A month after the chaos, the new and improved Marine Branch 186 stood proudly under the East Blue sun.
Admiral Kizaru, with a casual wave of his hand and a creatively worded report, had effortlessly resolved the military funding issue.
The official story was that he'd been 'testing Captain Mike's strength' and 'accidentally' destroyed the base.
In the East Blue, an Admiral's accident was more than enough to get a budget approved.
Now, with the construction complete, it was time to leave.
"Woo—"
With a deep blast of its horn, the massive warship prepared to set sail.
All the Marines of Branch 186 had gathered at the dock, their faces a mixture of pride and reluctance.
Even the ladies from the local Red-Light District had come to see him off, dressed in their finest, their excited chatter cutting through the salty air.
"Captain Mike, next time you come for 'tea,' remember it's on the house for life!"
"Captain Mike, you know where I hide my house key! You're welcome back anytime—positions are never an issue!"
"Time isn't a problem either! Morning, noon, or night, as long as you come back!"
Listening to these enthusiastic, and frankly, scandalous farewells, Mike just smiled faintly and waved his hand.
"Ah, they're all good people," he said to the Marine officer beside him.
Commander Hayes, the highest-ranking officer who had accompanied Kizaru, simply rubbed his forehead, his eyes filled with disbelief.
If he hadn't personally witnessed the wreckage caused by this man, he would never connect the warm, smiling freeloader before him with the warrior who could stand toe-to-toe with Dracule Mihawk.
'Rumble—'
The warship's engines roared to life as it slowly pulled away from the dock.
The Marines of Branch 186 snapped into formation along the shore.
"Captain Mike, thank you for your three years of service!" they shouted in unison.
"Captain Mike, come visit often!"
"You'll always have a home here at Branch 186!"
"Snap—!"
A single, crisp sound echoed across the dock as every Marine threw a synchronized salute, standing silently as they watched their former leader depart, their eyes filled with a mixture of reluctance and profound respect.
Mike returned the salute, a complex swirl of emotions welling up in his heart.
Three years.
Though most of it had been spent slacking off, he had shared meals, drinks, and the occasional battle with these men.
You can't do that and not feel something.
"Captain Mike, we don't want you to go!" a young Marine, the same one who had started the "let him go" movement, couldn't help but shout, tears glistening in his eyes.
Mike lowered his hand and waved lightly.
"Kid," he called back with a grin, "just try not to stab me in the back with your good intentions again, alright?"
Though his words were casual, his heart was touched.
Once he settled in at Headquarters, he'd make sure to look out for these guys.
After all, they were his people.
The warship turned, the flag bearing Kizaru's symbol fluttering loudly in the wind.
It accelerated away from the dock, heading into the vast, open sea.
"Captain Mike, shall we pass through the Calm Belt to reach Headquarters?" Commander Hayes asked, breaking Mike's reverie.
His tone was formal and respectful; since leaving the dock, he had already begun treating Mike as his superior.
Mike took a deep breath, steadying his emotions.
"Is there a way to avoid the Calm Belt?" he asked.
The Calm Belt was the fastest route, but he was in absolutely no hurry.
Kizaru was still out there on his 'inspection tour.'
Was he really going to rush back to Marineford just to deal with the mountain of paperwork that was surely piling up? What a joke.
"Of course, sir!" Commander Hayes answered without a hint of hesitation.
After a month of observation, he had a perfect grasp of his new superior's temperament.
Captain Mike was essentially a younger, handsomer version of Admiral Kizaru.
His mind was constantly preoccupied with one thing: how to avoid work.
Since the Captain had asked, it was clear he didn't want a speedy return.
The Commander's job was to facilitate that.
He had already prepared the perfect excuse.
"If we don't take the Calm Belt, the longest and most scenic route would be to sail along the edge of the Grand Line," the Commander explained smoothly.
"And if we were to file our report, it might read something like this: 'During the return voyage, we encountered a high-bounty pirate and gave chase, causing us to deviate from our planned route. However, due to the pirate's cunning, they unfortunately escaped our grasp.' Resulting in our return trip taking just a tiny bit longer than expected."
Mike turned to the Commander, a look of pure admiration on his face.
He lightly patted the man's shoulder.
"Commander Hayes, you're going places. You are destined for greatness!"
"Hehehe," a faint, proud smile appeared on the Commander's face.
"By the way Captain, a message came in from Branch 153 ten days ago. They are requesting an escort for their former Captain, Morgan, back to Headquarters for his court-martial."
"Oh?" Mike's eyes lit up slightly.
'Captain "Axe-Hand" Morgan?' That meant Luffy had already beaten him and freed Zoro.
Their adventure was well underway.
They'd be meeting Usopp and Nami soon, then Sanji.
None of which was his problem.
They could fight all they wanted.
Right now, all he wanted was a nap.
Mike waved a dismissive hand.
"Ignore it," he said nonchalantly. "Pretend we never received the message. The route is in your capable hands, Commander."
"Yes, sir!"
"Excellent," Mike stretched lazily. "I'm going to take a nap. We can deal with everything else after I wake up."
With that, he strolled leisurely toward his cabin, his steps unhurried and composed, leaving Commander Hayes to chart the most inefficient course back to Marineford.
****
Meanwhile, in the East Blue...
At Syrup Village, excited cheers echoed across the sea as the Going Merry sailed away under the glow of the setting sun, the Straw Hat flag fluttering proudly from its mast.
Having defeated the Black Cat pirates, Usopp had officially joined Luffy, Zoro, and Nami.
Their next destination: the floating restaurant, Baratie.
****
And on the turbulent waters near that very restaurant, the smoke of a one-sided battle had not yet fully dissipated.
"BOOM—!"
Amidst the deafening explosions, the last of the Krieg Pirate ships gradually sank, leaving only burning wreckage floating on the sea.
What was once a mighty fleet of fifty ships now lay in ruins, their arrogance and pride utterly crushed.
Mihawk stood coldly atop his Coffin Boat, his gaze locked on the single fleeing flagship in the distance.
There was not a trace of pity in his eyes.
"The overlord of the East Blue? An Admiral of a pirate fleet?" he muttered, his voice laced with contempt.
"Just a bunch of frogs in a well, croaking too loudly."
Mihawk didn't linger.
With a light flick of his Black Blade through the water, the Coffin Boat glided swiftly across the surface, a silent predator chasing its last, terrified prey.