After receiving his punishment, Rengoku was no longer bound by rank—he was free, yet marked.
Though all of his accumulated wages had been confiscated, he had never cared much for money.
A lifetime of reduced pay? If it could help the victims of Alabasta, then what was 30%—he would gladly give away 100%.
Wearing only a simple shirt, Rengoku returned to his office with Vivi's support.
But as he was now suspended, stripped of his rank as vice admiral, and scheduled to return to service as nothing more than a private during the war, he would no longer have need of an office.
"V-Vice Admiral?"
"Don't call me that, Tashigi. I'm no longer a vice admiral."
Tashigi had been waiting in his office.
She must have rushed over the moment she heard of his return, still unable to grasp the situation.
"W-what do you mean? Did you… did you get promoted to admiral?"
Her hopeful question made Rengoku shake his head.
"Because of what I did at Enies Lobby—and for all my past failings—I was punished. As of today, I'm suspended. When the war comes, I'll return only as a private."
Tashigi froze at his words.
Then, without hesitation, Rengoku unfastened the black blade at his side and held it out to her.
"This is Shusui, one of the 21 Great Grade Blades, an Eternal Black Blade. I'm entrusting it to you. I believe you'll treat it with the respect it deserves."
But Tashigi did not accept the sword.
"What… what is this supposed to mean?"
"Tashigi…"
Still shaken, she had no answers—only confusion.
Seeing this, Vivi quietly explained what had happened.
How five years ago, Rengoku had let Nico Robin go. How he faced her again at Enies Lobby, and once more released her. How he had even prepared to take his own life. And finally, how Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself had decreed the punishment.
When Tashigi understood the full story, she was left speechless.
"Vice Admiral…"
"I told you, I'm no longer a vice admiral. You don't need to call me that."
Rengoku went on silently packing his personal belongings.
"…Vice Admiral…"
Sensing the tension, Vivi quietly excused herself and left the room. She knew that, as his aide, Tashigi had words that only she could say.
Once Vivi was gone, Tashigi shut the door behind her.
"…Why didn't you say anything to me?"
"…"
"Please, say something! Why didn't you tell me anything?"
"…On the way back to Marineford, my ship was damaged. I diverted to Water 7, and there… I ended up working alongside CP9."
Rengoku stated it plainly, with no emotion.
"That's all…?"
Her voice cracked, trembling as if she were holding back tears.
"During that operation, the Buster Call was triggered. And once again, I failed to capture the great criminal Nico Robin. Everything happening now—this punishment—is nothing more than what I deserve. So take Shusui."
"I can't. No—I won't take it!"
Tashigi refused him flatly.
"Why? Why am I always the last to know? I'm your aide—if I lack something, tell me! Why do I always learn your true feelings only when it's already too late?!"
"…Is this about what I said before Amazon Lily?"
Before his assignment to Amazon Lily, Rengoku had subtly hinted at her independence.
"Did you know, then? So it's true… back then, it was because you started to dislike me…"
"How could that be? You've grown into a fine Marine—more than capable of standing on your own. Someday, you'll have to lead your own unit. Perhaps I was impatient at the time, but my wish for you to become independent was sincere."
"But I'm still your aide! If you really think about it…"
Tashigi's cheeks flushed red.
"If you really think about it, I'm the one closest to you, aren't I? Then why… why have you never once shared the burdens in your heart with me? Was I so unworthy of your trust?"
Her heart pounded violently—she didn't even know anymore if it was from anger or embarrassment.
"No aide has ever been as capable as you," Rengoku said firmly. "But that is precisely why you will someday become a rear admiral, then a vice admiral, and eventually an admiral yourself. You deserve to spread your wings. I cannot hold you back forever. And now that I've been suspended, you should prepare to take the promotion exam to rear admiral soon. With your strength, you'll pass easily."
At this "recommendation," Tashigi shook her head in refusal.
"Then I'll remain a colonel forever. I'll remain your aide, Vice Admiral Rengoku, for life!"
"Tashigi!"
Her stubbornness made Rengoku raise his voice—but then he saw her eyes brimming with tears.
"Why… why can't I? Why is that so wrong? Vice Admiral Garp never sought promotion beyond his rank for decades. Then I won't, either! I'll stay at colonel, if that's what it takes!"
"Tashigi… why are you so insistent…"
Her tears stole the words from him.
"Insistent? No. I should be the one asking you! Why are you the one who refuses to lean on me? I'm your aide! Do you even understand what exclusive means? I belong to you—I've always been on your side!"
Tashigi's face was wet with tears, her whole body trembling.
What she felt no longer mattered—only that it overwhelmed her.
"What subordinate would ever want to hear the superior they respect and… care for… tell them to go their own way?"
Pressing both hands to her chest, she faltered for a moment before shouting once more:
"Until the day you return, I will never accept promotion! Remember that! I… I am your aide, and yours alone!"
Having poured out her heart, Tashigi ran from the office without looking back.
Rengoku did not chase after her.
No—he couldn't.
All he could do was watch her storm out, then sigh and mutter with a bitter smile:
"…I am unfit to be a superior."
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