Inside in his office, Dante stared at the Den Den Mushi in his hand, a surprised expression on his face.
Mock's rambling explanation had finally clued Dante in on what had happened. Turns out, while Dante had been out working, Smoker had unexpectedly shown up, grim-faced, sailing a Marine ship right into their harbor. Without so much as a greeting, he'd announced that the World Government was ready to offer Mock a spot among the Shichibukai, and the official letter was already waiting. Then, with a few impatient words, he'd practically shoved the appointment letter into Mock's hands, telling him to read it himself.
But what was Mock supposed to make of it? Sure, he knew about the Shichibukai, that big shot client they'd had last time was one of those 'Warlords of the Sea,' after all. Beyond that, though, he was completely in the dark. So, following his usual rule of 'ask the boss if you don't know,' he'd called to see if Dante wanted him to take the job. Besides, he'd heard from Tashigi-nee that becoming one came with a lot of perks, which might be useful to the boss. He'd started calling her 'Tashigi-nee' because she resembled Kuina so much that it just felt wrong not to.
Meanwhile, Dante knew exactly what being a Shichibukai entailed, the rights and the obligations.
Becoming one meant your bounty was frozen and the World Government would turn a blind eye to your past crimes. But it also meant your bounty was frozen. The Mock Pirates were a key "enemy" of his 16th Branch. If they officially became allies of the government, how was he supposed to apply for military funding?
The budget for the 16th Branch was pathetic, sure, but it was better than nothing. And as for the so-called "legal privateering rights," what good were those? It wasn't like Mock needed the government's permission to plunder. Worse, with their approval, every haul would mean giving a cut to the World Government.
'Lose my funding and have to pay them taxes?' Dante thought. 'What a rip-off.'
He didn't hesitate.
"Legal privateering? Who needs it?" Dante said into the Den Den Mushi. "You're the Overlord of the East Blue. You think you need the World Government's permission to take what you want? A Shichibukai title? A stray dog wouldn't even take that scrap."
Before Mock's Den Den Mushi could even respond, the mollusk in Dante's hand suddenly shifted. Its bald head flattened, a grim expression spreading across its face, and a cigar materialized in its mouth. It spoke in Smoker's low, gravelly tone: "Do you realize what you're saying, boy? While the title might be-"
Before he could finish, the face snapped back to Mock's.
"Smoker, this is my Den Den Mushi!" Mock's voice shouted. "I'm talking to the boss!"
Dante watched the Den Den Mushi, which now seemed to be arguing with someone off to the side. He paused. "Smoker's still there?"
"Oh, him?" Mock's voice returned, sounding nonchalant. "Nah, he hasn't left. I had to talk to you, Boss, so I put him and his crew to work catching guys for me."
Dante remained silent, staring oddly at Mock's Den Den Mushi. 'That fool asked Smoker to help out with arrests again?' he thought. 'Smoker must be fuming. He probably wanted to arrest Mock more than anyone right now.'
"Oh, right!" Mock's voice chirped cheerfully. "Smoker, that old man who was cursing you out last time? He told me to say thanks. Almost forgot." His tone turned serious again. "So, about this Shichibukai thing... you don't wanna take it?"
"No," Dante said casually. "That title is useless to you."
"Got it, Boss! Shichibukai, not even a stray dog would take it!"
*Doo-doo~*
*Click.*
The line went dead.
Dante nodded, satisfied. He could trust Mock to handle it.
As he was setting the Den Den Mushi down, a presence at the door made him look up. It was Kuma. He stood there, looking like a man with something important to say but no idea how to start.
"Oh, Kuma, you're back?" Dante said, waving him in.
Kuma hadn't been in the East Blue for the past few days, he'd been away on a special mission. Ever since Dante had shared details about the Rumbar Pirates, Crocus had been itching to visit the Florian Triangle. Twin Capes was quite a distance from the Florian Triangle. Crocus had initially planned to find a small boat and paddle his way there, perhaps even swim part of the way, but after witnessing Kuma's abilities, he'd abandoned that idea in favor of a 'Kuma Express' trip. He'd also worried about unexpected incidents, so the plan was to first head to Sabaody Archipelago to meet Crocus's old friend before continuing on together.
