The Next Day – East Blue, Navy 186th Branch
The morning sun pierced through scattered clouds, casting a golden glow across the docks. A gentle sea breeze carried the salt of the ocean as a lone coffin ship drifted slowly toward the mooring posts of Branch 186.
As the ship drew closer, the gathered sailors unconsciously held their breath. An invisible pressure seemed to descend over the pier.
Step—
A pair of black leather boots pressed down on the wooden planks, each step echoing with a dull, steady sound.
The man was tall, his wine-red cloak fluttering in the wind. His sharp hawk-like eyes swept across the surroundings as though nothing could escape their gaze.
"Mihawk-san…"
A sharp-eyed soldier whispered the name with a mix of awe and fear. The visitor was none other than Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the world's greatest swordsman—friend, rival, or enemy depending on the day.
"Where is Yamir?" Mihawk asked casually, his tone calm but edged with command.
His gaze drifted, and with it, his thoughts slipped into memory.
Mihawk's First Encounter
He recalled the day he had first sensed Yamir. Out of boredom, he had been wandering the East Blue when suddenly a sword intent split the sky, sharp enough to make his black blade Yoru tremble.
This… this is worth drawing my blade.
Following the trail, Mihawk arrived at a remote naval branch. There, sprawled lazily on the deck under the sun, was a young lieutenant—Yamir.
What he expected to be a duel turned into a series of absurd exchanges:
"Duel? I'm sleepy… wait until I wake up?"
"Sorry, I'm hungry. Have you eaten?"
"Ah, I left my wallet at the office. I can't fight seriously without money."
"Thanks for the treat, Mihawk san. I'll pay you back next time!"
"Duel? I surrender! You win."
"Sword intent? How would I know? If I really understood it, do you think I'd be stuck in this backwater branch?"
If not for his Warlord status restricting reckless violence within Marine territory, Mihawk would have cut this "cheater" down on the spot. And yet, the engraved blade Yamir carried—the one marked with the character Chen—and that undeniable sword intent… Mihawk couldn't ignore it.
After all, Yoru had roared in recognition.
Back to the Present
"Um… the Captain isn't here," a soldier finally answered nervously.
Mihawk gave a brief nod. "I'll go in myself."
With calm, steady strides, he walked into the branch as if it were his own home.
The soldiers glanced at each other in panic.
"Mihawk is here again!"
"Should we report to the Captain?"
"He's on leave today…"
"If I'm not mistaken… he's probably still asleep."
"…"
The Red District
Behind heavy curtains in a dark but warm room, sunlight barely seeped through. Yamir turned lazily on a soft mattress, as if floating on clouds.
A slender arm wrapped around his shoulders, and delicate fingers traced his neck.
"Master Yamir, are you awake?" a gentle, teasing voice whispered in his ear.
Half-drowsy, he mumbled, "Sleep or wake… whatever."
The voice chuckled softly. "Then you're awake! No more excuses. Get up and work the farm!"
"Ugh…"
Ding!
[The host is in a state of continuous happiness. Happiness points will be tallied after the effect ends.]
At the Branch Office
"Buru buru buru…"
The Den Den Mushi rang sharply. The acting branch manager answered quickly.
"Branch 186, Acting Chief speaking."
A grave voice relayed orders from the other end. As he listened, the acting chief's expression grew tense.
"Yes, understood!"
He slammed the receiver down and turned to the nearest soldier.
"Find the Captain immediately! Headquarters has issued transfer orders—he is to report to Marine HQ at once. He's in the Red District, go now!"
At Sea
On the vast East Blue, a colossal Marine warship cut across the waves, its sails billowing under the sea breeze. The wooden hull groaned as it split the surf, churning white spray.
"Report, Admiral Kizaru—we are still several hours from Branch 186."
"Hmmm~…"
The Admiral of Light, Borsalino, simply hummed, his drawl carrying across the deck.
Kizaru lounged lazily on a chair on the deck, hands folded behind his head. After hearing the soldier's report, he only gave a faint nod, eyelids half-closed as if he might drift off to sleep at any moment.
His thoughts swayed with the rhythm of the ship, and soon the scene from yesterday's meeting at Marineford surfaced in his mind.
Flashback – Marine Headquarters
Inside the Admiral's office, the atmosphere was unusually quiet. Around the long table sat Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Chief of Staff Tsuru, Admiral Borsalino (the Yellow Monkey), and Admiral Sakazuki (the Red Dog).
"Take a look at this."
Sengoku passed a document around. The others accepted it in silence, eyes narrowing as they read.
After a light cough, Sengoku began:
"This is the file of Yamir, a Captain from the East Blue's 168th Branch."
He paused, then continued in his steady voice:
"Captain Yamir once fought bravely in a desperate naval battle. When the rescue team arrived, they found him gravely injured—his body shattered, barely clinging to life. After recovering, his appearance shifted slightly, but his temperament… completely changed. The ambitious young man filled with ideals for the Navy vanished that day, replaced by an air of indifference."
Sengoku's gaze swept the room.
"Since leaving the headquarters training camp and taking up his branch post, he has been under quiet observation. For three years, no serious incidents have occurred in his jurisdiction. Headquarters has found peace of mind in his steadiness. True, the number of pirates apprehended is low and their bounties insignificant, but that is largely due to the East Blue's nature as the weakest sea."
He tapped the file with his finger.
"Most importantly, in the East Blue's soldier evaluations, Captain Yamir's results far outstripped every other branch commander. This shows he has earned the trust of his men and fully integrated into his post. That bond between officer and soldier is invaluable. In this era of great piracy, the Navy must make the best use of every bit of its strength. Therefore, we have decided to transfer Captain Yamir back to Marineford."
Sakazuki immediately snorted, arms crossed in disdain.
"Hmph. Putting the cart before the horse. Our duty is to kill pirates, not indulge in pointless sentiment."
Kizaru leaned lazily back in his chair, lips curving in his usual sly smile.
"Yooo~ what a frightening decision. But, doesn't Captain Yamir's situation remind you of someone else?"
His half-lidded eyes gleamed. Everyone understood. Kuzan—Aokiji—had once been a man burning with ideals. But after the tragedy of Ohara, he too seemed to drift into apathy, retreating into laziness.
Tsuru finally spoke, her voice quiet but heavy.
"As the battles on the sea intensify, more and more officers waver, questioning the World Government. Many lose their way… and yet those are the ones we must try hardest to bring back. That is why Yamir's case matters."
She set her cup down gently.
"Headquarters requires an officer above the rank of Captain general to go to the East Blue for review. Originally, Garp would have been most suitable, but he is on assignment. Do any of you have recommendations?"
The room fell silent. Sakazuki closed his eyes, uninterested.
Kizaru finally broke the silence, his voice slow and casual:
"Well then, I'll go myself."
Though spoken lazily, a sharp gleam flickered in his gaze. The East Blue promised sea breezes, good food, a slower pace. For him, the "review" would be just a side job.
Back to the Present
Kizaru's eyes refocused on the deck. The lazy admiral's lips curved slightly, a flicker of amusement in his tone.
"Listening to Smoker's description, Captain Yamir sounds even more tragic than me. We're both workers, both playing bad hands, aren't we? After all… I'm the Navy's number one tanker."
With that, the Yellow Monkey stood, brushing off imaginary dust. He called lazily to the busy sailors:
"Hurry it up, eh."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Before the words finished leaving their mouths, his body blurred into a dazzling streak of yellow light, rocketing across the sky toward the 186th Branch.