Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku sat with his hands steepled in front of his face, lost in thought after hanging up the Den Den Mushi.
He reached into a large desk drawer, rummaging through the bounty posters of the East Blue until he pulled one out.
[Name: Moke][Bounty: 30,000,000 Berries]
Ordinarily, a thirty-million-Berry pirate wouldn't warrant a second glance from the Fleet Admiral. In the "Weakest Sea," that was a high figure, but on a global scale, it was a drop in the ocean. As long as they didn't enter the Grand Line or cause a massive incident, Headquarters left them to the local branches.
As for the 16th Branch and their frequent budget requests—the auditors had found the paperwork flawless. The only suspicious part was the frequency.
But now...
Sengoku frowned at the poster. It seems we may have misjudged the 16th Branch.
To escape Garp, to earn Garp's professional acknowledgment, and to have Garp suggest a jump to fifty million—this Moke was clearly not a pirate a single local branch could easily suppress. It was a miracle the 16th Branch had held them at bay for this long.
Why does a pirate this capable stay in the East Blue? Is he lacking ambition? If so, why does he keep harassing the 16th Branch? Is it a personal grudge?
Sengoku also recalled Dande. He had been a "genius Colonel" back in the day, but since his reassignment to the East Blue, his career had seemingly stagnated. Sengoku had wondered if Dande was just lazy and working with Moke to siphon funds.
But if Garp—his partner of many years—said otherwise, it had to be true. Garp was eccentric and lazy lately, but he would never lie about a pirate.
The Hero of the Marines wouldn't partner with a pirate... what would be the point?
Sengoku shook his head at the ridiculous thought and sighed. "It looks like a Great Pirate is emerging in the East Blue."
First Ace, and now this Moke. The "Weakest Sea" was becoming surprisingly turbulent.
Sengoku picked up a pen, crossed out the "3" on the poster, and wrote a "5." He looked up at his adjutant. "Notify the Bureau of Approval. The 16th Branch's requests are legitimate. Increase their allocated budget by another 10% on top of their requests. But tell Captain Dande... he must contain the Moke Pirates. They are not allowed to enter the Grand Line."
"No problem," Dande said, rubbing his temples as Nami glared at him. "I've already had Udo submit the request. It should hold us over for a while."
"Military funds?" Nami crossed her arms. "By the time the Navy approves and transfers them, who knows how long it'll take? Besides, it's not enough. The 16th Branch's training costs and equipment upgrades are ballooning, and the town infrastructure needs more capital."
She looked at him with disdain. "You lied to me. You said as 'Finance Minister' I'd see a mountain of money."
"Technically... I didn't lie. You do see a lot of money."
"I see it, and then it's gone before it even gets warm!" Nami slammed the desk. "I want to resign. Do you know how much it hurts to watch millions of Berries flow out of my hands? Even my own fifty million is gone!"
Dande offered a sheepish smile. Nami was the Finance Minister for both the 16th Branch and the Conomi Islands. She was hyper-sensitive to money and incredibly responsible, which made her perfect for the job.
He knew she wasn't truly upset about her personal savings—she was just venting.
"Training and equipment are expensive, yes," Dande said, standing up and walking toward her. "But it's necessary. Without strength, everything we've built here will be taken away by the next 'Arlong' or 'Nezumi' that walks through the door."
He looked her in the eyes, his voice softening with genuine gratitude. "You've worked so hard these last few years, Nami. Thank you. I'll find a way to fix the cash flow soon."
Nami's anger wavered under his sincere gaze. She looked away, huffing. "I... I was just complaining, okay?"
She turned to leave. "I'll talk to Nojiko and see if the orange factory can increase production. Honestly... at this rate, we'll have to sell orange jam to the Grand Line just to keep you from going bankrupt."
Once she was gone, Dande exhaled a long breath and wiped sweat from his brow.
Robin, watching from the side, rolled her eyes elegantly. "Boss, you really are black-hearted. Exploiting a young girl like that?"
"Exploitation? I prefer 'nurturing her potential,'" Dande said, sipping the tea Robin had poured for him. "Look how organized she is!"
"Black-hearted," Robin repeated with a small smile. "But she's right. Maybe some construction projects, like the road paving or the landscaping, should be paused."
"Don't worry about the money. It's a temporary hurdle," Dande said nonchalantly. "I'll have Moke hunt some 'rival' pirates for the bounties. And if that fails..."
His eyes gleamed. "I know where the City of Gold, Shandora, is. It's paved with gold. If we're desperate, we'll just go dig some up."
Robin froze. The City of Gold? Shandora? If it exists... does it have a Poneglyph?
She looked at Dande, ready to interrogate him, but then she saw his relaxed posture. Her tension vanished, replaced by her usual calm. "The City of Gold? If you know where it is, why haven't you told Nami? She'd be much less stressed."
"I..."
"Exactly! I'd like to know why you didn't tell me, too!"
A cold, mocking voice came from the doorway. Nami was back.
"???"
Dande nearly dropped his tea. He laughed nervously. "I... I just remembered it! I was just about to tell you! Hahaha... anyway, why are you back?"
"I came to ask about the swordsmanship instructor you promised," Nami said, her eyes narrowing as she stepped closer. "But now... what's this about 'nurturing my potential' and a 'City of Gold'?"
She cracked her knuckles. Her eyes suddenly turned teary, and she wailed, "Do you know how scared I've been?! Between the Inspectors and the debt?! And you had a solution all along?! How could you do this to me after all my hard work?!"
"I'm sorry!"
"Apologies won't fix my broken heart! Where is the City of Gold?!"
"It's on Sky Island!"
"Sky Island? Is it really full of gold?"
"Pretty much. There's a whole city made of it. Though a guy with a God complex has probably dug up half of it by now."
"Who?! I don't care! It's mine!"
Dande saw the predatory glint in Nami's eyes and realized she had completely stopped "crying."
I think I've been played...
Meanwhile, at the 16th Branch docks.
A young girl with short blue hair and a white katana at her waist approached a sentry. She looked nervous. "Excuse me, is this the Navy's 16th Branch?"
The Marine blinked, staring at her in shock. "Yes! Yes, it is! Petty Officer Tashigi? Why are you back? Did the Vice-Admiral forget something?"
"Tashigi? I'm not Tashigi." The girl shook her head in confusion. Once confirmed, she was in the right place, and she bowed slightly. "My name is Kuina. I am the junior fellow disciple of Captain Dande. I have come to see my Senior Brother."
"???"
Senior Brother Dande? Kuina?
The Marine stared at her. Petty Officer Tashigi, stop joking. Is this some kind of secret mission from Headquarters?
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