The Marines had captured "Fire Fist" Ace and officially decided to execute him, signaling a full-scale move against the Whitebeard Pirates.
The news sent shockwaves across the entire world.
Even Boa Hancock, usually hopelessly lovestruck, snapped back to reality. Her expression turned grave, while her two younger sisters looked visibly frightened.
"They're really going after the Whitebeard Pirates?" Moria blurted out in disbelief.
"Twenty years ago, the Pirate King's final words sparked the Great Age of Piracy," Kojin said with a faint smile. "Compared to back then, the world is even more dangerous now. This marks the beginning of a whole new era of chaos."
He didn't seem bothered by the stunned looks around him.
"The summons for the Seven Warlords of the Sea wasn't supposed to be sent out until later, but since we're all here today, I might as well mention it now."
After a brief pause, his smile returned.
"There's no need to worry. The Marines have prepared thoroughly for this war. With your support... even against the Whitebeard Pirates, nothing will go wrong."
Kuma remained silent.
Moria's expression shifted several times before he finally let out a long breath and laughed. "Hehihihihi! Fine, I'll leave it to you."
Hancock frowned thoughtfully for a moment before speaking. "I'll be there."
The Warlord summons came directly from the World Government. Since she had agreed to the alliance, there was no refusing the order. Besides... the one personally delivering the invitation was the man she loved.
"Good. My trip here was to tell you those two things. And while I was at it... I wanted to see you again." Kojin smiled warmly. "It's been years, Hancock. You've changed a lot."
The seriousness instantly melted from Hancock's face like snow under the sun, replaced by shy happiness. "I-I haven't changed that much..."
Kojin simply smiled.
The welcoming banquet soon began. As expected of Amazon Lily, there was no shortage of delicious food, fresh fruit, or fine wine.
Perona looked around the entire time, muttering to herself,
"They're all women... So... how do they have children?"
A massive question mark practically hovered over her head, making Kojin glance at her with amusement.
After the banquet, it was time to leave.
"Husband... won't you stay a little longer?" Unable to hold back, Hancock chased after him and blurted out what had been on her mind.
The moment those words left her mouth, veins bulged painfully on Elder Nyon's forehead. Meanwhile, Hancock's two younger sisters looked delighted, silently cheering her on. Clearly, they fully approved of this marriage.
Kojin couldn't help laughing. "A major war is about to begin, and official duties are piling up. I'm afraid I can't stay any longer."
Hancock lowered her head in disappointment and quietly mumbled, "I... wanted to have a few children with you..."
In that brief moment, she had already imagined an entire lifetime together with Admiral Kojin. A beautiful wedding. An endless sea of roses. The blessings of family and friends. An exciting wedding night that couldn't be shared with outsiders. Then, a few chubby children...
Kojin looked at her with gentle affection and reached over to pat her head. "We have plenty of time. We can talk about us after all this is over."
Hancock immediately perked up. Her eyes sparkled brightly as she nodded over and over. "Mhm! Mhm! Mhm!"
A short while later, the 'Crocodile' departed from Amazon Lily.
Watching Hancock clasp her hands tightly against her chest, Elder Nyon sighed inwardly.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse for Amazon Lily to have such a lovestruck empress... she honestly couldn't tell.
And this Marine Admiral named Kojin clearly wasn't someone to underestimate. If Hancock truly married him, what kind of future awaited Amazon Lily?
---
Aboard the 'Crocodile'...
Perona stared at Kojin with a mischievous grin plastered across her doll-like face.
"What's with that creepy look?" Kojin frowned.
He had to admit, the Ghost Princess was surprisingly fearless. Ever since boarding the ship, she had treated him without the slightest hesitation, constantly teasing him. Kuma and Moria would never dare do something like that.
"Hehehe... hehehehe... There's definitely something going on between you and Empress Hancock! She actually called you 'Husband!'" Perona's eyes gleamed as her gossip instincts burned at full power.
"None of your business," Kojin said, rolling his eyes.
"Come on, tell us! The romance between the Marines' strongest Admiral and the world's most beautiful pirate! It has to be romantic! Super touching!" Perona babbled excitedly.
Finding the girl increasingly annoying, Kojin simply closed his eyes. Even so, his Observation Haki clearly picked up Perona bouncing around him. Even Moria and Kuma were wearing curious, expectant expressions.
The entire ship had turned into a giant gossip club. Sure enough, a love for drama was just basic human nature.
"So... have you ever had a girlfriend? Ever been in love? ...Are you still a virgin?" Perona's eyes shone with excitement. No one would have guessed such bold questions could come out of her mouth.
In an instant, Kuma and Moria's eyes widened so much they nearly popped out, their faces overflowing with even more curiosity.
