"…It seems the Government sees Corporal Hina as someone very close to you," Zephyr admitted.
Don't tell me they want to use Hina as a hostage.
I'll beat them to death.
…If you ask whether I'm attached to her—yes, extremely.
I won't put her above my crew, but if something happened, could I stay calm…? No way.
Even if I act calm outwardly, inside I'd fall apart.
If the situation allowed it, causing a scene in the Holy Land would become an option real fast.
"Surely… it's not the Five Elders, right?"
"I do not know. But while you were separated from her, she was watched by several very skilled people," Zephyr revealed.
"…Not Marines, obviously."
"Mm. People we do not know," Zephyr confirmed.
That's basically the Five Elders!!
So that's why after the defensive battle, Hina brought her bed into my office and stayed every night!
I thought she was just helping me avoid attention after the fight with Shiki, but—
She never left my side.
Relying on a pirate to keep Marines safe… World Government, check your foundation. Really.
Those mid-rank officers with Jenetta and others… maybe their job wasn't observation, but guarding.
Well, if Hina stays with me, it'll be fine.
And honestly, the Government doesn't have enough reason to attack now.
If there is a problem, it's more likely—
"I understand. Whatever happens on this voyage, I will protect Hina and bring her safely to the West Blue."
"Thank you, Kuro. Hearing that eases my mind," Zephyr said gratefully.
…I'm a pirate though.
And she's a Marine… but I guess that can't be helped.
We sparred a few times when we had breaks, but she's still several steps below the Guard.
Her raw ability is high, though…
"I'll earn that trust. But in return, I have a request, Admiral Zephyr."
"Oh? Tell me. I'll do what I can," Zephyr replied.
"Please ensure the safety of Ms. Jenetta and the others."
They're in more danger.
They were treated like disposable tools from the start.
Looking back, maybe placing them near me—someone who dealt with Celestial Dragons often—was a way to make them sacrifices.
I'll do what I can on my side too.
During breaks, I prepared a plan—something like a proposal in my previous life, with documents proving its usefulness—and handed it to Admiral Zephyr.
"What is this?" Zephyr asked, taking the documents.
"A proposal for a new division I believe is essential for the Government's rule, along with supporting documents."
I meant to give it to Sengoku, but now that things have settled, it's better to follow steps instead of handing it directly up top.
Sengoku and Tsuru make cold, objective decisions when needed. For now, someone warm-hearted and grounded like Zephyr is better.
He flipped through the papers, let out a small breath, and adjusted his glasses. "…A unit specialized in helping rebuild areas damaged by pirates or war," Zephyr read aloud.
"Yes. Because of the nature of the division, it cannot use a large amount of manpower… but in emergencies, having a group that can act right away, without being slowed down by politics, will greatly change how many civilians survive, how stable the area becomes afterward, and most of all, how people see the Navy."
"And you want your subordinates to run it—" Zephyr began.
"No, Admiral. They are valuable people entrusted to me by the World Government, not my subordinates."
I have to give them proper titles and a clean story, or things could get dangerous.
I need to draw the lines clearly.
The Government will think keeping them together makes them easier to observe. The Navy will see them as a good bridge to the Government.
Which means both sides will find them hard to throw away—no, impossible to throw away.
From there, if they build real achievements and value, that should protect them.
I taught them everything I could with that in mind. They can do it. The problem isn't them—it's…
The reason I can only say "should" is because this is the World Government.
Because the World Nobles are exactly as rotten as they are.
I hate it, but that's how it is.
Even so, I have to do everything I can.
"…I'll speak with Vice Admiral Tsuru right away," Zephyr promised.
"If possible, also to Pinsher of the Health Department."
"Ah… He used to barge into your office every three days yelling and crying, didn't he?" Zephyr recalled.
"More like every two days. But he takes his duties seriously, and he truly understands that he carries the lives of the Government's people on his shoulders."
"…So he can be trusted?" Zephyr confirmed.
"He is the Government official I trust and respect the most."
Spandine will cut off people when things go bad, so I don't trust him much.
But when working toward the same goal—like the defensive battle or the rebuilding—he's very reliable.
"Kuro," Zephyr said seriously.
"Yes sir."
"Even as a hunted pirate, you held to a pride stronger than the justice we Marines fight for."
"…I swear to you—"
"I will protect those women," Zephyr vowed.
