"Ah, my apologies, Admiral Aokiji and Admiral Kizaru. I lost my composure there for a moment."
"Oh, well... that was way more than just 'a moment,' but if you've pulled yourself together, then whatever."
Yeah, really sorry about that.
It took me some time to get used to a sea voyage where I wasn't blindfolded or had my ears plugged, where there were no weights or chains on my feet, and where no blades, strikes, or even killing intent came flying at me. Hell, I couldn't even sense any sword energy in the air.
I kept expecting a ship-cleaving attack to come out of nowhere, and my vigilance must have agitated the Sea Kings in the water because we ended up having to hunt them down along the way...
It wasn't until we reached land and still faced no ambushes that I finally realized this place wasn't hell.
Haha.
"Still, Kuro, haven't you gotten ridiculously strong since I last saw you?"
"I don't really feel it myself, but I'd be in trouble if I hadn't gotten stronger."
No, really... if there hadn't been any progress after enduring that hellish death march while juggling work, what would have been the point?
Having Robin and Hancock handle most of the administrative duties, plus Tezoro joining in, finally gave me some free time. That was the unfortunate side effect.
I managed to land hits on Mihawk twice and Rayleigh once with my kicks, but after that came a barrage of counterattacks that left my face slashed and my spare glasses in my pocket shattered...
It was absolutely brutal, damn it!
"Anyway, it's good to see you again. And nice to meet you, Admiral Kizaru. Thank you so much for escorting the relief supplies this time."
Thanks to the large shipment of food arriving safely, the skyrocketing food prices have started to level off a bit.
This should help reduce the costs of pacifying the non-allied nations.
"No problem at all. Actually, thanks to you guys hunting down pirates, the journey was pretty quiet."
"No, that's thanks to the Marines who kept their eyes peeled and devoted themselves to daily patrol duties."
While our pirate crew has improved in quality through daily training, drills, and surprise beatdowns from the honor guard, the Navy still dominates when it comes to missions requiring numbers.
Because the Navy engages enemies and reports their positions, area commanders can quickly deploy reinforcements, and we can track down those heading for non-allied waters and strike them swiftly.
"As reported in advance, I've assigned Daz to base defense and maintenance, and Mihawk is taking Robin to expand our defensive positions. In their place, I've brought her as our mobile strike force."
As I stepped back, our new executive officer stepped forward.
"I'll be handling reconstruction centered around Mogwa, as well as mobile operations, in place of Mihawk."
"Oh, so you're that Kuja girl everyone's talking about?"
Borsalino, also known as Kizaru, spoke as if he'd spotted something rare.
Well, it probably is rare.
After all, a pirate from the Grand Line in the West Blue... actually, wait.
Grand Line pirates aren't that uncommon.
Right, what's rare is a warrior from Amazon Lily.
"Boa Hancock. She's my subordinate, recently appointed as First Fleet Admiral."
As I introduced her, Hancock saluted and said, "Please treat me well."
Just like with His Majesty, she can adapt properly to her surroundings.
Since the other party is the Navy, even though we're in a ceasefire, she's somewhat brusque rather than overly polite like she was with His Majesty.
"If you appointed her and brought her instead of the 'Marine Hunter,' does this girl handle domestic affairs too?"
"I wouldn't make her do farm work or construction, but she can manage our headquarters in our absence."
"Oh my... so your influence keeps growing then."
"Even so, it's the manpower that's the issue."
While refugees and people wanting to join our umbrella are increasing in non-allied countries, most just want to be saved rather than become pirates.
For now, I'm accepting as many as possible as laborers for reconstruction and land development, but this isn't really expanding our force...
"That's not entirely true, Kuro."
"Hm?"
"There are tons of people gathering here who want to meet you."
"..."
Who?!
...Oh wait, come to think of it...
***
"It's been so long, Captain Kuro!"
"Captain Kuro! How have you been?!"
"News of your achievements has reached our homeland, Captain!"
"...I see, so it's you all."
