Pirate's Freedom

It was getting dark, but under the bright lights, the entire square was still as bright as day.

In the center of the square, in the center of the stage, on the temporary convex podium, in the middle and highest position.

Holding the championship trophy made of gold, which is a head taller than her, inlaid with beautiful gems, like a work of art, Karina's smile is bright and sunny.

"Oh oh oh oh!! Long live Karina!! You are the strongest champion!!"

The applause and cheers were like endless waves, and the audience gave her warm cheers.

Despite a desperate fight, she was still unable to turn the tide. Due to the absolute gap in strength, Karina won the championship without any suspense.

Slightly lower on the left, Nuo Qi was holding a much smaller runner-up trophy, but also made of gold, and happily waved to the audience.

"Hahahahahaha...!!"

Loud laughter and loud whistles.

"Come on!! Nuo Qi Gao!!"

"We are optimistic about you!!"

"And Nami, you have to work hard too!!"

"Keep moving towards the uninhabited territory!!"

"..."

Although the voices of the audience were equally enthusiastic, standing in an oval shadow, Nami just couldn't be happy.

"I won No. 3, right?"

On the far right side of the podium, Nami asked the host standing on her right.

"That's right, Miss Nami."

The host on the side had no objection.

"I'm accepting the award now, right?"

Nami confirmed to him again.

"Indeed! Miss Nami——"

The host with a Mediterranean hairstyle and a suit said patiently.

"There is no need to doubt the reality. The fact that you are standing here proves that you have defeated all the players in the audience!"

"Then can you tell me."

Standing on the stage, Nami, who was empty-handed, grabbed his collar tightly.

"Why don't I have anything?! This is the podium, right?! What do you want me to receive?!"

"Cough cough cough... Miss Nami... cough cough... please let go first... cough cough... I can't breathe anymore..."

Wait until Nami lets go.

"that……"

First, he straightened his messy tie, then considered it carefully for a while, and then the host spoke in a tentative tone.

"Honor and applause from the audience?"

"..."

Nami looked at him expressionlessly.

"Tell me you're joking."

"...Miss Nami...it is indeed——"

Sweat broke out on his shiny forehead, and the host hesitated.

"The circumstances of this competition...are indeed somewhat special..."

In usual dance competitions, the elimination process is more cumbersome. Only two contestants can enter the finals, and the winner will be decided in a one-on-one competition.

And this time, the reason why No.3 appears——

First, the emergence of Tezzolo led to changes in the rules.

Second, the organizers did not expect the emergence of combined techniques.

"..."

Below the stage, above the audience, a tired and paralyzed little whale was lying belly up, drifting on a wave of people formed by a pair of arms.

"It doesn't matter, I can understand it."

The little girl's big eyes are full of hope.

"Can you give me the trophy in cash?"

"Uh... this... seems... impossible..."

The host's voice became quieter and quieter.

At this moment, Karina seemed a little tired from hugging her. She turned sideways and put down the trophy in her arms.

The light reflected bright golden halos on the championship trophy, and a golden light just shone on Nami's eyes.

"It's so dazzling! This golden light is so dazzling!"

She couldn't help but reach out to block the dazzling light.

"Hey! Karina! Be careful!"

"Ah~I'm so sorry~but~"

The smiling voice was a little sweet.

"Nami~ My arms are so sore~"

"...Damn it! My heart is so sad..."

Under the golden light, Nami's eyes heated up.

"You must have done this on purpose!"

The trophies had been awarded, and after Nami's acceptance speech, which she refused to speak, it was time to leave even though the audience was still a little unsatisfied.

For this competition, the city hall specially sent staff to maintain order. With their efforts, the dense crowds left in an orderly manner in the direction of the guide.

The baby whale was also returned to the stage.

"Uh-"

Karina stretched on the podium.

"It's so late. I've won the championship. Let's go. You haven't found a hotel yet. How about it? Hehehe~! Do you want to go to where I live?"

"No, let's go back to the ship."

Nami deliberately didn't look at her.

"Then I'll go with you, after all-"

Karina said with a smile.

"Miss Karina!"

