Chapter 45: Doubts
Near Alabasta waters.
A sturdy Marine warship sailed steadily around the island, seemingly on patrol.
On a corner of the deck stood a tall, slender, and strikingly beautiful woman with long legs. She wore a white Marine coat with pink cuffs, a short-sleeved pink shirt left open at the chest, revealing her generous cleavage, along with dark brown shorts and black heels.
The woman gazed toward Alabasta, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind her.
"Big sister Gion, the Straw Hat crew still hasn't arrived?"
The woman called Gion turned around—and surprisingly, it was Tashigi. Only, the current Tashigi was taller, sexier, and far stronger than before.
Her aura was only slightly weaker than that of a vice admiral like Gion, which spoke volumes about how outrageous her power-up had been in just over half a month.
Gion's eyes held appreciation as she looked at her. Tashigi's talent had suddenly exploded, and in just a few days she had reached incredible heights. Naturally, the matter had been reported to the higher-ups, who concluded that Tashigi had experienced a stimulus and enlightenment—similar to the late Admiral Zephyr, who had gone from mediocre to genius overnight at age 38.
And she didn't disappoint. She quickly grasped Haki, and her swordsmanship had caught up to Gion's in just days.
Such a future admiral—a future pillar of the Navy—would certainly be fought over by factions. Tsuru herself had pulled strings to ensure this talent fell under her influence, and so Tashigi was delegated to Gion for supervision.
Gion shook her head.
"It's expected either tonight or tomorrow morning…"
Then she asked curiously:
"You met them in Loguetown before. How did you feel about them?"
Tashigi's face flushed, but she answered honestly.
"The captain is very handsome…"
Gion rolled her eyes, but didn't retort. After all, the wanted poster had already been secretly enshrined by countless women—even some female Marines kept it hidden in their boudoirs.
Tashigi noticed her expression and tilted her head in confusion.
"Still, why the sudden interest? Although the Straw Hats aren't easy to deal with, they're actually rather peaceful. If it weren't for the Navy scandal incident, the higher-ups wouldn't have even paid them much attention."
Gion's expression grew thoughtful.
"Well, besides the fact that the captain is Garp-chan's grandson… the first-hand intel sent by multiple spies and agents along their route has made the higher-ups uneasy."
Tashigi's eyes flickered with curiosity.
"Nani, nani—what kind of intel?!"
Gion looked uncertain.
"Whiskey Peak was flattened. Little Garden was almost sunk. Three other islands suffered the same fate. Wherever this crew passes, islands face catastrophes. And the scale of destruction is alarming. Normally, only veteran vice admirals—or even admirals—could create such devastation. But there's no proof. The only lead is the Straw Hats."
Tashigi hummed thoughtfully and nodded.
"Suspicious indeed… but somehow, I'm not surprised."
Gion blinked in surprise.
"What do you mean? Did you remember something?"
Tashigi hesitated before replying.
"I don't know if it was my imagination… but I still recall the aura of the Straw Hats' captain back then. Even now, despite my strength, just remembering it makes a shiver run down my spine."
Her expression hardened.
"Gion big sister, promise me—don't clash with them recklessly. Wait until we gather enough information before making any moves."
Gion's eyes widened, momentarily shocked.
Tashigi was just a little weaker than her only because of lack of battle experience, yet even she felt traumatized by Garp's grandson?
Suddenly, things became clearer in Gion's mind.
"Interesting… As expected of Garp-chan's bloodline. A monster wrapped in beautiful skin…"
Tashigi only gave a knowing smile before quickly changing the subject. She didn't want her new sister to fall prey to the captain's whims.
"Gion big sister, what about the Shichibukai Crocodile? Are we moving against his plans, or just watching for now?"
Gion's expression shifted, her face turning cold.
"Orders from above. We are not to interfere…"
Tashigi pouted.
"Hmph. Then I hope he and the Straw Hats clash. That way, our job will be much easier."
Gion chuckled softly.
"You little girl… so insidious."
Alabasta, Rainbase.
In the basement of Rain Dinners—the largest building in the city, a pyramid crowned by a golden crocodile statue—sat the headquarters where the notorious Crocodile conducted his operations.
He reclined on his seat, surrounded by thick cigar smoke. His face was gloomy, his expression restless.
Suddenly, he spoke, his voice low and cold.
"Still no news about Miss Sunday?"
Only silence answered him.
At last, one of the trembling minions stepped forward hesitantly.
"Boss… aside from Miss Sunday, there's something else important to report…"
Crocodile's gaze turned glacial as he stared in silence.
The minion gulped hard before speaking.
"Since this morning, a Marine warship has been patrolling the island. After investigating, we discovered it belongs to Vice Admiral Momousagi."
At those words, Crocodile's face turned ashen. He gritted his teeth, imagination spiraling.
Since Miss Sunday's disappearance, all of his intelligence networks had gone silent. He felt like a blind man stumbling in the dark.
And now, the sudden appearance of a Navy vice admiral… It was like a curse tightening around his neck.
Had his plan been leaked? Was it Miss Sunday? But why? She had been even more eager than him to uncover the Poneglyph…
Had she been captured?
The minions fled quickly, terrified of his mood, leaving him alone with his swirling thoughts.
If only he knew his right-hand woman, Miss Sunday, was currently riding someone else's waist with wild abandon—he would be even more shocked.