In the year 1492 of the Haiyuan Calendar. (About 30 years before the Summit War)
In the North Blue sea.
The sun was shining brightly, and the cool sea breeze created ripples on the surface of the water.
A warship flying the White Seagull Flag was sailing smoothly across the sea, the towering mast supporting a huge sail with the word "Justice" emblazoned in black.
"Gion…. My Gion, I like you, please accept my love!"
On the deck of the warship, a rather disheveled Marine Captain performed a magnificent slide, theatrically kneeling on one knee, holding a bouquet of vibrant roses with both hands, gazing fervently at the beauty before him.
In front of him stood a tall girl with long black wavy hair.
She wore a Marine Captain's Justice cloak and a pink strappy sleeveless shirt, her lower half in hot pants revealing a pair of fair and curvy long legs.
"Captain Tokikake is so brave!"
"Go for it, Captain Tokikake!!"
With Tokikake's public display of affection, the other Marines on the deck erupted in excited cheers.
Some threw confetti, some blew horns, and others set off fireworks…
Some even held up a banner that read "Captain Tokikake's 38th Confession."
As if inspired by the shouts and enthusiasm of his subordinates, Tokikake was suddenly filled with unparalleled confidence.
While raising the roses, he flipped his greasy tuft of hair, revealing a smug expression he deemed to be incredibly handsome.
"Gion, accept my love! There's no man better than me in this world!"
Gion: …
Her lips twitched slightly, and she replied in a melancholic tone,
"Tokikake, you're a good person, but we're not suited for each other."
The deck fell unusually silent.
The sounds of horns, cheers, and fireworks abruptly ceased.
The Marines looked at Captain Tokikake, who remained kneeling there with flowers in hand, and suddenly realized how desolate and forlorn his figure seemed.
"Captain Tokikake is so pitiful…
He's confessed so many times already…"
"Alas…"
Instinctively, they approached, wanting to offer some words of comfort, but Tokikake suddenly turned his head, and two streaks of tears covered his disheveled face.
"Did you all hear that?"
Tokikake bit his lip, his eyes brimming with tears.
"That Captain Tokikake, we all heard it…"
"Actually, you don't need to be so downcast…"
"That's right, my man…"
The Marines began to console him with reluctance.
"He even praised me as a good person!!"
Tokikake suddenly jumped up from the ground, his tear-filled eyes sparkling with dazzling light, his face flushed with excitement:
"She finally acknowledged me!! What does this mean!? It means that if I continue to confess, maybe next time she'll agree to date me!"
The surrounding Marines: …
Is she really praising you?
"Being a good person" is a compliment?
They exchanged awkward glances, their expressions stiff and forced. After a subtle exchange of looks, they nodded in unison, smiling:
"That's right, that's right!"
"Exactly!"
"Definitely!"
"I knew it!!"
Tokikake immediately burst into joyous celebration, clenching his fists.
"She's testing my patience, I finally understand your kind intentions, Gion!!"
He turned his head, smiling broadly and said,
"Actually, you don't need to test me; we've known each other for so long. Don't you know my feelings for you? Come on, give me a kiss…"
As he spoke, Tokikake puckered his lips and leaned toward Gion.
Bang!!
In the next moment, he flew backward like a cannonball, crashing against the mast, then sliding down like a lump of mud.
Two streams of bright red blood gushed from his nostrils, and his body twitched occasionally.
The surrounding Marines seemed to be used to this scene, putting away various "cheering" tools and going about their tasks as if nothing had happened.
As the farce ended, Gion rubbed her temples and sighed helplessly.
She opened the military documents in her hand, which contained a file on a Marine.
Name: Rogers D. Allen
Age: 19
Origin: North Blue, orphan
Position: Base Commander of North Blue Branch 312
Rank: Marine Headquarters Captain
Abilities: Suspected ability to manipulate metal via a Devil Fruit, specifics unknown
Evaluation: A person with immense ambition, decisive and ruthless in actions, straightforward in character, holds strong influence in the North Blue sea, has incredible potential, and can be considered for the officer training program
Note: Serious issues with personal conduct
Below this form was a dense compilation of achievements and feats in the eradication of pirates.
Additionally, the file included a photograph provided by the Marine photo department.
Gion casually glanced at the photo, her onyx eyes flashing momentarily.
The man in the picture had black hair and eyes, pronounced features, and a gaze as deep as the stars, radiating a wild and unrestrained aura.
"This guy looks a bit handsome; he might be rivaling me."
At that moment, Tokikake, with his bruised and battered head, leaned over and exclaimed in admiration,
"So this guy named Allen is our target for inspection?"
