Paradise, the first half of the Grand Line — Alabasta.
Leaning against the railing, Bell-mère reached up to smooth out her long hair.
Standing beside her was none other than Michael, who had just resolved the merchant ship hijacking incident.
But instead of returning to his warship or flying directly back to Alabasta afterward, Michael had opted to hitch a ride on someone else's ship sailing with the current.
Thankfully, neither the easygoing Sohan nor Bell-mère minded too much.
After all, Michael had helped the Marines—giving him a ride was only fair.
And so, with the Seraphim leading the way, the merchant vessel quickly followed the route back into the waters of Alabasta.
(T/N: Seraphim is a ship of the MC)
Drifting upriver from the sea inlet, they entered a wide river channel, heading toward Alubarna.
After seeing the sights along the riverbanks, Bell-mère couldn't help but sigh with admiration.
"A country like this… it's truly wonderful."
Peaceful, tranquil, and prosperous.
Definitely a model kingdom in the world of One Piece.
"Even though it's only my second time here in Alabasta, it somehow feels… different."
"That's probably because the last time you came, the Alabasta Marine branch hadn't been established yet—there weren't any stationed Marines back then, right?" Michael replied, picking up the thread. "A country that's never hosted Marines suddenly having a whole military presence appear... it's bound to feel quite noticeable."
After the Alabasta Marine Branch was constructed, Sengoku had transferred a group of relatively young Marines from branches across the four seas and the first half of the Grand Line.
So, the issue wasn't a lack of rank-and-file soldiers—it was the need for Marine officers capable of taking charge on their own.
After all, he couldn't remain in Alabasta forever.
Nor could the SWORD Secret Special Force stay here indefinitely.
Therefore, during this transitional period, Michael needed to leave behind a trustworthy core team to manage the Alabasta branch.
After all, in his broader plan...
The Kingdom of Alabasta would become a major base for the Revolutionary Army in the future.
So the Marines stationed here had to be people who could carry out his will and be completely trusted.
And the woman standing before him—who once served in the Marines and had nearly given her life for them—
Seemed like a promising candidate.
Most importantly, Bell-mère...
Was the kind of person who had always dared to resist oppression and would never blindly obey rigid, dogmatic orders.
That sort of person had fire in their blood.
"But I heard that Alabasta has always refused to allow the Marines to establish a branch on their land..."
"So why did they accept it now?"
Bell-mère's question was quickly answered by Michael.
"That's probably because, back then, I offered the king of Alabasta a benefit he couldn't refuse—so their original stance wavered." Michael smiled. "It wasn't really a matter of principle to begin with, so shifting their position wasn't a big deal."
Bell-mère nodded in semi-understanding, then fell silent.
...
"Mommy! Nami is crying again!"
A childish voice rang out from the ship's cabin.
Three-year-old Nojiko slowly waddled out from the cabin, holding the hand of the unsteady toddler Nami.
Barely a year old, little Nami sobbed loudly while being led across the undamaged section of the deck by her sister.
"Ma… Mommy!" