interrupted, he'd probably be shopping already.
A faint blue light spread before his eyes.
The first six listings were all junk. He swiped through them with growing frustration.
Only ten total items — and most were useless? Was this another dud refresh?
Then, on the seventh slot — his eyes lit up.
[High-Grade Pet Egg]
Type: Special Item
Price: 4000 Points
Description: "A randomized egg that hatches into a high-tier companion creature. Low-grade bloodlines are excluded. Minimum rank: A. Initial loyalty varies based on the species and first impression."
Seller: System Direct
Shano blinked. "A pet egg? And a high-grade one at that?"
His pulse quickened.
This was a guaranteed high-rarity roll — a "premium gacha pull."
The last time he'd bought a pet egg, back in Cocoyashi Village, it had hatched Gin, a rare A+ bloodline — pure luck.
But that was a normal egg. If this one started at A-rank minimum…
He grinned. "Buying it."
Four thousand points — once, that had been a fortune. Now it was a worthy gamble.
Even if luck wasn't on his side, the chance of getting another partner as strong as Gin was too good to pass up.
He didn't even add it to his cart — he bought it immediately.
Purchase complete. High-Grade Pet Egg obtained.
"Alright," he muttered, rubbing his hands. "Let's see what I get."
[Rolling dice… please wait.]
[You obtained: YukimiBotamon!]
[Hatching in progress…]
The dice disappeared, and a silver-white egg materialized, cracking open from the top.
A few seconds later, a fluffy snowball of a creature popped out, blinking up at him with round black eyes.
"…This is it?"
Shanu stared blankly at the tiny puffball in his hand.
Sure, it was adorable — like a soft mochi dumpling.
Even Gin's piglet phase hadn't been this cute.
But still — this was supposed to be an A-rank or higher pet? Worth four thousand points?!
"Total scam…"
As if offended by the insult, new text appeared on his screen:
[Bloodline Rating: S+]
[Initial Loyalty: 80]
[Description:] "A baby Digimon covered in soft white fur. Believed to be a pale variant of Botamon, known as YukimiBotamon. With strong bonds and proper care, it can evolve into its ultimate form."
[Evolution Line:] YukimiBotamon → Nyaromon → Salamon → Gatomon → Angewomon
Shano froze.
"Wait… what was that last one?"
Angewomon?!
His jaw dropped. Then, instantly, his face broke into the brightest grin imaginable.
"Ohhh, so it's you! Hahaha!"
He scooped up the tiny snowball and spun it in his hands.
"What an adorable little angel— welcome aboard, partner!"