"Rear Admiral, was that really the Queen of Pleasure Street, Stussy, one of the legendary rulers of the Underworld?"
Hina asked in astonishment.
To them, the woman had appeared out of nowhere and suddenly clashed with Michael.
The two disappeared from view for a brief moment, and when Stussy reappeared, she didn't say a word—just turned and left with her subordinates.
Michael stroked his chin meaningfully, confidently turning to Hina and saying,
"Of course it was Stussy. Convincing her took quite the effort on my part..."
By intentionally describing his negotiation with Stussy in a rather vague and ambiguous way, Michael successfully drew a mixture of curious and complicated looks from the young Marines around him.
After all, he'd asked Stussy to keep things secret...
Naturally, he had to do the same.
Otherwise, who'd be willing to work with him in the future?
So Michael ignored the others and walked back over to Issho, asking in a low voice:
"Issho-san, did you catch all that just now?"
"Very clearly..."
Looking at Issho's blind eyes, Michael finally smiled.
The fight and conversation he had with Stussy might not have been clear to others—
But to Issho, it was as if it had happened right in front of him.
Issho's Observation Haki was among the strongest in the entire world of One Piece, on par with Roger's "Voice of All Things" and Katakuri's "Future Sight."
As long as he willed it, most people in front of him would have no way to keep any secrets.
"Since you heard it, then you must understand—I am not in bed with the World Government. In fact, there's probably no one in the Marines who cares about the common people more than I do."
"And I need your power, Issho-san, to eliminate anyone across the seas who threatens the innocent."
Issho didn't respond for a long time.
Michael wasn't in a rush. He simply gave orders to the young Marines to drive the gamblers out of the casino.
The casino staff, meanwhile, were fuming but didn't dare say a word.
Damn it! Forget all that crap about how gambling is legal in Pleasure Street—saying that in front of these Marines was basically suicide!
More importantly, even Lady Stussy didn't stop them and just walked away.
So what were they even sticking around for?
They'd just have to wait until this guy finished doing his thing, and then figure out a way forward.
"You said anyone who threatens the innocent? Does that include Marines? Does it include the Celestial Dragons? Does it include... yourself?"
"I said anyone," Michael nodded firmly. "Our mission is to serve the people."
"Serve the people..." Issho repeated the seemingly ordinary phrase over and over, his lips curving further into a smile.
"In that case, Rear Admiral Michael, I look forward to working with you from now on."
"You've piqued my interest even more."
"That pure white soul of yours—what kind of body does it dwell in?"
"Who exactly are you?"
"What color is your hair? What do your eyes look like?"
"For just a moment... I regret it."
"I wish I could still see."
...
"So this is why you brought back 269 gamblers from Pleasure Street in the New World?"
"These aren't just any gamblers. Every single one of them is a fugitive with a criminal record."
Sabaody Archipelago, Marine Base Dock.
Vice Admiral Gion arrived with Stella and little Robin to receive the captured gamblers.
Then she looked toward Michael, who stood casually at the edge of the dock with a roguish smile.
Behind him stood a group of young Marines, a middle-aged blind man...
And a military vessel that, at a glance, was clearly a special model warship.
"Michael, be honest—did you go to Marine Headquarters for your promotion ceremony, or to loot the place? Don't tell me you're planning to go rogue? Is your wanted poster about to be issued?"
A special warship was one thing—but what really got her attention was that several of the young Marines behind him were already well-known within Headquarters.
That even included Rosinante, the adopted son of Admiral Sengoku.
As for that blind middle-aged man, Gion sensed an intense feeling of danger from him...
"Vice Admiral Gion!"
The young Marines immediately saluted respectfully when they saw her standing on the shore.
After all, she was the only woman ever assigned a code name with both a color and an animal!
A rare monster even among the Marines.
"By the way, Vice Admiral Gion, are there any vacant houses on Sabaody Archipelago for the Marines? Preferably spacious ones. We can't have these Marine prodigies living in cramped conditions, right?"
Michael spread his hands, looking helpless.
But Gion frowned.
"Michael, are you planning to station the SWORD secret special force here on Sabaody Archipelago?"
"That's right. As the intersection between 'Paradise' and the 'New World,' no location is more suitable."
"But don't forget—Admiral Sengoku called you back to Marine Headquarters partly to help you lay low..."
"Pah, lay low my ass!" Michael snorted coldly. "They say the most dangerous place is the safest place! And more importantly..."
"This is just how I am! If those pests dare to retaliate, then I'll just wipe them out again!"
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