— A few days ago, thanks to the work of the Navy branch in the West Blue, the improper treatment of Marines by the World Nobles came to light. After a quick internal investigation, it was found that several Celestial Dragons were involved.
— Right now, the God's Knights are holding them and questioning them. The Celestial Dragons themselves admitted they acted this way because of their daily stress and said they regret it.
— But no matter if they are Celestial Dragons, we cannot deny their actions went far beyond what is allowed. After the questioning, they will receive a punishment decided by a trial among the Celestial Dragons. At the same time, each of them will pay extra compensation, in amounts decided after talks with the Navy's officers, to the Marines they harmed and to their families.
— Once again, the World Government deeply apologizes to the affected Marines and their families.
"It might sound like we're picking a fight… to some people."
If I even hint that this apology is already stricter than usual, the whole Navy might explode in anger.
"Well, the Marines who worked in the Holy Land understand how hard you pushed yourself to get these words written. It's my job as Fleet Admiral Sengoku's special admiral to keep things under control. Still… you really managed to secure more compensation."
Thank you, Admiral Zephyr, and your guards, for helping me so much.
Thanks to you, I could work in peace… and I even got some sleep.
I was scared of being poisoned or drugged, so I had them remove my room door.
Also, he came all the way to the port just to check the ship I'm boarding. I'm grateful.
"If we don't at least get something out of this, the victims—and the Marines who know about it—will never accept it," I explained.
I somehow convinced the Five Elders by trying every trick I had. Making them promise at least thirty million Berries per victim in front of Sengoku and the others was real hard work… I'm exhausted.
Those people will never truly feel sorry.
If they tried to apologize to the Marines in person, they would only make things worse.
The official apology was needed to end the situation, but that alone would never heal the Marines who survived, or the families who thought their loved ones had died.
The families of the victims have every right to feel hopeless.
So at the very least, if I couldn't pull money out of them, there was no point in me coming all the way to the Holy Land.
"Losing money and property is the punishment that hurts the Celestial Dragons the most. It won't solve the real problem, and it's only a small comfort… but if the Marines and their families don't get something, nothing will move forward."
"Mm…" Zephyr hummed, while Hina, who was standing behind me, both looked bitter.
Well, of course they did.
…Hina, why are you standing behind me? You should be guarding Zephyr.
Anyway.
My part is done, but Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the officers now have the hardest work ahead of them.
And the junior officers and soldiers who must train and work in this tense atmosphere as well.
Many Marines are not satisfied… or rather, almost all of them, I'm sure…
We gained favor with both the Navy and the Government, and we showed them our stance. No matter how things go later, the Black Cat pirate crew should now have some trust and respect.
…Actually, things worked too well. Some Marines now give me a full formal salute every time they see me.
Are you guys okay? Please keep calm. It could put you in danger too. Really.
The officials also treat me too well. They shouldn't be bowing to me at all.
I only asked them to complete about thirty percent of the tasks, but everyone worked way beyond that. It was more than enough.
The CP agents still watch me with suspicion, but the normal officials… are you sure I'm the right superior?
When they asked me for instructions, I almost died from stress.
And that was right in front of Zephyr and Sengoku.
My main goal—making the West Blue safer—depends on what happens from here. Don't die for some silly reason, everyone…
No life is cheap.
If even one small piece of someone's work is missing, politics and safety won't improve—no, they won't even be maintained.
If the Government ignores that, the collapse will happen all at once.
Everyone thinks too little of themselves, but none of them are worthless…
I never had enough chances or time to tell them that clearly…
"We never met them in person, but the Marines who returned from the Holy Land…"
And the Marines who were harmed there too.
I received a huge number of thank-you letters from those who had been treated a bit better and were recovering in body and mind.
Writing the replies took more effort than some missions…
Damn it. I can't throw these away, so I'll have to take them home. They'll be heavy.
I have to guard them all the way back to the West Blue base.
When I get back, I'll ask Mihawk to make me a proper letter box.
"They all decided to quit the Marines," Zephyr informed me gravely.
I figured…
Before worrying about being a Marine, I'm more worried if they can live normally as human beings.
"What about their lives from now on?"
"We plan to have business groups tied to the Navy take care of them… Kuro, what do you think?"
Why ask me…?
Well—
"That should be best. I'm sorry to say this, but keeping them somewhere the Navy can watch is safer."
They're going to receive a lot of money.
Bad people won't care where that money came from.
And even though I hope it won't happen, there's always a chance the Celestial Dragons will try something strange to take their money back.
Better to be extra careful.
"Mm… It's almost time to depart," Hina said.
"Yes. I came here with nothing, so I don't have much luggage…"
"If you had at least brought one weapon, fighting Golden Lion would've been easier. Hina is not happy,"
"Don't be unreasonable."
Disarming myself was part of the deal!
Well… I did say that even if they put shackles on my legs, I could still manage somehow!
"…Um, Kuro," Hina said, hesitant.
"Yes?"
"Hina will ride on the same ship with you on the way back," She revealed.
"…What?" I asked, shocked.
"What? You have a problem with that?".
That's not it, you idiot!
"Hina."
"What?" she replied.
"It's going to be a pretty long trip. Check the luggage carefully."
"Yes, I know," she replied, confused.
"We still have some time, but from now on we'll be doing small farewell visits."
"That's true… Speaking of which, Spandine hasn't shown his face. He got drunk and passed out yesterday at your farewell party," Hina said.
Yeah, he said there's nothing tastier than free alcohol and gulped it down until he collapsed first.
He's probably dying from a real hangover now.
—Not the point.
"Check the luggage just in case. Mine too."
"Huh?" Hina questioned.
"A pirate is leaving the Holy Land. If a Marine checks my stuff, it shows I have nothing to hide."
"You want me to help you earn more fame?" Hina asked with a slight smirk.
"Please."
When I bowed my head a little, she sighed—like always—and gave me a lazy salute before walking out.
Jenetta and the others are waiting outside too, so it should be fine.
…Didn't expect them to cry while saying goodbye.
Anyway,
"Special Admiral Zephyr."
"Mm."
"Is Hina really in that much danger?"
A pirate—especially one the Celestial Dragons want—leaving the Holy Land, which was at least a somewhat safe zone.
Honestly, it wouldn't be strange if trouble or a fight broke out.
In the worst case, I wouldn't be surprised if they fired on us the moment we left.
And they're sending Hina with me?
So which is it? The Navy doesn't plan to act, didn't receive orders… or—
"You achieved exactly what the Navy hoped for. Not only the apology and the compensation. You trained Hina and the soldiers, and shared the know-how. During the defensive battle, your direction kept the casualties to a minimum."
Training…
But what I taught Hina and the nearby soldiers was the leftover basics, basically the basics of the basics of what we teach our ordinary crew…
Differences between sea and land combat, strengths and weaknesses of tight formations, how individuals can read the situation to support those weaknesses, how to judge key points when defending an area, and other little things—
Combat skill and ship handling are obvious, but in this world of oceans, a huge organization's Navy should at least know political issues in their region.
Otherwise, the soldiers' ability to respond becomes wildly uneven… I think?
I was shocked how many soldiers didn't even know the basics about their assigned nations.
At least teach them to study culture.
"It was only the surface level."
"No, even Vice Admiral Tsuru was surprised at her growth. In that chaos, she quickly rebuilt the chain of command around you. Even experienced officers wouldn't manage that," Zephyr insisted.
"With the experience she gained under you, we planned to have her help raise new Marines to support Fleet Admiral Sengoku's command. That was our plan, but…" Zephyr paused.
Our plan.
Meaning the Navy's plan.
So if that's the case…
"The Government?"
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