Kyros could only nod faintly at Yoriichi's speculation. Though his face softened a bit, he knew deep down that Yoriichi was simply trying to comfort him.
Kyros had fought many pirates during his years in the Navy. And from his experience, most of them were slippery, they hit and ran. Quick to strike, quicker to flee.
And that was in the Four Blues, where the Navy's presence was stronger. In the New World, where Marine control was far weaker, tracking pirates was nearly impossible.
But Kyros had overlooked one key difference: pirates in the New World weren't like those in the Four Blues.
Here, where the Navy was a rare sight, pirates were far more arrogant. In the Four Blues, they might flee when they heard the Navy was coming. In the New World, they might actually steer toward a Marine ship to pick a fight.
Still, Yoriichi didn't mention this to Kyros. It was only a guess. For now, the Navy's job after landing in Dressrosa was to begin establishing a base of operations.
With the help of the coastal guards, Yoriichi and Kyros were able to meet Tank Lepante, the kingdom's army commander currently in charge of stabilizing the port and reassuring the public.
Inside the military encampment, Tank greeted the two visitors.
Only Yoriichi and Kyros had come ashore for now. Issho and Mihawk remained aboard the Dawn, while Koshiro led the other Marines in resupplying. Since their base wasn't yet built, they'd be living aboard the ship for some time, so they had to stay stocked and ready to launch at a moment's notice.
"A Vice Admiral… from Marine Headquarters?"
"You're Yoriichi Tsugikuni?!"
Tank's eyes fixed on Yoriichi in disbelief.
During their brief exchange, he learned Yoriichi's identity. But he struggled to accept that this young man could possibly be the same person who had supposedly single-handedly destroyed the legendary Sky Pirates.
Yoriichi might have been tall, already reaching 180 cm, but his face still carried the softness of youth. In Tank's eyes, he was little more than a teenage brat.
His stunned tone and confused expression made Kyros frown beside him.
Fortunately, Tank didn't say anything disrespectful out loud. He did, however, recognize Kyros, which helped restrain his skepticism.
Otherwise, Kyros might've exploded on the spot.
After all the time they'd spent together, Kyros felt more than just camaraderie with Yoriichi, he deeply respected him. He respected his unwavering sense of justice.
"I can't decide whether or not you can meet King Riku," Tank said bluntly. "But Dressrosa is a member of the World Government. If you want to establish a base here, the King likely won't object."
"To be honest, we're overwhelmed with the aftermath of the pirate attack. King Riku has a mountain of problems to handle."
"If you want to set up a base, go ahead."
"But you'll need to purchase land like everyone else, we can't just give it away. I think you understand."
"I'll report your arrival to the King. If he wants to meet you, I'll let you know."
Just like that, the conversation was over. Tank had essentially dismissed them. Dressrosa was drowning in recovery efforts, no one had time to roll out the red carpet for the Marines.
Vice Admiral or not, Tank was an officer of a World Government nation. He didn't have to kowtow to Yoriichi or any Marine. His confidence didn't come from personal power, but from the system that ran this world.
And to Tank, the priority right now wasn't the Marines. It was helping his people, rebuilding the kingdom, and reporting to King Riku.
The Navy could do as they liked, so long as they didn't get in the way.
"…Vice Admiral, that guy's attitude was really pissing me off!" Kyros muttered as they left the barracks.
Yoriichi simply waved it off.
"He is busy."
"It's fine. Whether we meet the King or not doesn't matter. As long as we've been announced, that's enough."
They weren't here for formalities. They were here to get work done, not to be flattered.
"So, what now?" Kyros asked, trying to let the encounter go.
"Let's look around the port. Find a good place for our base."
"If all goes well, we can pick a location within a few days and start buying land and hiring builders."
As Yoriichi spoke, he led the way toward the burned harbor. When Kyros realized he was planning to build the base at the port, he was confused.
"The port? Why not the city center? Wouldn't that let us reach more people?"
Kyros was used to Navy bases in the Four Blues, most were built within towns. When Marines were stationed there, local governments usually didn't assign their own sheriffs. The Marines handled the law.
But the New World was different.
"Dressrosa has a large army," Yoriichi explained. "They don't need us for public order. We need a forward base to launch raids and chase pirates."
"The port is the best spot for that."
As they walked, they passed homes scorched and reduced to rubble. Yoriichi fell silent, then sighed and turned to Kyros.
"Kyros… reach out to the owners of the homes destroyed by the pirates."
"Tell them the Navy is willing to buy the land at full market price."
"If anyone's willing to sell, we'll buy it."
"I want to build the Dawn Marine Branch, right there in the ashes."
Kyros paused, stunned.
Then he bowed deeply and said with conviction:
"Understood, Vice Admiral Yoriichi."
"Thank you."
Yoriichi smiled faintly and patted him on the shoulder.
"No need for formality."
The plan to purchase land didn't go smoothly. Many of the destroyed homes had no clear owners. Some had died without heirs, and their land reverted to the state. Others were in legal limbo.
Realizing the situation wasn't ideal for immediate purchase, Yoriichi returned to the ship after surveying the area.
That entire day, Kyros remained gloomy.
Night fell.
A thick fog rolled across the sea, and soon it blanketed all of Dressrosa.
Around midnight, unable to sleep, Kyros stepped onto the deck in his nightclothes and stared out at the harbor.
Those who had lost loved ones hadn't yet found peace. Many still sobbed beside the bodies of their family members.
Kyros stood quietly for a long time.
Just as he was about to return to his cabin, something caught his eye.
Through the thick mist…
A faint yellow glow shimmered on the horizon.
"…What… is that?"
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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
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