Sengoku blinked, as if he were seeing Michael for the first time.
After a long pause, he sighed.
"Forget it. Do whatever you want... just be careful."
"Relax, old man. You know how much I value my life, don't you?"
Michael shrugged, then left Sengoku's office with Stella in tow.
Sengoku watched Michael's departing figure with a deep gaze.
Ever since Michael had persuaded him to manipulate the Buster Call on Ohara, Sengoku knew—this guy was never going to be obedient.
He had always looked down on the so-called Celestial Dragons and the World Government.
And this time, it was obvious that he was going against the World Government again.
Only this time, Sengoku himself was in the middle, so Michael had chosen to act behind the scenes.
And if Garp was willing to go along with his antics, that meant Garp, deep down, fully supported Michael's way of doing things.
But...
It was far too dangerous.
If any of this ever got out, not even Sengoku could protect Michael.
At best, he'd have to leave the Navy and spend the rest of his life being hunted by the World Government.
Thinking this far, Sengoku couldn't help but sigh again.
What could be more infuriating than having a son?
Then, he picked up a Den Den Mushi.
Once connected, Tsuru's voice came through.
"Hello? Sengoku, what's going on?"
"Tsuru, are you on your way back?"
"I'm returning now... That little brat Doflamingo is slippery. He got away."
Tsuru spoke calmly.
"But I did find out some things. That little brat... used to be a Celestial Dragon."
"Definitely a problem," Sengoku nodded, though his tone was helpless.
"But Doflamingo isn't the priority. Let's put him aside for now."
"You sound... don't tell me Michael stirred up something big again?"
Tsuru's voice took on a teasing tone.
"You never seem to be able to deal with him."
"Stop laughing, Tsuru. That brat... interfered with the Buster Call!"
"Say that again?! Has Michael lost his mind?!"
"He didn't interfere directly. He just went to Ohara early with Garp, evacuated all the civilians ahead of time, and then had me order Akainu not to land—just to execute the Buster Call remotely."
Tsuru's rising blood pressure only calmed down a little after hearing Sengoku's explanation.
"Did Michael explain his reasons for doing that?"
"Of course."
Sengoku had known she'd ask, so he relayed what Michael had said over the Den Den Mushi.
"Hmm... actually, what Michael said makes a lot of sense."
After a long pause, Tsuru finally spoke.
"Sengoku, we've always known that what the World Government does is far from the justice the Navy is supposed to uphold... so we should be prepared."
"Prepared for the day... we completely change everything."
...
After leaving Marineford, Michael didn't linger any longer.
He took little Robin and returned to the Sabaody Archipelago with Stella.
After all, he was still Vice Admiral Gion's adjutant.
He'd been slacking off for two years while his superior officer dealt with all the mess at the Sabaody Archipelago...
Even someone as thick-skinned as Michael couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.
Just a little, though.
"So this is your excuse for bringing back a little girl after all this time?"
Vice Admiral Gion's mouth twitched as she looked at the little girl barely up to her knees, falling into thought.
"It's only been two years, and she's already this tall?"
"Vice Admiral Gion, you're only twenty-seven. Why do you talk like an old lady?"
Seeing Robin a little nervous in front of Gion, Michael patted her little head to comfort her.
"I'm still young, thank you very much!"
Gion snorted and sat back down behind her desk.
"So what, you want to bend the rules and let a kid like this join the Navy?"
"When it comes to high-IQ talent, we have to grab them early."
Michael smiled faintly.
"And I've already picked out your new adjutant."
"New adjutant? What about you?"
Gion asked reflexively, then couldn't help but laugh and shake her head.
Right—Michael was definitely going to rise higher.
She wouldn't be surprised at all if he became a Vice Admiral in just a few years.
Having him as her adjutant was, in a way, Sengoku's plan to keep Michael away from the Navy's dirty dealings.
Seeing Gion smile with understanding, Michael shrugged and said:
"Over the past year, under Garp's training, I've taken down quite a few pirates. Once Garp's had enough grandkid time and reports back to Sengoku, I'm due for a promotion."
"That's why I rushed back here before it all goes down!"
"After all... we haven't executed our plan yet, remember?"
Michael flashed Gion a smile that was warm but full of scheming undertones.
Gion blinked, then showed a touch of mischief herself.
"You're ready?"
"Of course."
Michael nodded and turned to her.
"Let's clean up the Sabaody Archipelago."
"There's way too much scum here."
...
A bright and sunny... early morning.
The lawless zone of the Sabaody Archipelago was suddenly flooded with Navy forces.
Fully armed, they kicked in the doors of every slave shop and gang den in the zone.
They dragged human traffickers and gangsters right out of their beds...
"Hello! We're the Navy from the Sabaody Archipelago!"
"We're here on orders to inspect for fire safety hazards!"
"Please cooperate!"
Different voices echoed from different buildings, repeating the exact same lines.
The human traffickers and gang members were stunned at first, but soon recovered.
"This is the lawless zone! The Navy has no jurisdiction here!"
"Who do you think we work for?! The Celestial Dragons!"
"You...Navy better get the hell out of here!"
Similar cries of resistance rang out everywhere.
But the moment the Navy shoved gun barrels into their mouths, the whole area went silent.
"One more time—we're here on orders to inspect for fire hazards!"
"Please cooperate!"
The leading Navy officer recited the line like a script. Without waiting for a response, he waved his hand—and the Navy charged in to begin their inspection.
"This table looks suspicious! Flip it!"
"This wall feels off! Smash it open!"
Three and a half hours later, the Navy withdrew.
Leaving behind buildings that looked like a hurricane had torn through them.
The human traffickers and gangsters stared blankly at the wreckage, tears of humiliation rolling down their faces.
But half an hour later...
"Hello! We're the Navy from the Sabaody Archipelago!"
"We're here on orders to inspect for flood hazards!"
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