With the departure of the Whitebeard Pirates and Red-Haired Pirates, the missions for Akainu, Kizaru, and Good were both successfully completed.
Kizaru casually slipped his hands back into his pockets and turned to look at Good beside him.
Good was just about the same height as Kizaru, so the two were eye-level.
He sized Good up and down, watching as his blood-covered body slowly healed itself. Beside him, Momousagi didn't let go of his arm until both the Whitebeard and Red-Haired Pirates had vanished completely into the horizon.
She had no choice—now that Good had Shiki's Fuwa Fuwa no Mi (Float-Float Fruit), she was genuinely afraid he'd suddenly snap and go charging off to start fighting again.
That would be a complete disaster.
Letting go of his arm, she slowly exhaled. "It's finally over."
Although she didn't have to do much during this mission with Good, it felt way more exhausting than usual.
One wrong move and everything could've spiraled out of control.
After studying Good a bit longer, Kizaru clicked his tongue.
He couldn't help but think—this guy really goes all out!
For just that little Marine paycheck every month, was it worth it?
Still, Kizaru didn't say anything more. After clicking his tongue, he finally spoke: "Good! Once we're back, you should apply to the Fleet Admiral for some extra compensation and a few days off to recover."
"I'm sure the Fleet Admiral won't refuse."
Off to the side, Akainu shot Kizaru a glance, cursing him inwardly.
Instead of teaching proper conduct, he was encouraging this kind of freeloading nonsense.
But even Akainu said nothing more—after all, Good really had made major contributions this time, putting his life on the line.
If it weren't for Good, he and that slacker Kizaru probably wouldn't have been able to complete the mission.
Things could've gotten so serious that one of them might not have made it back.
So, letting Good apply for some benefits from Sengoku wasn't unreasonable.
However, when Good heard Kizaru's words, he let out a loud, carefree laugh despite being drenched in blood.
"Resting up is a must—so I can fight even harder next time!"
"As for extra pay? Forget it. I don't care about money. I'm not interested in that stuff."
His words left Akainu, Kizaru, and Momousagi speechless. None of them knew what to say.
Momousagi could only cover her face and sigh. Sure, money isn't everything, but without money, you've got nothing, Good…
Akainu quickly changed the subject, his tone returning to its usual coldness: "Alright! Our mission's done. Whitebeard and Red-Hair have left. Let's head back to headquarters."
"Good, our warship's damaged. We'll ride yours."
Good laughed heartily, then raised a hand to call down the floating warship.
It came crashing from the sky, splashing waves everywhere.
Onboard, Shiki was already badly wounded. The sudden drop made him scream in agony.
But the next second, fear overtook his face.
He shouted, "Hey! Someone help me! Are you trying to kill me!?"
"If I die, how are you going to report back!?"
From the impact, the ship's keel had broken, and seawater was flooding in. The vessel slowly began to sink.
Akainu, Kizaru, and Momousagi: "…"
All three had deadpan expressions.
Now they had no ship.
Good was unbelievably brainless sometimes.
…
…
Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Sengoku rubbed his temples after finishing some paperwork.
Something crossed his mind, and he murmured, "It's been a while… I wonder how Akainu and Kizaru are doing."
"And did Good make it to support them…"
He instinctively reached for the Den Den Mushi to call Good, then paused mid-action.
Cursing under his breath, "That scatterbrained brat."
Instead, he called Akainu.
To his surprise, Akainu answered quickly.
Sengoku didn't bother with small talk. He got straight to the point, asking how the mission went.
When he heard that the mission was complete, and the Whitebeard and Red-Hair Pirates had been stopped from making contact, Sengoku broke into a wide smile.
"Excellent!"
This mission had gone nearly perfectly. Shiki had been recaptured, and a major event that could have shaken the world was successfully averted.
After Akainu finished his report, he didn't hang up right away.
He continued, bringing up Good's performance.
Sengoku chuckled as if everything had gone exactly as he'd planned. "Let me guess—Good used Shiki's Fuwa Fuwa no Mi (Float-Float Fruit), and your Magu Magu no Mi (Magma-Magma Fruit)?"
Akainu was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the Fleet Admiral to already know.
But after thinking about it, it made sense. Sengoku was, after all, the head of the entire Marine force.
If he knew Good had the Float-Float Fruit and Magma-Magma Fruit, then he probably also knew he'd gained Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi (Tremor-Tremor Fruit).
However, when Sengoku heard that part, his smug expression instantly shattered.
His face changed dramatically.
"What did you just say??" Sengoku completely lost his composure, his voice rising sharply.
"What the hell happened? Tell me everything!"
Akainu was stunned by the sudden urgency in the Fleet Admiral's voice.
It was rare to see Sengoku lose it like that. But considering what Good had done, anyone would be shocked.
So Akainu laid it all out—Good's battle with Whitebeard, every detail.
Sengoku's face shifted from surprise… to disbelief… and finally to overwhelming delight.
He burst into laughter. "I knew it! I knew that kid had potential! It's only been a few days and he already forced Whitebeard to retreat!"
Sengoku laughed with unrestrained joy.
Akainu couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Sure, Good's combat power was incredible—but the guy was also a headache in other ways.
Like just now—letting the warship crash from the sky, forcing them to call for backup from the nearest Marine branch just to get back to headquarters.
Thinking of that, Akainu glanced toward the bow of the ship and saw Good's broad back.
Hands on his hips, standing tall, letting the sea breeze blow over him with that arrogant posture.
Akainu could only shake his head and close his eyes.
The more he looked, the more his head hurt.
After the call ended, Sengoku was still smiling ear to ear.
After a moment, he muttered, "I should report this to the Five Elders at the World Government…"
"Maybe I can wrangle a little more funding for the Marines."
...
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]