New World, G-5 Base.
The sunlight was warm, the breeze gentle.
For a region once known for chaos, brutality, and lawlessness, the sight before them could only be called a miracle.
The sea glittered quietly.
No cannon fire.
No screams of battle.
Only the lazy cries of seagulls drifting in the air.
On the docks, sailors who should've been undergoing harsh drills were instead scattered leisurely along the rails, enjoying a "tactical sunbath," their expressions radiating genuine serenity.
And the reason for all this wasn't strict discipline or righteous inspiration.
It came from a higher, more fundamental law:
The personal will of G-5's supreme commander, Admiral Haiiroyō, Renzo, Domain of Absolute Sloth.
Within this domain, "trouble" was strictly forbidden.
The only busy place in the entire base was the kitchen, overflowing with tempting aromas that curled through the windows like living vines, hooking into the senses of everyone nearby.
Sanji, cigarette in mouth and humming a tune, was decorating the final touches on a "Strawberry Mousse Mille-feuille."
It was the Admiral's chosen afternoon tea.
And the Admiral himself was sunk deep into a custom velvet sofa in the center of his office, breathing steadily in the bliss of a perfect nap.
Sunlight filtered through the blinds, scattering soft shadows across him.
The whole room felt cut off from the world, so quiet you could hear dust settling.
This silence was Renzo's treasured wealth, earned through the feat of wiping out a Yonko officer's fleet in a single strike.
But at that moment, an unfamiliar "order" arrived quietly at G-5.
A white, streamlined Marine Headquarters battleship glided in like a silent gentleman.
No horns.
No shouting.
No commotion.
Just a smooth, perfectly controlled docking.
Its immaculate hull contrasted sharply with the rugged, scarred buildings of G-5.
Tap, tap, tap…
Crisp, rhythmic footsteps rang out across the deck.
A female officer in an immaculate Rear Admiral's uniform descended the gangway alone.
With long, smooth blue hair and flawless features, her eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.
Her uniform bore not a single wrinkle, and every step measured with perfect precision.
Ain.
Ignoring the curious stares of nearby sailors, she walked straight toward the tallest building, the one marked "Admiral's Office."
Almost at the exact moment she entered the main hall, Renzo's lashes trembled faintly.
He hadn't been disturbed by footsteps.
To Renzo, the true "noise" wasn't physical sound; it was an intrusion of order.
A new source of disturbance was approaching, full of "diligence," "discipline," "efficiency," and other troublesome things.
He irritably opened his eyes, a hint of lazy displeasure glinting inside.
The door eased open.
Ain stepped in, immediately spotting the man nearly melted into his sofa.
Just like back at Headquarters, a high-ranking officer who always looked half-asleep, as if the world had nothing to do with him.
"Pardon the intrusion, Admiral-"
"Ain?"
Before she could even salute, Renzo had already straightened slightly, surprise replacing his usual laziness.
His voice even carried genuine curiosity.
There were only a few people in the world whom Renzo didn't consider "troublesome," let alone tolerate or willingly interact with.
Kizaru counted as half.
But this woman was unmistakably the first.
She was his very first… friend.
Even if that word itself was troublesome.
He hadn't seen her since the Zephyr incident.
He didn't expect her to appear here.
"Long time no see."
Ain's usually sharp gaze softened slightly, a faint smile touching her lips.
"Looks like you're still the same."
"You too, still stiff and proper as ever."
Renzo slumped back into the sofa again, lazily gesturing at the nearby chair.
"Sit. Now tell me the real reason, what brings you all the way here? Did Sengoku finally think you were too competent and exile you here?"
"I'm here by direct order of the Fleet Admiral, assigned as your adjutant, Admiral Renzo."
Ain's posture was straight, her report concise.
"Adjutant? Hah…"
Renzo rubbed his temples like he'd been hit with the worst kind of trouble.
"Spare me. I don't need an adjutant. I don't need anyone. Go back and tell Sengoku I'm very quiet. He doesn't need to bother me."
But Ain seemed prepared for this.
Without arguing, she placed a small, elegant wooden box on the table in front of him.
"This is…?" Renzo glanced at it.
"Chestnut yokan handmade by Aunt Maggie. She said it's a newly improved flavor from the East Blue and asked me to bring it to you."
Renzo froze for a moment.
He opened the box, and a gentle, soothing sweetness drifted out.
The yokan gleamed like amber, dotted with plump golden chestnuts.
He picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, smooth, delicate, just sweet enough, the chestnut's softness blending perfectly with the jelly's chew.
It was a familiar flavor, the kind that made even his soul quiet.
The crease in Renzo's brow slowly relaxed.
"At least he still has a conscience."
He muttered, mouth full, which was as good as giving approval.
Ain watched him, sighing internally.
Only this man could be completely won over by a single dessert.
Her gaze drifted to the office's other side.
There lay a mountain of documents needing sorting, stamping, or classification, some yellowed from sitting too long.
For someone as organized as Ain, it was a nightmare.
"Since you have no objections, I will begin fulfilling my duties immediately."
Without disturbing Renzo's dessert bliss, she walked toward the mountain of paperwork, rolled up her sleeves, and began sorting with astonishing efficiency.
In moments, the office displayed a surreal contrast-
A Marine Admiral, sinking into the sofa, eyes half-closed, savoring yokan as if already asleep.
Beside him, his new adjutant, silently processing endless paperwork, with only the soft rustle of pages turning.
Extreme sloth and extreme efficiency…
Yet somehow, in this small office, the two forces blended in perfect harmony.
From today on, G-5 gained its quietest adjutant.
And the most beautiful one.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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