Chapter 98: G-8 Fortress – Infiltration, Kitchens & Covert Deals
"Damn it… we actually fell right into G-8 Fortress… what a pain." Sol sighed helplessly, casually straightening the stolen Navy uniform he was wearing. He pulled the cap low over his eyes and blended into a patrol squad, scanning the busy fortress: "Where the hell did Nami and the others run off to?"
It was all his fault—if he hadn't whispered those blush-inducing "shopping suggestions" in Nami's ear, the navigator wouldn't have fled in embarrassment from Vivi and Robin's knowing stares, claiming she needed a bath and locking herself in her room. With no one watching the helm, the course drifted. By the time they noticed, the octopus balloon had already deflated by more than half.
Thanks to Usopp's emergency Blow Wind Dial installation and Sol's Sky Dragon Slayer Magic, the Merry managed a safe landing in the harbor. But in the chaos, the crew scattered to evade Navy searches.
"Didn't expect to come back here… kinda nostalgic…" Sol moved smoothly through the fortress corridors, nodding politely to passing Navy soldiers. "This place is like a maze. I remember we turn left next…"
Knock knock. He stopped at a familiar office door and rapped lightly.
"Come in." A steady male voice answered from inside. Sol's lips curved slightly as he pushed the door open: "Vice Admiral Jonathan, good evening!"
"Hm, good evening." Jonathan didn't look up, still fiddling with his fishing rod. "Is this about the report on that Straw Hat ship that fell from the sky?"
When the visitor didn't answer and instead dragged a chair over and sat down casually, Jonathan finally raised his head. He froze for a second, rubbed his eyes, and muttered under his breath: "Don't tell me I'm really dealing with a ghost ship…"
"Saaashi buri da ne, Vice Admiral Jonathan~" Sol greeted the mustachioed Vice Admiral with a cheeky grin.
"It really is you, kid!" Jonathan set down the rod and studied the young man carefully. "It's been years. The little brat's all grown up now."
He suddenly chuckled at Sol's outfit: "Gotta say, you look surprisingly decent in Navy uniform. Finally decided to report for duty at G-8?"
"Cut it out." Sol picked his nose without a shred of decorum. "I'm wearing this to sneak in and find you. I'm a proper pirate now, you know."
Jonathan's expression darkened slightly: "Sakazuki mentioned that incident to me later… I can understand why you left the Navy." He changed the subject: "But how did that ship fall from the sky? And…" He stood, lit a cigar, and walked to the safe. "We confiscated quite a treasure trove from it."
As the safe opened, golden light flooded the entire office. Sol counted on his fingers: "Some of this came from Drum Island, some from defeating Crocodile… and the rest…" He winked mysteriously. "…was brought back from the Golden City."
"Golden City?!" Jonathan's cigar nearly fell from his mouth. "The one from Noland's story? It actually exists?"
"Heh heh, of course." Sol rocked back in his chair smugly. "It was carried up to the sky island by the upward current four hundred years ago. We went through one hell of an adventure just to get up there."
"I see…" Jonathan nodded in realization. "So that's why your ship dropped out of the sky!"
"Let's make a deal, kid." Jonathan stroked his mustache, eyes glinting slyly.
"Oh?" Sol leaned forward, interested. "What kind of deal, Uncle Jonathan?"
"Back when Vice Admiral Garp dumped you here, he never imagined you'd clean out every pirate within a hundred miles." Jonathan blew a smoke ring, nostalgia in his eyes. "You wiped out pirates with bounties over a million berries, making G-8's reputation skyrocket."
He stood and pointed out the window at the naval port: "These past few years, this sea area has practically become a pirate no-go zone. Now those pirates would rather starve and take long detours than risk resupplying near G-8."
Sol crossed his legs: "Sounds pretty good to me."
"Good?" Jonathan suddenly slammed the desk excitedly. "Now the new recruits walk around with their noses in the air! They've never seen real storms, but they've already learned to look down on colleagues from other branches!" He leaned close, practically spitting as he spoke: "Headquarters inspection is coming up soon—this is directly tied to next year's budget allocation!"
"Hey hey, you're spraying spit on my face!" Sol pushed the old face away in disgust.
Jonathan straightened his tie and flashed a cunning smile: "So… I want you to cause a big ruckus inside the fortress. Let these greenhouse flowers see what a real powerhouse looks like." He lowered his voice: "Just don't kill anyone."
"Pirate invasion drama? Sounds fun~" Excitement flashed in Sol's eyes.
"After it's done, your treasure will be returned intact." Jonathan extended his hand. "With the Straw Hat Pirates' strength, breaking out shouldn't be hard, right?"
Their hands met in mid-air with a sharp clap.
"I'll accept on behalf of the crew. But right now everyone's scattered…"
"No rush." Jonathan tossed him a cigar with an evil grin. "Let the rookies sweat a little first. A full fortress search is pretty entertaining."
In the dimly lit office, the two schemers puffed smoke and occasionally let out sinister "hehehe" laughs.
Meanwhile, Sanji and Luffy had slipped into the Navy cafeteria. By some twist of fate, the cooks mistook them for the Marley brothers who had supposedly come from Mariejois to G-8.
"Hey! You two!" A cook suddenly blocked the casually strolling Luffy and Sanji. "You're the Marley brothers from Mariejois, right?"
"Hah?" Sanji, cigarette in mouth, looked utterly confused.
"How dare you call G-8 a backwater dump! And insult us as useless cooks who can't make food!" The surrounding cooks closed in, kitchen knives and ladles glinting under the lights.
Sanji rubbed his temple: "What the… they've got the wrong people, haven't they?"
"It's you two! The spendthrifts who blow a million berries a week on ingredients!" A clear, sharp rebuke came from the stove.
A blonde female chef was expertly flipping a pan; flames licked at the sizzling steak. With a flick of her wrist, the steak traced a perfect arc and landed precisely in a plate three meters away.
"Meat!!" Luffy's drool instantly formed a river.
"Beautiful lady!!" Sanji's eyes turned into hearts.
"I'm Jessica, head chef of G-8 Fortress." The female chef stood with hands on hips, her uniform outlining impressive curves. "The kitchen is the Navy's most sacred place. Anyone without real skill isn't allowed to touch a single utensil here!" She jabbed a finger at her chest. "Remember—cooking is all about heart!"
Sanji exhaled a smoke ring and stepped forward slowly: "I don't know what's going on here…" His gaze suddenly sharpened. "…but are you trying to teach me how to cook, beautiful lady?"
"I'm not trying to say anything that grand. I'm just saying we have pride too. If you two don't have any real skill to show, then don't even think about being a cook here!" Jessica stood with hands on hips, staring straight at Sanji.
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