Chapter 56: The Black Loyalty! And a Rat Mask!
Three days later.
Water 7, the Port.
Shipwrights were hard at work repairing the battle damage, chatting with the Marines as they labored.
"Don't worry, trust the skills of Galley-La Company! We have the best shipwrights in the world! Your ship's damage isn't too bad. We'll have it fixed within the day."
The lead shipwright hammered a nail, glancing curiously at Hans.
"By the way, your captain... uh, Major Roy, did he really fight a Warlord..."
"Would I lie to you?"
Hans, who had answered this question countless times over the past three days, spoke frankly. "Our Captain is the disciple of former Admiral Zephyr! You know 'Fire Fist' Ace? He ran away with his tail between his legs when he saw our Captain! And that Warlord was also..."
"Ahem."
Fal coughed loudly.
Hans immediately changed his tune. "...Was also forced to fight our Captain to a draw! You have no idea, the whole sea was..."
He launched into an enthusiastic, embellished retelling, eliciting gasps of amazement from the shipwrights.
Meanwhile, on the deck of the warship.
"Warlords... Tri-Force Demonstration... The Government really knows how to spin a story."
Roy lay on his deck chair, his cap over his face, a long straw connecting his mouth to the cola bottle below.
He was muttering internally.
Three days ago, shortly after reading the newspaper at the 'Blue Station' bar, Roy had received a call from Vice Admiral Viroth at Marine Headquarters.
"Roy, kid, don't mind the newspaper report. It's orders from above. Just think of it as making a name for our Detention Unit."
Not long after, Zephyr called too.
"Kid, don't let the fame get to your head. Even on a mission, you must train properly. I heard you developed two new styles of Wave Fist? Come to my place when you get back, show me."
Through these two old men, Roy finally understood what had happened.
Simply put, it all came back to him—or rather, to 'Yuji' and 'Ryuji.'
After Yuji stole the Celestial Tribute, the World Government's reputation took a hit. Member nations were panicked, fearing they would be next. This pressure led to the expanded 'Tri-Force Demonstration.'
But before that could settle, Ryuji dropped another bombshell by killing Crocodile.
This damaged the World Government's prestige even further. The Warlords were supposed to be one of the Three Great Powers balancing the world, yet one had been killed by a criminal.
In this situation, Roy's victory over Hanafuda became... complicated.
If the news reported "Marine Major Defeats Warlord," the credibility of the Seven Warlords system would hit rock bottom. Plus, as a subordinate organization of the World Government, the Marines weren't supposed to fight Warlords openly.
But some genius in the World Government had come up with a solution.
"My fight with Hanafuda became a 'warm-up match' for the Tri-Force Demonstration, ending in a draw. They even included some battle photos..."
"This shifts the public's focus to the Tri-Force Demonstration itself."
"And the World Government surely wants to use this Demonstration to show off its power and calm everyone down... After all, factually speaking, the World Government is the strongest power."
Hanafuda kept his Warlord title.
Headquarters promoted a Supernova, restoring public faith in the Marines.
The World Government promoted the Tri-Force Demonstration, saving face.
Morgans didn't report the full truth, but he got his 'Big News.'
It was a four-way win.
The only one losing out...
"Is me."
Roy scratched his head.
Yes—he gained massive fame, but it was a headache.
Thanks to the Government and Navy's push, he was now a key contender in the Tri-Force Demonstration! According to the propaganda, he was basically locked in for a top-three finish.
But the problem was...
"I only planned to get around 10th place, grab a Commodore promotion, and go back to inherit Viroth's position as Detention Unit Commander."
Roy grumbled.
But thinking about it—the moment he attacked Hanafuda, his plan to keep a low profile was probably doomed anyway.
So...
"It's all Hanafuda's fault for being so weak."
Roy muttered. "Only asking for 2 billion Berries and two Devil Fruits... I let him off easy."
Incidentally—the 2 billion Berries Hanafuda promised would be given to Roy by Headquarters upon his return. The two Devil Fruits would arrive within half a month.
Just as Roy was grumbling...
"Captain!"
Hans shouted from below.
"Mm?" Roy grunted through his nose.
"Captain, the shipwrights want your autograph! Also, the Black Cola Roy is basically fixed... We can sail back to HQ tonight!"
Hearing Hans's words, Roy finally took the cap off his face.
"Oh?"
He raised an eyebrow. "We can sail tonight?"
A cold light flickered in his eyes.
Since they could sail, his plan... could begin.
But...
"Wait. What did you call the ship?"
"The Black Cola Roy, sir! We never named it, and since it's your personal ship, it should have your name!"
"...Sergeant Major Hans Thor. Have you forgotten that I am the commander of this vessel!?"
Roy gritted his teeth, the chill in his eyes deepening.
"No matter what—naming the ship is something I should do myself, isn't it?"
He tolerated the ship looking like a cola bottle. But naming it something that would make him die of social embarrassment?
This man cannot be allowed to live!
...
That night.
The newly christened 'Black Loyalty' set sail from Water 7.
Hanging from the bow as a human figurehead was Hans, cheering so excitedly his voice cracked.
And unbeknownst to anyone...
A few hours after Roy left the island.
At the port, a shipwright on routine patrol made a confused sound.
"What's wrong?" his yawning companion asked.
"No... nothing. I just thought I saw someone over there. No, wait... maybe it was a rat?"
The shipwright scratched his head, looking at the empty spot.
"What are you talking about? People, rats... You only had two drinks, you can't be drunk already."
"Hah? Are you looking down on my alcohol tolerance? Let's go! To the bar after patrol! I'll show you!"
"You're on! Too bad the 'Blue Station' bar is closed tonight. We'll have to go somewhere else."
Chatting, the two shipwrights walked away.
They didn't know that after they left...
"Blue Station is closed?"
A figure appeared from nowhere.
He was shrouded in a black cloak, looking toward the city of Water 7.
"That's actually... perfect."
Murmuring, he stepped forward.
Click!
A door appeared out of thin air.
He stepped through it and vanished.
But just as he entered the door, moonlight fell on his face.
It illuminated... a Rat Mask.
☆☆☆
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