Kizaru's sudden arrival cut Mihawk's clash short, and with the branch already reduced to rubble, Yamir decided not to stir up more trouble.
After a brief explanation, the gathered branch soldiers listened attentively as the Admiral spoke.
"Because… so…"
"That's the way it is," Kizaru said lazily, spreading his hands as if brushing away the weight of the matter. His tone was relaxed, but the authority of a Marine Admiral made his words unquestionable. "Headquarters has decided to transfer you back to Marineford."
The branch soldiers exchanged nervous glances. A direct transfer from East Blue to headquarters was no ordinary matter.
"I only came here to go through the motions," Kizaru added, tilting his head slightly, his sunglasses catching the light. "The inspection has been successfully passed. If you can fight Mihawk at this level, there's no doubt about your strength."
He shifted his gaze toward Yamir, smiling faintly. "Your position will be my adjutant. Once the paperwork is done, your rank will be promoted directly to Captain of Marine Headquarters. Prepare yourself—after this, you'll follow my warship back."
"..."
Yamir's heart sank. Straight into the headquarters' spotlight… exactly what I didn't want.
"Admiral Kizaru, can this transfer order be delayed?" he asked cautiously, bowing slightly. "Branch 186 was destroyed during a duel between subordinates. If I leave now, the repairs will be left undone, and my work efficiency will suffer. Couldn't I stay until the branch is restored before reporting?"
He forced a bitter smile. I thought Mihawk would never show his true strength in front of headquarters. Now we've been caught red-handed by an Admiral. My strength is exposed. Even if I slip away this time, there's no escaping the conscription for Marineford's coming war… but that's still months away. Maybe something will change by then.
Kizaru pushed his sunglasses up his nose, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Yo~ I may play dumb and slack off, but I'm not stupid. A super talent like you? I'll never let you rot in some East Blue branch. Want to run? Impossible. Ever been chased by light?"
"...hehe." Yamir's shoulders stiffened.
"How long do you plan to keep pretending to slack, kid?" Kizaru teased, the corners of his lips curling upward.
"I'm not pretending," Yamir said, shaking his head like a rattle. "I've simply reached a consensus with life."
"You've got incredible ability. Keeping you in a backwater branch is a waste."
"My greatest ability… is lying still," Yamir retorted solemnly.
Kizaru didn't stop smiling. If anything, he looked more amused, like he'd stumbled upon a rare treasure. "Hey, what about the oath you swore when you joined the Marines?"
Yamir raised his chin and declared, "My life motto is: enjoy life while it lasts, live in the moment."
"Interesting…" Kizaru's eyes gleamed. Instead of anger, he seemed more entertained. "You've actually realized that the true meaning of life is to give up? A talent like you buried in the East Blue… what a waste."
Yamir clasped his hands together and pleaded. "Admiral Kizaru, please, let me stay! I've been with Branch 186 for three years. I can't abandon my comrades now. Our bond is stronger than gold!" His eyes moistened as he looked at the ruins with exaggerated sorrow. "I can't bear to leave Branch 186… I can't bear to leave my subordinates… I can't bear to leave this life of slacking off… this perfect work environment! I…"
Kizaru sat down leisurely, crossed one leg over the other, and gave Yamir a playful smile.
"Go on," he said, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Please—continue your performance."
Mihawk sat quietly at the side, pulling a small wine flask from his pocket. He took a measured sip, watching Yamir's impromptu performance with a faint smile tugging at his lips.
So… even someone like Kizaru, the most notoriously careless of the Marine Admirals, Mihawk mused, can't be convinced so easily? Or perhaps he'll let himself be convinced, if it amuses him…
Either way, there was no escaping Yamir's transfer to Marine Headquarters.
Yamir's "speech" only grew more impassioned, his voice trembling, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
He truly couldn't bear to leave. For three years he had lived the most enviable life at Branch 186—sunshine, slack hours, and the occasional trip to the red district.
Around him, the branch soldiers grew visibly moved by their Captain's "deep affection."
Some even began to sob.
"Captain Yamir… you could have gone to Headquarters long ago, but you stayed for us!"
"I'm crying my eyes out!"
"So this is why the Captain never volunteered to hunt pirates or apply for promotion!"
"The Captain couldn't bear to abandon us!"
"Case closed, brothers! We were the obstacle to the Captain's promotion all along!"
"We're unforgivable!"
A handful of soldiers dropped their heads in guilt.
"Captain, I support you going to Headquarters!"
A young marine, eyes shining, raised his hand and cried out.
Before he even finished, another soldier echoed: "Yes, Captain! Go ahead!"
More hands shot up, the cafeteria filling with voices thick with both resolve and sorrow.
"Captain, don't let us hold you back any longer!"
"You… f-fucking…"
Yamir's gaze snapped toward the first young soldier who raised his hand, his teeth grinding.
You little traitor! Once I leave, who's going to take you to Sabaody's red district? Who's going to cover when you 'clock in to shit on company time'?
I trusted you—and you stab me in the back like this?!
"Yo~"
Kizaru rubbed his chin, a meaningful smile playing across his lips as he surveyed the teary-eyed soldiers.
No other branch in the East Blue could rival this bizarre cohesion.
No wonder this guy scored so highly in the soldier evaluations…
Mihawk too gave a faint nod. Yamir's act was transparent, yet the fact that the marines bought into it spoke volumes of their daily camaraderie.
"Ahem…"
Kizaru cleared his throat, the fun over. Time to play his trump card.
"Captain Yamir, come and serve as my adjutant."
"Promotion and salary increase included."
"I'm the boss. You can slack off once your paperwork's done, nap as much as you like, and clock out on time every day."
He gestured lazily, painting the picture of Marineford as a slacker's paradise.
"Patrols aren't usually heavy—just stick with me."
Then his tone turned positively decadent.
"The headquarters cafeteria runs an all-you-can-eat buffet, three meals a day. Can't finish it? Take some home."
"School-level special cigars—monthly quota. How's that sound?"
Each benefit made Yamir's eyes sparkle a little brighter.
Kizaru caught every flicker of interest, smirking behind his sunglasses.
Boy… I invented this game. A few minutes and you're eating out of my hand.
"Is the treatment at headquarters really this good…" Yamir muttered.
Kizaru's smile deepened.
"It's not over yet~ I don't smoke anymore, so…"
He let the final bait drop: "I can give you my monthly quota of admiral-grade cigars."
Silence.
A better environment for slacking off.
A higher salary.
Free food.
Free cigars.
This was the dream.
"Admiral Kizaru…"
Yamir's body trembled, eyes shining like he'd just drawn the One Piece equivalent of a SSR item.
"You… you're such a good judge of character!"