The sea breeze brushed gently across the deck as the coated ship slowly departed from the Sabaody Archipelago.

The three Boa sisters leaned over the ship's railing, watching as the towering red mangroves of the archipelago grew smaller and smaller in the distance. Their faces carried a mix of nostalgia and excitement: the ache of leaving behind the familiar, and the anticipation of what awaited ahead.

Naturally, Ritter was there too. In the back of his mind, Enel's cheerful voice echoed like an intrusive broadcast.

Right now, Ritter had no desire to return anywhere.

A Ritter Side Scene:

Tesoro appeared beside him with his usual polished smile, holding a mountain of papers. "Captain, here are the documents detailing the arrangement of our forces moving forward."

Ritter's eyes widened as he glanced at the towering pile. "What the !? Are you kidding me!?"

In a blink, Tesoro teleported to Ritter's other side, speaking with deliberate politeness. "Captain, there are some local powers who refuse to comply with our plans. It would be best if you could personally handle it. Sorry to trouble you."

Stella chimed in sweetly, "Sorry to trouble you, Captain."

Even Enel's smug voice joined in: "Sorry to trouble you. But this god has faith in you."

Then Lina: "Sorry to trouble you."

Finally, Ritter exploded. "Enel! Why aren't you dealing with this? Weren't all these responsibilities yours in the first place!?"

Enel casually picked at his ear. "Oh, this god still has dozens of other matters across different seas. Want to trade places?"

Ritter clutched his head and screamed: "Aaaaagh! Get out of my mind already!"

He exhaled heavily and muttered, "Damn it… feels like I just watched a horror movie."

The thought sent a shiver down his spine. "No kidding, I scared myself…"

When he finally shook free from his terrifying "corporate worker" daydream, Ritter leaned against the mast with a steaming cup of tea in hand. "Ah, this is the life. No more 996 schedule… just pure comfort."

He slurped the tea with a satisfied sigh. "Perfect."

His gaze drifted toward the three little sisters at the railing, their small figures outlined against the glistening sea. Ritter's lips curled into a faint smile.

Suddenly, Hancock spun around, her cheeks flushed red from the sea breeze. "General Ritter! There's a huge Sea King out there!"

Setting his teacup aside, Ritter walked over and rested a hand on each of their heads in turn. "Lieutenant Hancock, Sonia, Marigold… want to take a closer look?"

Before they could even answer, a swirl of blood mist enveloped them and transformed into transparent bubbles, lifting the girls safely above the waves.

"Don't be afraid," Ritter said gently. "As long as I'm here, nothing will harm you. Go ahead, play."

A colossal eye broke the surface of the ocean, the enormous Sea King staring directly at the children.

Gathering her courage, Hancock reached out a trembling hand to touch the icy scales. Her eyes lit with wonder. Children, after all, are often fearless when confronted with something mysterious and magical.

The Sea King blinked in disbelief. Wait… what?

I'm supposed to be terrifying. A predator. And you three little humans just float over and pat me like some friendly pet?

It almost roared in protest, but then Ritter's aura rose behind the sisters. A demonic phantom loomed over his shoulders, its presence bearing down like an ancient god. Ritter didn't need words. His expression alone said: Oi, Sea King. Be polite. Give them some face.

The Sea King froze, then almost sheepishly leaned closer to the girls. If it could speak, its tone would have been resigned: "Here… this spot is softer. You can touch here."

The sisters laughed as they stroked the scales, and only when they'd had their fill did Ritter gently guide them back onto the ship.

Inside, however, Sonia and Marigold were pale and queasy, struggling with seasickness.

Ritter entered the cabin carrying a steaming bowl of soup. "Alright, chicken soup's here."

He crouched down and held the bowl to Sonia. "This is a secret recipe I came up with. Works wonders for seasickness. Believe me, I was the same as you. First time I boarded a ship, I was green in the face, and my captain laughed at me the whole day."

Halfway through his story, Ritter stopped. His eyes dimmed slightly. That captain's gone now.

