“Captain.” Hearing someone call out to him, Carnes instinctively turned toward Demiurge beside him and asked in confusion, “What is it?” Caught off guard by the question, Demiurge blinked and replied with equal confusion, “What is it?” This time, Carnes was the one left stunned.
He was certain he had just heard someone call for him.
And the only person standing beside him was Demiurge.
If it wasn’t him, then who was it?
Just as Carnes was about to question Demiurge further, the voice seemed to sense his confusion and echoed through his mind once more.
“It’s me, Captain.
I was the one calling you.
I am the Ship Spirit of the Eternal Galebreaker.” Upon hearing that voice, Carnes abruptly turned his head toward the mast, staring at the crowned skull flag.
“You?” Beside him, Demiurge immediately noticed Carnes’ unusual reaction.
Following his gaze, he too looked toward the flag.
A moment later, a smile appeared on his face as realization dawned.
“I see.
So you’re alive?
That’s quite unexpected.” Even Carnes couldn’t help agreeing.
“It really is unexpected.” The crowned skull on the flag trembled slightly.
Then, to everyone’s astonishment, it opened its mouth and spoke.
“Captain-sama need not be surprised.
It was you who granted me new life, allowing me to speak as I do now.” As the Ship Spirit spoke, every crew member aboard the ship stopped what they were doing and looked up at the pirate flag fluttering atop the mast.
“Whoa, did I hear that right?” “The flag…
just talked?” “I heard it too.
There’s no mistake.” The crew burst into astonished exclamations.
However, the Ship Spirit had no time to pay attention to them.
“I granted you new life?
Is it because I named the pirate crew?” Carnes asked, voicing his suspicion.
The Ship Spirit immediately confirmed it.
“Yes.
It was Captain-sama’s naming that granted me life, consciousness, and power.” “So that’s how it is.” Carnes nodded.
The answer matched his expectations.
At that moment, the Ship Spirit turned toward Demiurge.
“I’m surprised you noticed my existence so quickly.” Demiurge smiled calmly.
“Isn’t that only natural?
As Captain-sama’s most loyal subordinate, if I lacked even this level of perception, how could I possibly remain by his side and serve him?” The Ship Spirit nodded in agreement.
“Indeed.
Just as you say.” As Carnes listened to their conversation, something occurred to him.
A Ship Spirit that could speak surely possessed abilities beyond mere conversation.
Just as he was about to ask, a massive amount of information suddenly flooded his mind.
All of it concerned the Ship Spirit’s abilities.
Among them, three stood out most prominently.
Helmsman.
Summoning.
Sharing.
The first ability, Helmsman, was exactly what it sounded like.
The Ship Spirit could take control of the vessel and navigate it independently.
The second ability, Summoning, was somewhat similar to manifestation.
As long as the emblem of the Pale Emperor Pirates existed somewhere, the Ship Spirit could project itself there.
In other words, wherever the Pale Emperor Pirates’ flag appeared, the Ship Spirit could also appear.
The third ability, Sharing, allowed shared vision.
Carnes could see everything the Ship Spirit saw through its own eyes.
After roughly understanding these abilities, Carnes couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
“Those are some remarkably practical powers.” Then he turned toward the endless sea stretching beyond the horizon.
“Looks like it’s about time…” Demiurge immediately responded with a respectful bow.
“We await your command, Captain-sama.” Carnes raised his voice.
“Raise the sails!” Vmmm— The massive sail bearing the emblem of the pirate crew unfurled at once, swelling under the force of the sea breeze.
At the same time, the Eternal Galebreaker slowly pulled away from the harbor.
The Pale Emperor Pirates had officially begun their voyage.
Sailing upon the Grand Line.
…
…..
Time passed quickly.
Several days after the Pale Emperor Pirates set sail— On a small island.
A sixteen-year-old girl with long golden hair was about to embark on a voyage of her own.
Along the island’s shoreline, several of her friends stood waving farewell through tears.
After responding to each of their goodbyes, the girl turned toward the sea.
At this moment, her face was filled with excitement and anticipation for the future.
“Haah…” Taking a deep breath, she cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted at the vast ocean.
“The sea!
The One Piece!
I, Via Angeli, am coming!!” The moment she finished shouting, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Hahaha…!”