World Government Finance Authority Office,
Mary Geoise
"Saint Victor… Saint Roselith Seraphina has returned to Mary Geoise."
The official stood respectfully, his posture rigid despite the tension pressing down on the room.
"She is currently serving as part of the Marine security force assigned to the Reverie."
This was no ordinary report.
Within the upper ranks of the World Government, Seraphina's identity was no secret.
Her appointment as a special envoy
Her unique authority within the Marines
All of it had passed through this very office.
And at the center of it all
Sat the man before him.
Saint Victor Roselith.
A figure of immense influence among the Celestial Dragons.
He did not respond immediately.
Because
He already knew.
Sengoku had informed him beforehand.
At first
He had refused.
His daughter
Serving as a guard?
Protecting others?
Unacceptable.
But then
A thought emerged.
If she accepted the assignment
She would return to Mary Geoise.
And he would see her.
Every day.
That alone
Was enough.
So he agreed.
On one condition
"Sengoku… her will comes first."
If she refused
No one could force her.
And Sengoku
Understood.
"…However."
The official hesitated slightly.
"Her mission… encountered a minor complication."
Silence.
Then
A shift.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The massive figure of Saint Victor rose from his seat.
The chair creaked under the sudden loss of weight.
His hand shot forward
Grabbing the official by the collar
Lifting him effortlessly.
"What did you just say?"
His voice
Low.
Dangerous.
The official froze, fear flooding his body.
"Saint Victor please calm yourself!"
"This matter… ended safely."
He spoke quickly.
Carefully.
Then relayed everything
From the confrontation…
To the resolution.
Every detail.
And as he spoke
Victor's expression changed.
The tension
Faded.
Then
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Good."
A pause.
"Truly… my daughter."
The oppressive aura vanished completely.
The official dropped back to the ground, barely steadying himself.
"Yes… Saint Roselith Seraphina's reputation within the Marines is extraordinary."
He quickly seized the opportunity.
"It is said even an Admiral like Kizaru openly supported her."
"Some even say…"
"…that Admirals heed her words."
Victor's smile widened.
"Hmm."
"Of course they do."
"My daughter…"
"…was born to stand above all."
His tone carried absolute certainty.
Praise directed at him
Would not have moved him.
But praise for his daughter
That was different.
Entirely different.
After delivering the report, the official bowed deeply and withdrew.
The moment the door closed
Silence returned.
Victor's smile vanished.
"…Battis."
His voice turned cold.
"Smooth tongue."
"Poor execution."
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.
"That was my daughter."
A pause.
"I protect her even from the slightest harm."
"And yet…"
"He allowed such a situation to occur."
His eyes narrowed.
"Should I eliminate him?"
The thought lingered.
Then
He exhaled.
"…No."
"She dislikes unnecessary killing."
A rare restraint.
But not mercy.
"Still…"
His gaze shifted.
"To allow her to be insulted…"
A line had been crossed.
He turned slightly.
"Adolf."
A shadowed figure stepped forward silently.
"Eliminate that noble."
His voice was calm.
Final.
Then
He paused.
"…No."
A slight change.
"Not here."
His eyes darkened.
"Too obvious."
Another pause.
"Arrange it."
"Make it look like pirates."
"On his return voyage."
"Yes, Saint Victor."
The decision was made.
Clean.
Invisible.
Justified.
In his eyes.
Palace Heights Mary Geoise"So many… so many…"
A grotesque voice muttered excitedly.
Through a telescope
A figure observed the passing nobles below.
A bloated man.
Curly hair.
Runny nose.
Encased within a transparent bubble.
Saint Charlos.
A Celestial Dragon.
One of the so-called "gods" of the world.
"I want them all…"
His breathing grew heavier.
"More slaves… more toys…"
His eyes scanned greedily.
Then
Paused.
"…Hm?"
A figure caught his attention.
Familiar.
He zoomed in
Squinting.
"…Who is that…?"
Before he could focus
Gone.
Only faint traces remained.
"…Eh?"
His sluggish mind struggled to process it.
Then
"Are you Charlos?"
The voice came from behind him.
Main Street VIP District, Mary GeoiseSaint Roselith Seraphina stood calmly, her presence quiet yet overwhelming.
In truth
Her duties required little effort.
No pirate would dare attack Mary Geoise.
Not with Marineford so close.
Not with Admirals stationed nearby.
The Marines had already mobilized.
Vice Admirals.
Elite forces.
All within rapid response range.
Even without her
The defense was absolute.
Which left her
Idle.
So she walked.
Observed.
For the first time
Truly seeing the world around her.
Shops lined the streets.
Luxury goods from across the seas filled the displays.
Nobles wandered freely
Indulging.
Spending.
She had no interest in such things.
But
Looking cost nothing.
Then
She felt it.
A gaze.
Filthy.
Possessive.
Her eyes lifted slowly.
Locked onto the source.
Above.
Without hesitation
Soru.
Her figure vanished
And reappeared instantly.
Behind him.
"…Are you Charlos?"
Her voice was cold.
Recognition followed.
This man
Same age.
Same lineage.
But
Entirely different.
Memories surfaced.
A banquet.
A younger Boa Hancock.
And him
Attempting to humiliate her.
Back then
Seraphina had intervened.
Without hesitation.
Without restraint.
And beaten him.
Thoroughly.
He had learned fear.
For a time.
Yet now
He was the same.
Unchanged.
Disgusting.
Seraphina's gaze hardened.
"So…"
"You've learned nothing."