"Hoh~"
"This place is really thriving!"
"Dressrosa truly lives up to being one of the World Government's largest affiliated kingdoms."
"Even in the harsh conditions of the New World, they've managed to build something this prosperous."
In the heart of the city, Borsalino strolled leisurely through the streets, hands in his pockets, dressed in a bright yellow suit, white leather shoes, and a matching white hat.
Under Admiral Sengoku's orders, Borsalino had disembarked from Ship No. 0 and returned to Dressrosa to investigate the Marine base run by Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Yet for all his orders, he hadn't quite decided where to begin. For now, he wandered the city, hoping to hear something from the locals.
But before gathering information, he first needed to get a feel for the land.
It was September, and the weather in Dressrosa remained scorching hot. Compared to the locals' breezy attire, Borsalino's buttoned-up suit stuck out like a sore thumb.
Sensing the stares he was drawing, he ducked into a nearby clothing store.
When he emerged, he had undergone a complete transformation.
He now wore a yellow floral beach shirt, loose yellow board shorts with a sun design, and bright yellow flip-flops. Even his sunglasses gleamed in the sunlight.
He hadn't even used his Devil Fruit powers, yet just standing there, the glow from his outfit was enough to make passersby squint.
"Moo~ This weather's something else... finally cooled down a bit."
Carrying a large shopping bag, Borsalino tilted his head toward the sun, a lewd grin spreading across his face despite being only in his thirties.
Put him side-by-side with that "Uncle from Another World," and you'd struggle to tell who was who.
"Oi~"
A teasing voice slipped into his ear from behind, light and crisp.
"The air in my Marine base is even cooler."
"Vice Admiral Borsalino, care to stop by for some tea?"
Borsalino's sunglasses slipped slightly down the bridge of his nose. His eyes widened in disbelief.
There was definitely a voice behind him... but he couldn't sense anyone's presence at all.
That eerie realization sent chills down his spine.
He slowly turned.
At some point, a red-haired youth had appeared behind him, dressed in a red short-sleeved uniform. A flame-shaped scar marked his forehead, and his face wore a calm, faint smile. Bright eyes stared directly at him.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Borsalino fell silent. He hadn't expected to be discovered so quickly after arriving in Dressrosa. Forget investigating the Dawn Division, he probably wouldn't even be able to move freely anymore.
In other words, Sengoku's mission might already be a bust.
"Vice Admiral Borsalino, why so quiet?"
"Coming here on vacation and not even telling me… I'm practically a local now, you know. As a host, I really must do my part."
"I figured you were too busy with official duties last time, didn't get the chance to greet you properly."
"Well, now we can really catch up."
Yoriichi's polite tone made Borsalino even more uncomfortable. He had met the young Vice Admiral only a few times and couldn't recall having anything to "catch up" on.
"Heh… Sorry about that."
"Vice Admiral Tsugikuni, I just wanted to walk around Dressrosa a bit."
"Don't be fooled by my looks, I'm a solo traveler at heart."
Pushing up his sunglasses, Borsalino spoke slowly, his body beginning to shimmer with golden light as he initiated his elemental transformation.
"Sayōnara~"
His body was already scattering into particles of light when,
A hand grasped his wrist.
The transformation stopped abruptly.
Borsalino's eyes narrowed. He looked down to find Yoriichi standing in front of him, firmly gripping his arm. The interruption had been caused by Haki.
"Heh. No need to rush, Vice Admiral Borsalino."
"It's been so long. Please allow me the honor of entertaining you."
"The tea in my office won't disappoint."
Still smiling, Yoriichi held his wrist tightly.
"…Well then… I suppose I'll be imposing on you."
Borsalino realized he had no choice.
He'd planned to test the waters with a quick escape. If Yoriichi hadn't been able to stop him, he might have continued the investigation in secret.
But the way Yoriichi had intercepted him so cleanly made it clear, this boy had grown far more terrifying than when they met on Sonobe Island.
Escaping now would require a serious fight. And that went against the mission: investigate, not engage. If he caused an internal conflict, he'd be the one punished.
Better to go along with it.
"Welcome, then."
Yoriichi cheerfully led Borsalino back to the Dawn Division's coastal base.
