Silence.
Prolonged silence.
Michael never expected Jack—this seemingly dumbass giant—to actually be a top student.
"Shh! Jack, you shouldn't say such things here!"
The surrounding Amazon Lily warriors rushed forward, trying to cover Jack's big mouth.
Their panic was unmistakably genuine.
"Huh? Why not? Am I not allowed to brag about good grades!?" Jack crossed his arms indignantly.
"Where's the justice in that!?"
"Fine, fine! You're smart, you're amazing!" The warriors looked like they were on the verge of tears.
"But have you considered that our Empress—the base commander of the 'Empress' branch—only scored a C- in the last Marine-wide assessment!? Sure, her poor performance is her own fault, but do you really think the Empress is the type to listen to reason?"
Judging by Jack's expression, he hadn't processed any of their earlier arguments—except the last sentence.
"R-right... Big Sis isn't reasonable at all... If she finds out I scored higher and rubbed it in her face..."
At this thought, even Jack began trembling uncontrollably.
He immediately slid into a kneeling position before Michael.
"Vice Admiral Michael! Save me! You can't let Big Sis beat me to death!"
"Pleading with me won't help." Michael shook his head regretfully.
"The Marine-wide assessment results are published by branch. Hancock has definitely seen your score by now."
"...Then if I run away now, I might still make it?" Jack's face twisted in misery.
"Who'd have thought Big Sis would have the face of a wise ruler but the brains of a dog?"
"Watch your mouth! How dare you compare sister brain with a dog!?" Marigold scolded sharply.
"Sister is just... a little clumsy when it comes to studying!"
"Come on, that's not much better." Sandersonia sighed, resting her cheek in her hand.
"At this rate, we'll have to flee with Jack."
...
"Your Majesty! Vice Admiral Michael has departed!"
"What!? Michael left without even saying goodbye!?" Hancock abruptly stood up, scattering documents all over the floor.
"How could he bear to leave behind such an adorable daughter!?"
"Uh..."
The Amazon Lily warrior who came to report glanced at Hancock, then cast a pleading look toward Shakky and Gloriossa, who were assisting with governance nearby.
"Just speak your mind directly," Gloriossa shook her head, "Hancock is your empress, not some devil."
"I'm just afraid that after saying this, even the wisest empress might turn into a devil..." the warrior muttered under her breath before finally raising her head resolutely and announcing loudly.
"Your Majesty! When Vice Admiral Michael left, he took that woman named Yamato with him!"
"...Hmph, let him take her. I've already made it clear to her who's the elder sister."
"Vice Admiral Michael also took Jack."
"He took Jack? Wonderful! That little rascal ate and drank so much here and kept wrecking my training grounds! Good riddance!"
"Uh... Lady Sandersonia and Lady Marigold also boarded Vice Admiral Garp's warship with Vice Admiral Michael. They should be almost out of the Calm Belt by now."
After finishing her report, the warrior looked toward Gloriossa and Shakky.
Seeing Shakky give a slight nod, the warrior immediately fled the palace as if her life depended on it.
Gloriossa and Shakky then turned to Hancock, who stood motionless with her head lowered, and asked softly.
"Are you alright, Hancock?"
After waiting a moment with no response, they exchanged puzzled glances.
Surely she couldn't be this angry?
They moved closer to Hancock's face.
To their surprise, they found Hancock with her eyes rolled back, having fainted while standing.
"Well this..." Gloriossa said helplessly, "I didn't expect this would hit her so hard."
"Sibling rivalry for their father's affection... it's a common enough drama," Shakky chuckled while shaking her head.
"But Hancock's temper is truly something else."
As she spoke, Shakky began gathering the scattered documents from the table.
"What are you doing?"
"Obviously, do you think after this farce Hancock will be in any state to govern?" Shakky glanced at Gloriossa.
"So we'd better take these documents and handle them for her."
"Sigh... including me?"
"Thinking of running away? You owe me this."
"Yes, yes, you've really got me cornered."
...
"Are we really heading straight back to the HQ?" Garp stood at the bow, stuffing a bag of rice crackers into his gaping maw,
"When that girl Hancock comes to her senses, she'll probably go berserk."
"That's exactly why we can't return to the HQ," Michael shot Garp a sidelong glance, "What? You old coot getting homesick?"
"I'm just worried whether my three grandsons are eating properly."
"...Of all things to worry about, their meals should be the least of your concerns," Michael rolled his eyes.
"Those three troublemakers would eat three pounds of shit if it didn't stink!"
"Now I take offense at that! Eating heartily builds strong bodies!"
"If you don't like it, tough luck! You old rascal!"
After teasing Garp, Michael turned to Bogart and said, "Change course, we're heading to Water 7."
"Water 7?" Bogart cast a puzzled glance at Garp.
"Why are you looking at me? Didn't you hear the Grand Inspector say we're going to Water 7? Just do as you're told."
"Yes, sir!"
Bogart accepted the order and left.
Now, only Michael and Garp remained at the ship's bow.
"Listen, Michael, how long has it been since Roger's execution...?"
"Twelve years," Michael answered without hesitation.
"A full twelve years."
"Over these years, would you say we've been doing our jobs as Marines?"
"That depends on what kind of Marines you're talking about." Michael shrugged, gazing at the horizon where sea met sky.
"If you mean the kind that blindly obeys the World Government and serves as their loyal enforcers, then we've been slacking off terribly—completely unqualified."
"But if you see us as Marines fighting for true justice and order in this world... then we've been fairly competent."
"Do you always have to say such shocking things?" Garp shook his head helplessly.
"It's hard to imagine you already had the resolve to oppose the World Government over a decade ago."
"The World Government never expected that the Marine role model they set up had already joined forces with a born rebel like me all those years ago."
"Joined forces? No, as you once said..."
Though Garp was munching on a rice cracker, his tone was deadly serious.
"It's the World Government that's gone astray, not us."
-----------------------------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator