A few days later, the training proved highly effective, and the women's strength improved by leaps and bounds.
Without needing Caelan to lift a finger, they handled several waves of pirates during the voyage, earning him nearly 100 million Berries in bounties.
However, news of the Wind Rider's strength soon spread. Pirates who spotted it from afar quickly turned away and fled.
"What a pity the pirates stopped showing up," Tashigi said, frowning with regret.
She sat cross-legged on the deck, the famous swords Shigure and Kashu resting on her knees, which she stroked gently with admiration.
In just a few days of battling pirates, combined with Caelan's intense training, her swordsmanship had advanced rapidly.
Now that no more pirates were showing up, the pace of her improvement would slow.
"We've already captured so many. Even idiots won't keep throwing themselves at us," Nami rolled her eyes and complained.
Still, she secretly wished more pirates would show up. After all, they were worth bounty money.
Vivi and Robin were also somewhat reluctant. Pirates were ideal for live-combat training.
Between Caelan's lessons and the actual fighting, their strength had been increasing rapidly.
Looking at the disappointed expressions on the girls' faces, Caelan couldn't help but chuckle. They hadn't been like this before.
"Alright, since there are no pirates in our way, let's go full speed ahead."
"We're heading to Jaya Island to find the location of Sky Island."
Caelan gave the order casually, looking completely at ease.
Since no pirates were coming to them, he would go find trouble himself.
He remembered Bellamy the Hyena, the spring-powered pirate worth 50 million Berries, was on Jaya.
And he was one of Doflamingo's men. Not that it mattered.
Caelan would deal with Doflamingo sooner or later. Think of this as the appetizer.
"Yes, Captain!"
Nami and Vivi responded playfully, standing at attention with a salute.
"But does Sky Island really exist?" Nami asked, skeptical. "Isn't that just a legend?"
"Sky Island definitely exists. It's right above the clouds."
"It's just a bit tricky to get there. We'll need help once we reach Jaya Island."
Caelan looked at Nami seriously, speaking with certainty.
He understood her doubts. An island floating in the sky went against all logic.
But the Grand Line was full of wonders. There were islands in the sky, moving elephants, even Fish-Man Island beneath the sea.
Seeing how confident Caelan was, Nami still had doubts, but chose to believe him.
After all, Caelan had never been wrong.
"Alright! Full speed to Jaya Island! Let's find a way to reach Sky Island!"
Nami's eyes lit up with excitement. Alongside Vivi, Tashigi, and Robin, she steered the Wind Rider forward.
Everyone was filled with curiosity about the legendary Sky Island.
Caelan stood on the deck, gazing out at the sea behind them. A Marine warship trailed far behind the Wind Rider.
"Haha, how interesting."
Caelan smiled slightly, his curiosity piqued.
Was that warship just heading the same way? Or were they here for him?
It didn't matter either way.
It was just a single warship. It posed no threat.
With that, Caelan put the thought aside and focused ahead.
…
On the Marine warship, a large number of pirates were being escorted to Impel Down.
Among them were Baroque Works agents defeated by Caelan, and pirate captains taken down by Nami and the others.
"It's unbelievable. We just entered the Grand Line, and we've already caught so many pirates that my warship's running out of space."
Vice Admiral Momonga, wearing his Justice cloak, looked at the distant Wind Rider with deep admiration.
That Caelan was truly something else. He had caused a massive stir just after entering the Grand Line.
Catching pirates seemed as easy as fishing. In just a short time, hundreds had been captured.
If this mission weren't limited to escorting pirates with bounties over 10 million, this ship wouldn't have been able to hold them all.
Even so, the ship's draft had noticeably lowered.
"Reporting, Commander! We have too many prisoners. Our supplies won't last!"
The quartermaster rushed over, clearly flustered.
"What? But we brought the usual amount. Why are we running short?"
Momonga frowned in confusion.
They had brought the standard supply. How could it not be enough?
Was someone embezzling food?
Momonga looked at the quartermaster with suspicion.
But that didn't make sense. This man had been with him for years. He didn't seem like that type.
"There are just too many prisoners this time, sir! Two or three times more than usual. Our rations are going fast!"
The quartermaster was sweating, anxious to explain. He was loyal!
It was all thanks to Caelan. In just half a month, he had captured more pirates than the New World branch did in a year.
"Alright, we'll follow Caelan's ship to Jaya Island, resupply there, and observe him while we're at it!"
Momonga suddenly understood, gave the quartermaster an apologetic look, then issued his orders.
They needed to resupply anyway. Why not use this chance to see Caelan?
Momonga had been intrigued by this bounty hunter with an overwhelming record. He had long wanted to meet him.
Now that the opportunity had come, he wouldn't miss it.
"Yes, sir!"
The Marine sailors responded in unison and adjusted course to follow the Wind Rider from afar.
All the Marines aboard were excited at the prospect of seeing the incredible Caelan with their own eyes.
…
New World, Dressrosa.
Doflamingo shifted restlessly in his chair, adjusting his position, but still felt irritated.
Caelan's name kept echoing in his mind. The report about him thwarting a coup and defeating a Warlord had left him deeply uncomfortable.
Wasn't that indirectly aimed at him?
"So annoying!"
Days had passed, but Doflamingo's resentment toward Caelan remained like a bone stuck in his throat.
After some thought, Doflamingo picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed Bellamy.
"Bellamy, how are preparations going?"
Doflamingo only hoped Bellamy could cause Caelan some trouble and help him vent his frustration.
On Jaya Island, Bellamy was thrilled to receive Doflamingo's call.
What was going on? His idol, who had ignored him for years, had called him twice in just a few days?
"Don't worry, Doflamingo-sama!"
"I'm fully prepared. I've arranged a big surprise for Caelan and his crew. As soon as they arrive, we'll attack them in groups!"
"I guarantee they won't know what hit them. They'll be crushed by me!"
Bellamy said confidently, pride radiating from his voice.
He had prepared thoroughly to take down Caelan. There was no way he would fail.
All that was left was for Caelan to arrive, and Bellamy's dream of joining the Donquixote Family would be fulfilled.
"Very good. If you take care of Caelan, you'll become one of Donquixote's officers."
Hearing Bellamy's confident tone, Doflamingo smiled slightly and made a bold promise without hesitation.
"Yes, Doflamingo-sama! I won't let you down!"
Fired up by Doflamingo's promise, Bellamy stood up and shouted like he had just been injected with pure adrenaline.
Doflamingo hung up the Den Den Mushi and leaned back in his chair, the irritation from before now gone.
Maybe… Bellamy really could get rid of Caelan?
For the first time in days, Doflamingo felt a flicker of hope.
(To be continued.)