Gion let out a heavy sigh, her voice tinged with melancholy. "I wish I could come along, but the responsibilities of a reserve admiral aren't something I can take lightly. Sister Tsuru gave me a task to inspect the branches in the New World, and it looks like I won't get much rest for the foreseeable future."
She spread her hands in exasperation, her expression conveying just how much she begrudged the workload. Inwardly, she muttered a few choice complaints about Tsuru, who always seemed to find ways to exploit her subordinates' energy.
After lamenting her fate, Gion quickly regained her composure. Her usual graceful demeanor returned, and she offered Luffy a small smile. "At least I'll be stationed in the New World for a while. If I get the chance, I'll visit you in Wano. And…" Her voice dropped as she leaned in, glancing warily around before giving Violet a measured look. After ensuring no one else was listening, she whispered to Luffy, "I'll try to track down that fruit you mentioned, and I'll see if I can locate that lantern fish as well. Maybe I'll get lucky."
Without waiting for his response, Gion bent down and wrapped Luffy in a warm embrace. Luffy, caught slightly off guard, hesitated before patting her back gently. He leaned in to whisper, "Thank you, Sister Gion. I really appreciate it."
Gion straightened and gave him a teasing smirk. "You'd better. And remember, you owe me for this. I don't know what it is about you, but I'll admit, you're good at making things interesting."
Luffy chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "I'll make it up to you, promise."
Her expression softened for a moment, but she quickly shifted her attention to Violet, who had been watching the exchange in silence. Gion's gaze turned appraising, her smile sharpening just a little. "I'm leaving him in your care, Violet. Make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble."
Though Violet was no stranger to high-pressure situations, facing Gion—one of the most respected officers in the Marines—was a different kind of challenge. The weight of her presence made Violet feel small, but she refused to back down. Straightening her posture, she met Gion's gaze with determination. "I'll do what needs to be done. You don't need to worry about him."
Gion studied her for a moment, then chuckled. "Good. I like your spirit." She extended her hand, her gesture both sincere and disarming.
Violet hesitated but eventually shook Gion's hand firmly. Just as she began to pull away, however, Gion's grip tightened.
"What are you—" Violet began, but Gion silenced her with a mischievous smile.
"Listen carefully, little sister," Gion murmured, her tone playful yet laced with warning. "While I may accept you, there are others on this ship who might not be so welcoming. Especially one of them. Even I tread carefully around her. You'd best be cautious."
Violet froze, her mind racing. Gion's cryptic words were unsettling, and her playful demeanor only added to the tension. Before she could respond, Gion released her hand and turned to Luffy with a sly wink. "Take care, Vice Admiral. I'm sure we'll meet again soon."
She walked away with a confident sway, leaving Violet standing there, gripping Luffy's arm for support. Her voice quivered slightly as she asked, "Luffy… who was she talking about? Could it be…"
Luffy gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. As long as you don't challenge her title as the most beautiful woman in the world, she'll treat you like family."
Though his words were meant to comfort, Violet couldn't help but feel uneasy. "The most beautiful woman in the world…" she repeated, a slight frown on her face. After a moment, she shook her head, dismissing her concerns. "Fine. Then take me to meet everyone. I'd like to know just how many women you have on this ship."
Luffy laughed nervously, scratching his head. "Uh, sure. Let's go."
As they boarded The Stormbreaker, Violet immediately noticed the commotion on the deck. Two figures were locked in a heated battle, their movements swift and precise. The clash of Hancock's Fragrant Foot against Hina's Blackthorn Spear echoed across the ship, drawing the attention of several crew members who had gathered to watch the spectacle.
Violet froze in her tracks, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Luffy… is this your idea of a 'harmonious family'?"
Luffy rubbed the back of his neck, looking equally perplexed and a little embarrassed. "Uh, well… they're usually more… civil."
Hina and Hancock, however, showed no signs of stopping. Their strikes were calculated, their glares fierce. The tension between them had clearly reached a boiling point.
"Don't underestimate Hina, Boa Hancock!" Hina snarled, her iron spear glowing with the sheen of Armament Haki. "Hina have had enough of your arrogance!"
"And I've had enough of your insolence, Hina!" Hancock retorted, her foot poised to strike. "How dare you mock the Empress of Amazon Lily!"
The watching crew murmured among themselves, some placing bets on who would emerge victorious. Koala, holding Mansherry protectively in her arms, sighed and shook her head. "They're at it again," she muttered. "Why can't they just talk things out like normal people?"
Violet's grip on Luffy's arm tightened as she turned to him with a mix of disbelief and concern. "Are you sure it's safe for me to stay here? This doesn't look like a 'friendly family' to me."
Luffy let out a heavy sigh and stepped forward, raising his voice. "Oi! You two can have fun, but don't go overboard! This is a ship, not a battlefield!"
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