West Blue, Marine Base – First Branch.
It was dusk, the fading light outside the window creating a hazy atmosphere. Fiery clouds stretched and rolled across the sky, a magnificent sight to behold.
Finally finishing a day's work, a slightly fatigued Gion was in the dining hall, hosting an old friend from Marine Headquarters.
"Chaton" Tokikake
"Time really flies, huh, Gion?" said Chaton, placing his cowboy hat aside and exhaling smoke from the cigarette hanging loosely from his lips. "It's been nearly a year since you took up your post here in the West Blue. Haven't seen you once in all that time."
"Ten months, actually," Gion replied with a soft smile, sipping her tea. "So, what brings you all the way out here?"
Back in the day at Headquarters, Chaton's frequent and tactless attempts to flirt with her had been more of a headache than anything else—annoying, and eventually even grating.
But after she and Nao had officially confirmed their relationship during the promotion ceremony, Chaton had toned things down. He'd started acting more like a respectable colleague again.
Over time, the friendship they once shared had begun to thaw and mend.
"I didn't come here by choice, believe me," Chaton grumbled dramatically. "It's this chaos in the West Blue—some nasty pieces of work stirring up trouble. Headquarters was worried you'd be too swamped to handle it all alone, so… here I am."
While he sounded like he was complaining, his tone carried a not-so-subtle undercurrent of wanting to impress her—clearly trying to score some points with his old crush. His performance was polished too, the kind that matched the lines on his aging face.
Gion swirled the wine in her glass silently, smiling without a word.
"And who exactly are these big bad pirates?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because I haven't heard of anyone worth the fuss. Got any names?"
"Oh, tons! The West Blue's been a mess lately, hasn't it?"
Chaton raised his hand and started counting off on his fingers. "First off, there's that pirate Admiral Rondart, with a bounty of 70,000,000 Berries! A massive fleet of over two thousand men! Even in the Grand Line, he was a well-known figure…"
"Dead."
Gion casually blew the foam off her tea and said flatly, "Three days ago. Total wipeout. Not a single survivor."
"...Huh?"
Chaton blinked. "Wiped… already? Okay, uh… well, there's that swordsman Aizel, the so-called 'First Swordsman' in the West Blue. Word is his swordsmanship—"
"Him too."
Gion smirked faintly. "Two days ago. Split in half—ship and all—with a single sword stroke."
"What?!"
Chaton stared, stupefied. "That guy too?! Where the hell did you find the time to—wait, okay. What about Smoker, with a 60,000,000 Berry bounty. That guy got incredibly lucky, he ate a Smoke-Smoke Fruit, he's a genuine Logia-type abil—"
"Worst death of the bunch," Gion interrupted again, calm as ever. "Tried to half-transform. Didn't finish in time. Ended up in pieces all over the place. If half his face wasn't still intact, we wouldn't have even been able to identify the body."
"..."
Chaton felt his soul leave his body.
He'd crossed the Calm Belt just to get here. What the hell had happened in the short time since? The West Blue's top pirates—each based in different waters—were all taken out, in just a few days?
Unless Gion hadn't slept or eaten and had sprinted nonstop across the seas, there was no way she could've done this alone.
Wait a sec…
Something clicked. He winced slightly.
"…That kid's back in the West Blue, isn't he?"
Gion put down her teacup and simply smiled in silence.
"I knew it. Knew it!" Chaton muttered. "Who else but that monster could pull off something like this..."
His suspicion now confirmed, Chaton didn't feel relieved—only more overwhelmed.
Damn it, what was the point of him traveling all the way to the West Blue?
To return empty-handed and report Nao's impressive achievements to Headquarters in person?
Just terrible luck.
"Ugh… We got the news too late…" he groaned, massaging his temples. Out of the corner of his eye, he snuck a glance at Gion.
Still… seeing her again after so long—that alone was worth the trip.
"Speaking of which—your birthday's the day after tomorrow, right, Gion?"
Chaton grinned. "I'm guessing that's why Nao came back early, huh? Figured he'd want to be here to celebrate with you."
"…"
The light in Gion's expression faded slightly. Her smile dimmed, and her eyes grew distant.
She shook her head gently.
"We talked once, right after he entered the West Blue. He didn't mention it. Didn't say when he'd be back…"
Shit. That hit a nerve.
Chaton winced as he realized he'd just thrown a live grenade into the conversation.
He didn't want to see Gion upset. And if Nao found out he'd upset her—or worse, thought he was trying to sabotage their relationship—he'd be in serious trouble.
Think, damn it! Say something—salvage this!
"Don't worry," Chaton said quickly. "That kid's not the forgetful type. He's just been busy, chasing down pirates left and right. He probably just hasn't had time to stop and think…"
The more he talked, the darker Gion's face became. Realizing he was only making it worse, Chaton shut up immediately.
He wanted to slap himself.
This wasn't comfort—it was like stabbing Nao in the back while pretending to smooth things over.
He needed to fix this. Fast.
Right—the gift!
Before coming here, he'd prepared a present for Gion. This was the perfect time to bring it out.
He reached into his dingy shoulder bag and rummaged for a moment before pulling out a small wooden sculpture.
Two figurines—hand-carved, beautifully detailed—depicting a young Chaton and Gion from their early Marine days, symbolizing the bond they'd shared through countless battles.