A staff member hurried to the stage from far away and whispered in front of the podium.

"Mr. Tezzolo wants to see you."

The other two people on the podium heard it too.

"Karina, do you know that Mr. Tezzolo?"

Nuo Qigao said in surprise.

"I thought you didn't know each other!"

"How could I possibly know him."

Karina said without thinking.

"Then why is he looking for you?"

"How could I possibly know."

Karina frowned slightly.

"..."

Nami couldn't help but look over.

"Miss Karina!"

The staff couldn't help but urge.

"Please hurry up!"

"You should ask first!"

Nuo Qigao said dissatisfied.

"What's going on with him?"

"This one……"

The staff looked embarrassed.

"Whatever it is, it's going to be more trouble staying here."

Karina has jumped off the podium.

"Nami, Nokigao, take Ira back to the ship."

Although her expression was still smiling, her tone had changed slightly.

"Keep my trophy for me until I come back."

After saying this, she looked back at the trophy that was still on the top, and Karina left with the staff without any delay.

After a while, Karina disappeared from sight, and Nami finally couldn't help but look at the host,

"Hey! You know! That Tezzolo...what does he want from Karina?"

"If I'm not mistaken..."

The host's tone was somewhat mysterious.

"You're all in luck!"

"What on earth is going on? Tell me clearly!"

Nami frowned and tried to pull his collar again.

"You still owe me a trophy!!"

"Uh...this is not something that needs to be kept secret."

The host stepped back and said quickly.

"Whether it's singing or dancing, Mr. Tezzolo has a great appreciation for those who have great artistic talent."

The host's voice was filled with unconcealable envy.

"In previous years' competitions, there were several precedents for joining Parest's entertainment department after winning the championship, but..."

It is precisely because of this rumor that the scale of the drag dance competition has become larger and larger in recent years, with more and more contestants coming to participate in an endless stream.

"This is a personal invitation from Mr. Tezzolo! She must be your friend. You are so lucky! Mr. Tezzolo..."

"..."

The host was chattering in her ears, and looking at the huge golden trophy in front of her, Nami was a little silent.

……

Time passed silently.

In the port of Glass Bead Island, the Billionaire docked quietly at the berth.

"..."

Nokigao, Nami, and Ira.

Under the golden trophy, three little girls leaned on each other and sat together on the front deck.

Even though it was already dark and even though they had begun to doze off, none of the three of them had any intention of going home.

until--

In the dim light of the distant street lamp, a vague figure came to the side of the boat.

"Hey - Nami - Nokigao - are you there -"

Shouts reached the deck.

"Put the gangway down—"

"What! Come and get your trophy?"

Holding on to the side of the boat, Nami looked down.

"Of course not. Do you have to go back on something you said you promised?"

Along the lowered gangway, vague figures slowly walked onto the ship.

"See how powerful you are."

Nami couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth.

"I thought you would definitely join that [Parest]! What's wrong? Still can't let go of your treasure?"

"Don't underestimate me, Nami."

Karina, who had already stepped onto the deck and changed back into the large white shirt, looked at Nami seriously with her big aqua eyes.

"It's true that I like Pele, but more importantly, I have to survive in the way I choose!"

……

The Telephone Bug Garden is like the centerpiece of a fairy tale scene.

I don’t know when he returned, but the man sat motionless on the stone high-backed chair.

A delicate hand wearing a black silk glove pressed on the door, and the next moment, the soundproof door wrapped in velvet was pushed open silently.

A slender foot wearing black dagger high heels stepped into the door, stepping on the path paved with rounded cobblestones among the lush flowers and grass.

The black backless evening dress perfectly highlights the sexy and fiery figure curves. The high slit hem reveals the slender and tight thighs with tattoos of snakes and stars, and the color is like honey.

Her long orange-red wavy hair hangs down naturally on her shoulders, covering her small earlobes, with a huge golden moon pendant swaying gently beneath it.

Amidst the soft jingle of the ring, the woman, whose whole body was interpreting what it means to be seductive, swayed her waist and walked towards Tezzolo gracefully.

"I've heard it. Although it's true that she's just a little girl, but -"

The green emerald eyes seemed to be able to speak, overflowing with a teasing smile.

