"Princess Vivi!"
"Please slow down!"
A curly-haired man hurried after the young princess as he stepped off the transport ship, his voice filled with worry.
No matter how many times this happened, he could never stop worrying about the little princess of Alabasta.
"It's alright, Igaram!"
"Sister!"
Without slowing down, Vivi threw herself straight into Saint Roselith Seraphina's arms.
Seraphina caught her effortlessly before gently lifting her into the air.
Although they were adoptive sisters, Vivi's happiness was completely genuine.
She had never imagined that the Marine officer who had defended both her and Alabasta during the Levely would one day officially become part of the Nefertari Family.
When King Nefertari Cobra had asked for her opinion, Vivi had accepted immediately without the slightest hesitation.
How could anyone dislike such a kind, dependable, and beautiful older sister?
"What brings you here today, Vivi?"
Seraphina asked with a warm smile as she gently held the delighted princess.
Vivi wrapped both arms around her neck before happily answering.
"Kohza and Uncle Toto brought another shipment of construction materials."
"So I asked Father if I could come too."
As she spoke, she pointed toward two familiar figures walking down the gangplank.
"Kohza?"
Nearby, Kuina had been quietly continuing her training.
She had been smiling while watching Vivi and Seraphina reunite.
In her heart, she already regarded Vivi as a precious little sister.
However…
The moment she heard Vivi mention another child's name…
And realized it belonged to a boy…
She instinctively glanced toward the group approaching the harbor, even while maintaining her training posture.
"H-Hello…"
"Princess Vivi's sisters…"
"My name is Kohza."
The young boy nervously introduced himself.
He was roughly the same age as Vivi.
Although he had heard countless stories about Vivi's two extraordinary older sisters…
Seeing them in person still left him speechless.
What impressed him first wasn't their strength.
It was their extraordinary presence and elegance.
"Kohza is the captain of the Sand-Sand Band!"
"And I'm the vice-captain!"
Vivi proudly puffed out her chest while introducing both herself and Kohza.
"Is that so?"
Seraphina chuckled softly.
"So young…"
"And you've already formed your own crew."
"That's admirable."
"Who knows?"
"Perhaps one day you'll accomplish something truly remarkable."
Kohza immediately scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"N-No…"
"The Sand-Sand Band was just something I came up with on a whim."
Before he could say anything else
"That's not true!"
Vivi immediately exposed him.
"Captain Kohza always says he's going to become the greatest adventurer in the world someday!"
"You're not allowed to act shy now!"
"Kohza!"
Kohza's entire face immediately turned bright red.
"Vivi!"
He looked as though he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
Watching the two children bicker made everyone nearby smile.
At that moment…
A large, round man walked forward with an easygoing smile.
"Vice Admiral Seraphina."
"It's been quite some time."
The speaker was none other than Toto, Kohza's father.
For the past several months, he had been responsible for transporting construction materials from Alubarna to Whiskey Peak.
Because of that responsibility, he and Seraphina had met numerous times.
"Mr. Toto."
Seraphina nodded politely.
"The construction of Whiskey Peak depends greatly upon the quality of these supplies."
"I'll be relying on you."
Toto immediately straightened his posture.
"Please rest assured, Vice Admiral!"
"I've personally inspected every shipment."
"I guarantee that not a single inferior stone or piece of timber has been mixed in."
"As long as I'm responsible for transporting them…"
"I won't allow anyone to cut corners."
His voice was firm and sincere.
As a merchant…
His reputation was built upon trust.
When King Cobra personally requested that he oversee the transportation of materials between Alubarna and Whiskey Peak, Toto had accepted without hesitation.
He believed wholeheartedly that these Marines would one day become Alabasta's strongest shield.
"I trust His Majesty's judgment."
Seraphina smiled slightly.
King Cobra had always possessed an excellent eye for character.
If Toto had earned Cobra's confidence…
Then Seraphina had no reason to doubt him either.
Turning toward Kuina once more, she spoke gently.
"Kuina."
"You've trained long enough today."
"Since Vivi is here…"
"You may take the rest of the day off."
