On the island, inside the Beasts Pirates' base—
"How dare she capture one of my men!"
Roaring in fury, Kaido clenched his massive, muscular fist and slammed it down. Boom! The table in front of him shattered into splinters.
"Not only did Kaguya send the navy to escort Captain Jack to Impel Down," Jack's subordinate Sheepshead said urgently, "she even stole the batch of Devil Fruits that Doflamingo was offering to you, Boss."
"That damn wench!" Kaido's face darkened, veins bulging on his forehead. His tiger-like eyes seemed to blaze with fire. "Send the word—the Beasts Pirates are setting out immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, aboard a ship sailing the vast sea—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
On the deck, amidst the crisp clash of metal, two figures were locked in fierce battle. Blades collided, sparks flying, their forms a blur as they traded blows like phantom shadows.
With a sharp clang, a slender figure was sent flying and crashed heavily onto the deck.
Face flushed, body soaked in sweat as if she'd been pulled from the ocean, Rebecca lay on the deck, panting heavily.
"That's enough for today's lesson." With a metallic shing, Kaguya sheathed her sword. The blade, Liuli, dissolved into shimmering light and vanished into the air.
Looking at Rebecca, who lay panting on the floor, Kaguya was surprised. Her natural combat talent was even better than expected. Especially her danger sense and fighting instincts—they were sharp and responsive, not something easily trained, but more like innate ability.
Someone with that kind of talent was one in a thousand. Unfortunately, Rebecca clearly hadn't undergone systematic training. Her moves were a patchwork of various techniques, messy and unrefined—relying almost entirely on instinct.
It was understandable, though. Since Kyros hadn't been turned into a toy like in the original story, and Rebecca had been captured soon after Doflamingo seized Dressrosa, Kyros hadn't had time to properly train her in combat.
Rebecca forced her aching body to stand. "It's fine. I can keep going."
Kaguya gently placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Training is important, but rest is just as essential."
"Yes, Sensei." Rebecca scratched her head with an embarrassed smile, looking as sweet and innocent as the girl next door.
The twelve Devil Fruits Doflamingo provided had all been absorbed by Kaguya. Most were Zoan-types; very few were Paramecia.
That was likely due to Kaido's preference for Zoan-type Devil Fruits. After all, the majority of his Beasts Pirates were Zoan users—so many kinds of animals, it was practically a zoo.
To his credit, Doflamingo made a clean break. After pledging loyalty to Kaguya, he completely cut ties with Kaido and now followed Kaguya's every word. In fact, not long ago, he even expelled the agents Kaido had sent to monitor him.
A wise move, all things considered.
Since Doflamingo handed over the Devil Fruits meant for Kaido to Kaguya, he had effectively betrayed Kaido. And knowing Kaido's personality, anyone who dared betray him—regardless of the reason—would be ruthlessly executed.
Having already provoked Kaido, Doflamingo figured there was no turning back. Rather than remain stuck in the middle, he chose to break ties completely and find a new patron. The one he chose was Kaguya.
Not only that, in order to win Kaguya's favor, Doflamingo spent a fortune acquiring Devil Fruits from the black market to offer as tribute.
Of course, Kaguya was fully aware of Doflamingo's petty schemes.
Still, since he was being so cooperative, she didn't mind reaping the benefits.
After only a few days in Dressrosa, they left aboard a Navy warship. But while they were still en route, word came from Navy Headquarters: Jack the Drought had been ambushed by the Beasts Pirates during his transfer. In the fierce battle, three Navy ships were sunk and over a thousand soldiers lost.
Fortunately, the Navy had anticipated trouble and quickly dispatched reinforcements. Admirals like Aokiji and Kizaru were deployed. After a brutal engagement, they managed to repel the Beasts Pirates.
As for Jack the Drought, he hadn't even been on those ships. A separate vessel had secretly transported him to Impel Down days earlier. The whole thing had been a trap set by the Navy.
Kaido's strength was formidable, but against the Navy's full force, he still ended up in a sorry state—as expected.
After several months of grueling training, Rebecca's strength had greatly improved. Her technique was now much more refined. While she was still far from Doflamingo's level, her progress in such a short time was nothing short of impressive.
By the time Kaguya and her group returned to Navy Headquarters, several months had passed.
Just as Kaguya stepped into the base, a figure suddenly lunged at her from the side, wielding a long blade and slashing down at her.
Faced with the sudden ambush, Kaguya remained calm. With a slight tilt of her head, she narrowly avoided the strike.
But the attacker wasn't done. Her slender body twisted, and with a quick step and a shout, she charged forward again.
She swung her blade, sending a sharp arc of energy slicing toward Kaguya's vital points.
Once again, her strike missed.
Kaguya shifted her foot, sidestepped with ease, and dodged the attack without effort.
Seeing Kaguya dodge so easily, the attacker didn't falter. Instead, she intensified her assault. Her blade danced like a living thing, slashing faster and faster, forming a storm of afterimages.
But Kaguya barely paid the flurry of strikes any attention. She avoided them with casual grace, strolling through the barrage as if she were out for a walk.
Realizing that this wasn't working, the attacker gripped her blade with both hands, shouted, and launched herself forward like an arrow. She brought her blade down in a powerful slash, producing a razor-sharp arc of energy.
Just as the attack was about to land, Kaguya shifted her feet, preparing to dodge.
Suddenly, the attacker's eyes gleamed with cunning.
At that moment, another figure sprang from behind Kaguya, striking with lightning speed.
Kaguya found herself under attack from both the front and back—caught in a pincer assault.
If Kaguya dodged, she wouldn't be able to guard against the attack from behind. But if she didn't, she'd surely be hit by the attack in front.
