Saint Roselith Seraphina merely sighed as she watched the children playing with innocent excitement.
Their laughter echoed freely across the yard, untouched by the harsh realities of the sea.
Yet her attention was drawn elsewhere.
She found herself unexpectedly interested in the woman named Belle-Mère.
There was something unusual about her.
Perhaps she was a woman carrying a story.
Belle-Mère possessed a rough and rebellious air, almost like a delinquent who had grown up fighting through life. Her posture was relaxed, her tone sharp, and her manner far from refined.
At first glance, she looked like nothing more than a troublemaker.
But beneath that rough exterior
Seraphina could sense something else.
A quiet but undeniable sense of justice.
It was rare to see someone who possessed both a rogue's temperament and a righteous heart.
Seraphina found it intriguing.
She truly wanted to know Belle-Mère's story.
Meanwhile, Belle-Mère had already begun lowering her guard.
At first she had been worried.
She feared that the Marine Captain standing before her might recognize her past
Her status as a former Marine who had deserted the service.
If that happened, she might be arrested.
But after observing Seraphina for a while, Belle-Mère realized something.
This Marine officer had not come to Cocoyasi Village to hunt deserters.
She had come for something else.
Belle-Mère slowly relaxed.
It would not matter much if she herself were taken away.
But she was raising Nami and Nojiko.
She did not dare imagine what would happen to those two children if she were gone.
Now that she realized Seraphina was not here to arrest her, the tension in her shoulders faded.
Her usual casual personality returned.
"Miss Marine Captain," Belle-Mère said, crossing her arms with a half-smile.
"Are you here to buy some oranges?"
Seraphina glanced around Belle-Mère's small home.
The nearby tangerine grove stretched across the hillside, filled with trees heavy with bright orange fruit. The citrus smelled sweet and fresh in the sea breeze.
For sailors, citrus fruits were more valuable than they seemed.
Long voyages across the Grand Line or the Blues often meant months at sea. Without fresh food, sailors frequently fell ill from nutritional deficiencies.
Veteran seafarers understood that citrus fruits could prevent those illnesses.
That was why many Marine ships stocked oranges, lemons, or limes before long voyages.
Seraphina considered the grove for a moment.
Then she spoke calmly.
"I'll take them all."
Belle-Mère froze.
"…R-Really?"
Her eyes widened with disbelief.
If someone bought the entire harvest, it would mean the household would finally have enough money to survive the season.
For a moment, she was stunned.
Then joy filled her expression.
The worry that had weighed on her for weeks vanished instantly.
Meanwhile, the two little girls who had been playing nearby suddenly ran over.
"Wow! Sister Seraphina, you're amazing!" Nami shouted.
"Yeah! You're like our hero!" Nojiko added excitedly.
The girls had clearly realized what had just happened.
Belle-Mère would not have to struggle for money anymore.
For the first time in days, Belle-Mère's face no longer carried that quiet, worried look.
The children were no longer a burden.
Instead, they had helped bring a miracle to their home.
Seraphina looked down at Nami and smiled faintly.
"Nami," she said.
"If you still want to become a Marine in the future, you can come find me."
"Just tell them my name."
She had grown fond of this clever little girl.
Children who possessed dreams were always admirable.
Especially a dream like Nami's.
To sail the seas and draw maps of the entire world.
Even among professional navigators, that was an extraordinary ambition.
Besides Nami truly was adorable.
Nami's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Mm! When I grow up, I'll become a Marine!"
Because of Seraphina's kindness, Nami suddenly held a very good impression of the Marines.
At least
Of the Marines she had met so far.
At that moment, hurried footsteps approached from outside.
"Captain!"
"So this is where you were!"
Fran appeared at the entrance of the yard, slightly out of breath.
"Navy Captain Corvus of Marine Branch 16 has arrived."
"He says he wishes to meet you."
After asking around the village, Fran had finally located Belle-Mère's house at the edge of Cocoyasi Village.
Seeing Seraphina chatting comfortably with Belle-Mère, he had waited quietly rather than interrupt.
Seraphina noticed him immediately.
After finishing her conversation, she nodded.
Fran understood.
He stepped forward and delivered his report formally.
"I have other matters to attend to," Seraphina said.
"I will have my Vice Captain handle the purchase of the oranges."
Then she looked down at the two girls.
"Nami. Nojiko."
"Goodbye."
"And remember to listen to your mother."
Even though the children were charming, official business came first.
She then placed a hand on Fran's shoulder.
"I'll leave the purchasing arrangements to you."
"It doesn't matter if the price is slightly above the market rate."
Fran nodded.
"Understood, Captain."
Seraphina turned and began walking away.
Behind her, Belle-Mère called out to the girls.
"Nami! Nojiko!"
"What do you say when a guest is leaving?"
Clearly she did not want her daughters to forget their manners.
The two girls waved energetically.
"Goodbye, Sister Seraphina!"
Their voices rang brightly through the village.
Seraphina raised a hand in response without turning back.
Not far from the village road, several Marine soldiers stood waiting.
At their center was a middle-aged officer.
The man immediately straightened when he saw her.
"Captain Seraphina!"
"Thank you for eliminating the pirate threat in the waters around the Conomi Islands!"
This man was Captain Corvus, commander of Marine Branch 16.
He had clearly heard about her before.
The deeds of this young Marine Captain had spread widely throughout the East Blue.
Few people had not heard of her accomplishments.
The older generation could not help but feel impressed.
The younger generation of Marines was truly remarkable.
Perhaps the future of the Marines would rest in their hands.
They would inherit the banner of Justice.
Even though Seraphina was much younger than him, Corvus already regarded her with great respect.
Seraphina, however, spoke bluntly.
"Captain Corvus."
"Your control over this region seems rather lax."
Her tone was calm.
But the meaning was unmistakable.
Corvus lowered his head immediately.
"You are correct."
"This is entirely my negligence."
"I will conduct a thorough investigation."
"I will restore peace to the waters under Branch 16's jurisdiction."
He did not attempt to avoid responsibility.
Although he held the same rank as Seraphina, he felt ashamed wearing the same Marine uniform.
He had served the Marines for decades.
Yet pirates had still managed to establish themselves within his jurisdiction.
Corvus had been a Marine for nearly forty years.
Now over fifty years old, he was reaching the end of his career.
His rank of Marine Captain had been earned slowly over a lifetime of service.
He had never been a particularly talented officer.
Administrative work had always been difficult for him.
In truth, he had joined the Marines for only one reason.
Justice.
Now, nearing retirement, that fragile sense of justice was the only thing he still possessed.
Regarding the pirates who had occupied the nearby waters
He had only realized the seriousness of the situation after hearing Fran's report.
Within the branch itself, his authority had long since weakened.
He had been pushed aside by one of his own subordinates.
Commander Nezumi.
But Corvus did not wish to reveal that embarrassing truth.
Admitting it would only expose his own incompetence.
Seeing that Corvus accepted responsibility yet seemed troubled, Seraphina did not press further.
Instead, she simply gave a short order.
"Complete the transfer of the captured pirates."
"Then return to your base."
Corvus saluted.
"Yes, Captain!"
As the Marines began escorting the prisoners away, a Marine Lieutenant Commander standing beside Corvus spoke quietly.
"Captain Corvus…"
"Are we really going to let that man Nezumi continue acting like this?"
His voice carried obvious anger.
Everyone in the branch knew the truth.
Nezumi had built influence through bribery and corruption.
He controlled much of the branch's internal operations.
Corvus remained silent for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"It won't be for much longer."
"Just endure a little while more."
His eyes drifted toward the distant sea.
Somewhere beyond the horizon
Change was already coming.
Yax