The soup's smell wasn't exactly pleasant, and Sonia wrinkled her nose, reluctant to drink. Ritter sighed and pulled out a tiny jar of honey. "A little of this will take the edge off. It won't taste bitter anymore."

Marigold stared at him with hopeful eyes. "Ritter-nii, what about me?"

"Yours is right here." Ritter smiled and produced a candy from his pocket. "But remember, medicine first, then the sweet. Got it?"

The two little sisters obediently finished the soup and soon drifted into peaceful sleep.

Ritter chuckled to himself. At this rate, my reputation won't come from battles or conquests, but from raising kids. Legendary babysitter, huh?

He tucked them in carefully, pulling the blankets up to their chins. When he turned, Hancock was standing at the doorway, clutching a crooked little drawing.

"This… this is for you." Her cheeks glowed crimson as she shoved the paper into his hands, then ran away before he could respond.

The drawing was childlike, yet unmistakable: Ritter standing proudly at the ship's bow, with three small figures behind him. Ritter laughed softly. A real gift. Envy me, world.

Night fell.

Hancock sat alone at the ship's prow, her gaze lost on the dark horizon.

"What's on your mind?" Ritter's voice came from behind.

He understood well enough sometimes when the weight of life pressed too heavily, he too had turned to the sea at night.

Hancock lowered her head. "I… I'm a little scared."

"What are you afraid of?"

"That when we return to Amazon Lily… we'll never see you again." Her voice shrank to a whisper.

Ritter chuckled warmly. "Here. I'll give you a Den Den Mushi. Whenever you miss me, just call. I'll always be your big brother."

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you?" Ritter ruffled her hair.

As the silhouette of Amazon Lily rose on the horizon, the three sisters clung tightly to Ritter.

"Ritter-nii, you must come visit us!" Sonia sobbed.

Hancock said nothing, burying her face in Ritter's cloak until finally lifting her head. Her eyes shone with the determination of the woman she would one day become. "I'll grow stronger. Strong enough to protect the ones I care about."

Ritter crouched down so their eyes were level. "I believe you."

The waves lapped against the coated ship as warriors of the Kuja tribe lined the shore, led by Elder Gloriosa. She leaned on her snake staff, her gaze fixed on the approaching vessel.

"Lady Gloriosa!" Sonia cried, waving excitedly as the blood mist delivered them to shore. "We're back!"

Gloriosa's sharp eyes scanned the girls' bright faces. She had expected to see broken, traumatized children, but what she saw instead were girls glowing with vitality.

Her gaze shifted past them to Ritter standing at the bow. For a moment, their eyes met. She gave him the faintest of nods.

"Welcome home, children," she said softly. "And this must be… Rayleigh and…"

"Shakky's not coming back," Rayleigh interrupted lazily, leaning on the railing. "Her bar's doing too well."

Gloriosa sighed. She had suspected as much.

Then she turned to Hancock. "From today, you'll begin your training as Kuja warriors. Hancock, you especially must…"

"I understand," Hancock cut in, her spine straight and her voice firm. Already, a trace of imperial dignity touched her words. "I'll become a warrior worthy of the Kuja name."

Gloriosa blinked in surprise before smiling in approval.

On the ship, Rayleigh nudged Ritter. "Not going to say goodbye? After all, you saved their precious future leaders."

Ritter didn't look up from the blood mist rabbit he was shaping. "That old woman's eyes were drilling holes into me. She probably thinks I'm some child kidnapper. Can't blame her your reputation didn't exactly pave the way for me, Uncle Rayleigh."

Shakky chuckled around her cigarette. "She's just cautious about men setting foot on the island. But then again," her eyes slid to Ritter, "someone seems to be the one exception to little Hancock."

Suddenly, Hancock tore free from Gloriosa's grip and sprinted to the shore. "Ritter-nii!"

Her voice soared over the sea wind. "When I become Empress, I'll abolish the rule that keeps you from setting foot on our island!"

Gloriosa's snake staff clattered to the ground in shock.

Shakky smirked. "What exactly did you teach them? They look far more confident than before."

"Something more important than fighting," Ritter replied, remembering the sisters' smiles. "I taught them how not to live in the shadows."

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