Gion glanced at Tokikake, whose nostrils were still stuffed with tissue, suppressing the urge to beat the shameless guy again, she replied in a flat tone:
"According to Sister Tsuru, this Allen is a very dangerous and capable individual."
"Besides, this is my mission; what are you following me for?"
She looked at the persistently sticky fellow with displeasure.
"I go where you go."
Tokikake gave a mischievous smile and shrugged carelessly, saying,
"But he's just a Captain from Headquarters. Does Sister Tsuru really value him that much?"
The Gion mentioned by Tokikake was the Chief of Staff of the Marine Headquarters, a core figure in the world's justice force.
Could it be that only figures like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Roger deserve her attention?
This kid is merely a Captain stationed in the Four Blues; while his rank is two levels higher than hers, it's merely because she grew up in Headquarters and hadn't accumulated enough achievements for promotion.
Once she starts carrying out missions, she could easily surpass this guy.
Gion shook her head and said,
"No, Sister Tsuru must have her reasons for saying that."
Tokikake's eyes sparkled:
"So if we really uncover any issues during the inspection, will we take action?"
As he spoke, he couldn't help but crack his knuckles, looking eager for a fight.
For some reason, upon seeing the photo on the file, he felt an impulse to beat the guy up.
He couldn't quite explain it.
Definitely not because he was better looking than him.
"No, we just need to report to Headquarters."
Gion slowly closed the file, turning to look at the vast sea.
The boundless ocean breeze blew, tossing her black long hair about.
She recalled Sister Tsuru's advice before departure and the various rumors about Allen she had heard back at Headquarters…
The North Blue… the most chaotic sea in the Four Blues…
Lost in thought, in the distance,
the outline of a heavily guarded military base gradually emerged from the mist.
"We're almost there."
Gion said blandly.
The warship's lookout began to sound the bugle,
the bright bugle call reverberated across the sea, and similarly from the direction of North Blue Branch 321 came the same bugle call.
They echoed in response.
"Prepare to disembark."
Gion turned to the group of Marines.
Soon, the warship slowly docked at the port of North Blue Branch 321.
Rows of armed Marines were stationed on the land, forming a menacing military formation.
"This North Blue Navy… is a bit impressive..."
Tokikake leaned on his chin, scrutinizing the stationed Marines of Branch 321, unable to help but comment.
Although Branch 321 is the largest and most powerful branch in the North Blue naval system, the quality of the Marines in the Four Blues is notoriously low, and the disparities compared to Headquarters are widely acknowledged.
But Tokikake found that these Marines exuded a very sharp spirit, each emanating a fierce aura, their eyes resolute, and their weapons were top-notch.
Just from this aura and equipment alone, it wouldn't be surprising if they were comparable to the elite of Headquarters.
Something doesn't sit right… that guy named Allen has managed to train the North Blue Marines to this level.
Gion and Tokikake couldn't help but exchange glances, both recognizing the doubt in each other's eyes.
"Salute!"
At that moment, a twenty-year-old Marine Captain wearing a military cap stepped out from the formation and shouted loudly.
As soon as he finished speaking, all the Marines at the port stood at attention and saluted.
Gion and Tokikake also returned the salute and stepped down from the warship.
"Momonga, nice to meet you."
Gion extended her hand as she assessed the man in front of her, with dark purple hair and a stern, rugged appearance, relevant intelligence flashing through her mind.
Momonga, Marine Captain, deputy base commander of North Blue Branch 321, known as Rogers D. Allen's right-hand man.
Momonga shook Gion's hand and said solemnly,
"Welcome, Captain Gion and Captain Tokikake, to the inspection."
Although they held the same rank, Gion and Tokikake hailed from Headquarters, representing the authority of the Marine Headquarters, so a degree of respect was mandatory.
"We are colleagues; no need to be so formal."
Gion smiled, her gaze darting around.
"Where's Captain Allen?"
Momonga's expression faltered slightly; he stumbled over his words:
"Captain Allen… is still busy."
Still busy?
Gion frowned, suddenly noticing a beautifully decorated royal ship docked at the harbor.
The royal ship was adorned with colorful ribbons, its mast flying the kingdom's flag.
"This is... the official ship of the Kingdom of Yadis?"
Gion recognized the banner on the royal ship, and her expression turned icy.
She remembered the various rumors about Allen she had heard back at Headquarters… instinctively biting her silver teeth.
This royal ship had an evidently feminine style; its owner...
It couldn't be…
Gion felt a bad premonition rising in her heart, gritting her teeth as she stepped forward, striding past Momonga heading toward the base commander's residence.
Her mind was filled with rumors about Rogers D. Allen's corrupt and depraved lifestyle, and his lecherous nature!
...
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