"Hey, don't stress too much," he began, lifting the gift with a smile. "I actually brought you somethi—"
But he trailed off.
Gion was already standing, eyes wide with surprise and delight—looking past him, toward the far end of the hall.
Chaton turned, and sure enough—
At the dining hall entrance stood a tall, lean figure. Black hair. Easygoing smile. Handsome as ever.
The young man blinked at them, then waved cheerfully.
"Nao…"
Gion's hands clenched the edge of the table so tightly that the wood creaked beneath her fingers. Then, without a word, she sprang up and launched herself into his arms.
"You little brat…"
She held him tight—crushing him in a vice grip. Her elegant, porcelain face twisted between a smile and tears.
"—You still know how to come home?!"
"Ow, ow—okay! I can't breathe!"
Nao managed to loosen her grip slightly, looking down at the face inches from his own with a helpless grin.
"Didn't mean to worry you, Rear Admiral. You wouldn't believe the crazy stuff that happened—just being alive is a miracle at this point…"
"Shut up. I don't want to hear it."
The stubborn little rabbit snorted, cutting him off. Then she stared into his deep, innocent eyes for a long moment—before sliding her arms up, closing her eyes—
—and pulling him into a kiss.
Soft. Cool. Wet. Familiar scent and warmth enveloped him.
Nao was stunned at first. But then, he held her close and responded eagerly—switching from defense to offense like a seasoned fighter.
Chaton sat frozen, the wooden figurines still in his hands, dumbstruck and silent.
Several minutes later—
They finally broke apart.
Gion's hair was a mess, cheeks glowing red like an apple that had just been bitten.
She looked up at Nao, eyes hazy, and all the pent-up frustration, longing, and concern she'd bottled up over the past months had been completely swept away in that kiss.
"Nao…"
She opened her mouth to say something, then frowned slightly.
Something felt… off.
She stepped back, looked up at him… then looked down at herself.
"Wait—what?!"
Her eyes widened. "When did you get taller than me?!"
You just noticed?!
Chaton scowled behind the table. He'd seen it immediately. Gion, what happened to your sharp instincts? You used to be so quick—now you're just a hopeless love-struck fool!
"No need to look so shocked, Rear Admiral," Nao said calmly, smiling. "I'm still growing. It's only natural that after so long apart, I'd end up a bit taller than you."
Natural, my ass.
"I refuse to accept this!"
Gion's expression shifted again—this time to full-blown indignation.
"How tall are you now?! Three meters one? Three point one-five?"
"Exactly three point two," Nao replied with a grin. "Which means I'm exactly fifteen centimeters taller than you now, Rear Admiral,."
He was loving every second of this.
Nao had waited so long for this day.
Ever since he'd taken that height-boosting potion, he'd been counting the days. For over a year and a half—over 500 days—every time they kissed, he'd had to stand on tiptoes. He'd nearly resorted to hidden insoles or a step stool.
But now? The heavens had finally smiled upon him.
"…Hmph."
Gion didn't look too happy about it. Her eyes flicked between Nao's lips and chin like a furious little kitten ready to bite.
"C'mon, it was bound to happen eventually," Nao said, trying to play it cool. "And if it really bothers you that much, then tonight, I'll let you—"
He leaned in and whispered something into her ear.
Chaton leaned forward, straining to hear—but caught nothing. Almost crushed the figurines in his hands out of sheer frustration.
Gion blushed and glared at Nao afterward, but didn't protest. Instead, she simply huffed and dragged him by the hand back to the table.
"You two know each other already, so no need for introductions," she said calmly as they sat.
"Of course!" Chaton said quickly.
"Long time no see, Rear Admiral Chaton," Nao said with a smile. "Last time we met was in Marineford, wasn't it? What brings you out to the West Blue?"
Good question. Maybe I came to watch you steal the show. Chaton's face darkened.
"Ahem. I'll explain later tonight," Gion said, turning her head briefly to regain her composure. "Oh right—Chaton, you were saying something earlier? About what you were planning to do?"
Her gaze fell on the item he was holding.
Caught, Chaton coughed awkwardly and clutched the figurines tighter, inching toward the hallway.
"I just meant the sun's going down," he said. "Figured I'd spend some alone time with my good luck charms. Y'know, bless 'em, say a few prayers. Personal faith and all that. You two go ahead and chat…"
He bolted upstairs toward the balcony.
Nao sat down in the now-empty seat, watching him go with a puzzled expression.
"What religion prays to wooden dolls every night…?"
"Beats me," Gion replied, shaking her head. "Let's not worry about him."
She poured two glasses of wine. Crossing her legs elegantly, she swirled her glass, lips curling into a soft smile.
"Well, now that we're alone, and the awkward third wheel is gone… Nao, don't you think it's time you told me about your absolutely insane past few weeks?"
"Let's eat first," Nao replied, downing his wine in one go. "I'm starving. I've barely eaten these past few days trying to rush back—ow! What was that for?!"
"What do you think!"
On the balcony, Chaton involuntarily shivered. He turned to look at the warm, brightly lit dining room inside, then turned back to gaze at the setting sun about to disappear beyond the horizon.
The cold night wind blew over, chilling him to the bone. He couldn't help but shiver, beginning to miss Marineford, where it was spring all year round and comfortably warm.
The West Blue is so cold…