Red Port.
The massive lifting mechanism slowly operated, hoisting a batch of bubble gondolas up along the cliff face of the Red Line.
This was the safest method to cross the Red Line, though it required abandoning one's ship and purchasing a new one upon reaching the other sea. This passage method was suitable for adjacent seas separated by the Red Line. In fact, from Ginny's choice of Red Port, one could deduce her destination.
South Blue.
...
Having once been a Revolutionary Army officer, even when nearing her limit, Ginny's capabilities far surpassed those of ordinary people. Combined with the Celestial Dragons secretly ordering lowered security, she successfully infiltrated one of the gondolas.
The gondola continuously ascended until it reached the summit.
Red Line.
The highest point of the ocean, where all commoners marveled at the magnificent scenery from such heights.
Ginny, wrapped in a cloak, hurried through the crowd.
If she had a choice, she truly didn't want to set foot on the Red Line again; even the air here made her feel suffocated.
...
Ten days ago, taking advantage of being expelled from the Holy Land, she had hidden with her child aboard a ship transporting Celestial Tribute. Although she successfully descended to the lower world with the ship, they ended up in the West Blue.
But as long as they were far from Mary Geoise, it was enough. Red Ports were spread across the four seas; it was impossible for each to be as heavily guarded as the Holy Land.
Ugh!
Moving too quickly, Ginny accidentally exposed her face to the sunlight and couldn't help but cry out in pain.
Azure Scale Disease.
This illness was even rarer than Amber Lead Disease. Those afflicted would gradually turn blue, their skin becoming as hard as scales. Exposure to natural light accelerated the disease's progression, making it a certain death sentence.
The pain was excruciating, but she could only endure it, wrapping herself tightly in tattered clothing to minimize the sunlight's harm.
If it were just herself, dying in the Holy Land wouldn't matter, but...
But...
Ginny looked down at the infant in her arms, her gaze gentle yet resolute.
No matter what, I must take you away!
And...
Kuma, dear...
In the end, I still want to tell you...
——
——
South Blue.
Ginny boarded a dilapidated small boat, breathing in the familiar sea breeze as she headed toward the Sorbet Kingdom from her memories.
The weather at sea was unpredictable—sometimes fierce winds would roar, whipping up waves several meters high that crashed heavily against her fragile boat, as if trying to swallow it whole.
After the storms came the scorching sun.
The blazing sunlight mercilessly beat down on her, every inch of her skin feeling as if it were burning, which was undoubtedly adding insult to injury for someone suffering from Azure Scale Disease.
...
Beyond the harsh weather, shortages of food and fresh water became immense challenges.
Drifting on the vast ocean, supplies gradually dwindled. Ginny grew dizzy from hunger, her body weakening further, yet she saved the little food and water she had for the infant in her arms.
Where there were natural disasters, human calamities followed.
This sea was never short of pirates.
A small crew of pirates spotted her solitary boat, their eyes gleaming with greed.
The dilapidated boat wasn't worth much, but a beautiful woman alone at sea...
Ginny tightly held her child, picking up the ship's only weapon—a worn-out gun.
Her hands trembled from hunger and illness, yet her eyes burned with determination.
...
She had won, defeating the pirates!
But the battle exposed her to more sunlight, worsening her condition…
By all rights, she should have died long ago.
So why was she still alive?
...
...
Clap…
Clap… clap…
Clapclapclapclapclap!!
"How magnificent… such beautiful willpower!!"
From the deck of the Celestial Dragons' revered vessel, Saint Luo clasped his hands in applause, laughing heartily.
"I adore strong, resilient, and beautiful women! Truly worthy of being my wife… haha, though that was in the past!"
"So it's because of a child—no wonder you insisted on descending."
"Were you afraid I'd kill that lowborn brat?"
"Hehe… then I'll slaughter that wretched spawn right before your eyes!"
"Ginny~ my dear Ginny!!"
"What expression will you make? The mere thought makes me tremble with excitement!"
"It shall be the ultimate masterpiece! Unparalleled artistry!!!"
...
You bastard…
Griffin stood with hands clasped behind his back at the corner of the deck, his gaze brazenly fixed upon the Celestial Dragon's back.
Like other Celestial Dragons, he wore a glass helmet to avoid breathing the filthy air of the lower world.
His tall golden chignon tapered from narrow to wide, with absurdly elongated earlobes.
Without even seeing his face, Griffin was certain the man was hideous.
...
Beneath blue-tinted lenses, the Sharingan silently activated.
The Sharingan couldn't achieve the X-ray vision of the Byakugan, but it was far more sensitive to the flow of human energy.
In his vision, Luo's physical energy was inferior even to that of pirate lackeys.
His only distinction from ordinary humans was a chip-like object embedded in his neck.
Was this…
The Celestial Dragon identification marker?
Griffin recalled that when Doflamingo's family relinquished their status to descend below, they surrendered something.
Was it this chip?
What was its purpose?
Could it be like in cultivation novels—killing him would leave a tracking mark on the assassin?
He'd investigate thoroughly first. No need to rush.
...
Griffin had no intention of saving Ginny and her daughter.
Not only were Ginny and her child destined to reach their destination safely, but even if his presence altered history and caused their deaths here…
That would simply be unavoidable.
Griffin would never attack a Celestial Dragon solely to save someone.
He wasn't a hot-blooded youth like Luffy.
...
"What are you looking at?"
"Don't think favor from the nobility permits disrespectful behavior!"
Griffin looked up with a faint smile. "How may I address this esteemed lord?"
The white-suited figure wearing a Sunflower Mask replied coldly: "Classified. No comment."
"Then may I call you Chrysanthemum Face?"
"Where I'm from, chrysanthemums symbolize pure and beautiful loyalty—a most fitting title for you."
Griffin smiled with innocent charm.
The white-suited agent began to refuse when…
"You there! You shall be called Chrysanthemum from now on! I adore this address—you have excellent taste, Griffin!"
Saint Luo proclaimed loudly: "You hail from Kano Country , don't you? I quite like that nation, overflowing with artistic ambiance!"
"Hahaha! We shall descend upon Kano Country next time!"
...
Griffin bowed his head, elegantly bringing four fingers together while pointing his middle finger toward Luo in a gesture of inexplicable grace.
"As long as it pleases Your Excellency."
When they first met, the soldiers all knelt down in unison, but he managed to bluff his way through with that gesture.
He claimed that in Kano Country 's tradition, this was a posture that expressed even greater respect than kneeling.
The middle finger, he said, represented treating you as the center of the world.
Who knows whether it was because this provocative gesture didn't exist at sea, or because the Holy Land lacked this tradition.
...
Saint Luo nodded with satisfaction.
He genuinely liked Griffin.
Perfect features, elegant demeanor, and postures full of aristocratic grace.
If this soldier were a woman, he would have proposed marriage upon their first meeting, making her his twenty-fourth wife.
He promised himself he would definitely treat her a bit more gently than he had his previous twenty-three wives.
What a pity...
Then he thought of something and said with a laugh.
"Griffin, I'll leave this to you."
"Your meaning is...?"
Griffin had a bad feeling about this.
Luo grinned widely: "You shall be the one to kill that infant, as the creator of my great masterpiece!"
"This honor, I bestow upon you!!"