"As always, that man Kuro excels at seizing control of the flow of battle."
That first day we fought. The night when my sword, gripped for the first time since awakening my Haki, was cracked by his blade.
Leading a peculiar pirate crew far removed from the typical rabble, this man challenged me with a spirit of self-sacrifice unthinkable for a pirate captain. And now, once again, he's about to throw himself into another battle that defies all reason.
"Hey, Mihawk."
Someone tugs at my clothing with gentle persistence.
Nico Robin, an executive of this pirate crew and arguably its most important member, looks up at me with a slightly anxious expression.
"What do you think Captain plans to do against the Navy and the World Government?"
"You're better at using your head than I am, Robin."
"I may know history, but I don't know much about the world."
The girl puffs her cheeks out a little, and I can't help but smile slightly, though I understand her anxiety is genuine.
Hancock, standing beside me, quietly places her hand on Robin's head, stroking it gently to calm her.
That same Hancock, knowing the man who just retreated is Robin's enemy, remains fully alert for any potential threat.
Though for some reason, she threatens to kick my shin whenever I try to take a step forward.
"Hard to say. His thinking is beyond comprehension. In some ways, the situation is worse than the recent pirate alliance incident. With direct combat a possibility, there's no telling which way things might turn..."
"But?"
"Strangely, I feel more at ease now than when I heard five Navy reinforcement ships had been sunk. This current situation may have been within his expectations all along."
As I say this, Robin gazes at the back of the great pirate who seized control of the conversation from government officials without giving an inch, her eyes still holding traces of fear but filled with respect.
(In other words, the likelihood of battle is low. Rather, he's trying to end this without fighting.)
What a truly peculiar man, I think as we cross blades daily.
Normally, someone would have more confidence in their abilities by now.
Though we've only just begun, the world has entered the Great Pirate Era.
In these times when those with power can command respect through strength alone, he seeks to minimize opportunities for violence whenever possible.
His reasons for becoming a pirate are what they are, but even so, most would try to make a name for themselves by taking down famous pirates.
(With his skills, he could make it in the New World right now. Setting aside myself, even that 'Dark King' acknowledges his talent...)
During training, that 'Dark King' fights with considerable seriousness, holding back only the intensity of his Haki.
As for myself, if my Observation Haki wavers even for an instant, I cannot defend against the 'Black Cat's' strikes. The moment my Observation Haki is disturbed, he immediately slips through the opening to land a hit.
And yet he excels at commanding troops, surrounded by highly capable individuals like Daz Bonez, each one a rare talent possessing both wisdom and courage.
(Despite possessing such power, he still lacks confidence in combat... Just what is he preparing for?)
"Whatever form it takes, the situation is unlikely to worsen dramatically."
"...For us 'Black Cats,' at least."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
(Well then. For now, the poisonous barb disguised as harassment worked perfectly.)
While they may not amount to much in terms of military might, the fact that the head of CP9, who's likely been handling the intellectual side of things, took a step back has become a powerful hidden card.
Among those waiting behind him, I can sense faint tremors of unease in the auras of several who are likely the strongest.
Right, that's what it is. Ever since Rayleigh joined our training, my Haki has apparently grown, making me increasingly sensitive to people's presence.
On top of that, lately Rayleigh aside, that bastard Mihawk will go for my neck if I show even the slightest opening, so I can't let my guard down. It's like I've gone full evasion build, and if I focus, I can boost my hearing considerably.
...
Why am I doing this self-modification to my body?
At this rate, I might end up capable of powerful kicks like a certain Rider series. ...Oh wait, I already can.
While training kicks with Hancock, my kicking power increased tremendously as a side effect.
The other day, I tried firing a serious Haki-infused 'Fang Cat' toward the sea, and it actually split the ocean a bit.
Well, maybe "split" is an exaggeration, but it definitely gouged it.
After witnessing that, those two idiotic sparring partners of mine ramped up their Haki levels, leaving me to wander the boundary between life and death every single day.
I'm not a superhuman like you two, so please adjust the difficulty to normal human levels, I beg you.
(Now, whether the Five Elders will respond... can we break through this first barrier...)
I want to avoid combat as much as possible. This is probably a mutual understanding.
In that case, settling this with words would be optimal, something we both likely agree on.
I think. I hope so, anyway.
Yeah, I deliberately made the orders ambiguous, so that should be the case...
(If they'll sit at the negotiating table with a pirate like me, that would be a godsend. First, can I even get them to the bargaining table...)
The cards we're currently showing are: my position as manager of Nico Robin, the key to history.
And exceptional individual combat forces like Daz and Mihawk.
Governance and political power capable of stabilizing certain sea areas.
Agricultural production capacity outside government control, expected to expand significantly from now through next winter.
Strong connections with Navy forces built through the pirate alliance incident.
Though not yet revealed, fleet combat power that's become more mobile thanks to Hancock-centered organization and separated command structure.
Excluding hidden cards, that's about it.
