"Huh? Commander Tashigi suddenly caught a cold?"
Rengoku looked a little surprised at the sudden news of his aide falling ill.
"Yes! She has taken a leave and is currently resting in the barracks!"
The administrative officer reported.
Rengoku looked slightly concerned, but with a mission at hand, there was no time to delay.
"Buy some medicine under my name and have it delivered to her."
"Understood!"
And so, Rengoku set sail without Tashigi, accompanied only by Vivi.
"I didn't expect Commander Tashigi to fall sick," Vivi remarked, temporarily taking on the duties of an aide.
"Normally, she'd power through even if she were sick. For her to actually take leave... it must be serious."
"I hope it's nothing too bad."
"Mhm! I'm sure she'll be perfectly healthy by the time we return. For now, we just need to focus on the mission ahead!"
...
Amazon Lily, located in the Calm Belt and infested with Sea Kings.
The Navy warships installed seastone beneath their hulls to render the ships undetectable, like stealth vessels, to the Sea Kings.
However, this trick was only temporary. Some Sea Kings with heightened senses could still detect the ships despite the seastone and would occasionally attack.
Just like now.
"Sea King sighted on the port side! Shark-type, approximately 8 meters long!"
An immediate report came from the deck. Rengoku was about to step in, but unexpectedly, Vivi made a request first.
"Vice Admiral, may I take this one?"
This would be Vivi's first time facing a Sea King since attaining Total Concentration Breathing – Constant and being promoted to Lieutenant.
"Mmm. Have you fully mastered the Water Breathing techniques?"
"Not completely, but I'd still like to give it a try!"
Her eyes burned with determination, and Rengoku nodded, granting her permission.
"Then I'll leave the port side to you."
"Yes, sir!"
Vivi stepped onto the deck with Rengoku's permission, prompting murmurs of confusion among the sailors.
"Lieutenant? What did the Vice Admiral say?"
"I'll handle this Sea King myself! Bring the ship closer!"
"Eh?!"
"Hurry!"
The sailor couldn't respond properly, and Vivi had to push them to act.
Splash—
As the ship turned, slicing through the waves, it began to close in on the Sea King.
Once it entered striking range, Vivi leaped into the air from the deck.
"Geppo!"
With rapid steps like bouncing off invisible platforms, she soared into the sky.
Drawing her blade, Shigure, midair, Vivi changed direction and pushed off hard for extra acceleration.
Fwooo—
"Water Breathing, First Form…"
"Water Surface Slash!"
A clean strike.
Vivi's Shigure sliced horizontally through the Sea King's neck with surgical precision.
Despite its massive size and thick skin, the Sea King's head separated cleanly and dropped into the sea, like a block of tofu sliced by a master chef.
Splash! Splash!
The massive remains of the Sea King fell into the sea, sending waves crashing over the deck of the warship.
"Whoa! Lieutenant Vivi! Amazing!"
The Marines, impressed by Vivi's clean strike, began to cheer her name.
Tap!
Lightly landing back on the deck, Vivi looked slightly flustered by their cheers but quickly accepted them with grace.
She had successfully taken down a Sea King on her own.
As a former Frontier Agent, she had never been weak—but to take down a Sea King solo? That was a whole new level.
It had only been two months… and she was already this strong.
Three years… maybe in three years, I could defeat Crocodile myself…
It might've been wishful thinking, but it showed just how quickly Vivi's strength had progressed.
"Excellent work!"
Rengoku stepped onto the deck, applauding her efforts.
"Vice Admiral Rengoku!"
Vivi hurried over to him with short, eager steps.
"It's all thanks to your training!"
"No, it's all thanks to your hard work. I merely showed you the path—you walked it yourself!"
Rengoku knew how vast Vivi's potential was.
After all, a 16-year-old princess with little formal combat training had climbed her way to mid-level management in a criminal syndicate run by a Warlord.
That alone spoke volumes of her innate talent.
He had only guided her toward becoming stronger—the training and dedication had all been hers.
Just look at Coby and Helmeppo—despite training under the same program, one was only a Lieutenant Junior Grade, and the other a Warrant Officer.
"Sir! What should we do with the Sea King's remains?"
"Hmm! It's been a while since we've had a proper voyage—let's try some Sea King meat. Send it to the kitchen!"
"Yes, sir!"
With Rengoku's approval, the Marines came out with hooks and ropes to haul the Sea King's remains onto the ship.
Soon, dozens of kitchen staff appeared and quickly stripped the meat from the carcass, leaving behind only bare bones.
"Vice Admiral! The butchering is complete! Shall we prepare it for tonight's dinner?"
The head chef personally approached Rengoku.
"Indeed! Meat is best enjoyed when it's fresh! Announce to the entire crew—tonight, we feast on Sea King meat!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
Later that afternoon, the ship slowed down for cruising, and a lively meat feast was underway on the deck.
They had been at sea for a while now, and such feasts were important to boost morale.
With everyone cheerfully chewing on salted Sea King steaks, Rengoku and Vivi joined the group.
"Wow, the head chef's skills are amazing! I didn't expect something this simple to taste so good!"
"Haha, it all comes from experience. This feast is only possible thanks to how cleanly you sliced the beast, Lieutenant."
"Oh, I didn't do that much… Anyone else could've done it too!"
"No way! Only your swordsmanship could make such a clean cut!"
The cheerful chatter and mutual praise created a warm atmosphere.
"Delicious!"
Rengoku shouted, taking a bite.
The chef smiled proudly at the compliment.
"There's plenty more, sir. No need to rush!"
"Delicious!"
"Haha, I'll go check on the kitchen."
The night deepened, and so ended the feast of Sea King meat.
...
The next morning, the lookout gave an early report.
"Approximately 2,000 meters ahead—Amazon Lily in sight!"
They had finally arrived.
"Good! Full speed ahead!"
---------------
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