"Vice Admiral Rengoku, your next deployment has been finalized."
A Marine stationed in administration reported the update to Rengoku.
"Oh? A deployment right after the joint promotion exams? Sounds urgent."
In response, the clerk handed over the document he was holding.
"All the details are in this report, sir."
Rengoku accepted it and skimmed the contents.
"A mission to Amazon Lily… Understood. I'll personally report to the Fleet Admiral that I've received the orders."
"Understood, sir. Justice!"
After the Marine left, Rengoku headed straight to his office.
"Oh! Vice Admiral!"
Tashigi, who had been cleaning the room while wearing a face mask, stood up.
"Tashigi, now a full Commander! Congratulations on the promotion!"
"I wouldn't have made it without your guidance, sir!"
"Smoker and Hina have both been promoted to Rear Admiral, and Prinprin is now officially a proper Commodore. It's all thanks to your dedication and hard work."
Rengoku praised her as he took a seat.
"Vivi went from Private Third Class to Lieutenant, Coby is now a Lieutenant Junior Grade, and Helmeppo a Warrant Officer. I admit, Helmeppo's a little behind, but still—everyone performed admirably."
Each of them had reached a rank befitting their ability, though Rengoku knew their true potential went far beyond this.
"What's that report about?"
Tashigi, curious, pointed to the file in Rengoku's hands.
"It's the orders for my next deployment. I'm being sent to Amazon Lily."
"Amazon Lily? The legendary island of only women... and the domain of the 'Pirate Empress' Boa Hancock, right?"
"That's right. She rules the empire as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. According to this report, the Fleet Admiral is calling for a gathering of the Warlords."
Hearing that, Tashigi's expression stiffened.
"A meeting of the Warlords? Is something happening?"
"Seems to be a standard irregular meeting. I was probably chosen to go because Boa Hancock's stance might be critical."
That was a blatant lie—but since the mission was under embargo, Rengoku couldn't share the real reason.
"When do you depart?"
"It doesn't say exactly, but I'm to leave as soon as possible. What do you think would be the best time?"
Tashigi considered it carefully.
"If it's a Warlord meeting, the sooner the better. How about leaving tomorrow?"
"Hmm, good idea. Let's go with that. Inform the crew of the sailing schedule. Since it's a long voyage from Marineford to Amazon Lily, advise everyone to contact their families beforehand."
"Yes, sir!"
"You don't need to keep cleaning. I usually tidy my own office—I can't make someone of your rank do that, especially not a Commander."
Rengoku gently took the cleaning tools from her and set them aside.
Blushing, Tashigi shook her head.
"N-No, I do it because I like it!"
"Who likes cleaning? You're a Commander now. This sort of work doesn't suit your rank."
He patted her shoulder as he spoke.
"As a Commander in the headquarters, you could be overseeing several islands. It's not right for someone like that to still be doing chores."
"Y-Yes, sir."
"You're still my aide, but you're free to act independently now. It's time you show the confidence and capability of a full officer."
"I understand..."
Flustered, Tashigi gave a quick bow and exited the office.
Rengoku quietly hoped she would now start spreading her wings. A fledgling that never leaves the nest will never learn to fly.
"Huh? What the—You got promoted too? To Commander? I just made major!"
"Yeah... I passed the promotion exam this time."
"Shouldn't you be happy about that? If I made commander, I'd be throwing a three-day party! Heehee!"
Tashigi wasn't the most sociable person, and didn't know many people at Marineford. So even though Bartel was a bit loud and unserious, she was one of Tashigi's few peers. That's why Tashigi decided to open up.
"Hey... Bartel."
"Hmm? You've got that worried look again. What's up? This 'Dual-Blade Bartel' is ready to listen!"
"Well..."
Tashigi explained everything—from Rengoku suddenly being ordered to Amazon Lily, to how he stopped her from cleaning today, and how it seemed like he wanted her to take a different role, maybe even move on from being his aide.
"I see... That sounds like a big deal. Maybe let's take this talk inside? This hallway's a little too public."
"Y-yeah, okay..."
Tashigi followed Bartel into a lounge inside the Marine HQ building.
"So you're saying it kinda felt like Rengoku was trying to push you away?"
"N-no, I wouldn't say push me away, more like... I don't know..."
Tashigi nervously fiddled with her fingers and looked down.
"Just say it. Be honest."
"I just... I'm not sure. Normally he wouldn't care if I cleaned his office, but today he stopped me. Then he started saying I should become independent now… Like maybe he doesn't want me as his aide anymore..."
"So what? You think he got tired of you or something?"
It was blunt, but Tashigi didn't deny it.
"...You like Rengoku, don't you?"
"Wha—NO! I mean—no! I just respect him as a fellow Marine! L-liking him like that is totally absurd!"
Tashigi's face turned bright red like Akainu's magma as Bartel hit the mark.
"Heehee... I see..."
Bartel grinned mischievously as a fun idea came to mind.
"Okay, so think about this: That Vivi girl—they say she just got promoted to Lieutenant, right?"
"How'd you even know that...? But yeah, she did. So what?"
Bartel clicked her tongue and waggled her finger.
"Tsk tsk, think about it. Normally, a flag officer's aide is always someone in the lieutenant commander to commander range. You being a commander and still his aide? That's basically a fluke now. You're already on track for brigadier general. Generals don't stay aides forever. But Vivi, she's the perfect candidate now. She's a solid officer but not too high-ranking yet, and her performance has been good."
"I... I guess that makes sense..."
"And one more thing! Where's Rengoku being deployed again?"
"Amazon Lily..."
"And who's on Amazon Lily?"
"...The Warlord, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock?"
"Bingo! You ever seen her bounty poster? Even though she's a pirate, the guys in the barracks keep it in their lockers like a pin-up! If she looks that good in a bounty photo, imagine what she's like in person."
"I guess... she must be stunning."
"Exactly. Rengoku's never had a single scandal with anyone—not because he's some cold block of stone, but maybe because there just hasn't been a woman in the Navy who caught his eye. What if Boa Hancock changes that? She's still technically part of the World Government's system as a Warlord. The difference in their positions isn't really an issue."
Bartel continued spinning her half-serious theory.
"Now compare yourself to Vivi or Hancock. Short hair, glasses, no fashion sense, and you've been by his side forever. You think he's not getting bored?"
"...Then what should I do?"
"What's the problem? You said you just respect him, right?"
"Y-yeah, but... still..."
"Sigh... Well, there's not much you can do right away. But once this mission is over, that's when you go all out with your secret weapon. Although... if you go with him on this mission, won't that just make the comparison worse?"
"I... I guess you're right..."
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