Ideally, I would have increased production capacity a bit more... but what couldn't be done is done.
(At worst, if the Government and Navy are willing to reset, I wouldn't mind taking on something like a fake Warlord role that briefly crossed my mind before... but that probably won't happen.)
Making us 'Black Cats' effectively part of Navy forces is the last resort.
I could demand the Government stay out of it as a condition, but that would strengthen the Navy, a potential political enemy.
Both emotionally and strategically, they'd be too afraid to do it.
(...Dodging and weaving to force CP9 and other Government forces to retreat should be... possible... I think. But that would just be delaying things...)
The atmosphere of mere postponement would reach both 'Black Cat' members and the Navy side.
It wouldn't necessarily be bad, and they'd probably say it was sufficient achievement, but it would affect morale.
Winter began some time ago now.
In addition to population reduction measures starting, there are signs of starvation deaths too terrible to witness.
Actually, they're already happening in nations that suffered the worst damage in the early attacks.
Non-member nations naturally need help, as do member nations that want to respond but can do nothing with everything burned, waiting only for Government aid.
To obtain more than that... they'd have to steal from elsewhere. In some ways more desperate than pirates, they'd attack with their lives on the line.
This will become a major trial for us 'Black Cats' and Navy personnel who must respond to such situations.
(We must encourage our soldiers, even if just one more person... I understand that much.)
Unlike battles against pirates with clear enemies to defeat, from here on we'll face the ugliness of human survival instinct.
(Without question, these will be battles that wear down the heart even more than anti-pirate warfare.)
Therefore, we must eliminate discord between Government and Navy cooperation and boost Navy morale.
In other words, we have no choice but to win.
We must seize concrete results and make them believe there's real meaning in standing up with justice on our backs.
"Eh, hey, Kuro!"
"Hmm? What is it, Hina... no, Petty Officer Second Class Hina?"
"Just call me Hina. More importantly, what are you going to do?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Calling out the Five Elders, what's your plan? What if they give orders to ignore us and take the non-member nation civilians!"
"In that case, we'll steal them away like proper pirates, so don't worry."
Even if it comes to fighting both Aokiji and Kizaru, we have enough combat power to match them, and in the remaining troop battle after containing special forces, our pirate crew has trained and drilled for multi-opponent scenarios, so we could hold out until ships with refugees reach safety.
Besides, if that situation arises, Navy soldier morale will be in tatters anyway.
What I really need to watch out for are Kizaru and the Government force Cipher Pol.
"Well, the Government understands too. To regain control of the Navy, they need either Navy failures or a major demonstration of Government legitimacy."
That said, there's definitely a possibility the Five Elders won't appear and will leave requisitioning non-member nation civilians to CP9 as a field decision.
Actually, the chances were extremely high.
That's why I planted some poison as insurance for such cases.
When the Five Elders suggest that course, that punk director will do his best to get them to appear somehow without angering the Five Elders.
"The primary goal of this order is to make the soldiers realize exactly whom the Navy serves and how far they'll go to protect."
It's an elaborate performance for that purpose.
Man, being a government servant really is tough. I get it, I get it.
"...Besides, with winter coming, even if they conscript people, where would they put them to work... there are only limited crops that can be grown anywhere from now on..."
"Idiot, there are islands with all kinds of climates on the Grand Line."
"...Ah."
This girl still thinks in terms of normal sea common sense despite joining headquarters.
"Kuzan, realistically, if the Government seriously provided aid, how much could they alleviate the current food crisis?"
"Well... there's pirate damage everywhere on every sea."
"Food is the first thing pirates steal when attacking towns."
"...Right. So, you don't know?"
"It's just that it's not like islands were taken, so until the next harvest... no, I still don't understand farming very well."
Well, the only military personnel who understand agriculture are us pseudo-garrison troops.
Yeah, we're pirates, not military.
(If aid consumption is too massive, the Government will hesitate too. The Government side would know specifically what constitutes an acceptable limit...)
In that case, the strategy to take is still...
"Oh my? It seems the Director is returning."
"...That was fairly quick."
Kizaru, who'd been silently listening to our conversation, suddenly speaks up, startling me.
Anyway, he really is coming back.
...His complexion isn't too bad, but he remains tense.
(The Five Elders... So they readily agreed to speak with me.)
That helps our side.
It becomes undeniable proof that the Five Elders themselves see value in me.
Which means the poison I planted in Spandam hasn't worn off at all.
"Hey, Black Cat."
"Yes!"
"The Five Elders say they want to talk with you."
(Don't be intimidated by some kid. No, he's intimidated by my relationship with the Five Elders.)
The pressure I feel from this man has dropped dramatically compared to earlier.
Now then, how should I handle this man?
(He is Robin's enemy. Honestly, I could manipulate and use him up if I wanted to. But...)
I glance toward Robin, who was pulling at Mihawk's clothes earlier but is now being embraced from behind by Hancock. What happened?
