"Commander Cross seems to be in a bad mood recently!"
"I've noticed too. He's been gloomy all these past few days. I heard he went to Pukey, the City of Gourmet, a few days ago and killed every single pirate causing trouble, leaving no survivors!"
"Could it have something to do with Rear Admiral Tokikake confessing to Gion-san a few days ago? And Rear Admiral Tokikake was rejected by Gion-san for the third time, wasn't he?"
"It might also be related to the shadow behind Commander Cross. It's actually a female-shaped shadow, so strange and spooky!"
"Who knows, maybe it's just due to Commander Cross's Devil Fruit ability?"
"..."
Two Marine officers chatted in the hallway, smoking and gossiping about recent events.
Clearly, as a rising star in the Marines, Cross's every move was closely watched by many, and some matters even became fodder for after-dinner conversation.
Suddenly, Cross appeared beside them, expressionless. He said without a hint of emotion, "Next time you talk about other people, remember to check if the subject of your conversation is nearby!"
With that, he walked away, leaving the two men pale with fright. It took them a while to recover. Although Cross didn't press the issue, this incident would likely leave a significant psychological impact on them.
At this moment, Cross, clad in his clean and tidy coat of justice and with the famous blade Kagehide at his waist, strolled towards the Fleet Admiral's office door.
"Yo~ Long time no see!"
A man with an even more sleazy appearance than Borsalino greeted Cross with a playful smile, his hands in his pockets. He wore a yellowish-brown hat, a blue shirt, a yellow belly band, khaki capris, and wooden clogs, a cigarette dangling from his mouth—a truly slovenly appearance.
"Oh, it's Rear Admiral Tokikake. It has been a while!" Cross recognized the other man and managed a forced smile and a nod.
At this, Tokikake scrutinized Cross from head to toe, then suddenly leaned in, winking as he said, "I heard you're in a bad mood recently. Don't tell me you failed confessing to Gion-san too!"
Cross's face darkened, his facial muscles twitching slightly. He retorted, annoyed, "You're talking about yourself, aren't you! I remember this is your third time being rejected!"
"Hehe~ Only the third time. I swore I'd only marry Gion-san in this lifetime!" Tokikake was unfazed, instead stating seriously, "If three times doesn't work, then five times. If five times doesn't work, then ten times. Even if I'm rejected a hundred times, I won't give up!"
"Alright, Rear Admiral Tokikake, I hope you succeed then!" Cross mumbled, dismissively.
Subsequently, both entered the Fleet Admiral's office, where they saw Kong sitting behind his desk, frowning as he looked at a document in his hands, as if he had encountered something tricky.
However, after Kong heard footsteps, he looked up and saw Cross and Tokikake. The 'river' shape of his furrowed brows relaxed considerably.
"Have a seat first, and pour yourselves some tea."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral/Kong-san!"
Cross and Tokikake made themselves comfortable on a sofa chair.
"You two know about Fisher Tiger, right?" Kong looked at the two men a few meters away, cutting straight to the chase.
"Kong-san, you mean Fisher Tiger, the Fish-Man who caused a ruckus in Mariejois, right? Has he reappeared after disappearing for a few months?" Tokikake scratched his head, sounding puzzled.
"That's right. The Intelligence Division and the CP organization found traces of Fisher Tiger in Water 7. It seems he's organized a pirate crew, but the exact numbers and personnel are still unknown," Kong said grimly, his voice solemn.
"Do you need me to head to Water 7 now?" Cross frowned upon hearing this, his tone cold as he asked.
"No need, that was three days ago!" Kong explained. "The CP organization had intended to gather forces to capture Fisher Tiger, but he bought a large three-masted schooner in Water 7 and left that same night, destination unknown."
At this point, Tokikake raised his hand, looking bewildered, and asked, "By the way, Kong-san, why do Fish-Men need to take a ship? Shouldn't they just be able to stay in the water?"
"Perhaps Fisher Tiger just wants to experience human life, or maybe a fish tank isn't as comfortable as a bed!" Cross said in a deadpan voice.
"Do you think you're funny?" Tokikake glared at Cross, annoyed.
"Alright, well, for such a boring question, you can ask him yourself when you're capable enough to catch Fisher Tiger!" Cross spread his hands, completely unconcerned.
"Enough! You two, stop wasting time with idle chatter! I called you both here because I have a mission for you!" Kong glared fiercely at Tokikake and Cross, reprimanding them sternly.
Then, Kong saw the two men in front of him close their mouths, and his expression immediately turned serious. He said in a deep voice, "Tokikake, I need you to go to Fish-Man Island and personally ask King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom to find out which Fish-Men have joined Fisher Tiger's pirate crew!"
"Huh—"
Tokikake looked completely bewildered, speaking in a somewhat flustered manner. "Kong-san, isn't this a difficult task for me? Even if some Fish-Men joined Fisher Tiger's pirate crew, King Neptune probably wouldn't betray them, would he?"
"Don't worry, the reason I'm sending you isn't to actually find out which Fish-Men joined Fisher Tiger's pirate crew; that's just an excuse!" Kong shook his head and explained, "Tomorrow morning at 9 AM, World Government officials will depart with you. You will represent the Marines and the World Government to pressure the Ryugu Kingdom, to not allow them to shelter Fisher Tiger!"
"I see, I understand, Kong-san!"
Tokikake's face showed understanding, and he nodded.
"Good that you understand. Now go prepare!"
Kong waved his hand, dismissing him.
"Yes, Kong-san!"
Tokikake casually stood up, gave Kong a sloppy salute, and then turned to leave the office.
"Wait a moment, I'll just finish this document!"
Subsequently, Kong smiled gently at Cross, then lowered his head and began writing on the document on his desk with a quill.
The entire Fleet Admiral's office fell silent, with only Kong and Cross remaining, and the rustling sound of writing.
After a short while, Kong put down his quill, placed the processed document aside, and stretched leisurely, his bones cracking.
"This old body is truly exhausted!"
Kong complained to himself, then stood up, walked out from behind his desk, and sat down on the sofa chair where Tokikake had been sitting earlier.
"There's an important operation within the Marines recently, and I'm considering whether to have you participate," Kong said with some hesitation, looking at the young face before him.
"Could it be an attack on the Whitebeard Pirates? Or the Big Mom Pirates?" Cross asked expressionlessly, with a hint of teasing in his tone. "If that's the case, please be sure to let me join!"
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