"My name is Carina, I am also from the East Blue…"
She looked at Ren, who was about the same age as her but radiated an aura of overwhelming strength. When she heard that he had withdrawn from the Straw Hat Pirates, Carina blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly.
"Thank you so much just now. Otherwise, I might have been caught by those guys… Stop standing, please sit down. Let's talk!"
She gestured invitingly, her tone playful yet sincere.
"By the way, speaking of which, Nami—the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates—and I are old acquaintances!"
Carina's curiosity burned brightly. This deputy captain who had suddenly declared he had quit the Straw Hats intrigued her deeply.
Ren sat down calmly, not surprised by her words. He already knew of the intersection between Carina and Nami.
"Yeah? You're still Nami's friend?" he asked.
Carina winked mischievously.
"Of course. I was once her savior, though I haven't seen her for a long time!"
She laughed lightly, recalling old memories. She and Nami, the "little thief cat," had wandered the seas together since youth, surviving by stealing treasures from nobles, merchants, and pirates. They had cooperated more than once.
Years ago, Carina had targeted a treasure hunter's hoard. She was caught, threatened, and forced to hand over stolen goods to save Nami's life. In desperation, she took the treasure and fled alone.
"Maybe Nami still hates me now…" Carina thought secretly.
But in truth, she hadn't abandoned Nami. She knew the treasure hunter's ferocity. If she had obeyed, both would have died. By running, she became bait, drawing the hunter's wrath. She hid nearby, watching secretly, ready to intervene if Nami wasn't released. It was a desperate gamble, but the only way to keep them both alive.
Time passed. The small sailing boat drifted forward slowly. Carina, flexible and intelligent, proved surprisingly enthusiastic. Years of surviving at sea had honed her communication skills. She chatted with Ren again and again, gradually closing the distance between them.
"Gee, you've really experienced so many incredible adventures…"
Listening to Ren recount the Straw Hats' journeys, Carina's eyes sparkled with wonder.
"I didn't expect there to be islands ten thousand meters high in the sky. Incredible…"
Her voice trembled with excitement. The mention of Sky Island and the Golden Land stirred her treasure‑hunter's heart.
"Does the legendary Golden Land really exist? I thought it was just a rumor!"
As the infamous "Phantom Thief," Carina's desire for treasure rivaled Nami's. The golden bell Ren described made her eyes shine. She longed to fly to Sky Island and steal it.
Ren chuckled, shrugging.
"If you really want to steal that golden bell, I advise you to give up. That thing has become their belief. The Sandia clan would go mad."
Carina pouted, feigning innocence.
"Ahem, how could that happen?"
Her big round eyes gazed at Ren with admiration, half‑truth and half‑false.
"But you are really awesome, Ren! You defeated even Enel!"
Ren waved dismissively.
"That's nothing…"
Unlike Luffy, who Relied in the Hito Hito no mi model Nika, Ren relied on Armament Haki and his Lunarian heritage. His racial talent granted unimaginable defense.
Enel's thunderous attacks, reaching hundreds of millions of volts, were useless against him. Enel's arrogance and reliance on Devil fruit powers left his physical skills weak. Ren's calculation and resilience made victory inevitable.
Carina leaned closer, fascinated.
"That's not something everyone can do… But what are your plans next? Are you really not planning to return to the Straw Hats?"
Boom...
Suddenly, before Ren could answer, a dark cannonball blasted from afar. It struck the sea ten meters away, exploding into a towering splash. The small dhow rocked violently.
Ren frowned, eyes narrowing.
"The… Navy?"
Boom...
Suddenly, before Ren could answer, a dark cannonball blasted from afar. It struck the sea ten meters away, exploding into a towering splash. The small dhow rocked violently.
Ren frowned, his eyes narrowing.
Instead of reaching for tools, he closed his eyes for a brief moment and let his Observation Haki spread across the ocean like an invisible net. Instantly, he sensed dozens of presences: the auras of the gunners, the tension of the sailors, the murderous intent gathering within the fleet. Every movement, every breath, even the faintest sound reached him with clarity.
Carina stared at him in shock, clutching her chest. Panic rose as she realized he needed no instruments; his perception alone had already revealed the approaching threat.