Our eyes meet, so I shift my gaze slightly toward Spandam, and she tilts her head with a "Hmm?"
...
Eh, is this okay? You do realize this guy is essentially the ringleader who destroyed your island, right?
No, that's not a good sign. ...Lip reading?
(Le-a-ve i-t t-o m-e... I see.)
Well, if she says so, fine.
I'll use him as carefully as possible.
"Thank you very much, Director Spandam."
"Y-yeah."
"The fact that it went through so easily means this was a sufficiently plausible scenario for the Five Elders."
Having a poisoned individual remain among enemy forces is more helpful for us. For longer periods.
Therefore, earning this man's trust works in our favor.
(No need to inject more poison right now.)
It's like disease. The longer the incubation period, the more frightening the aftermath.
"From here it becomes a discussion between the Five Elders and myself. Depending on the results, who knows what might happen, but could you cooperate with the Navy to prevent confusion in the meantime?"
"...Understood."
With that, Spandam retreats slightly with the officials and what appear to be CP9 members.
(...He's more wary of the Navy. As orders go, provoking the Navy was probably the main objective. Well, fine.)
I take the Den Den Mushi receiver from Spandam.
『It's been a while.』
"Yes, about half a year."
Never thought I'd be talking to these people again like this.
I'm a pirate, and even the protagonist Luffy has never met or spoken to such figures.
"It's only your voices, but I'm relieved you seem well. Five Elders."
Hey, Miss Hina, why are you so terrified?
"First, let me express my gratitude. Thanks to the supplies the Government arranged, we've been able to keep many civilians from starvation. Including personnel for distribution, thank you very much."
『...Still an interesting man as always. Who would have thought you'd lead a pirate force to support the Navy?』
"While we 'Black Cats' disagree with the Government's methods and have left its protection as pirates, we don't favor lawlessness."
Ugh, they won't cut straight to the main issue, as expected.
It would be easier if they'd bring up the main topic themselves.
(...The World Government has staged a show today with the Navy as audience.)
That confronting threats like pirates requires abandoning righteousness.
Given his nature, Spandam serves as the stick.
This is speculation, but judging from today's supply volume, if tensions with the Navy deepen, the food problem will be most severe during deep winter when fuel issues also worsen.
(After letting the villainous-seeming Spandam gather hatred, they'd deploy a carrot-bearing savior with supplies for the people, then persuade them. The Navy must remain under Government control. Sometimes cold decisions are necessary. This should have been the World Government's ideal storyline.)
Well, they seemed to have backup plans prepared for high chances of that not working...
(Using politics as theater to create major currents for problem resolution. That itself is a good move. But...)
They wanted to stage a show with Navy personnel as audience and officials as actors...
(Theater includes the audience as part of the direction, never merely passive recipients. Not understanding this was your mistake.)
『If you truly disfavor lawlessness, you should understand. The West Blue is in extremely dangerous condition.』
"So enslaving non-member nation people for harsh labor is unavoidable?"
『You, with your superior governing ability, should understand how dangerous starvation can be.』
"I believe the information is insufficient to make that judgment. Specifically, how much supplies the Government has stored and what transportation capacity it possesses."
Actually, Admiral Sengoku provided all such information through proper channels, which allowed me to mobilize various resources.
I truly owe Admiral Sengoku so much. Can't sleep with my feet pointing his direction...
"Without disclosure of that information and examination of related meeting records with the Navy, who would presumably handle transportation, I cannot be convinced."
『You expect us to show our military secrets to a mere pirate?』
"Of course not. I'm simply saying it's nowhere near enough for convincing. Naturally, the same applies to ordinary Navy soldiers."
『They are our World Government military. They must carry out any order, regardless of its nature.』
"Yes, exactly as you say."
"But that only applies when you superiors haven't betrayed those soldiers. Isn't that right?"
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
When I first encountered him, I couldn't even look at his face properly.
The moment Training Instructor Vice Admiral Momonga declared combat start, I was kicked and couldn't even move.
『Betray? Strange words. Military forces are power wielded under politics, as they should be.』
"Ah... finally. I now understand the source of the discomfort I felt throughout the Navy slave incident and subsequent events."
I wanted to surpass him.
My first battle, my first enemy, the first opponent who defeated me, I wanted to capture him with my own hands.
That's why I asked even the legendary hero Garp for training, gradually building strength.
But still...
"You fundamentally misunderstand what military forces are."
『...Indeed?』
But he's so distant.
The pirate I decided to capture that day had become one who stands shoulder to shoulder with the Navy before I knew it.
And now, the pirate I should be arresting has turned his back to us, using words as weapons against the unreachable Five Elders themselves.
"Certainly, military forces are power wielded as political tools under governing structures. I have no objection to that."
『We are in agreement then, Black Cat.』
"Yes. However..."
"That only applies when the underlying governing structure has made firm resolve as a governing body."
The man who should be a pirate shows his defenseless back to us Navy personnel,
Standing against the world itself.
***
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