That afternoon on Golden Crown Island, the sunlight was lazy and indulgent.
After finishing their dock "inspection," the trio returned to their suite.
"Since we're waiting until tomorrow to act," Rain said, standing by the huge window and looking down at the bustling shopping street below, "how about we go out for a walk?"
He turned back and spoke to Gion, who was wiping down her blade.
"In a while we'll be heading back to Marineford. It's been a long time—I want to buy some small gifts for a few friends from the training camp. And…"
Rain smiled and pointed outside.
"Nelson that old fox definitely won't miss any chance to watch us. If we go out and stroll around, it'll help lower his guard."
Gion paused, then slid Konpira back into its sheath.
"Fine," she said, standing and smoothing the slight wrinkles in her clothes. "As your supervisor, I can't let you go wandering alone anyway."
She said "supervisor," but there was a faint lightness in her tone she didn't notice.
If anyone else had made such an obvious "date" invitation, the famously cool rear admiral wouldn't have even lifted an eyelid.
But with Rain, she strangely couldn't bring herself to refuse. Being around him always gave her a rare sense of ease.
"Smoker, coming?" Rain turned toward the corner and offered an obviously fake invitation.
Smoker lifted his eyes, scanned Rain's half-smiling face, then the silent Gion who was clearly waiting.
Even with his usually blunt brain, a sudden spark of instinct seemed to strike him: if he actually said yes right now, something terrifying would happen.
"Not going."
Smoker looked away. "I've never liked shopping."
Rain didn't force it. He simply smiled and left with Gion.
…
Fifteen minutes later, on the busiest stretch of Golden Crown Island—the "Royal Avenue."
Their first stop was the most high-end clothing boutique in the district.
Since Gion had brought only crisp uniforms on this mission, Rain used "military clothing is too conspicuous" as an excuse and—quite forcefully—dragged the rear admiral into the shop.
Rain had already changed into a casually tailored black shirt and trousers, sleeves loosely rolled up, making him look tall and sharply defined.
He wasn't posing, but the confidence and composure that came from absolute strength made him impossible to ignore.
He stepped out of the fitting room first and waited at the doorway.
And then—
When Gion emerged from the changing room, Rain's gaze brightened slightly.
She wore a deep red, high-slit gown, perfectly cut to her tall figure, with a white fringed shawl draped casually over her shoulders. Her long hair—usually tied back—was pinned up loosely, shedding some of a soldier's edge and gaining the mature allure of a woman.
"Is it… strange?"
With Rain staring, Gion tugged at the shawl a little, cheeks faintly pink.
"I wear uniforms all the time at Headquarters. Suddenly dressing like this—doesn't it look… inappropriate?"
"No. It suits you."
Rain looked into her eyes and delivered a precise assessment.
"This outfit matches your presence—dangerous, and captivating… like a red spider lily blooming at the edge of a battlefield."
"Red spider lily…"
Gion blinked, then laughed softly—pleased at being admired.
"It doesn't sound very lucky… but I'll take the compliment."
Just as they were about to leave, Gion remembered something. She went to the counter, lowered her voice, and took out her wallet.
"Put that gentleman's bill on mine too."
She knew exactly what a Headquarters sergeant's pay was. This was Golden Crown Island's top boutique. The "simple" suit Rain wore likely cost more than all his allowances combined since enlistment.
To keep the boy—who always acted so composed—from feeling awkward at the register, she quietly decided to protect his pride.
But the clerk froze, then smiled professionally.
"Ma'am, that gentleman has already paid for both of you."
"Both… paid?" Gion jolted, nearly dropping her wallet.
She instinctively looked down at her own deep red custom dress. She'd secretly checked the tag earlier—the price had made even a Headquarters rear admiral's heart ache. She'd hesitated a long time before deciding to buy it.
That number was a fortune a sergeant couldn't save in ten years even if he ate nothing.
Gion snapped her head toward the door.
Rain stood with his back to her, watching the street, showing no trace of pain from spending a fortune.
She hurried outside and stopped beside him, eyes sharp with suspicion and disbelief.
Gion lowered her voice urgently.
"That dress cost—how could you afford it? Where did you get that much money?"
Rain looked unconcerned.
He adjusted his cuff and said calmly, "Mock Town's pirates sponsored it."
Then, very politely, he offered his arm.
"That's stolen money," Gion frowned.
Her Marine instincts flared—by regulation, seized pirate assets should be logged and turned in; using them privately was a disciplinary violation.
"Even if it's confiscated, you still can't—"
Her words stopped halfway.
Afternoon sunlight fell across Rain. The black fitted suit emphasized his straight posture and cold, composed aura, the slightly open collar adding a hint of wildness.
He stood there like scenery—without doing anything.
Gion stared at that dangerously handsome face, then at the suit that looked like it had been made for him.
The lecture about "discipline" and "turning it in" spun once in her throat—then she swallowed it.
"…Forget it."
She coughed lightly, looked away awkwardly, and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.
"Anyway… they can't report you now. S-so… whatever."
"Wise choice, Rear Admiral."
They walked side by side through the street. The "handsome man + beautiful woman" pairing immediately drew countless gazes.
They wandered until dusk, finally arriving at a high-end seaside restaurant.
It was the island's finest place; the terrace offered a sweeping view of the harbor and sea.
As the sun set, golden light spilled across the water, gilding the city's perfect façade.
The streets were crowded. Well-dressed men and women strolled, children ran with balloons, and distant street musicians played cheerful tunes.
If you ignored the darkness underground, it really did look like paradise.
Gion swirled her red wine, eyes drifting to a family of three on a bench outside—sharing their day, faces full of genuine happiness.
"Rain," she said suddenly, voice low. "Do you think… the people living here are happy?"
Rain followed her gaze and replied evenly, "Probably. No pirates harassing them, plenty of money, perfect security. In this chaotic era, it's a rare safe haven."
"Yes… a safe haven…"
Gion gave a bitter laugh and drained her wine. Her fingers traced the rim of the glass, eyes clouded.
"If you don't think about the price, it really is like you said."
She turned to Rain.
"If we win tomorrow—if we tear down the umbrella protecting this place—we'll destroy the order this sea route relies on."
"Once they lose Duke Victor's protection, this busiest golden route will draw pirates like sharks smelling blood."
"Then the people laughing right now might be driven from their homes… or die."
Her voice trembled.
"We destroy evil for justice… but could bring disaster to more people. Is that… the price of justice?"
Rain looked at Gion as she spiraled into doubt and stayed silent for a moment.
Then he picked up the wine and refilled her glass.
"Rear Admiral, you think you're looking at happiness."
Rain's voice was calm and firm, cutting straight to the heart.
"Prosperity built on compromise and weakness—the more dazzling it is, the more brutal it becomes when it shatters."
A cold edge flashed in Rain's eyes.
"As for the future—if pirates come, kill them all. If order collapses, rebuild order."
"If we tolerate evil now because we fear future chaos, then what are we Marines for?"
Rain's mouth curved into a confident smile as he looked into her eyes.
"If that so-called Crystal-Diamond Duke can intimidate pirates in this region by himself…"
A faint, world-scornful aura rose from him.
"Then why can't I?"
Gion stared at the boy in front of her.
The last light of sunset traced his profile. That matter-of-fact confidence made her go momentarily blank.
All her worries about the future suddenly felt like pointless noise.
She drew a breath, smiled again, and raised her glass.
"You're right. For justice."
"For justice."
Their glasses met with a clear, crisp clink.
~~~
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