"Hmm, is this the Fleet Admiral's chair? So hard! It's not comfortable at all. Where does your Marine budget even go?"
Nero patted the chair, leaned back, and looked disdainful.
'Where do you think the Marine budget goes? For enjoyment? You wicked Emperor!'
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's eye twitched uncontrollably. He forced a smile and asked, "Do you need me to find you another chair?"
He had to smile. The current Nero was fully capable of influencing the Marine's budget, so when Fleet Admiral Sengoku heard Nero was coming, he started figuring out how to get her to leave.
Unfortunately, she didn't play by the rules at all, and his preparations were completely useless.
"No, that's not necessary, but…" Nero glanced at the office: "Hmm, it really is as dirty as you said."
Actually, the office was quite clean, but it looked messy due to the accumulation of documents.
"Haha, as a man, I'm inevitably a bit sloppy in this regard. How about we leave quickly, His Majesty Nero? We've prepared a lavish welcome banquet for you in the mess hall."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku still wouldn't give up, trying to steer Nero back to the original plan.
"There's no rush for that. Hmm, a guest has been here for so long and hasn't even been offered a cup of tea. Is this how the Marine treats its guests?"
Nero tapped her finger on the table unhurriedly, speaking slowly.
"Go! Bring me the high-grade tea leaves from the drawer in my bedroom." Fleet Admiral Sengoku's heart bled as he said this, then he paused: "And Garp's donuts, senbei, and other snacks from his bedroom."
When he looked back at Nero, he switched to a smiling face: "Just a moment, it'll be ready soon!"
Since Nero was no longer a pirate, Fleet Admiral Sengoku didn't mind treating her like a spoiled brat. After all, with her background as an Emperor and a Celestial Dragon, being unreasonable wasn't out of the ordinary.
Nero, on the other hand, was a bit displeased. Fleet Admiral Sengoku's attitude, as if she had found a soft persimmon to squeeze, robbed Nero of much of her sense of accomplishment.
As the Empress of Nicuss, she had seen too many such soft persimmons. They weren't springy at all, just mushy and uninteresting.
So Nero fell silent, beginning to ponder how to provoke Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was also at a loss when Nero suddenly stopped talking, but he didn't speak rashly. The Fleet Admiral's office suddenly became quiet.
Soon, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's tea leaves and Garp's snacks were brought over. Watching Hathaway casually grab a large handful of tea leaves and toss them into the teapot, Fleet Admiral Sengoku felt a pain in his heart so intense it was hard to breathe.
He was usually busy with official duties, and as Fleet Admiral, he was an honest official. This was his only small pleasure, yet it was being squandered by Nero, this rich dog.
Once the tea had steeped, Nero, not minding the heat, immediately drank half a cup. It was a bit bitter at first, but then a refreshing aroma filled her mouth.
Compared to Fleet Admiral Sengoku's green tea, Nero usually drank black tea, but an occasional change of pace felt quite nice.
Especially seeing Fleet Admiral Sengoku's unnaturally pained expression, much of the frustration Nero had felt in the past few days dissipated.
"Hmm, Hathaway, this tea is quite good. Remember to take it all when we leave."
"This… the tea I, a rough man, drink, I'm afraid it might not suit His Majesty Nero's taste?"
Almost as soon as Nero finished speaking, Fleet Admiral Sengoku couldn't help but interject, trying to save his tea leaves.
"It's alright, I occasionally experience commoners' food, so there's no need to worry that I won't be accustomed to it."
"Haha… ha, is… is that so? That's good then…" Anyone could tell how forced Fleet Admiral Sengoku's words were.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! I actually think highly of you as Fleet Admiral. You need to have long-term vision, be generous with your spending. How can a man of the sea be so petty?"
Nero put down her teacup and suddenly became earnest.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was a bit dazed. Why did these words sound familiar? Like a high-ranking World Government official coming to the Marine to take advantage?
But this was Nero? The world's richest person, with rumors saying her daily expenses sometimes exceeded his entire lifetime's as Fleet Admiral.
Would such a person come to the Marine to take advantage?
Not sure, let's see!
"It's already mealtime, but I have no appetite at all. Hmm, it's truly a headache."
Nero rested her head on her hand, sighing, looking troubled.
Behind her, Hathaway understood and cooperatively massaged Nero's temples gently.
"Your Majesty must not have had her pre-meal dessert yet today. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, would you mind preparing some for Her Majesty?"
"Oh, that's no problem. Is there anything specific you'd like to eat?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku frowned, not quite understanding what this master and servant pair were up to.
"Hmm, I'm not particular about that. Natural ones, the more unique the patterns, the better. I usually like to eat these strange and exotic fruits."
...The dagger was revealed when the map was unfurled. Why didn't you just say Devil Fruit? So circuitous and subtle.
You're a Devil Fruit user, and you want pre-meal fruit? Would I dare let you eat it if I put it here?
Fleet Admiral Sengoku grumbled inwardly. How could such strategic materials be so casually given to Nero? Are you really treating me like a soft persimmon with all this politeness?
"I'm sorry, His Majesty Nero, we Marines don't have such fruits. We're all busy maintaining peace in the sea every day, we don't have time to enjoy ourselves like you."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's tone was flat. You little girl, do you really think the Fleet Admiral can be manipulated so easily?
"Hmm, is that so? Then it seems I was asking too much." Nero didn't argue, nodding understandingly.
"It's good that you understand…"
"Hathaway, notify the Gorosei. Let them see how they manage the Marine. They can't even afford a few fruits? Where does the budget go?"
Hathaway pulled out Satan Saint of the Gorosei's dedicated den den mushi: "Aye! Your Majesty, I'll contact Satan Saint right away."
"But! What a coincidence, Kuzan just happened to find two yesterday when he returned. Clear patterns and vibrant colors, perfectly matching His Majesty Nero's requirements."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku waved his hand at Hathaway: "No need for the den den mushi. This small matter doesn't warrant that."
Who knew Nero would speak: "Only two? Have Satan Saint send one over. I'll be waiting in the Marine office!"
"Oh, my memory! Three! It's three! Zephyr also picked one up two days ago." Fleet Admiral Sengoku slapped his head in annoyance, wishing he could knock himself out. What a sin!
"It's fine, I'll just have Satan Saint send it. You all can keep yours to eat."
"Heh, we rough men don't understand how to appreciate them anyway. Let His Majesty Nero taste them! Satan Saint is quite busy on a daily basis, so there's no need to trouble him."
"Really? Wouldn't that be too extravagant?"
"A few fruits aren't worth much. As long as His Majesty Nero enjoys them, that's enough."
"Hmm, then I'll accept them?"
"Of course! If you can't finish them, take them with you!"
"Hmm, thank you, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you're really a good fellow!"
"Ha… haha… uhahaha…"
"Mwah ha ha ha ha…"
For a moment, laughter filled the room, and both host and guest were thoroughly pleased...
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