Report, Rear Admiral Gion!"
The female Lieutenant Commander spoke with a grave expression, holding a document and reporting rapidly:
"Captain Bakko of Branch 329 just sent out an emergency transmission! Claiming the branch is under joint attack by the White Dove Pirates and the Explosion Pirates, and the base is in peril! They're requesting immediate Marine ship support!"
"Hm?"
Gion's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "White Dove Pirates, Explosion Pirates… I remember those two pirate crews seemed to have just entered the Grand Line not long ago, didn't they?"
Before coming to the West Blue, she had done a lot of preparatory work, researching and reviewing records of infamous pirates in the West Blue from recent years.
Durkin, Captain of the White Dove Pirates, bounty of 66,000,000 Berries. Bakushoujo, Captain of the Explosion Pirates, bounty of 70,000,000 Berries.
The two had an ambiguous relationship, often operating together. Each commanded a fleet of over a thousand, and both were well-known pirate captains in the West Blue in recent years. Not long ago, their ambition grew, and they simultaneously led their crews into the Grand Line.
It's been less than two months, hasn't it? Why have they suddenly returned to the West Blue and started launching large-scale attacks on Marine branch bases?
Something's fishy.
"I see."
She looked up at the female Lieutenant Commander in charge of the communication room and said gravely: "Reply to Captain Bakko, tell him I'll depart immediately and personally lead the fleet to provide support. Tell him to hold on a little longer."
"Yes, Rear Admiral!"
The female Lieutenant Commander saluted, then quickly hurried back to the communication room to make contact.
Twenty minutes later.
First Branch Marine Port.
Three Marine ships were docked at the shore, and over a thousand Marines had already assembled, ready for departure.
Gion, draped in a white cloak of Justice, looking valiant and spirited, walked out of the fortress building with several subordinates. With steady steps, she reached the deck.
Along the way, both the Marines of the First Branch and the passing civilians couldn't help but cast gazes of admiration and respect.
As the renowned "Unattainable Flower" of Marine Headquarters, Gion was already extremely popular among the younger generation of Marines, akin to an idol, drawing fervent adoration.
And over the past month, she had swiftly defeated several pirates with bounties over ten million Berries, showcasing terrifying swordsmanship that had earned her the awe and loyalty of countless subordinates.
It could be said.
In the current West Blue First Branch, she had established unparalleled authority. In the hearts of all Marines, she was like a majestic Valkyrie, a being whose word was law.
"Is Rear Admiral Gion, the Base Commander, personally going on this support mission again? Isn't that too much work?"
"Yeah, in this past month, the Base Commander has gone on seven or eight expeditions. She barely has any time to rest. Even someone made of steel wouldn't be able to handle this pace…"
When Gion arrived on the deck, some marines noticed the fatigue in her eyes and couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy, whispering among themselves.
"Can't be helped. The opponents are two pirate captains with bounties of sixty to seventy million."
A female Lieutenant in her thirties shook her head slightly. "Only if Rear Admiral goes personally can we be absolutely sure of taking them down. We can't really rely on Commodore Hooke, can we?"
"That's true…"
A comrade next to her also sighed.
Speaking of which, the West Blue First Branch Base, besides the Base Commander and Deputy Commander, also had three Commodores and six Captains.
Compared to other ordinary branches, their overall combat strength was indeed far superior, seemingly quite powerful.
However.
Most of the Commodores were quite old, having slowly climbed the ranks through seniority. Among them, Commodore Hooke was even over seventy, his eyes blurry and his mind unclear, practically retired to the second line.
If this support mission were left to them…
The final outcome would likely be a disastrous defeat.
"I still think it's the fault of that Deputy Commander sent by Headquarters. He was appointed at the same time as Rear Admiral Gion, wasn't he? Yet it's been a month and a half, and he still hasn't reported for duty."
Another young female lieutenant said indignantly:
"How irresponsible! Can a guy like that really hold the rank of Rear Admiral? If he were here, Rear Admiral Gion wouldn't be this exhausted!"
"Exactly!"
"I propose that when that guy arrives, we all go protest him together, to let him feel our dissatisfaction and anger, what do you say?"
"For Rear Admiral Gion, I agree!"
"Count me in too!"
In an instant, the deck was filled with indignant voices, causing Gion, who had just arrived and was about to order their departure, to turn her head and glance back with a puzzled expression.