Following Aokiji into Mogwa Castle, a place that had become effectively Navy property since its owner was gone, I was greeted by an incredible number of familiar faces.
Right, these are the Marines I saved during the Moria battle, the ones who were protected during that branch headquarters incident.
I heard they had gathered, but... almost everyone from that time is here, aren't they?
While I don't see some familiar faces, there are also some I don't recognize, though they look similar to the Marines or seem close to them.
Family, friends, or perhaps lovers.
"It's good to see you all. Everyone looks well, which is wonderful. But... why are you here?"
And all in civilian clothes, no less.
You're not here on Navy business, are you?
"After that incident, we were rescued and returned to the Navy, but..."
"We all regretted parting with the Captain without being able to say anything that day."
"I'm sorry. Even considering the circumstances, I should have been more considerate of you all."
At that time, I had the current honor guard members, who were experienced with ship handling, on the main vessel, towing the ship carrying the personnel rescued from the Moria battle.
Due to that unplanned battle, I had that ship taken over by the headquarters colonel.
Though Amis's unexpected declaration led to the surprising situation where the main ship members who were supposed to transfer became my subordinates.
"No, not at all! ...We also didn't know what to do at that time..."
Well, you would panic.
Even though you knew about Robin, nobody expected some idiot to pull that stunt at that moment...
Ah.
"Speaking of which, what happened to that branch commander? With everything getting so busy afterward, it slipped my mind..."
I totally forgot about him.
After that, I was completely focused on figuring out how to delay the government's moves.
"Afterward, he was arrested by Colonel Momonga and transferred to headquarters. Apparently, detention orders came from headquarters."
"I heard he was made to spill all his information and then thrown into Impel Down."
Oh wow...
So he got thrown into that place.
I hope he's not getting lynched for being a former Marine. That seems likely though...
Well, I do have strong feelings about wanting him to suffer as much as possible.
(That bastard's unnecessary actions made us stand out badly and ended up delaying our entry into the Grand Line...)
Come to think of it, that guy passed out from one kick before revealing where the jamming Den Den Mushi were, and wouldn't wake up no matter how much I beat him... I should have kicked him around more.
"I see... If information was extracted from him, then the investigation must have progressed."
"Yes. Those who were captured before us have also been released, at least those who could return... I think. Probably."
This is it. This is exactly the problem.
In cases like this, since we can't see into the Celestial Dragons' territory at all, we can't shake the suspicion that there are still people left behind.
The upper ranks, including Fleet Admiral Sengoku, are probably struggling to suppress such doubts, even if they don't show it publicly.
(In reality, there's a strong possibility that there are still many Marine slaves being hidden... The Navy's distrust toward the World Nobles won't stop anytime soon. Which means the World Government naturally wants to regain control.)
There's probably political maneuvering happening through various means.
I'd like to send care packages to Fleet Admiral Sengoku if possible, considering he's probably running around dealing with all this on top of his regular duties.
(What the Navy needs most right now are political officers. It's a position that wasn't really necessary until now.)
Compared to the original story where they could function as a maritime police force, the fluidity of the situation has increased dramatically, for better or worse.
Actually, not for better or worse, it's definitely worse.
The world's instability has reached overwhelming levels.
"That incident, the sight of that empty base... and hearing about the Captain's achievements on our way here made us resolve ourselves."
Hm?
"Sixty-three former Marines and twenty-two collaborators, totaling eighty-five people. Two large transport ships and one medium caravel. We've come to join you with our own food and supplies."
...
Wait a minute, this is technically a Navy base, and there are two headquarters admirals right behind me! You two should be more panicked or surprised! You're supposed to be the pillars of the Navy organization!
"Please, let us join the 'Black Cat' as well!"
I desperately wanted personnel ready for combat, but still!
Oh... damn it.
I guess I'll have to hand them over to Toya and Hack for close combat training.
Shit, getting too big makes maneuvering difficult... Help me, help me please...
***
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