"She's got guts... actually asking Admiral Kojin something that embarrassing..." Hogback whispered to Absalom beside him.
Kojin immediately noticed Hogback trying to hold back his laughter too. He finally admitted defeat; this little brat really had no filter.
His eyes snapped open, shooting Perona an icy glare. She instantly shrank back, floated over to Kuma's shoulder, sat down, and patted her chest dramatically.
"You scared me to death! Wait... don't tell me, Admiral Kojin... you're really, "
"Enough!" Kojin finally exploded. "Ask one more question about my private life, and I'll fry you to ashes!"
Crackling arcs of lightning burst from his body with a sharp 'zzzt'.
Perona stuck out her tongue and quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
An awkward silence settled over the ship. A moment later, she lowered her hands and glanced at Moria, whose expression looked strangely complicated.
'He's actually a pretty easygoing guy,' Perona thought, a smile spreading across her face.
Sitting on Kuma's shoulder with her legs swinging, she rested her chin on one hand and watched Kojin's broad back as he faced away from them.
Her eyes gleamed with interest. Though she looked like a young girl, she was already twenty-three years old. She was mentally mature, and the tall figure before her was undeniably attractive.
Meanwhile, Kojin's mood had completely darkened. Perona's teasing had landed critical hits.
After living in this world for over twenty years... he was, in fact, still a virgin.
As for the ten girls back in Kano Country? Kojin insisted they had merely played Flying Chess together. His incredible board game skills had earned unanimous praise and wholehearted admiration from all ten of them.
The warship soon left the Calm Belt and sailed toward Marineford, arriving later that same day.
No sooner had Kojin disembarked than he received word that his teacher, Vice Admiral Garp, had already arrived and personally escorted Ace to Impel Down.
His eyes narrowed. He made no comment, focusing instead on another report.
"So the Marines have already announced Ace's capture to the entire world..."
It wasn't hard to imagine what would happen next. As newspapers were printed and distributed, the news would rapidly spread across the globe.
"So... the curtain has finally risen on this war," he spoke softly.
Turning around, he looked at Kuma and Moria. "For the time being, I'll have to ask the two of you to stay by my side."
Kuma nodded quietly.
Moria's eyes flickered. He hadn't forgotten why he had agreed to follow Kojin in the first place: this man had promised to help him reclaim everything he had once lost.
A short while later, the group returned to Kojin's training grounds. The sounds of clashing blows and loud shouts echoed across the field.
Kojin looked over and smiled. Rob Lucci had improved tremendously, now capable of confidently suppressing the rest of CP9 even while fighting several of them at once. The members of Baroque Works were training just as hard, every one of them drenched in sweat.
Moria's gaze landed on the battlefield, especially on the cold-faced man taking on three opponents alone. His pupils contracted. "That guy..."
"His name is Rob Lucci. He'll be your opponent in the future," Kojin said with a smile. He then pulled out a Den Den Mushi and gave a few brief instructions.
"My opponent?" Moria narrowed his eyes.
"Before you can reclaim everything you've lost, there's one very important mission waiting for you."
"What mission?"
"Lose weight." Kojin grinned. "Get rid of every bit of that ugly fat and all that laziness you've been carrying around. Of course, once training starts, whether you want to lose it or not won't be up to you anymore."
Moria's eyes widened. He still had no idea what kind of nightmare awaited him.
"Kuma, until the war begins, I'll leave medical support for these idiots in your hands." Kojin's smile grew even wider. "Because over the next while... I'm putting them through an Asura-level hell training camp."
Kuma nodded. "Understood."
Suddenly, Kojin turned toward Perona, who was floating nearby, and flashed a frighteningly sinister smile. "You're joining too, Perona."
"What?! No way!" Perona instinctively shivered, shaking her head so hard it looked like a rattle drum.
Unfortunately, her opinion didn't matter.
Kojin swept his gaze over everyone, counted the members of his personal Hell Training Camp, and nodded in satisfaction. If they trained hard enough, every one of them would shine brilliantly in the coming war.
Training would begin tomorrow morning; today was simply for informing everyone.
That evening, however, two unexpected visitors arrived.
"Senior Brother Kojin! Master told us to train under you for a while!" Koby bowed so deeply his waist was nearly parallel to the ground, his voice tight with nervousness. Beside him, Helmeppo didn't dare say a single word.
Kojin frowned slightly and looked toward Bogard, who stood behind them. Bogard simply nodded.
"If this is Garp-sensei's decision... then you can stay. But..." A cold smile spread across Kojin's face.
"...if either of you can't endure what's coming, I'll throw you out without hesitation."
Koby and Helmeppo exchanged puzzled looks. Neither of them had the slightest idea just how brutal... or insane... the days ahead were about to become.
(End of Chapter)
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