Toward the Great Kingdom's Capital, and Imu's Training Results

High above the sea, Caius flew in his Red Dragon form, following Toki's directions. She still carried an Eternal Pose from this era, so they had no trouble finding their way.

Toki sat on his back, smiling as she enjoyed the wind.

"You know, this is the first time I've flown on your back."

She sounded delighted.

"You're the first person ever to ride up here, Toki. If the others find out, I'm in trouble."

"I don't even want to imagine that conversation."

Despite his words, Caius was smiling.

He did not mind such things, provided they did not interfere with his larger plans. Flying freely like this was almost impossible in their own time. His mere departure would put Marine Headquarters on edge.

For the sake of those plans, he could not act on impulse. He could only keep making his preparations quietly.

A chance to fly without a care made a pleasant change.

"Toki, will your family be all right? What if..."

A sudden thought prompted the question.

Trouble in this era had driven Toki to travel eight hundred years into the future. Neither of them knew what had happened to her family after she left. That was what worried Caius.

Understanding his concern, Toki smiled gently before answering.

"They'll be fine. We're still nobles of the kingdom. Even the bitterest enemies of the Amatsuki family wouldn't be foolish enough to attack us openly. That would be a direct challenge to King Joy Boy."

Her family had its own interests. They were not especially loyal to Joy Boy, but they had to maintain that appearance. Anything else would be dangerous.

"I see."

"Good. As long as your family's safe. Hold on tight. I'm going to speed up."

Reassured, Caius changed the subject.

At their current pace, reaching the capital would take at least three days. A little more speed could bring that down to half a day. The extra exertion would be trivial.

Once they had finished talking, he more than tripled his speed. Toki cried out in surprise as they vanished into the distance.

Elsewhere, a king had returned home.

In the Kingdom of Dressrosa, the court assembled.

Duflamingo looked down at Bartby and nodded in approval. His conduct in the war had been faultless, far better than that of the other ministers standing in the palace.

"You opposed this war. You called it a waste of money and lives. Did you not understand that without it, the kingdom would soon collapse? None of you is willing to shoulder a burden. Put plainly, none of you wants responsibility. What fine ministers I have!"

"If the kingdom didn't still need you, you'd already be in your graves."

Duflamingo addressed them with undisguised fury.

He meant every word. If he had people ready to replace them, he would have had the ministers dragged away and executed.

He was already planning to train new officials. This lot had grown rotten.

Once their replacements were ready, he would begin the purge. There was no place for these old fools in the new era. Keeping them would be a crime in itself.

"Please, Your Majesty! Have mercy!"

The ministers dropped to their knees.

They were terrified. Everything in this country belonged to Duflamingo. If he decided to kill them, no one would speak well of them afterward.

They might even be remembered in disgrace forever. That was more than they could bear.

Ignoring them, Duflamingo turned to Bartby.

"Bartby showed both courage and judgment in this war, along with outstanding strength. The chief credit belongs to him. I appoint him commander-in-chief of Dressrosa, with authority over all the kingdom's armed forces."

Bartby burst into tears. He had never imagined his king would grant him so much authority. The new responsibility was an unmistakable declaration of trust.

"Thank you, my king! I will give my life for Dressrosa and for Your Majesty!"

He knelt and proclaimed his loyalty at the top of his voice.

The other ministers wanted to object, but a moment's consideration of their position silenced them.

They could only accept the appointment.

Duflamingo surveyed them coldly, gave a contemptuous snort, and left.

News of the great victory filled the country with cheers. The earlier discontent vanished. Everywhere, people were shouting long life to their king.

Only the dwarves had paid the price.

...

Eight hundred years in the future, another group was making progress.

Imu was delighted with the women's improvement, especially their breakthroughs in strength. Tina, the strongest, was on the verge of reaching the limit-breaking level. Shakky, Gloriosa, and the others had also made substantial gains.

Shimotsuki Shizuko, Kohana, Shizuka, and the other women had improved greatly too. Their overall combat strength had reached Vice Admiral level.

"See, Tina? My methods work. All you have to do is cooperate. Growing stronger really isn't that difficult."

Imu addressed Tina with a smile.

The women had complained at first, but two months of training had brought them this far. The results spoke for her methods.

Shakky and the others did not argue. Their talent mattered, but Imu's care and meticulously designed training mattered more.

Whatever their early complaints, they now accepted her judgment wholeheartedly.

"You're right, Imu. I think so too."

Tina answered with a smile.

Privately, she continued grumbling about Imu. The woman was simply too strong. Otherwise, they would have joined forces and given her a taste of her own medicine.

"Hahahaha! All right, I know you're still annoyed with me. Later, I'll take you along to deal with Roger. You can find out just how strong you've become."

Imu did not mind their resentment.

Roger's fate had been settled before Caius left. For now, they would wait. In a year, when Roger had no further use, they would take his life.

Imu had no objection. Her husband's enemies were hers, and Roger had learned about that part of history besides.

The records contained more than a few traces of Caius's involvement. Other people might not recognize them, but leaving the knowledge in circulation was still a risk.