It seemed, for a moment, that she was trapped.
The attackers had clearly realized this as well, smug smiles spreading across their faces.
But just when they thought they had her cornered, Kaguya lifted her head and smiled radiantly. "With just that, you think you can beat me?"
Seeing her faint, amused smile, the ambushers suddenly felt uneasy.
But it was too late to back down. Gritting their teeth, they pushed forward with even greater speed.
Just as they were about to land a strike, Kaguya suddenly vanished before their eyes.
Shocked, they halted immediately and frantically searched the surroundings—but there was no sign of her. Panic began to set in.
Then, as their hearts thudded with anxiety, a ghostly face appeared right before them, and vine-like tendrils erupted from the ground beneath their feet, wrapping around their thighs and quickly ensnaring them.
"Aahhh!"
"Yaaah!"
Two shrill screams rang out.
"Just two little bean sprouts, and they think they can sneak attack someone?" Kaguya said with a laugh.
The two girls who had attempted the ambush were now suspended by vines, their arms bound and hanging from a tree, completely immobilized.
As it turned out, the culprits were none other than Tashigi and Ain.
"Hmph, what's so great about that?" Tashigi huffed, turning her head away. "You just got lucky this time! Next time I'll definitely get you."
Kaguya shrugged. "That's what you said last time."
"This time is different! I wasn't being serious before," Tashigi protested loudly. "Next time, I'll show you how strong I really am!"
Kaguya nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what you said last time, too."
Tashigi's face turned bright red with frustration. "Stop looking down on me!"
"So amazing... as expected of our instructor," Ain said, in stark contrast, her face slightly flushed and eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Ugh, are you lovestruck or something?" Tashigi snapped, glaring at her.
"But the instructor really is amazing," Ain blinked her beautiful eyes. "It's only natural we can't beat her."
Tashigi was exasperated. "Can't you at least try to have a little backbone?!"
"What's wrong with that?" Ain said nonchalantly. "Losing to my idol is perfectly acceptable."
"Ahem."
Kaguya cleared her throat and said, "If I recall correctly, there was a punishment for losing, wasn't there?"
Tashigi's face flushed. "You wouldn't dare!" She instinctively tried to cover her backside, but with her body bound by vines, she could barely move her fingers.
In contrast, Ain's eyes widened with excitement. "Really? We get punished?"
"What is wrong with you?!" Tashigi shouted, nearly in tears.
Before she could say anything more, Kaguya approached. "Let's start with you."
"You wouldn't dare!" Tashigi tried to sound fierce. "If you do this, I swear I'll kill you! I really will!"
"Good. I'll be waiting," Kaguya smirked. "But for now... it's punishment time."
Smack!
Smack!
"Aaahhhh!"
Tashigi's body was draped across Kaguya's lap as Kaguya raised her hand and brought it down without mercy. Smack! Smack! Crisp slaps echoed in the air.
"You lunatic! Stop it! I said stop!" Tashigi shouted in humiliation and anger, struggling furiously—but the vines binding her were like steel. There was no breaking free.
"Alright, punishment complete."
Kaguya's familiar voice sounded beside her ear. Tashigi snapped back to her senses and realized the vines had disappeared. She scrambled to her feet, her cheeks flushed red.
Good grief.
What was she even doing just now?
Kaguya, unaware of Tashigi's flustered expression, walked over to Ain. "Your turn."
"Yes!" Ain's sparkling eyes lit up as she nodded eagerly.
Kaguya blinked at Ain's excited expression.
What was with that look?
Girl, I tied you up expecting fear and panic—not anticipation. Please respect your instructor's dignity.
"Sensei, weren't you going to punish me?" Ain asked, her big eyes blinking and her cheeks faintly flushed.
A shadow of sweat formed on Kaguya's brow. She wasn't entirely sure this still counted as punishment.
In fact, it was starting to feel more like a reward.
"Never mind," Kaguya waved her hand and turned to leave. "Considering your respectful attitude and good behavior, I'll let it slide this time."
"Awwww..." Ain let out a long disappointed sigh. "That's not fair."
Watching Kaguya walk away, Tashigi quickly stomped over, fuming. "Did you lose on purpose just now?!"
"Of course not!" Ain replied firmly. "I keep my training and personal life separate. Even if she's my idol, I'd never hold back in a fight. That said..." she suddenly spun toward Tashigi, puffing her cheeks in frustration, "You were totally unfair!"
"Unfair?" Tashigi blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You acted all annoyed and disinterested, just to provoke her so you could get punished first!" Ain pointed at her, her cheeks puffed out in indignation. "That was so sneaky!"
"W-What?! I would never think of something so twisted!" Tashigi turned beet red.
"Hmph," Ain turned her head away. "Well, just so you know, no using underhanded tricks to seduce Sensei, got it?"
"I told you, I didn't!"
After returning to Navy Headquarters, Kaguya arranged a place for Rebecca and officially enrolled her in the Navy. Once the paperwork was complete, she was a full-fledged member.
This wasn't a casual decision on Kaguya's part.
Rebecca had lost her entire family in Dressrosa. Even her aunt Violet was missing. She had no relatives left and nowhere to call home. And with her current strength, she couldn't yet protect herself.
Kaguya still had many things to do and couldn't keep Rebecca by her side at all times. So she chose to have her join the Navy.
That way, Rebecca would have both shelter and protection, plus time to continue training. As a Marine, she could grow stronger through battles against pirates.
"Sensei, are you leaving already?" Rebecca turned to Kaguya, her tone tinged with worry.
With no remaining family, she saw Kaguya as her only kin. Though Rebecca had grown stronger and more mature through hardship, she was still a young girl barely past ten. Feeling out of place in a strange environment was natural.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven