Everyone returned to their duties, but when they heard Creed's decision, disbelief spread.
"Commander, we've only just begun to establish ourselves on West Sea Island, our foundation isn't even stable yet. Leaving it behind like this isn't wise. At least take me with you, I could serve by your side!" Allent was the first to object.
Though he had followed Creed for only two months, everything he had witnessed convinced him. For the first time in twenty years as a Marine, he truly respected someone. He had a strong feeling—his commander was about to stir up another great storm. Creed's name filled the papers constantly; Allent knew this was no mere leisure trip.
"Serve me? I already have Ain. And I won't be gone long—maybe back before you know it." Creed refused directly.
Ain's gaze cut toward Allent, and she smiled brightly. With her Devil Fruit powers improving, even Allent dared not cross her. He backed down wisely. Everyone at the base could see the truth—this beauty was likely to become the commander's future wife. Best not to provoke her.
Fujitora frowned. "Recently, many civilians have moved here. The population has doubled. West Sea Island is thriving, but without you, there may be unrest."
With G-K's victories, stability spread to nearby islands. But all of it stemmed from Creed. Without him, Fujitora worried.
"You'll hold things together. I trust your strength, Issho. I'll cut my trip short if needed." Creed lied to reassure them. Truthfully, he had no idea how long his journey would take. But without such words, Fujitora would never let him go.
"…So I've been tricked into this branch just to guard your house?" Fujitora muttered, realization dawning.
Creed laughed. That was exactly his plan. With Fujitora holding the fort, he could roam freely.
"Vice Commander, congratulations," Allent teased. "You've gained both a base and a family."
"Commander, come back soon. We've got big battles ahead!"
Creed nodded with a smile.
...
That night, under the crescent moon, a lone Marine ship slipped from G-K's harbor. Only Creed and Ain stood aboard.
Ain, glancing nervously back, whispered, "Sneaking out like this at night… is this really okay?"
Creed chewed a piece of bread. "If we don't hurry, they'll never let us leave. You know Allent—he'd even shove piles of paperwork into my arms to keep me here."
"That bastard really did that! He gave you months' worth of files in advance just to stop you. Too much!" Ain huffed, tiny fists raised in outrage.
Creed chuckled. "If I'd known, I'd have left you behind to finish them."
"You dare?!" Ain's face flushed as she raised her fist.
"Ying ying ying!" Little Falkor fluttered between them, chirping anxiously to stop their "fight." Of course, the dragon stood firmly on Creed's side.
Seeing Falkor panic, Ain blurted, "Idiot, we're not fighting!"
Her face went crimson. Embarrassed, she bolted into the cabin.
Creed laughed heartily.
...
As their ship sailed into the night, two black birds launched from the lighthouse. One followed the ship, the other veered to a nearby island, landing in a forest.
"Gu gu!" it called to a man hidden in the shadows.
"I understand."
The man dialed a Den Den Mushi. "Report: Creed has left the base, heading southwest."
...
Elsewhere, across the New World, a flamboyant flamingo-shaped ship cut through the waves.
Atop the deck, the upper cabin blazed with light. Inside, Doflamingo sat at the head of a long table, scanning documents.
The newspaper headline screamed of Creed's feats: the annihilation of the Kaido Pirates' forces, the founding of G-K branch, the cleansing of nearby seas.
"Fuffuffuffu! Ruthless and decisive. Such methods… truly to my taste. Killing him would almost be a waste."
He tossed the paper aside with a grin.
"But he chose the wrong fruit."
Around him sat his executives—sunglasses gleaming, red cloaks draped, each a monster in their own right.
A knock came. "Report, Young Master. Creed has left his base. He's heading southwest. Our tracking birds are on him."
Diamante frowned. "Did he get wind of us already?"
Doflamingo's lips curled upward. "This time… he won't escape."
(End of Chapter)
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