Marine Headquarters.
The Shichibukai meeting was over.
After getting that urgent call on his Den Den Mushi, Doflamingo was the first to storm out of the headquarters.
The remaining three Warlords exited the hall one by one.
Mihawk walked in front, his face was unreadable, though you could see the gears turning in his head.
He hadn't been able to find Mike, but he figured the guy might just be out on a mission.
Still, it was worth checking.
"Maybe he's actually working for once?" Mihawk murmured to himself, a slight frown on his face.
After a moment, he decided he wasn't going to wait around.
He stopped a nearby Marine soldier.
"Has Captain Mike, Admiral Kizaru's adjutant, returned to base?"
"Captain Mike?" The soldier blinked, the name not ringing a bell.
"Admiral Kizaru's new adjutant? Uh, we only saw the Admiral return by himself, sir." He paused, trying to remember.
"I don't think we saw an adjutant with him."
"..."
Mihawk went silent for a moment, then took a sharp breath, his expression turning cold.
So it was confirmed.
Mike was definitely slacking off somewhere.
'After we parted ways in the East Blue', Mihawk thought with growing irritation.
'I went all the way home and got a good night's sleep.'
'Then I got this stupid summons and came all the way here… and you, you brat, are still out there messing around?'
Just as Mihawk was about to continue on his way, a low voice called out from behind him.
"Hey… Mihawk…"
It was Crocodile, and he sounded almost hesitant.
Mihawk frowned and stopped, turning around to face him. His golden eyes were cold.
"Hm?"
"Care to find a place to talk?"
"Crocodile," Mihawk said flatly. "What could you and I possibly have to discuss?"
Crocodile just smiled faintly, lighting a fresh cigar with practiced ease.
"That new system Sengoku announced… it's got you a little troubled, hasn't it?" He took a slow drag, his eyes sharp and meaningful.
"The place you live… it's not an allied nation of the World Government, is it? When the Reverie comes around… who's going to vouch for you?"
"..."
Mihawk didn't answer right away, but Crocodile could see he'd hit a nerve.
He was right.
Mihawk's home, Kuraigana Island, was a desolate, isolated rock.
There were no allied nations anywhere near it.
This new Warlord system was a huge problem for him.
He could very well lose his title and all the conveniences that came with it—namely, the freedom to be left alone by the Marines.
That was the only reason he'd taken the job in the first place.
Seeing Mihawk's silence, Crocodile's lips curled into a confident smirk.
"Earlier, I overheard you asking about Captain Mike," he said smoothly.
"You two are on good terms, aren't you?"
"Crocodile, what are you getting at?"
"What a coincidence," Crocodile chuckled, a smug grin on his face.
"My relationship with Captain Mike… is also quite good."
He knew what he was doing.
With Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman and himself, a master strategist, both connected to the rising star of the Marines… this was the beginning of a truly formidable alliance.
Mihawk stared at Crocodile, weighing his options. Finally, he gave a curt nod.
"You're close with that kid, Mike?" he asked, his voice flat. "Fine. We can discuss this on my ship."
He turned and walked ahead.
Crocodile followed with a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
The alliance was secured.
Standing nearby, a towering bear-like man watched them go.
He wore a white hat with brown spots and carried a large book with "BIBLE" written on the cover.
This was the "Tyrant," Bartholomew Kuma.
He was lost in thought with a hint of doubt in his deep-set eyes.
"Captain Mike?" he murmured to himself.
Though he hadn't sent any messages back to the Revolutionary Army in a long time, he still remembered the last secret order he had received from their Supreme Commander, Dragon.
The words echoed in his memory.
"All Revolutionary Army officers are to cease all operations. Issue the highest-level emergency mission: Investigate Marine Headquarters Captain, Mike. Determine if his sense of Justice is 'Lazy Justice'."
'The Captain Mike that Mihawk was talking about,' Kuma thought, connecting the dots.
'Is he the one Dragon is so interested in? But why? Is his personal philosophy that important to the revolution?'
'Perhaps… I should find an opportunity to ask Dr. Vegapunk.'
*****
Skypiea.
Back on the plaza of Angel Island, Mike stood before the crowd.
The sun was at his back, making his figure seem to glow.
Every single eye was fixed on him.
"May I ask, sir…"
Mike paused and turned.
An old man in ancient armor stood before him.
It was Gan Fall.
Though his body was stooped with age, his eyes were sharp and full of wisdom.
"Where does the future of Skypiea lie?" the old man asked, his words carrying a heavy weight.
"Where does it lie…?" Mike repeated, looking genuinely thoughtful.
This was a question he hadn't even considered.
His plan was simple: beat up the local tyrant, take the gold, and use it to help Fish-Man Island and Alabasta.
He hadn't thought about what came after.
Suddenly, Kuzan's lazy voice popped up beside him.
"Why not consider it, Mike? The position of Skypiea's ruler?" he said with a teasing grin.
"After all, right now, you're the people's choice."
"Huh…?" Mike blinked, surprised.
Kuzan just waved a hand, gesturing for Mike to look around.
He did.
The residents of Skypiea were staring at him, their eyes shining with hope and admiration.
They saw him as a hero, the one who could lead them out of the darkness of Enel's rule.
Even the fierce Shandian warriors, who had quietly gathered nearby, were looking at him with a newfound respect.
Their ancestors had revered the great warrior Kalgara, and they respected nothing more than strength.
The "god" they had been willing to die fighting had just been effortlessly crushed by this handsome man.
"This…" Mike was at a loss for words.
The weight of an entire nation's hope was settling on his shoulders.
He hadn't asked for it, but here it was.
He let out a long sigh with a small, resigned smile on his face.
"Alright then."
-----------------------------
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