"…Thank you. Special Admiral Zephyr."
–
"The man in those letters is exactly the man I met…"
With Hina, the pirate who was chased by countless people yet loved by many more was sent off with deep regret.
Pinsher even grabbed him by the collar, yelling, "Stay in the Government, you fool! You still have mountains of work left! Even if you're a pirate, help me!!" while crying.
But the pirate boarded the Government ship and left.
They truly cared for him.
The people who worked under him—including Ms. Jenetta—watched him leave with real sadness.
Even long after the ship had become a tiny speck.
Pinsher cried himself into a seizure and had to be taken away on a stretcher.
To keep my promise, I must act at once… I'm bad at politics, but I must move.
To show that the Government sometimes raises talented outsiders as nobles, Kuro's name is already spreading across all seas, including the Grand Line.
At the same time, word has spread that he refused that offer.
The Government will push even harder on the Black Cats for refusing them… but many Marines worship him—no, adore him. Not only in the West Blue, but even in Marine Headquarters.
The soldiers who fought under his command against hundreds of zombie soldiers created by Gecko Moria.
And even more—parents and grandparents of second- and third-generation Marines support him strongly.
They are even holding quiet, unofficial meetings discussing reducing his charges—or even erasing his crimes—to bring him into the Marines.
I should talk to them first. They may have ideas I can't think of.
"Zephyr, you're here."
"Fleet Admiral," Zephyr replied.
Sengoku, older by a few years yet his old classmate, appeared without a sound.
"So you came all the way to the port."
"I'm sorry. I had to see Kuro off with my own eyes," Zephyr explained.
"…Kuro, huh," Sengoku muttered, looking slightly tense. He hesitated, and then said, "Zephyr."
"Yes."
"…We need to talk," Sengoku stated seriously.
–
"Admiral. Headquarters sent word—Captain Kuro sent notice. He will leave the Holy Land soon," an officer reported to Hancock.
"Mm. That is one relief."
"Not fully until we see him with our own eyes…" Galdino added.
In Mogwa's port, where they share a base with the Navy, the Black Cat First Fleet led by Boa Hancock had finished sorting their spoils and handing over items to the Navy.
They now gathered in the Black Cat station at the port.
In the large meeting room for high-ranking members, Hancock's sisters stood guard, and inside were the elite, including the Guard.
Hancock, the Admiral; Galdino, the strategist; Perona, who acted as observer; and Gild Tesoro, strategist of the main Black Cat crew.
Even a strong Navy squad would be crushed by these people.
They sat with dark expressions.
"Still… Kuzan left, and Commodore Taki's group got pushed aside…" Tesoro observed.
"With the moving island incident, they should be the unit with the biggest success in West Blue," Galdino pointed out.
News that the Marines who worked best with the Black Cats—those familiar with fighting beside them—were suddenly removed from Mogwa filled everyone with dread.
"Marines Captain Kuro favored—like Vigle and Barsenji—were moved as well. Tesoro, Galdino, what do you think?" Hancock asked.
"The Navy is splitting into two factions," Tesoro stated.
"I agree, Gild," Galdino chimed in.
Pirates usually drink alcohol, but in Black Cat meetings, tea is normal.
"One of the Guard girls told me this—the officer leading the Marines who transferred here walks a bit like the Captain. I've never met him myself, but I can imagine what that means," Galdino revealed, sipping his Earl Grey.
"As the Governor predicted, the Government is filling the Navy's missing spots with people loyal to them. They want to build a faction," Tesoro concluded.
"…Yeah. Even before Kuzan left, I noticed people moving like Kuro—just worse. Their steps were bigger, easier to read, and they couldn't use Haki. I sent ghosts to knock them out," Perona muttered while sipping cocoa, still moving ghosts around the room.
"So Fleet Admiral Sengoku can barely move now," Tesoro summarized.
"Yes. And for us… the new faction—let's call them the Government faction… no, the Noble faction. Depending on how they try to expand their power, our Black Cat movements will be affected too," Galdino elaborated.
Tesoro grimaced harder, remembering the new West Blue Branch Chief, Vice Admiral Hibakari.
His gaze toward Hancock was the same hateful gaze as the slavers who once tried to sell Tesoro's beloved woman.
"It may give the Marines an excuse, but…"
"For now we should lower our numbers, saying we're preparing for the farming season. And move our forces to Mopuchi."