LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 83: Feast
Newspapers splashed with bold headlines announcing the recent clash between the Golden Lion Pirates, the Roger Pirates, and the Witch's Crew reached every corner of the world.
The battlefield, the Maubeugemour Sea, once known for its unpredictable weather, had become even more volatile due to the sheer destructive power of the three pirate crews that had clashed within its depths.
Seagulls carrying newspapers soared across the sky, delivering the news to people far and wide.
On an island in the West Blue, renowned for its archaeological pursuits, a woman, an archaeologist herself, breathed a sigh of relief as she saw a picture of her friend, seemingly unharmed, in the newspaper. Her relief, however, was tinged with worry as she noticed the increased bounty on her friend's head.
On another island in the West Blue, known for its sake breweries, a Great Pirate, disgusted by the recent turmoil in the New World, scowled as he saw a familiar face in the newspaper.
On an island in the North Blue, a young Celestial Dragon, banished from Mariejois, scanned the newspapers with eyes filled with hatred.
At the Twin Capes, the entrance to the Grand Line, a doctor chuckled as he spoke to a whale. "They seem to be doing well," he remarked.
– And then.
On an island in the first half of the Grand Line, Paradise, a woman, renowned for her medical expertise, smiled as she read the newspaper.
"Roger…," she muttered.
"An acquaintance? You seem rather displeased," a voice beside her remarked.
"You could say that. We've tried to kill each other countless times," she replied.
The man who had opposed Rocks and thwarted his ambitions. Even Octavia had her own thoughts about him, but for now, she had no intention of confronting him.
"It's the path that child has chosen. I have no right to interfere," she said.
"Hmm… I think a parent would normally be worried, though," Caterina replied as she organized the medical documents scattered across the desk. The owner of the house, Kureha, was currently out, and Caterina had been tasked with cleaning the room before she returned.
Octavia had been helping, but as soon as the newspaper arrived, she had stopped to read it, leaving Caterina to handle the remaining chores.
"Come on, let's finish cleaning. Kureha-san will be back soon," Caterina said.
"…Right. It seems that child is safe. There's no need to worry," Octavia replied, placing the newspaper on the desk.
They quickly finished cleaning. Octavia effortlessly lifted heavy objects with her left arm, which had fully healed.
A while later, Kureha returned, noticing the newspaper on the desk. She settled into her chair near the fireplace, put on her glasses, and began reading.
"Hihihi. That little brat has become quite famous, hasn't she?" she chuckled.
"She takes after her mother," Octavia replied.
"Troublemakers, both mother and daughter. A troublesome bloodline indeed… By the way, how long are you planning to stay here?"
Octavia's left arm was fully healed. She no longer had a reason to stay on this island, no reason to remain under Kureha's care.
She had taught Caterina some basic medical techniques during her free time, but the girl was still young. It wasn't much to brag about.
Kureha narrowed her eyes at Octavia. "Don't tell me you're planning to stay here permanently."
Octavia shrugged. "I have no reason to. I just had nowhere else to go… Since we're here, why not visit the New World?" she proposed.
"Are you going to see your daughter? That's wonderful! I'd love to meet her too!" Caterina exclaimed.
"You're still planning to follow me?" Octavia asked.
She suggested that Caterina would be better off learning medicine from Kureha, but Caterina shook her head.
"I want to see the vast sea! Please take me with you!" she pleaded.
"…One extra baggage isn't a problem, but don't blame me if you die," Octavia replied.
"Don't worry, Octavia is strong!" Caterina winked, giving her a thumbs-up.
Octavia sighed. She realized there was no point in arguing.
"If we're going on a journey, we need a destination! Is there anywhere you want to go?" Caterina asked.
"I was going to ask you that… but if we're going to the New World, I'd like to visit Hachinosu at least once," Octavia replied.
"Is there anything there?"
"Nothing important… but I left something there. Consider it… Xebec's grave."
She hadn't visited in a while. She didn't intend to dwell on the past, but she felt she should pay her respects at least once.
"Then that's our first destination!" Caterina declared.
And so, they decided to head for Hachinosu.
