Time passed.
In the New World, there was a city that never slept.
Even in the darkest night, the city lights shone brightly, illuminating the streets as if it were daytime.
This was the most extravagant and prosperous city in the New World and even the entire world—the largest den of luxury and indulgence.
Its name was Golden City.
The largest entertainment hub, the biggest casino, and the underground world's central hub…
"Even though it was nearly destroyed two years ago, it's even more flourishing than before," Yamato commented curiously as she observed the lively streets.
Dancers and nobles were everywhere.
"It's even grander than the former Pleasure District. The Golden Emperor is no simple man," Stussy remarked with keen interest as she studied the surroundings.
"The Golden Emperor is indeed remarkable. He has essentially taken control of the entire underground world, becoming its sole ruler. Every major business that once operated in the underworld is now under his control.
"With his Devil Fruit ability and his mastery of wealth, he has forged alliances with most of the world's major forces, including the World Government and many of its affiliated nations. In just a few short years, his power has swelled to rival that of the Sea Emperors."
Shakky provided a brief explanation.
"Tch, whatever. He's still weak," Yamato scoffed.
She didn't care.
However, Carrot, Nami, and the others, who lacked the same depth of experience, were completely dazzled.
"A city like this actually exists in the world? Is all of this gold? How can it be this extravagant?"
Nami gazed around in shock.
Then, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Right in front of her stood a woman with striking purple hair.
"Carina?!"
Nami's eyes sparkled with excitement.
It was her former companion from the East Blue.
"Carina! Carina!"
Nami stretched out her hand and called out.
"Why go through all that trouble?" Hancock frowned at the crowded street ahead. Her eyes sharpened as she gave a single command: "Move."
The ground trembled, and with the sheer force of her Conqueror's Haki, the crowd parted instantly, nobles screaming in terror as they were flung aside.
Some of them were just about to shout in protest—
But when they saw the group of stunning women walking forward, their voices died in their throats.
Some nobles, however, couldn't hide their greed.
That was until Charlotte Linlin drained their lifespans completely. "Disgusting trash like you dare to even lift your heads?" she sneered.
"It's them—the legendary Sun and Moon Pirates!"
"Don't stare!"
"Aren't the Sun and Moon Pirates supposed to leave ordinary people alone? Aren't they against harming innocents?"
"Are we innocent, though?"
A fat, pig-faced noble reminded his companion.
They were nobles from various nations—none of them had clean hands.
The once-lively street instantly fell into silence.
Carina had just received some intelligence from her subordinates when she noticed the abrupt change in the street's atmosphere.
Then, she saw Nami waving at her.
"Nami?"
When she looked past Nami at the group of women behind her, she recognized several of them—Yamato, Belo Betty, and others she had seen before.
Carina bit her lip, her eyes filled with disbelief.
And hope.
"Nami, I never thought we'd meet again."
Nami, overjoyed, threw her arms around Carina.
"Hmm?"
Gion and the others, however, noticed the special shackles on Carina's wrists.
"You got an abusive old man too?" Yamato lifted Carina's hands. She had worn shackles like that in her childhood.
With just that comment from Yamato, Nami instantly understood what those shackles meant.
They symbolized captivity, a life under threat.
"Carina, who's threatening you?" Nami asked, both furious and puzzled.
From what she remembered, Carina was a clever woman, always managing to outwit others. How could she possibly be in a situation where she was the one being threatened?
"Nami, the Grand Line is dangerous," Carina murmured, her tone heavy with sorrow.
"Dangerous?"
Nami blinked in confusion.
She didn't feel it was dangerous at all. After all, Whitebeard and Kaido—the supposed monsters of the sea—had actually been pretty nice guys.
Carina felt a sharp pang as if she had been struck.
She looked at the women standing beside Nami.
She was skilled at gathering intelligence—she knew exactly who these legendary figures were.
Especially Kuke.
Carina didn't even dare to meet her gaze.
She looked at Nami enviously.
Of course, Nami wouldn't feel the danger of the Grand Line—she was traveling with one of the strongest pirate crews in the world.
But Carina didn't have the kind of backing Nami did.
Just as she was about to say something, Nami suddenly regretted her words.
She looked at Carina apologetically.
Thinking back to her time with the Straw Hat Pirates, she realized how perilous her life had been. Every single day had felt like the end of the world.
Survival had been a struggle—there was no time to enjoy the scenery of the New World.
But ever since joining the Sun and Moon Pirates, Nami had finally experienced what it meant to truly live.
Comparing her past to her present, she knew one thing for sure—
She would rather die than return to those days.
Now, she understood.
Not everyone was as lucky as she was.
"Carina, back when I invited you to set sail with me—to go to the Grand Line together and join my captain—you refused and left me behind," Nami said, sounding slightly annoyed.
Carina lowered her head awkwardly.
She had regretted that decision for a long time.
Two years ago, when she had witnessed Yamato and the others display their terrifying power, she had felt the sting of regret.
She had struggled through the Grand Line, fought to carve out a place for herself.
Years of effort.
Yet, it was nothing compared to where Nami was now.
A deep sadness welled up inside her.
In the end, a woman's success wasn't about how smart or strong she was.
It was about whether she had a powerful enough protector.
Just then—
A beautiful red-haired woman with tanned skin approached.
When she saw the Sun and Moon Pirates, she froze, eyes wide with shock and excitement.
She was Baccarat, the wielder of the Luck-Luck Fruit.
She, too, wore the same explosive wristbands as Carina.
Kuke noticed her.
And was slightly intrigued.
The Luck-Luck Fruit—one of those ability-based Paramecia that manipulated fortune itself.
Sometimes, such abilities were nearly unbeatable.
On their way to the first half of the Grand Line, they had planned to stop at Golden City.
The Paramecia-type Gold-Gold Fruit.
Not a bad Devil Fruit.
Kuke figured he might as well take it.
"Carina, tell me—who's threatening you? Just say the word, and I'll help. I have my captain backing me. I'll ask him to step in," Nami said proudly, glancing at Kuke.
By now, she understood.
Just how terrifying Kuke truly was.
His strength was immeasurable.
"Let me explain," Baccarat said, stepping forward with elegant poise.
She began to tell their story.
Two years ago, Carina and Baccarat had already been in Golden City, serving under the Golden Emperor Gray.
However, after witnessing the battle over the Mythical Zoan Buddha Form Devil Fruit, they had started to consider defecting to the Sun and Moon Pirates.
Carina had a past connection with Nami.
The two of them had planned to escape from Golden City and search for Nami in the East Blue.
But something had gone wrong.
Golden Emperor Gray had found out.
With his immense influence, they were caught before they could flee. Because of Carina's intelligence-gathering skills and Baccarat's Luck-Luck Fruit, the Golden Emperor had spared them.
But he placed explosive wristbands on them.
Keeping their lives in his hands, forcing them to serve him.
"So, you wanted to join Kuke's crew too?" Nami was surprised as she looked at Carina.
"Who wouldn't?" Baccarat replied smoothly. "No woman in this world could refuse the chance to join the Sun and Moon Pirates."
She then turned to Kuke and gracefully knelt.
"Lord Kuke, I humbly request that you take us in. We swear our lifelong loyalty to you."
Carina hesitated.
She felt embarrassed.
But under Nami's teasing gaze, she finally took a deep breath.
And followed suit.
Kneeling alongside Baccarat.
Begging for a place among them.
Two years ago, they had already longed to join the Sun and Moon Pirates.
Now, after seeing how happy and carefree Nami was, Carina's resolve only strengthened.