After Gion and Tokikake hastily departed to prepare for their respective new assignments, the Fleet Admiral Sengoku remained silent.
"Yahn," Sengoku finally spoke, his tone serious. "Why did you choose the North Blue?"
"I heard the women there are exceptionally beautiful," Yahn replied without missing a beat, as if it were the most natural answer in the world.
Sengoku didn't believe that for a second. He stared at Yahn, voice slow and deliberate. "You already know something, don't you?"
Yahn paused briefly before relaxing again, flopping back onto the couch.
"Old man, you're talking about Corazon going undercover, right?"
Sengoku's eyes narrowed. "How did you know that? That information is top-secret. And with Corazon's personality, he'd never willingly leak something like that to you."
The air in the room grew tense. Neither spoke for several seconds.
Then, Yahn's eyes flickered with mischief as he spoke. "Old man, you can insult my body if you want, but please, don't insult my intelligence."
Sengoku's face darkened.
Yahnn then called toward his room, "Goldie! Newspaper No. 057!"
A moment later, an elegant canary flew over, gracefully dropping a newspaper marked "Issue No. 057" into Yahn's hand.
Without hesitation, Yahn tossed the paper onto the table in front of Sengoku. A photo had been circled in red — the face unmistakably that of Corazon.
Above the photo was a bold headline:
"Donquixote Pirates: Appearance of a Potential Top Executive?"
"I don't know if a busy Fleet Admiral has had time to read this, but the entire article strongly implies that Corazon is no longer fully trusted by Doflamingo. In fact, Doflamingo might've deliberately exposed him in the media, perhaps to confirm some of his suspicions."
Yahn's voice was calm as he continued.
"I've known Corazon for over a decade. I may not know everything, but I probably understand his past better than you do. Once a Celestial Dragon, now the younger brother of 'Heavenly Yaksha' Donquixote Doflamingo."
"Even without this article, the moment he vanished from the Navy after setting out to sea and went radio silent for over a year — you think I wouldn't have guessed where he went?"
"This is the path Corazon chose. A way to repay a debt. I won't stop him. But..."
For once, Yahn's expression turned serious.
"There's one thing I want to make clear, old man. If Corazon's life is ever truly in danger — I will act. Even if it means killing Doflamingo."
Sengoku's expression twisted with conflicting emotions. He knew full well how dangerous Corazon's mission as an undercover agent truly was.
But Doflamingo held secrets powerful enough to terrify even the World Government and the Navy. Because of that, they couldn't move against him recklessly.
In the face of this, Sengoku had no choice but to let Corazon secretly rejoin the Donquixote Pirates to monitor Doflamingo from within.
Still, Sengoku quickly recovered and snapped, "You brat! Do you even know your own limits? Corazon might not even be able to beat Doflamingo, and you think you can kill him?"
Yahn grinned. "No worries. If I lose and get captured, I'll just play the 'son of the Fleet Admiral' card. I doubt Doflamingo would dare kill me. Just make sure you come bail me out, old man. Don't be stingy about a few favors and benefits."
He paused and added sincerely, "Power, wealth — all that can be regained. But if you lose your family... they're gone forever."
If Yahn weren't using that line to guilt-trip Sengoku into rescuing him later, Sengoku might've even been moved.
But right now...
"GET OUT!"
"Get your ass to the North Blue! NOW!"
With Sengoku's roar echoing behind him, Yahn strolled out of the courtyard with practiced nonchalance, a bit disheveled but still oozing confidence, heading toward the port.
At the harbor, Sengoku had already arranged for a fully equipped naval ship. Personnel were assigned, supplies stocked — all ready for departure.
The sun was bright, the weather pleasant, and a sly grin crept onto Yahn's lips.
Old man or not, Sengoku was no match for him when it came to playing the long game.
Yahn had initially been annoyed at being promoted directly to Lieutenant upon arriving at Marineford, but after thinking it through, heading to the North Blue wasn't such a bad move.
To Gion and Tokikake, it might've looked like an easy assignment — the kind of position that racks up credit fast and leads to major promotions after some time in the field.
But with Yahn's uniquely shameless perspective, it was clear this post was perfect for lying low.
Once he reached the North Blue, he could sunbathe, fish, nap — and what could Sengoku do about it? Come drag him back in person?
Especially after he'd deliberately brought up Corazon. So long as Corazon remained undercover with the Donquixote Pirates, Sengoku wouldn't dare recall the one person so determined to protect his sworn brother.
"Thanks, Corazon," Yahn muttered. "You gave me the perfect excuse."
If he weren't still inside Marineford, surrounded by Navy personnel, he might've started whistling.
But when Yahn finally reached his assigned warship and saw his appointed adjutant, the grin froze on his face.
"…Captain Hope? What the hell are you doing here?"
The same Hope who once arrested him with Sea Prism Stone handcuffs snapped a perfect salute.
"Lieutenant Yahn, reporting in. Adjutant Hope at your service. The warship is fully prepped, all personnel are in place, and supplies — ammunition, food, fresh water, and medicine — have been restocked. We're ready to depart on your command."
Yahn's expression soured. "Don't joke with me, Captain. I'm just a lieutenant. How can a full captain serve as my subordinate?"
"Where is my real adjutant? I'm in a hurry to get to the North Blue!"
Hope stood tall, radiating Navy discipline and seriousness. "Sir, I am your adjutant. I was demoted to Ensign recently due to disrespecting Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Please give your orders."
…
Yahn stared silently in the direction of Sengoku's courtyard, and ever so respectfully raised a single finger skyward.
Old bastard. You really are something else.
To think you'd go this far just to mess with me...
---
Currently at chapter 325 for advance chapters
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