***
The scent of sake permeated the air, even in the daytime. It was a celebration, a reward for their recent victory against the Golden Lion Pirates, a feast for those who had faced death and emerged victorious.
The crew, exhausted from the battle, had been sleeping until recently. Fortunately, they had a large number of non-combatants on board. Preparing the food hadn't been a problem.
Before the festivities began, there was something Kanata and her crew needed to do – a somber duty they couldn't neglect. A memorial for those who had perished in the battle.
"Geek, Jet, Rose –" Kanata recited the names of the fallen.
One of their subordinate ships had sunk, taking many lives with it. While some had been rescued and were now recovering in the infirmary, many hadn't survived. Those who had lived through the ordeal stood behind Kanata, their bodies bandaged and their expressions grim.
They were pirates. Death was an inevitable part of their lives. This ceremony was a farewell, a way for the living to say goodbye to the dead. It was a duty they couldn't ignore.
It was a simple ceremony, but it was better than nothing.
Once the memorial was complete, the festivities began.
"We didn't manage to take the Golden Lion's head, but this time, it's safe to say it was our victory! Let us savor the taste of victory – cheers!!" Kanata raised her glass.
"Cheers!!!" yelled the crew.
The feast, a joint celebration with the Roger Pirates, was grand and lively. With an abundance of sake and food laid out before them, everyone reveled in their victory, singing songs and celebrating their survival.
Even Kanata, who usually abstained from alcohol, had a few sips.
"Your bounty has increased again."
"Well, of course it would. You're probably the only ones who have pushed the Golden Lion that far in a head-on confrontation."
Countless pirates had challenged Shiki, only to be defeated and forced into submission. Or they were simply overwhelmed by the sheer difference in strength and fled.
Kanata and her crew, however, had inflicted significant damage on Shiki's forces. It was only natural for their bounties to increase.
Roger, enjoying his sake, glanced at the wanted posters in Kanata's hand.
"Your crew is quite formidable. But…"
"We have a lot of non-combatants. We concentrated our forces because we couldn't afford to lose our flagship."
They also had women and children on board.
The Roger Pirates seemed to have children on their ship as well, a few of them currently chatting with Kaie, who was about their age.
Two boys, one with red hair and the other with a red nose, noticed Kanata's gaze and approached her with juice in hand.
"Buggy and Shanks are still kids. Be nice to them," Roger said with a smile.
Kanata, though hesitant, agreed. "I'm not used to dealing with children, but…" She figured it wouldn't be a problem. After all, Gloriosa would be taking care of Kaie.
They had other children on board, but they were mostly being looked after by the female crew members. Kanata rarely interacted with them.
"Captain, were you talking about us?" Buggy asked.
"Can I have some of those snacks?" Shanks asked Roger, and Buggy quickly reached for the food laid out before them.
"Buggy, don't be rude! Sit down and eat properly," Kanata scolded, to which he replied,
"I don't care about manners! I'm a pirate!"
He was being cheeky, so Kanata gave him a knock on the head.
"Ouch! What was that for?!"
"Don't be ridiculous. Whether you're a pirate or a noble, manners are important. They're about not making others uncomfortable," Kanata explained.
"Wahahaha! Don't be so uptight, Kanata! It's just kid stuff," Roger said.
"I think these are things you should learn when you're young," Kanata insisted.
It was important to teach them good manners while they were young. If they ever decided to return to a normal life, basic etiquette would be essential.
Well, that was up to their captain, Roger. It wasn't something Kanata should interfere with.
Buggy, hiding behind Roger, tried to reach for the snacks again, but noticing Kanata's gaze, he quickly retreated behind Roger's back.
"What are you doing, Buggy? Just sit down and eat," Roger said.
"No way! You might give me another knock on the head!"
"If you sit down and behave, Kanata-san won't say anything. Right, Kanata-san?"
"Yes."
Shanks sat down next to Roger and began eating.
Kanata didn't say anything, so Buggy cautiously sat down opposite Shanks, Roger between them, and started eating a piece of sea king meat.
It was salty and tough, but that was expected of sake snacks.
Shanks noticed the newspaper beside Kanata. "Is that today's? Can I see it?" he asked.
"Go ahead. It's just a fabricated article about how I formed an alliance with Roger to fight the Golden Lion," Kanata replied.
"Huh? Did you form an alliance, Captain?" Shanks asked, surprised.
"No! The newspapers are just making things up. Wahaha, let them say what they want," Roger replied.
After all, Roger had simply happened to arrive while Kanata was fighting Shiki. Nothing more, nothing less.
The World Government and the Marines would likely be scrambling if they thought it was true.
"The bounties are incredible."
"Yes. Our crew's bounties have all increased. Roger's hasn't."
Perhaps it was because they had joined the battle halfway through, or maybe they were already considered to be on par with Shiki. The latter was more likely.
Shanks picked up the wanted posters, flipping through them.
Samuel, the "Sharp Claw" – 75 million berries.
David, the "Bomber" – 90 million berries.
Scotch, the "Gale" – 95 million berries.
Even Samuel and Scotch had bounties on their heads now. Having fought bravely against the Golden Lion's fleet, the Marines couldn't ignore them.
"George hasn't gotten a bounty yet, but it's only a matter of time," Kanata remarked.
"Is he strong?" Roger asked.
"He's capable. Not as strong as Shiki's Grand Duke, though," Kanata replied.
Apsu, Lelampargo, and Lucien – Shiki's three Grand Dukes. They were powerful individuals, making the Golden Lion Pirates even more formidable. To be able to fight them meant you were a force to be reckoned with.
Gloriosa, the "Sky Cover" – 138 million berries.
Dragon, the "Dragon Claw" – 255 million berries.
Feiyun, the "Giant Shadow" – 280 million berries.
Junshi, the "Six Harmonies Great Spear" – 380 million berries.
Zen, the "Red Mane" – 400 million berries.
They were all powerful fighters. Their bounties had increased significantly.
Dragon's bounty was a surprise. He hadn't had one before, but it seemed the Marines could no longer ignore him.
"You dealt a significant blow to the Golden Lion. It's natural for your bounty to increase," Roger said.
He picked up Kanata's wanted poster.
Kanata, the "Dragon Slayer Witch" – 2.24 billion berries.
"A bounty this high is a rare sight. You should be proud of yourself, Kanata, for fighting the Golden Lion like that," Roger said with a grin.
"I'm not trying to be humble. I'd love to take his head next time we meet," Kanata replied.
"Wahahahaha! That's the spirit! But does he have a grudge against you? You seem quite determined to defeat him," Roger asked.
"I have no grudge against him. I was just defending myself. He said he hates my mother. He said I could become his subordinate, or become food for the fish… I've already defeated him twice."
"Wahahahaha! So it's all because of a woman! Your mother must have been a beauty!" Roger exclaimed.
"You've met her too, you know."
"Hmm? I don't remember…"
"My mother is Octavia."
Roger choked on his sake.
Buggy and Shanks, startled, looked at Roger with concern, while Kanata conjured a wall of ice to deflect the sake Roger had sprayed.
Roger, recovering from his coughing fit, stared at Kanata in disbelief.
"Your mother is Octavia?! You're her daughter?!"
He was clearly drunk. Regardless, that seemed to be the only thing he cared about at the moment.
"Yes. Both my father and mother were terrible people," Kanata replied.
She laughed, a self-deprecating chuckle. "Thinking about it, my bloodline is full of terrible people."
Her father and mother were both infamous criminals. It wouldn't be surprising if she inherited those tendencies. She was a high-bounty criminal herself, so she wasn't in a position to judge others.
"…So you're… her daughter…" Roger slumped back in his chair.
Shanks and Buggy looked at Roger with worry, but he seemed to have sobered up. He stood up, walked around Kanata, observing her carefully, then sat down across from her.
"Now that you mention it, you have the same figure," he said.
"Everyone from the Rocks Pirates realized she was my mother as soon as they saw my face," Kanata replied.
"Octavia always wore that mask. Only those who were in the same crew would know her face," Roger said.
Kanata recalled Octavia's mask from their encounter in Water Seven. What an awful taste in fashion…
Roger stroked his chin thoughtfully, observing Kanata as she picked up a piece of sea king meat.
"You look alike, but your personalities are completely different…"
"…I've only met her once, so I don't know much about her," Kanata replied.