"It's so rare, Tezolo, that there is a woman in this world who can refuse you."

"Don't do unnecessary things, Baccarat."

Closing his eyes and leaning back in his chair, Tezzolo's voice contained no emotion.

"I didn't do anything, I just received some news."

Stopping a few steps away, Baccarat crossed her smooth arms.

"There was a ship on the list that the port was going to give to the Navy that was related to the other two people on the podium."

Baccarat's voice sounded interested.

"What's interesting is that the two of them should be in the same group as this Karina."

"I told you, Baccarat."

Tezzolo repeated.

"Don't do anything superfluous."

"...I know, Tezzolo."

After a slight pause, Baccarat turned and left.

"Then, I'll leave first."

High heels and cobblestones clicked crisply, and she stepped out of the door. She turned around again and looked at Tezzolo, who was still sitting there quietly with his back to her. Baccarat lowered his eyes.

The moment the door closed, a complex color flashed in the emerald eyes.

Even though Bacara had eaten the [Superman-Type Luck Fruit], a user with such incredible power as the Devil Fruit also held a high position within the consortium.

However, in the process of getting along with this man, consciously or unconsciously, she would still put herself in the position of a subordinate.

because……

Even though they have known each other for several years, Baccarat still cannot understand this man's desire and pursuit.

But his power, his undoubted and unassailable power, had already been clearly revealed in front of her.

More than once, Baccarat witnessed it with his own eyes, relying on unparalleled abilities, skills, mind and will.

In an extremely bad situation and extremely dangerous situation, how did this man turn the situation around at the last moment?

In front of him, good or bad, luck seemed to have really become a dispensable thing.

Even those inevitable weaknesses seem to only make him stronger.

It may be a bit complicated to say this, but the most straightforward point is——

Day after day, year after year, almost most of my free time.

This man is like this, sitting silently on this chair.

This is not something that just any ability user can do.

Seriously, Baccarat has always believed that except for the man in front of her, there might not be any capable person in the world who can do it.

This high-backed chair, which has no patterns or decorations and looks extremely simple, is entirely made of nearly 100% pure sea floor stone.

……

On the port berth, the Billionaire.

"What the hell is going on with this ship?!"

Standing in the aisle of the cabin, looking at the lone door on the left and right, Karina showed an unbelievable look.

"It looks like a rare good ship from the outside. How come there are only two cabins in the cabin?!"

"If you want to complain, go to Tata Tot. I didn't build this ship. By the way, Karina, I forgot to tell you. Tata Tot is Ila's father."

Behind her, Nami said calmly without changing her expression.

"Well……!"

Ila on the side stared closely at Karina, she was ready to puff up her face.

"..."

Karina looked around, took a deep breath, and said decisively.

"There must be something wrong with this ship! Go find the shipwright tomorrow and take a look at it, and I'll pay for it!"

"..."

After hearing this, both Noqigao and Ila said nothing.

"You can give it a try, but I have to remind you, I don't think there is any shipwright on the island who can remove even a single plank here."

As she spoke, Nami walked to the door on the right, stretched out her right hand to hold the door handle, and continued speaking calmly.

"I have an easier way here. You don't have to wait until tomorrow. If you have hundreds of millions of beli, you can have whatever cabin you want."

"...?!!"

Karina looked at Nami in disbelief, and then her eyes quickly turned to pity.

"Nami...I didn't know...not winning would hurt you so much. I don't mind lending you my trophy to touch once in a while."

"Thank you for your kindness, but no need. Karina, I'm afraid your trophy will be used by someone else."

Karina's gaze was a little hurtful, but to Nami, it was like a cool breeze blowing by, suddenly refreshing her mood.

"Bailey, introduce her to the basic material package."

"Okay, Captain Nami."

Bailey, who had been waiting for a long time, responded immediately, and an enthusiastic voice sounded out of thin air.

"Dear Miss Karina, the basic material package costs 1000 million beli, including basic beds, windows, tables, chairs... which are enough to provide your daily needs. However, for the sake of your quality of life, I still recommend you……"