Not a word was spoken for the entire day.
Evening eventually arrived.
As arranged by Bellumebo, Bai Yu's dinner was delivered directly to Maya's quarters.
The two shared the meal in silence at first.
"To break the ice," Bai Yu finally said between bites, "As a priestess, aside from sealing techniques... do you possess any other abilities?"
Priestesses were virtually unheard of in the pirate world—an obscure role tied to ancient spiritual energies.
In layman's terms, a priestess could manipulate unique spiritual power through specialized techniques, often manifesting in seal-like phenomena.
Bai Yu's interest was genuine—he wanted to know how far Maya's abilities extended beyond the Holy Sword.
"I can use basic combat techniques," Maya replied calmly, "and perform minor healing rituals."
"Unfortunately, much of the heritage passed down through my bloodline has been lost over generations."
"It's a shame," Bai Yu sighed.
Right now, his team lacked someone in a supportive or healing role.
If the chance arose, he was seriously considering bringing Maya into his crew.
After all, once the Holy Sword was destroyed, the priestess's mission would end.
It would be the perfect moment to invite her aboard.
Besides, even Smoker had his trusty assistant Tashigi.
Meanwhile, Bai Yu's entourage screamed testosterone overload.
[Ding! Host's intentions detected. Maya can be recruited as a confidant upon completion of the main quest.]
[System will unlock the exclusive "Witch's Training Manual."]
The golden finger system, ever-responsive to Bai Yu's thoughts, chimed in with a prompt.
Once this mission concluded, Bai Yu would have the opportunity to invite Maya officially.
If she accepted, he'd gain access to a comprehensive manual on priestess techniques—revealing deeper layers of spiritual energy manipulation.
"What's wrong?" Maya asked curiously, noticing Bai Yu's sudden silence.
"Nothing," Bai Yu shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
"Say... if the Holy Sword were no longer a threat, where would you go?"
The question clearly caught Maya off guard.
She pondered it for a moment.
"To travel," she said eventually, a faint smile on her lips. "I want to see more of this vast world."
Her answer was simple, but sincere.
Raised with the sole duty of safeguarding against the sword's resurrection, this mission was the first time Maya had ever left Agas Island.
Until now, she had only glimpsed the outside world through books.
Bai Yu grinned.
"I'll destroy the Holy Sword," he said. "Then come with me."
Maya blinked, lifting her gaze.
She found no hesitation in his expression—only quiet determination.
"I—"
"I'll take you to every corner of the sea," Bai Yu added. "Of course, no need to decide now. I'll ask again once it's all over."
Maya paused… then nodded.
"Alright."
They didn't bring it up again after that.
Instead, Bai Yu took the opportunity to learn more about her past, her island, and the old customs of the priestesses.
By the end of the night, the distance between them had quietly shortened.
---
The next day at noon.
"Colonel Bai Yu!"
"Our warship is about to reach the designated island."
"Should we begin docking procedures?"
Bai Yu, Maya, Kebi, and several others were standing on the deck when a Marine soldier rushed up with the report.
Everyone looked ahead.
Indeed, a massive island had come into view on the horizon.
This was Agas Island—the sacred home of the Maya priestesses.
"Dock the ship," Bai Yu ordered with a calm wave.
The vessel immediately slowed its pace, gliding toward the shore.
Suddenly—chaos erupted.
Whoosh!
Just as the warship neared the coastline, a deafening volley of arrows erupted from the jungle thickets.
The whistling arrows curved through the sky in deadly arcs, descending in a storm toward the warship.
"Your islanders have... a very warm way of welcoming people," Bai Yu said dryly to Maya.
"No… they've never done this before!" Maya frowned, clearly shaken.
She didn't understand what had changed.
"Bellumebo!" Bai Yu barked.
"Got it!"
Bellumebo, who stood nearby, didn't hesitate.
Roar!
In a flash, his previously scrawny form shifted and expanded—his Zoan-type Dragon-Dragon Fruit awakening.
An enormous prehistoric pterosaur emerged where the man had stood moments earlier.
Wings unfurled, the beast flapped skyward with power.
"A... dragon?" Maya gasped.
She'd only read about such creatures in forgotten tomes.
Now one flew above her, real and terrifying.
Bellumebo circled over the ship, wings slicing the air.
With a mighty sweep—whoooosh!—twin cyclones burst forth, tearing through the sky.
The winds intercepted the arrow storm head-on, scattering the projectiles harmlessly into the surf.
Maya turned to Bai Yu, speechless.
Even his subordinates wielded such power.
She remembered his words from the night before.
Perhaps, just perhaps—this man really could change her fate.
With the threat neutralized, Bai Yu's ship docked successfully.
---
Thud thud thud...
No sooner had they stepped onto land than the thudding of feet echoed all around.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of islanders emerged from the jungle, surrounding them on the beach with weapons drawn.
A tall, muscular man led the group.
"Lacus! It's me!"
Maya dashed forward, waving eagerly.
The man at the front was Lacus—a prominent island warrior and protector of the Maya clan.
But instead of relief, his eyes narrowed.
He said nothing, watching Bai Yu's group with silent hostility.
"Lacus? What's wrong? Don't you recognize me?" Maya asked, approaching with concern.
"M-Maya…"
It took seeing her up close for Lacus to finally react.
He shook his head vigorously, as if trying to snap out of a trance.
Then, his eyes darted warily to Bai Yu and the Marines behind her.
"Who are they?"
"Navy soldiers I met—they came to help us protect the island," Maya explained.
Tension rippled.
The moment she mentioned "Navy," the surrounding islanders shifted.
Their expressions darkened.
The air thickened.
Something was very, very wrong.