"Kumady, looks like your own subordinate hates you now, haraharahara~!"
From the corner of the office, Perona appeared, wearing her lightweight seastone bracelets, sneering at Rengoku.
"You usually sit quietly on your own. What's with the sudden change of attitude?"
"Haraharahara, I heard everything. You've been demoted, right? Serves you right~"
Watching Perona gloat with that mischievous smile, Rengoku kept packing his belongings and replied calmly.
"Once my protection is gone, you'll be sent straight to Impel Down."
"W–what? But I already told you everything about Hogback's human experiments! There's no reason left to send me to Impel Down!"
Perona's eyes flashed with disbelief, but Rengoku simply shook his head.
"The only reason you've been allowed to remain active like this is because I've been suppressing your Devil Fruit powers. If I'm gone, there'll be no one left to control them. Naturally, Impel Down will be your destination."
At his firm tone, Perona broke into a nervous sweat, but tried to cover it with a forced confidence.
"So what? Fine, I'll go to Impel Down! I like dark, damp places anyway!"
"Your crimes were reduced, so instead of a dark, damp cell, you'll be sent to Level 3—Starvation Hell. A place of endless, scorching heat, with no water and barely any food. More like a desert at high noon than a dungeon. I wonder if you'll survive there."
"No way! No way! That's impossible! I attacked the Navy back when I was under a Warlord! That's a serious crime—I should be sent to the darkest, deepest part, not some burning desert!"
It was the first time Rengoku had ever seen someone beg to be sent to Level 6.
"As you said earlier, you reported Hogback's experiments first, and on top of that, you've been confined in my office under seastone restraints. That reduced your charges considerably. Level 3 is fair."
Caught by her own logic, Perona clutched her head and wailed.
"No way! No way! No way! A desert like that is hell!!"
Grabbing Rengoku's sleeve, she pleaded desperately.
"Hey, Kumady, I'll stay quiet, I promise. Just don't let them send me to Impel Down, okay?"
"That's up to the higher-ups and the military tribunal, not me. If you want mercy, you'll have to beg the court. And for the last time, my name is Rengoku, not Kumady."
"I don't care, I don't care, I don't care! Your name is Kumady, and that's final—I decided it!"
Perona puffed up her cheeks, rolling around on the floor like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum.
"I don't wanna go to Impel Down! I'll just follow you instead, Kumady!"
Rengoku didn't really mind her calling him "Kumady," but since this might be their last time together, he finally asked:
"Tell me, why do you keep calling me Kumady?"
"Because that's what you are—Kumady!"
"I'm not a bear, you know."
"Anyone can see you're a bear."
From her corner of the office, Perona had watched Tashigi come and go every day, sometimes even Vivi.
But it wasn't just them—she'd also seen plenty of female marines openly show their affection toward him.
Is he stupid? That's obviously a confession!
Again and again, Perona found herself thinking the same thing.
But that oaf Kumady—whether truly oblivious or deliberately dodging—always gave replies that left people confused.
....
"I feel reassured having a subordinate like you."
"We see each other every day, don't we?"
"Your chest hurts? Then I'll lower the intensity of today's training."
....
What an idiot…
Watching Rengoku's "iron-wall defense" every single day, Perona thought maybe he had feelings for Vivi or Tashigi.
But today, she learned the truth.
He didn't.
Either he had no interest at all, or he was just a blockheaded bear—like Kumashi (C), only now followed by Kumady (D).
"Anyway, I'm not going to Impel Down! Do something, Kumady!"
"I'm currently suspended. I have no authority to interfere in your case. Whatever decision is made, you'll have to accept it quietly. That's the best thing for you."
It was the plain, unvarnished truth.
Rengoku, stripped of command, couldn't exercise any real authority anymore. The Navy still treated him with courtesy, but when it came to the tribunal or higher-ups, he had no say.
Having finished packing, Rengoku picked up his bag and walked toward Perona.
"..."
He didn't answer her whining—just strode straight toward her.
"D-don't come closer! Stay away, Kumady!"
Her words were firm, but her trembling voice betrayed her.
A towering 192-centimeter man closing in on a 160-centimeter girl in the corner—it looked bad to any outsider.
Especially since Perona, bound with seastone bracelets, had no powers. Just a fragile human body.
Her trembling grew worse, and her imagination began to run wild.
Wait, wait—does Kumady actually like me?!
I don't like forceful guys… f-forceful… I–I don't like that…
Well… he is handsome, but… I'm not ready for this…!
It was only a fleeting moment, but after watching Rengoku's fiery passion day after day, Perona had come to hold a certain fondness for him.
Not romantic—at least, that's what she told herself. Just person-to-person respect.
But as he stepped closer, her heart began pounding furiously.
"W-w-wait! I'm not ready yet…!"
Pat.
"…Eh?"
Instead of what she imagined, Rengoku simply placed his hand gently on her head and patted her.
"For the short time we've been together, thank you for not causing any major trouble. If you're sent to Impel Down, I'll visit at least once. And if you're ever released, do not harm the innocent. If you do—then I'll be the one to hunt you down again."
With that, he tapped her shoulder twice, turned, and walked off to prepare for his departure from Marineford.
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