The incident with Buggy was a minor hiccup, but nothing serious. It just meant Mock would have to stick by his side a while longer.
Vice Admiral Garp's departure barely made a ripple. After all, he'd only been there on vacation, a little rest, a little relaxation, and a front-row seat for the duel. He hadn't done much else.
And so, the 16th Marine Branch carried on as usual.
As for Mihawk, he spent his free time either training the recruits at the camp, guiding Kuina, or relaxing at Romance Dawn, all expenses paid.
He claimed it was his salary.
He even argued he was giving Dante a discount, since a man of his stature, a Shichibukai, could never be hired as a special instructor by just anyone.
Of course, it was clear he was just eager for another spar.
Still, every time he saw the sheer number of recruits milling about, he managed to restrain himself. The memory of that chaotic last spar was more than enough to put him off a repeat performance. He had no desire to repeat that farce.
Kuina, for her part, was flourishing. Under the guidance of the world's greatest swordsman, her skills were improving at a remarkable pace.
At the same time, Kuma's operations continued to expand.
The recent pirate crackdown had made recruitment on the islands near the Member Nations surprisingly easy. So much so that several Member Nations were openly grateful, thanking the Shichibukai for "relieving" them of their "unproductive" citizens. Their countries, they claimed, felt more spacious and beautiful now.
In response, the island managers and stationed Marines, posing as Kuma's subordinates, were more than happy to receive them. The kings and their royal guards were welcomed 'warmly' and then sent packing with faces full of bruises and empty pockets, they were moved to tears by the 'heartfelt' experience.
A Shichibukai's forces were forbidden from attacking a Member Nation without cause, but this was a clear case of provocation on their own territory.
How could they let that slide? They stripped them, beat them, and threw them out.
Even if Marine Headquarters found out, they wouldn't have a leg to stand on, they'd probably just berate the Member Nations for their stupidity.
Why were they meddling in a Shichibukai's business anyway? Did they think the title meant they weren't pirates anymore? The fact that they were sent back in alive at all was a favor to the Marines.
And so, though the Member Nations felt wronged, they could only swallow their anger.
After all, Kuma had come to recruit workers, and their commoners had left voluntarily.
As for the claim that the recruitment was a plot to hollow out their nations? No one would believe that. They couldn't win the argument, and they certainly couldn't win a fight. Besides, most of the commoners who left were from the outskirts anyway, people destined to become scavengers sooner or later. This just sped things up.
Before long, a new sentiment began to circulate among the Member Nations: "With those filthy paupers gone, the whole country feels so much more spacious and beautiful. Without them dragging us down, our prosperous days can finally began. We're one step closer to being named a 'Beautiful Country of the East Blue' by the Celestial Dragons!"
As the idea spread, the royalty and nobles cheered up, deciding there was some truth to it after all. They even began to mock the Shichibukai for being foolish enough to recruit such useless people.
Some nations even began to celebrate.
And so, while the nobles celebrated, the commoners who had been cast aside began to build new lives, full of hope for the future.
For a time, both sides settled into a strange and quiet harmony.
Watching it all unfold, Dante just calmly sipped his tea.
'These nations are doomed,' he thought. 'They'll understand eventually. Once the commoners are gone, who's left at the bottom? When there's no one left to look down on, they'll turn on each other.'
The lowest rungs of society always bore the brunt of the abuse. Once they were gone, it was only a matter of time before a new bottom was established.
The answer was obvious.
For now, all he had to do was watch.
In any case, the 16th Branch was thriving. Their territory was expanding, the number of Marines was growing, and revenue was climbing steadily.
--**--**
And today...
*Knock, knock...*
"Come in."
Dante looked up in surprise as a stone-faced Mihawk walked in. Before he could say anything, Mihawk spoke.
"I'm leaving," Mihawk stated, getting straight to the point. "I thought it best to tell you in person."
"Weren't you supposed to be looking for Vegapunk?" Dante asked, a little confused.
He knew the World Government had issued a mandatory order, and that Mihawk had only come to the East Blue to duck his responsibilities.
"What's the matter?" Dante added. "Done slacking off?"
"..." Mihawk gave him a flat look. Only this man would have the nerve to say that out loud, though he wasn't wrong. It was still a World Government order, not that a degenerate Marine like Dante would care.
"They haven't found him, so the order is being rescinded," Mihawk said coolly. "From now on, they'll likely use spies to investigate quietly. They can't keep up a public search forever."
As he spoke, the slight upturn of his lips betrayed his otherwise indifferent expression.
"I wonder who had the nerve to snatch someone right out from under the World Government's nose."
"...Yeah me too, who would be so daring?"
Dante arched an eyebrow, his tone full of mock regret. "I didn't expect you to leave so soon. I was hoping you'd challenge me again."
'Another match with you? Not a chance.'
The thought of another fight with the Corrupt Marine Captain was tempting, but after the last fiasco, Mihawk had made a promise to himself: he would never again duel this troublemaker in the East Blue.
He pushed the thought aside. "I fulfilled your request," he added flatly, remembering something else. "I have to say, it was a waste of my time."
"Ah, was it?" Dante said, unbothered. To a man like Mihawk, anything that wasn't a duel with a master swordsman was a waste of time. It was best to just let it go. "What about Kuina?"
"A little girl with some talent. Also a waste of time." Mihawk's tone was dismissive, but he paused before continuing. "She's too influenced by you. That Water Breathing Style of yours is decent, I'll admit, but if she wants to become a true master, she has to break away from your shadow. Otherwise..." He smirked. "...she'll only ever be a clumsy imitation."
He had seen enough of Kuina to understand her skills. Though she used other forms, her core techniques were a mirror of Dante's. For some, imitation was a valid path. But if her dream was to become the world's strongest, she could not rely on another's shadow forever.
He saw Dante's frown and sneered. "It seems you already knew that. That's why you asked me to teach her, isn't it? To make her see another way, my way of the sword."
Of course, he didn't really mind. If it meant helping forge a powerful swordsman, he could spare the time.
"Well then, I'll be going," Mihawk said, turning. "I will be waiting for you in the New World."
The words had barely left his mouth.
He had just turned to leave when a sound cut through the quiet office.
*Purupurupuru...*
A nearby Den Den Mushi began to ring. It was Robin's. She glanced at Dante, who nodded, and she answered the call.
A moment later, Robin hung up. She hesitated, glancing at Mihawk, who still hadn't left. When Dante gestured for her to go on, she said with a sigh, "Boss, it seems someone has hijacked our cargo."
As soon as she finished, before Dante could even respond, Mihawk stopped in his tracks. A flicker of interest crossed his stoic face, and he casually sat down on a nearby sofa.
This left Dante speechless for a moment. "Weren't you leaving?"
"I just remembered something else I need to discuss," Mihawk said smoothly. "Is this a bad time? Do you need me to step out?"
"No, that won't be necessary."
"Then don't mind me." Mihawk waved a hand, gesturing for them to continue as he leisurely poured himself a cup of tea. "My business can wait."
'You don't have business,' Dante grumbled, 'you just want to watch the show. I thought you were only interested in swords.'
He ignored him and turned back to Robin. "Who?"
"The commander of the 153rd Branch," she said. "Captain Morgan."
===============
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