Kuma, grateful to the man who had eased Bonney's suffering, had agreed without hesitation.
'He works fast,' Dante thought.
But seeing Kuma, standing there like an honest man trying to hold back a confession, his face a mask of hesitation, Dante fell silent for a moment. His gaze then drifted to the item Kuma held in his arms. 'A Shichibukai offer...' He understood.
Looking at Kuma, he asked, "Did you refuse?"
He hadn't expected them to offer Kuma a position at the same time.
Kuma's face froze for a second before he shook his head. "Not yet. I planned to ask you first, Boss. I haven't accepted or refused." He recalled the words he'd overheard at the door and his voice grew muffled. "I'll go refuse it now."
As soon as the words left Kuma's mouth, Dante cut in, "Wait a moment!"
*Cough, cough, cough*, Dante cleared his throat, looking at Kuma's puzzled expression. "Your situation is different from Mock's. You can still become a Shichibukai!" Shichibukai are legally allowed to occupy islands not affiliated with the World Government, and they can forbid the Marines from entering their territories. If Kuma became a Shichibukai, future expansion would be significantly easier. 'Speaking of which, it was about time to start developing territory near the Conomi Archipelago,' Dante thought. 'Mock's purpose was to draw attention and hatred. Why on earth would he become a Shichibukai?'
Ignoring Kuma's slightly perplexed gaze, and Robin, who was smiling and quietly observing from the side, Dante recalled Kuma's actual mission. He put on a serious expression, changed the topic, and cut straight to the chase. "Is your task handled?"
"It's handled!" Kuma affirmed, and his puzzled expression finally cleared as he heard the boss's question. Kuma was well aware of a Shichibukai's rights, and so he understood Dante's reasoning, it was why he had specifically returned to ask for guidance. He just hadn't expected to overhear that conversation when he'd approached the door. But now, that wasn't important anymore.
"As you said, Boss, a crewmate from the Rumbar Pirates is still alive... no," Kuma paused, correcting himself earnestly, "was still alive. Mr. Brook has already left with Crocus. He's very grateful to you, Boss. After Mr. Crocus mentioned you were a formidable swordsman, he gave me this as a thank-you gift."
As he spoke, Kuma pulled a Katana from his side. Its blade boasted distinctive Midare Togiri patterns, with a black-purple body and striking red, jagged hamon. "He also said he'd come thank you in person next time."
As he spoke, Kuma pulled a Katana from his side. Its blade boasted distinctive Midare Togiri patterns, with a black-purple body and striking red, jagged hamon.
Dante stared at the blade in surprise. He knew Shusui was supposed to be with Gecko Moria, but he'd been perfectly happy with his Sandai Kitetsu and hadn't felt like going to the trouble of... acquiring it. He never expected Brook to just hand it over.
Well, since it was here... he accepted it.
A faint smile touched Kuma's face as he saw the boss take the sword. After seeing that the Florian Triangle was exactly as Dante had described, his faith that Dante could truly save Bonney had deepened. And the boss had said Bonney would be cured soon, right after getting that new Devil Fruit...
'Maybe... Bonney really will be well soon.' The thought filled Kuma with renewed gratitude. He adjusted his glasses, remembering his other, secret mission for this trip. His expression turned serious. "Boss, I found what you wanted."
He paused. "The cyborg hadn't eaten it yet. It looks like he only just found it, so I left him there."
As Dante watched, Kuma carefully pulled a strange, patterned fruit from his coat. "As you requested, Boss, I made sure no one else saw it. Is this it?"
Dante looked at the Devil Fruit, a hint of genuine surprise on his face.
'Not eaten yet? It was possible. Absalom probably only found the fruit after Moria and Hogback finished his modifications. With his personality, if he'd eaten it sooner, he would have been too busy peeking to bother joining Moria's crew.'
He looked up at Kuma, a meaningful smile spreading across his face. "Perhaps Bonney will be cured very soon."
Ignoring Kuma, whose face was now alight with excitement, clearly on the verge of saying something, Dante turned his head. He looked at Robin, who was watching it all while smiling beside him, and spoke with a firm tone.
"Tell Mock to come back! It's time to get to work!"
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