—What are they suddenly making such a fuss about?
She was about to scold them and order the marines to be quiet, but the corner of her eye suddenly caught sight of a white Marine ship in the distance, against the setting sun, seemingly sailing towards them from beyond the horizon.
Hm?
Gion's eyebrow arched, a look of confusion in her eyes.
She was well aware of the movements of the Marine ships under her command, and she didn't recall any ship returning to the branch base at this time.
Wait a minute…
After a careful look, seeing the Headquarters emblem on the sail, Momousagi suddenly seemed to realize something. She narrowed her eyes slightly, glaring with an unfriendly expression at the figure on the deck.
So, it's that bastard.
What a coincidence, reporting for duty just when I'm about to set sail? She secretly gnashed her teeth, thinking that when they met, she absolutely had to give that guy a good kick, to let him know how much dissatisfaction and resentment had accumulated in her heart these past few days!
Hmph!
It happened quickly. In a flash, the white Marine ship had already sailed into the harbor, and the many Marines who were about to depart finally got a clear look at the figure on that ship.
The one at the forefront was tall and slender, wearing sunglasses, making his face hard to discern. But the light blue Rear Admiral's epaulets on the white cloak of Justice draped over his back were incredibly striking.
"Hahaha, why are there so many people? Are you all here to welcome me?"
Seeing the marines gathered at the dock, the guy even raised his arm to wave, letting out a hearty laugh. "How strange! I was planning to give Gion a surprise; I didn't even notify her!"
It's the new Deputy Commander who's been so late to report for duty!
At these words, the many Marines, who had been somewhat uncertain, instantly understood the other's identity.
Swish, swish, swish!
In an instant, countless gazes filled with anger, dissatisfaction, and even slight hostility, all focused on him—This guy, how dare he say something like that? "Uh…"
Under such scrutiny, Nao finally realized that the atmosphere at the port seemed off. "Even if they're not here to welcome me, there's no need to look at me like that, right? Did I offend these guys somehow…?"
He scratched his scalp.
Forget it, doesn't matter.
Nao had long noticed Gion on the middle Marine ship. After nearly two months apart, the longing in his heart could no longer be suppressed. All that remained in his eyes was the slightly pouting, clearly displeased little bunny.
He immediately grinned, stepped with Moonwalk, directly soared into the air, and landed on the deck of the Marine ship.
Then.
He stepped forward a few paces and, under countless astonished gazes, smiled and directly opened his arms, tightly embracing Gion.
"Eh eh eh eh eh eh eh?!!!!!"
The entire dock instantly erupted in an uproar of exclamations! The Marines' eyes widened as they stared at Nao's back, filled with disbelief.
—This guy, how dare he???
But what shocked them even more was yet to come.
Gion, who was being held, blushed. After only a symbolic push, she stopped resisting and instead actively wrapped her arms around the hateful Deputy Commander.
Then.
The two looked into each other's eyes and, right in front of everyone, became tightly entwined, passionately kissing.
Crack!
The scene before them was like a thunderclap in dry weather, leaving countless people dumbfounded on the spot, their jaws almost dislocated in shock.
Marines who had long admired Gion, both male and female, were now utterly petrified, as if they could hear the sound of their own hearts breaking.
"This, this…"
The female Lieutenant who had spoken up for Gion earlier stumbled back a few steps, clutching her chest, and murmured in a daze: "What exactly is going on? Rear Admiral Gion, how, how could she let that guy…"
Could it be?
This Deputy Commander, who was supposed to report for duty with Rear Admiral Gion, actually has a romantic relationship with her?
Many people were bewildered and struggled to accept this subtly emerging possibility, but the evidence was right before their eyes, leaving no room for doubt or rebuttal.
For a long time.
In the midst of the silence, the two, who had been kissing for a long time, finally reluctantly separated.
"Long time no see, Rear Admiral."
Looking at the blushing, unusually adorable Gion, Nao gently nudged her nose, smiled slightly, and said warmly, "I really missed you…"
"..."
Gion was enchanted by his captivating smile. All the grievances and dissatisfaction that had accumulated in her heart vanished at this moment.
She gazed quietly into Nao's eyes behind his sunglasses. After a long pause, she chuckled softly and spoke: "Me too, you idiot."
Boom!
These words, falling into the ears of the surrounding marines, were like another clap of thunder in a clear sky, shattering the last bit of hope in their hearts.
