"Didn't we agree... there wouldn't be anyone else?"
Looking at Perona, who was brought back by Zeraora and Hatch, Ferren's expression became somewhat unnatural. Such a little girl wouldn't matter much, but he feared there would be more and more.
The Thousand-Year Dragon had moved into the Hundred Beasts Pirates' territory for quite some time now, and Ferren had some understanding of this tradition, but he didn't expect these two to pick up a child during their travels.
"Well, it's a special case. Her ability is quite interesting, so I brought her back."
To be precise, she was coaxed back. Perona lived alone in the cemetery and naturally had no other relatives. According to her, she couldn't even remember what her family was like, and she had been living there for a long time.
She usually slept in a tomb, relying mainly on offerings for food.
But offerings weren't always available, and sometimes there were only flowers. The Devil Fruit was something she accidentally ate while in a state of hunger a short while ago.
It was the Paramecia-type: Hollow-Hollow Fruit, allowing the eater to release ghosts that make others feel negative. However, she hadn't mastered this ability well yet, and the negative ghosts would sometimes be released unconsciously to wander around.
What caught Hatch's attention was one of these negative ghosts, and bringing her out was simple. Having lived in such a place for so long, she knew little about the outside world. Her broken teddy bear was her companion, and those released negative ghosts were considered special companions as well.
It seemed like a toy from an unfortunate child's demise, so under the temptation of Halloween candy, she was directly coaxed out.
"Is this the girl's ability? It feels quite interesting."
Looking at the white little ghosts floating around Perona, Setsuna curiously went up to poke it.
"Wait, Setsuna! Don't touch that!"
Seeing Setsuna reach out to touch the negative ghost, Hatch hurriedly stopped her, but the negative ghost, stimulated by the sound, passed right through the other's body.
However, unlike Hatch, Setsuna didn't fall into a state of depression but instead passively entered a transformation state.
Characteristic: Unyielding Heart.
Besides the original ability to convert fear into acceleration, it also granted Setsuna the immunity to negative emotions. Just as Logia-types perceive danger and automatically elementalize to avoid risks, upon sensing this emotional influence, Setsuna's ability was triggered.
"Dad, why are you holding a camera?"
"It's... nothing, nothing..."
He couldn't admit he planned to keep the other's embarrassing history, or else he really would face a washboard when he returned home.
"Little girl, you must learn to control your ability from now on, understand?"
A lollipop was held by Setsuna in front of Perona. Only after she agreed did she receive the candy from Setsuna.
On January 1st, Year 1503 of the Sea Calendar, Perona spent her last New Year in this country, also the first with company.
Zeraora and the others' journey didn't stop because of this. With a month left of vacation time, excluding the return journey, they could still embark on new travels.
And back on Ghost Island, as the New Year ended, the officers began to move again.
"Olga, the Shampodi auction is about to start again. It seems there are some good fruits on the list this time. Bring them back."
King oversees the political situation in Wano Kuni. While Queen manages external intelligence, his research list is full. He also teaches cultural lessons and occasionally gets lessons from Kaidou.
Shaina is handling both the roles of chief secretary and instructor. Zeraora is out traveling, and Kaidou is as usual, missing in action. The only convenient officer left to assign is Olga.
"Rest assured, Lord Arceus, I'll handle everything."
The officers of the Hundred Beasts Pirates enjoy a high degree of freedom, especially when they're outside. Olga's routine activity at this time is hunting.
However, she doesn't hunt animals or monsters, but people—those ubiquitous slaver groups on the sea.
Having left the Sea King Type's belly in 1489, it is now 1503. In these 14 years, Olga has been trained by Kaidou for at least ten years. As someone who bears the name of the Three Disasters, she is free to do many things according to her preferences.
Such as hunting those slavers. Whenever the Shampodi auction starts, the slavers become active, and that's her hunting time.
Although these slavers have intricate backgrounds at sea, Olga never worries about this issue.
Even if some re-captured slaves reveal her information, no one can find her, because every time she acts, she uses a different face, gender, age, and physique—everything about her is a mystery.
The Phantom Power of Zoroark is no joke, and even when disguised as someone else, she can use various abilities freely.
Most people are set free, while those suitable or with nowhere to go are brought back by her. Although bringing back children is a tradition of the Hundred Beasts, Olga undoubtedly brings back the most people.
The Hundred Beasts have a complex composition, and there are quite a few who were once slaves. During Olga's hunting season, these people are the most excited, as participating in this hunt is their way of revenge.
For those who were once slaves, the hatred for slavers is much stronger than ordinary people. It's her personal hunt and a revenge for these people.
While the Shadow Fox was preparing to set sail, in the First Half of the Grand Line, within the Windless Zone, a pirate ship was also ready to depart.
With a skull surrounded by nine snake heads, this was the flag of the Nine Serpent Pirates.
And the name of this island was Women's Island, as the name suggests, this country only had women. Men were forbidden from entering here.
So were the members of the Nine Serpents. The king of Amazon Lily Kingdom would personally lead this pirate group.
The crew members were all women, handpicked elite warriors from the Amazon Lily Kingdom.
Every year they go out to plunder the necessary materials. The surrounding Windless Zone is their natural barrier. Despite not having Seastone technology, they had sea snakes.
These were highly venomous sea snakes. Ships towed by them were even avoided by Sea Kings.
Snake training was almost a hereditary skill in the Amazon Lily Kingdom. Every adult warrior also had a special snake that grew up with them.
Not only were they intelligent, but they could also serve as bows and arrows.
The expeditions of the Nine Serpent Pirates were not just for replenishing supplies, but also trials for the young warriors.
Amazon Lily is a pirate nation that values violence and strength. Regardless of age or gender, those who possess strength are considered the most beautiful.
And this year, the three sisters of the Boa Family also began their first voyage as young warriors.