"Go spend some time together."
After nearly ten consecutive hours of training…
Any additional practice would only exhaust Kuina without improving her skills.
Rest was every bit as important as discipline.
"Yes, Teacher!"
Kuina immediately lowered the enormous training sword before stretching both aching arms.
She then stood upright and gave Seraphina a crisp Marine salute.
Seraphina returned the gesture with a small nod.
The next instant…
Kuina grabbed Vivi's hand.
"Come on!"
"Let's go!"
Without waiting for an answer, she happily pulled Vivi toward the hidden spot the two girls had claimed as their secret training ground.
This was far from Vivi's first visit.
Over the past six months…
She had traveled to Whiskey Peak nearly every month.
"Vivi!"
"I'll show you the sword techniques Teacher taught me yesterday!"
Kuina could hardly contain her excitement.
Whenever she mastered something new…
The first person she wanted to share it with was always Vivi.
"Okay!"
Vivi laughed brightly while allowing herself to be pulled along.
In truth…
She had always wanted to learn swordsmanship herself.
Unfortunately…
King Cobra had never approved of the idea.
"Oh!"
"Kohza!"
"You should come too!"
Only then did Kuina remember the young boy standing nearby.
She waved enthusiastically toward him.
Kohza hesitated.
"Um…"
"Would that really be alright?"
Before leaving Alubarna…
Toto had repeatedly reminded him to behave respectfully around Vice Admiral Seraphina.
As a result…
Kohza felt unusually nervous.
"Kohza!"
Vivi pouted.
"Why are you acting so timid today?"
"You always say you want to become a great adventurer."
"Wouldn't an adventurer want to learn about swordsmanship?"
Hearing Vivi's encouragement…
Kohza slowly became interested again.
"Wait…"
"Princess Vivi's older sister is a swordswoman?"
Like countless young boys…
He had once dreamed of becoming a great swordsman.
After all…
Who didn't admire those who wielded blades capable of cutting through anything?
He already knew Seraphina was an incredibly powerful Marine.
But this was the first time he had learned she was also a swordswoman.
"That's right!"
Vivi nodded enthusiastically.
"Kuina is Sister Seraphina's disciple!"
"And she's already an amazing swordswoman!"
To Vivi…
Seraphina represented the pinnacle of strength.
Therefore…
Anyone personally taught by her had to be incredibly powerful.
Kuina immediately became embarrassed.
"N-No…"
"You're exaggerating…"
She scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
Kohza's curiosity only grew stronger.
"I've heard people say that swordsmen are divided into different levels."
"There are skilled swordsmen…"
"Master swordsmen…"
"And even legendary swordsmen capable of shaking the world."
"So…"
"What level has Sister Seraphina reached?"
"Kuina!"
"I want to know too!"
Vivi's eyes sparkled with excitement.
This was her first time hearing someone speak about the different realms of swordsmanship.
Kuina looked upward.
"Do you see those clouds?"
She pointed toward the brilliant blue sky above Whiskey Peak.
Several large clouds drifted peacefully overhead.
"They're huge!"
Vivi exclaimed.
Kohza nodded repeatedly.
The next moment
Kuina raised two fingers together like a sword.
Whoosh
A sharp slash shot skyward.
A pale crescent of compressed air tore through the atmosphere before vanishing almost instantly.
The surrounding sand danced as a brief gust swept across the ground.
Although the flying slash disappeared within moments…
Its power left both children speechless.
"Wow…"
Vivi's eyes widened.
"So cool!"
Kohza stared blankly at the fading trail in the sky.
Even such a casual demonstration completely exceeded his imagination.
Kuina immediately scratched her head awkwardly.
"Sorry…"
"I got a little carried away."
"My flying slash is still far too weak."
"Compared to Teacher…"
"It's nothing."
Her expression instantly became one of admiration.
"My teacher's sword can split the heavens themselves."
"She can cleave apart the clouds high above the sea with a single swing."
"One day…"
"I want to stand beside her as a true swordswoman."
Her voice was filled not with pride…
But with unwavering determination.
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