The high-mountain snow lotus from Headquarters, the Valkyrie that was unattainable in the hearts of countless people… already had someone she loved?
Bitterness and desolation intertwined, a myriad of complex emotions swirling in the hearts of the people around them.
Nao, the person involved, had no idea how much critical damage the "couple's public display of affection" he and Gion had just given out had caused them.
At this moment, he released Gion from his embrace, turned around, waved at these Marines who were about to become his subordinates, and said with a smile:
"Nice to meet you all. Let me introduce myself. I am Natsuya Nao, a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral. I've been assigned by Headquarters to serve as the Deputy Commander of this branch."
"I look forward to working with all of you in the days to come~"
With that, he naturally took off his large black sunglasses.
Buzz—
It was like a sky that had just been struck by lightning and thunder suddenly clearing, with sunlight pouring down; Or like a winter where everything was frozen solid, suddenly a breeze swept by, bringing abundant warmth, and flowers blooming…
The Marines, who had just been disheartened and gloomy, now almost simultaneously widened their eyes, staring blankly at the handsome face revealed before them.
Black hair and black eyes, even the shirt beneath was black, forming a stark contrast with his white suit and the white cloak of Justice fluttering in the wind, exuding a captivating charm.
In the twilight of the setting sun, the warm, sunny smile on his face and his deep, profound eyes were even more mesmerizing, leaving people breathless.
Thump, thump, thump.
Marines, especially the young women, felt in that instant that their hearts, which had just shattered into pieces, not only came back to life.
But it also felt as if a herd of deer lived inside, starting to pound wildly at eighty miles per second…
He's just too handsome!!!!
In the crowd, a few female Marines who were closer had been completely overwhelmed by this close-up smile, collapsing half-limply against the railing, feeling dizzy and enchanted, their eyes seeing nothing but Nao's impossibly handsome face.
My god, how can there be a man this charming in the world!
No wonder Rear Admiral Gion, like a flower on a high peak, was conquered and became his lover. No wonder after being embraced by this guy, Rear Admiral Gion forgot everything else and passionately kissed him for so long…
Damn it, if it were me, I'd want that too!
As for the fact that this guy was forty-plus days late, irresponsible, and left the early-arriving Rear Admiral Gion utterly exhausted…
Was that even a problem anymore? Rear Admiral Gion, we've forgiven him on your behalf!
"Uh…"
Looking at the silent deck, Nao felt a little lost. Seriously? He just took off his sunglasses and smiled casually, without even showing all eight teeth or using his "Radiance smile" skill.
Was the destructive power already this terrifying?
"That's enough. Put your sunglasses back on, idiot…"
A displeased whisper suddenly came from behind him, followed by a secret pinch at his waist.
Nao winced in pain, letting out a sharp gasp. He turned his head and saw Gion standing there with a cheerful smile, as serene and elegant as ever, as if nothing had happened.
She looks like the embodiment of a "Yamato Nadeshiko," but she's actually a proud and cunning little rabbit who gets jealous.
He muttered to himself. Under Gion's smiling gaze, he obediently stopped smiling and put his sunglasses back on.
Looking at his subordinates, who were still in a state of fascinated stupor and hadn't come back to their senses, Nao sighed sadly in his heart, feeling heavy and troubled.
Damn it.
Sure enough, having too high a charm stat isn't always a good thing!
The series of events at the port was ultimately just a minor interlude.
The emergency support mission was the most important matter at hand.
After only a slight delay of about ten minutes, the Marine fleet, consisting of three Marine ships, officially weighed anchor and set sail. Led by Gion, they headed to Branch 329 Base, hundreds of kilometers away.
Nao, who had just reported for duty and hadn't even seen his office chair yet, was, without a doubt, swept along and participated in this operation.
On the main ship.
Inside Gion's office on the second floor of the ship's cabin.
Without outsiders present, the little rabbit no longer maintained her aloof demeanor. She was now half-reclining lazily on the sofa chair, letting Nao, who sat beside her, gently rub and massage her legs.
Every now and then, she let out a comfortable sigh.
"I'm truly sorry, Rear Admiral."
Nao, who was usually so honest and straightforward, was now sincerely apologizing: "Even though I only stayed in my hometown for a week and set off several days early, who knew that man proposes, God disposes? I ran into an ocean storm as soon as I entered the West Blue, causing a detour and a delay of about ten days. You've had to suffer alone here…"