Even before they arrived, Borsalino noticed something strange.
Two powerful auras, ones he had sensed earlier when arriving with Sengoku and Garp, were now gone.
Only two hours had passed since he'd landed.
Still, Borsalino didn't ask. He knew Yoriichi wouldn't answer truthfully anyway.
Soon they entered Yoriichi's office, where Borsalino was offered a seat on the sofa.
The view from the window wasn't bad. Gazing out over the sea, he felt his mind settle.
"Vice Admiral Tsugikuni, I must say, this is quite an impressive base. Even your office is bigger than mine back at headquarters."
With a chuckle, he praised the base, while discreetly scanning the room's layout with the corner of his eye.
"You like it?"
"If you do, I can speak to Admiral Sengoku and have you transferred here."
"You know how the New World is, pirates everywhere."
"I'm under immense pressure here."
"I was planning a major recruitment drive soon."
"I'll need a lot of experienced leaders. If you don't mind, I'd be happy to assign you a proper squad."
"And if your subordinates want to join, they're more than welcome."
"For someone of your strength, the New World would be a perfect stage."
Yoriichi sat beside him, still smiling, seemingly sincere.
"Heh, well, that's not really, "
Before Borsalino could refuse, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Yoriichi called.
Shimotsuki Koushirou entered, carrying a tray of tea.
After setting it down on the table, he quietly left.
Borsalino frowned.
That wasn't Kyros.
Generally speaking, a Vice Admiral's office was only accessed by their most trusted aides. And from what he knew, Kyros had been Yoriichi's adjutant.
Serving tea might seem like a menial task, but only someone truly trusted would be allowed to do it.
Seeing Koushirou, Borsalino's mind began racing.
Maybe Kyros had been sent away. Perhaps the two powerful auras had gone with him.
And the reason? Likely tied to Roger.
Though he hadn't heard the full conversation between Roger and Yoriichi, he'd caught fragments. Combined with their strange rapport, and Kyros' sudden disappearance, Borsalino pieced together a likely theory.
"Looks like Admiral Sengoku's instincts were spot on," he thought, eyes flickering with curiosity.
Yoriichi noticed the thoughtful expression on his face and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Even he hadn't expected this man, who looked like he'd eaten the "Pervert-Pervert Fruit", to have such sharp insight. Just a few glances, and he had deduced most of Kyros' movements.
"Well… since you're already here, might as well stay."
"I could really use another strong fighter."
He didn't know what Borsalino was thinking, but he had made up his mind.
A future admiral, a rare Logia user, what a blessing for the Dawn Division.
Smiling wider, Yoriichi sipped his tea.
Having multiple Vice Admirals in one base wasn't unusual. Take G-5 in the future, where the base commander was Vergo, but one of his squads was led by Vice Admiral Smoker. There were also several Rear and Commodores stationed there.
Multiple high-ranking officers kept power in check and prevented monopolies.
If Yoriichi proposed Borsalino's transfer, Sengoku wouldn't oppose it. He might even welcome it. Dressrosa's national and base size made it clear that the Dawn Division was destined to become a behemoth.
Installing a counterweight early would keep Yoriichi from growing too bold.
As the two sipped tea and exchanged pleasantries, time passed swiftly.
By evening, Yoriichi had "naturally" arranged lodging for Borsalino within the base.
That night, Borsalino lay on his bed, replaying everything he'd seen.
He pulled out a transponder snail and was just about to contact Sengoku when,
Boom!
An explosion rocked the port.
The ground shook violently.
Flames lit up the night sky.
"What the ?!"
Borsalino shot out of bed, flung open the door, and just as he stepped outside,
A thunderclap split the sky.
A blue figure dropped from the heavens and crashed into the ground in front of the Marine dormitory.
Thick dust filled the air, obscuring everything.
Expanding his Observation Haki, Borsalino sensed an overwhelming, bestial presence.
A gust of sea breeze cleared the smoke, revealing a towering figure emerging from the crater.
Golden hair. Muscular frame. A young man stepped forward.
Borsalino's brows rose slightly.
"…So scary."
"If I'm not mistaken, you must be, Douglas Bullet."
"A former crew member of the Pirate King's ship."
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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
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