"Really? She was more… abrasive, you know? Like, she didn't care about weaklings…"
Roger's impression of Octavia was that she was a much more ruthless individual than Kanata.
She had been part of the Rocks Pirates, a crew known for its brutality. It was easy to imagine she didn't value her comrades. She was the opposite of Kanata.
"Then your father is…"
He was about to ask, then stopped himself. Even though he didn't have a good relationship with his parents, he hesitated to ask Kanata to reveal the identity of the man he had killed.
He stammered, trying to find the right words, then finally gave up. "Never mind," he said, scratching his head.
Kanata couldn't help but laugh at Roger's sudden change in demeanor. Shanks and Buggy also chuckled, pointing at their captain's comical expression.
"Shut up! Anyway, Kanata, what are you going to do next?" Roger asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you just going to keep running? Don't you have a goal for your journey?"
"Well, for now, we're heading for Lodestar Island. We'll figure things out once we reach it."
"Lodestar Island, huh…"
It was said to be the final island one could reach by following the Log Pose.
They could travel the world, then explore various seas, or find a comfortable place to settle down.
"That's a good plan. Running isn't fun. A pirate has to be free!"
"We're already infamous pirates. That excuse won't work anymore," Kanata said.
They were well-known criminals now. Denying they were pirates was pointless.
It wasn't a bad thing to be called pirates. It just felt strange… She couldn't think of a suitable name, so she decided to put it on hold for now.
"Eventually… well, I guess I'll take down the remaining members of the Rocks Pirates," Kanata declared.
She didn't want to clean up her father's mess, but every member of the Rocks Pirates, except for Gloriosa, held a grudge against her.
It would be a hassle to be constantly attacked. It was better to eliminate them first.
Shiki would be a difficult opponent in a head-on confrontation, but if they targeted his subordinate crews gradually, they could weaken him. Linlin would be even easier to deal with.
As for Whitebeard… His strength was unknown, but considering he had been part of Rocks' crew, she couldn't expect him to be a reasonable person.
"Newgate is strong. As strong as me," Roger said with a grin.
Kanata smiled in response.
"Then I can defeat him. I'm not strong enough now, but I'll catch up eventually."
"Wahahahaha! That's what I like to hear!"
Roger laughed boisterously. Shanks and Buggy, however, scowled. They didn't like the idea of their captain being defeated.
"Our captain won't lose to you! Captain Roger is the strongest!" Shanks exclaimed.
"That's right! Captain Roger is the strongest!" Buggy chimed in.
"The world changes. Even the pirate who was once called the strongest was defeated by Roger and Garp. That's how the world works."
Roger, too, would be defeated someday. Kanata, too, would eventually lose. When that day would come, no one could say.
Shanks and Buggy fell silent at Kanata's words. Roger stroked his chin thoughtfully, muttering, "Rocks…"
"But the World Government should have suppressed all information about him. How do you even know…"
Roger's words trailed off. His eyes, which had been watching Shanks and Buggy, turned towards Kanata.
Their personalities, their appearances, their demeanors – everything was different. But their eyes… they were the same color.
The most powerful enemy he had ever faced. The pirate he had only managed to defeat by joining forces with the Marines. And her mother, a former member of the Rocks Pirates. It all made sense now.
"…Don't tell me…"
"Don't mention his name so casually. It'll cause problems if people find out."
Kanata took a sip of her sake, a look of disgust on her face.
Indeed, if her secret was revealed, the Marines would pursue her even more relentlessly. It was a troublesome bloodline.
Roger understood. That's why Shiki was so obsessed with her.
The man he had once acknowledged as captain. The woman whose strength he had been forced to acknowledge… To Shiki, Kanata was someone with immense potential.
Roger couldn't read Shiki's mind, but he could sense it.
"…You're having a tough time, aren't you?"
"It'll come out eventually. I guess a peaceful life was never meant for me."
Kanata sighed.
The sun was setting, night was about to fall. The festivities were just beginning and boisterous laughter and music were all around.
The setting sun was dazzling and lined up perfectly with Kanata. And in that shadow, Roger saw the ghost of his greatest enemy.