On the horizon, a massive warship and several medium‑sized vessels advanced in a V‑shaped formation. Their black cannons were already aligned toward Ren and Carina, artillerymen adjusting angles and powder. The earlier shot had been only a test.
Ren sighed calmly, as if the tension meant nothing.
"What a hassle… but it seems they weren't coming for me at first. They probably wanted to chase and destroy the Tiger Shark Pirates I already killed. When they spotted me, they simply opened fire."
Carina's face paled.
"What do we do?"
Though she was a famous Phantom Thief, she wasn't wanted by the Navy. But if they saw her with Ren—the "Butcher Ren" once tied to the Straw Hats—they would brand her an accomplice. That would mean being hunted forever.
Her mind raced, scheming.
"Then… pretend you're holding me hostage."
Ren blinked, speechless.
Carina tore off her felt hat, mussed her purple hair, and ripped her jacket. Her pale skin flashed in the sunlight, impossible to ignore.
"When the Navy comes, just leave me and escape!"
"Bang bang..."
"Phew… Phew..."
Bursts of gunfire echoed across the sea. One after another, artillery shells screamed toward them.
"Boom… boom..." Explosions erupted, towering sprays of seawater rising. Some shells came dangerously close, splashes striking the small sailboat. The vessel shook violently, threatening to overturn at any moment.
"Ah… those bastards are merciless!"
Carina, who had moments earlier tried to feign innocence, turned pale. Terrified, she clutched the helm, desperately steering to dodge the incoming cannonballs.
Ren shook his head, his voice calm.
"Don't be naïve. Among the Navy are radical generals who call themselves 'hawks,' preaching so‑called 'absolute justice.' To achieve their goals, they sacrifice anything—even their own men. Civilians, allies, Loved ones… it doesn't matter. They are the loyal dogs of the World Government."
"Whether they admit it or not, they only wave the banner of justice to protect the regime. In truth, they care nothing for the people below. Sometimes, their cruelty surpasses even that of pirates."
Ren's eyes hardened.
"Let me handle this."
He bent his knees and leapt skyward. In Carina's astonished gaze, his body shifted once more—scales gleaming, flames erupting. He became a colossal fire dragon, suspended in mid‑air, wreathed in blazing red fire.
"Roar——!"
The beast's thunderous roar shook the sea, waves tumbling violently.
"Hey, hey, be careful!" Carina cried, covering her ears. The heat wave struck her, dizzying, her ears buzzing as if her eardrums might tear.
Ren glanced back briefly.
"Sorry. I'll be more careful next time."
Then his jaws opened wide, flames gathering.
"Whoosh——!"
A blazing inferno burst forth, distorting the atmosphere, streaking like lightning toward the flagship.
"Boom..."
On the distant warship, navy soldiers froze in shock. A monstrous beast hovered above the small sailboat, defying gravity.
"What is that…?"
"Flames? What kind of monster is this?"
Panic spread. Sweat poured down their faces as the firestorm bore down, unstoppable.
"Don't panic, fools!"
A tall figure leapt forward, feet pounding the air, white smoke trailing.
"Chi——!"
A dazzling blade of light tore through the sky, colliding with the fire.
"Boom..."
The explosion painted the heavens red. Sparks scattered, heat waves engulfing the deck.
"Vice Admiral Stainless!!"
Morale surged as the navy recognized their commander. Stainless himself staggered, blown back by the impact. He steadied his footing, landing on the warship, cloak scorched, suit aflame.
Snarling, he tore off the burning cloak and cast it into the sea. His blade, wrapped in Armament Haki, glowed red, trembling in his hand. His skin was charred black from the heat. Without his haki, he would have been reduced to ash.
"That damned pirate… Butcher Ren."
His eyes narrowed at the blazing dragon above.
"So it's true. A Mythical Zoan… a creature of legend, like Kaido's. Did he just acquire this terrifying power, or has he been hiding it all along? Incredible…"
The dragon roared again, crimson lightning flashing across the sea.
Carina clung to the sailboat, wide‑eyed, as thunderous bolts erupted from Ren's maw, striking other warships.
"Boom… boom..."
"Ahhhhhh...!"
Medium‑sized vessels shattered under the onslaught, flames consuming them. Even Vice Admiral Stainless could only watch helplessly, fury burning in his eyes.
"Butcher Ren!!!"