After leaving Shells Town, Kuina looked at Mandy with a hesitant expression.
A normal person might have curiously asked her what was wrong at this point.
But who was Mandy?
Having been by Blake's side for more than ten years, the total number of words she had spoken probably didn't exceed a hundred, only speaking a few more words when teaching swordsmanship.
She had no intention of asking.
It wasn't until the sanctuary slowly sailed away that Kuina finally couldn't hold back and tugged at Mandy's sleeve:
"Sister Mandy..."
Mandy looked down at her, her eyes conveying the meaning of, "You continue, I'm listening."
Finally, Kuina asked:
"Does His Highness... often do this?"
Mandy thought for a moment, then nodded and shook her head.
Kuina was bewildered; what did that mean?
"Let me explain."
Rami had walked over at some point, handing a glass of juice to Kuina and sitting on a nearby wooden crate.
"You want to ask if His Highness often brings people back, don't you?"
Kuina nodded:
"I always feel that... such behavior..."
"As expected of a swordsman with conviction; someone like me never considers so much."
Rami first praised her, then smiled:
"But do you know?"
"Compared to other Celestial Dragons, His Highness is already very restrained."
She recalled her days living in Mary Geoise and sighed:
"You wouldn't believe the lives the Slaves of other Celestial Dragons lead."
"Let me tell you..."
Blah blah blah... Rami recounted some of her experiences to Kuina, finally concluding:
"So, other Celestial Dragons not only have a very large number of Slaves, but they are also often executed."
Kuina's eyes widened at her words:
"Even so... no one manages it?"
"Who can manage it?"
Rami shrugged:
"World Nobless inherently enjoy all the privileges in the world by law; all their actions are reasonable and legal."
She cast her gaze towards the deck:
"Look, Sister Stella and Sister Mandy were Slaves a long time ago, and then His Highness bought them back."
"Ginny and Betty used to be with the Revolutionary Army; strictly speaking, they should have been enemies."
"I'm essentially a bonus; His Highness was truly interested in my brother's talent."
"And bringing our family out of the White Town back then should be considered saving our lives."
At this, Rami showed a sweet smile:
"I should thank His Highness for making me a Slave."
Her gaze finally fell on Perona and Olga, who were running wildly on the deck:
"Hey! Those two were captured and brought back, but do you see any awareness in them of being captured and made Slaves?"
Kuina followed Rami's gaze and saw Perona and Olga arguing fiercely over the ownership of a seashell.
"This..."
She blinked, speechless for a moment:
"They look... quite happy."
Rami nodded approvingly:
"So, for His Highness to occasionally bring a few people back like this is actually quite gentle."
Looking at Kuina's still furrowed brow, her tone softened:
"In this vast sea, to maintain this freedom and dignity under a Celestial Dragon is already a rare stroke of luck."
If Blake had heard her words, he would surely have greatly praised her understanding.
Yes, that's right, the kindness of Saint Blake can never be repaid in a lifetime.
Kuina looked at the carefree smiling faces on the deck, silent for a moment, then finally let out a soft breath:
"I understand."
Although her tone still carried a trace of unresolved hesitation, her eyes had already regained their clarity:
"Thank you, Sister Rami."
The sea breeze swept across the deck of the sanctuary, carrying a salty scent.
On the distant horizon, the setting sun was slowly sinking into the sea, dyeing the entire sea golden-red.
Blake, however, had no mind to admire the scenery at the moment; he was thinking about his next destination.
The matters in East Blue could be temporarily put to rest; the remaining people were either hard to find like Carina, or had to wait a few years like Nami, Makino, and Tashigi.
From his first voyage in Sea Calendar 1498 until now, a full decade had passed, and Blake had basically traveled all four seas and the New World, so for a moment, he really couldn't think of an interesting place to go.
Just then, the white transponder snail in his pocket rang at the opportune moment.
It was as if every time Blake was bored, Aramaki could bring him new entertainment.
Sure enough, after the call connected, Aramaki's slightly excited voice came through:
"Your Highness! There's news about that Marine, Dies Barrels, whom you ordered me to keep an eye on!"
"He has now defected from the Marine, and our people are watching him."
A glint flashed in Blake's eyes; was the Ope-Ope no Mi about to appear?
He immediately asked:
"Where is he?"
"In North Blue, Your Highness!"
Immediately after, Aramaki rattled off a string of coordinates.
"Well done; I'll credit you for this, and I'll give you a fitting reward when you return."
Blake casually praised him and was about to hang up the phone.
Aramaki, however, quickly stated that he didn't need any rewards or anything of the sort.
Considering that the other party had just performed a meritorious deed, Blake patiently listened, then gave a few perfunctory remarks before hanging up the phone.
He put the transponder snail back into his pocket, unaware that Rami had just been counseling the newly boarded young swordsman, and waved:
"Rami! Come here for a moment!"
"His Highness called me."
Rami greeted Kuina and quickly ran towards Blake.
Kuina watched her go, then returned to Mandy's side, ready to continue training.
"Your Highness, is there anything you need me for?"
Rami stood still in front of Blake, who then ordered:
"Turn around, head back to Reverse Mountain; we're going to North Blue!"
"Understood!"
Rami gave a playful salute and ran into the ship's cabin to instruct the Slaves to change course.
Blake turned to look at Kalifa, who always stood by his side:
"Kalifa, have you seen the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia?"
Kalifa adjusted her glasses and said seriously:
"Yes, Your Highness, I have."
Hancock on the other side pouted and whispered:
"Damn it! Why haven't I seen it?! This guy is trying to curry favor with Saint Blake again!"
Blake ignored the now sour Hancock, so as not to let the two argue and delay important matters.
He nodded and continued to Kalifa:
"Then you should know what the Ope-Ope no Mi looks like, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness, I remember it's a heart-shaped Devil Fruit."
Blake was very satisfied with her memory and instructed:
"I need you to create an Ope-Ope no Mi."
"The requirement is that it must be identical to a real Devil Fruit in both appearance and feel."
"Can you do it?"
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