"Did the Fleet Admiral intend to attack you from the start?" Hina asked.
"No, that's not it," Kuro replied, shaking his head. "…If anything, it was probably unexpected or urgent even for the government."
"…What do you mean?"
"In the agreement between the government and the Marine, there was a clause about stronger protection for Marine personnel and their families."
"…Protection?"
"They plan to build areas—cities, or rather districts—within bases or nearby nations exclusively for Marine personnel under direct government control and their families. They'll raise the pay for all soldiers and greatly improve the living standards of those who choose to live there."
"…Isn't that basically taking hostages?"
"Participation is apparently left to individual choice, and there have been cases in the past where Marines' families were targeted by pirates. So a walled-off district meant to protect them… that motive is certainly part of it. But that's not the essence."
In a way, it was very characteristic of the World Government…
Kuro lowered his voice. "The government's real aim is to turn 'Marine' from just a position into a class."
"…Does that really mean anything?" Hina asked.
"Oh, it does. It's quite vicious."
The construction of a kind of gated community, separating Marines from everyday civilian life while guaranteeing their safety.
The government would likely provide a fairly luxurious lifestyle for the families, permanent residents, and administrators living there.
If this were to continue for long enough, then setting aside the Marines stationed on the front lines, some people would inevitably begin to misunderstand their position.
They would start to think that those inside the walls were of a higher status than the people outside.
…And once that happened, friction between those connected to the Marine and the general populace would be unavoidable.
The longer such friction persisted, the more those close to the Marine would gradually—and increasingly—begin to look down on civilians.
"Position," Kuro murmured. "Especially rank and privilege… they can drive people mad very easily."
"So the government prepared a 'position'—a higher class above commoners but below the Celestial Dragons, close to royalty and nobility—and is trying to repaint the Marine, which had been leaning toward the people, into an organization loyal to the government?" Hina summarized, her expression darkening.
"'Was trying' might be more accurate. This was a plan built with a long-term perspective. That's why Sengoku judged that the government would stay quiet for a while. …Given that they were already pushing forward with measures like this, the recent incident must truly have been an irregular emergency, even for them."
That was why the coded message included wording about wanting to hold a top-secret meeting someday.
Clearly, they wanted to consider how to respond to a government that had begun moving—albeit with a long-term outlook—to seize control of the Marine itself.
There's the fact that quite a few Marines have had their families killed by pirates in the past, so they probably lacked enough grounds to refuse… If they rejected it with flimsy reasoning, the government would see it as rebellion.
Sengoku doesn't blindly trust the government, and the government itself is probably unsure how to handle Sengoku.
If they could erase him, they would like to. And then, in that situation, we went and defeated Admiral-class forces.
Now the choice becomes whether to push the blame onto Sengoku and expel him from the Marine, or to decide that they still lack strength and maintain the status quo…
"So, how do you plan to move?" Hina asked.
"By clashing with the Marine again, the ceasefire agreement has been broken," Kuro answered heavily. "…We'll probably have no choice but to fight, but…"
"You don't sound eager."
"Of course not. I refuse to needlessly throw the world into chaos and oppress civilians."
That was exactly why we'd been pushing forward various plans… and now it was all for nothing again. Damn it.
"Still, there's no denying that casualties occurred on both sides—ours and the Marines'," Kuro noted softly. "…At some point, we'll need to find a compromise where both sides can settle."
"If we're assigning blame, it lies more with us, the Marine," Hina said, her tone solemn. "After all, we betrayed you and then lost to you, the 'Black Cat Pirates.' Given that, from your perspective, half-baked terms wouldn't restore the previous relationship."
"That's right," Kuro agreed.
"And from the Marine's standpoint, since the government wants to eliminate you—and since you're pirates—it would be difficult to even hold talks."
"That's right."
"Then let's destroy the government," Hina declared flatly.
"Hold it right there, young Marine."
Don't have Marines casually thinking up coups!!
Issho! Don't you dare start laughing!!
--
—Captain, timber recovery is complete. The hole has been filled after installing support pillars in the central area as a precaution. Work is complete.
"Good," Kuro nodded, inspecting the work. "The splintered sections of the timber have already been cut away. Cut and fit the new lumber accordingly and repair it. Nails and tools are already prepared."
—Yes, sir!
The man I have my hand on is as dependable as ever, just like during the Pirate Alliance incident.
Even though what he's doing is basically directing manual labor, he doesn't cut corners and is meticulous about it.
Perhaps because of that, the shop owner is treating Kuro the pirate completely normally.
Well, if you've got a ridiculous 2.8 billion bounty and publicly blew away a fair number of pirates, I suppose people have no choice but to acknowledge you…
"Shopkeeper, sorry to ask, but do you have a Den Den Mushi?" Kuro called out. "If you do, I'd like to use it."
"Ah, we don't have one here, but the harbor office does. You fixed our floor and chased away those nasty guys. I'll go get it, so wait here."
"Thank you very much."
He would probably be contacting the 'Black Cat' crew—surly Daz Bones, cheeky Perona, and sweet Nico Robin.
There's a risk of being wiretapped… but still. You're right—if you don't contact them, Robin might already be in tears.
A girl who was frightened at first, then gradually started to smile.
Probably the greatest reason Kuro steps forward to fight.
If possible, I wanted to talk with her a little more.
"Hina, sorry, but put the tables and chairs back."
"Okay, okay," I replied.
No—it looks like there will be a chance to talk later.
She might look at me with hatred because I'm a Marine, but…
This man will definitely return to the West Blue.
And under the banner of the three-clawed flag, he will unite the confused West Blue and bring about a new order and peace.
There isn't even room for doubt.
That's the kind of man he is.
…But the government will never accept that.
If it had the capacity to accept it, this situation would never have happened in the first place.
I said that earlier, but if we really do end up fighting you someday…
I don't want to fight.
I really don't want to fight.
The ideals we're looking toward are far too close.
We both want to protect someone. To save people.
Yet because those ideals differ just slightly, the will of those who cannot tolerate that difference forces us to fight.
"Hey, if you've got time, help out too. It's basically just the finishing touches now."
Because the attack from Issho had damaged the floor in multiple places, tables and chairs had been moved outside to avoid interfering with repairs, and they were now scattered across the terrace.
Even if several free soldiers were assigned, it would still take some time.
"Hey… are you listening, Kuro?!" They weren't particularly heavy, but carrying them alone was still a hassle. Thinking I'd get help from the monster with absurd stamina who was drinking tea at the only table left indoors, I shouted—
"AHH!!!!?" Suddenly, the pirate cried out.
"…Kuro?" When I turned around, the man who had been chatting casually just moments before was standing.
Standing—and staring over here.
Issho beside him was also startled by the sudden change.
"…Don't tell me." The man who had always smiled confidently in any situation—
"The other objective behind the Holy Land attack was—"
His face had gone pale.
"…This is bad."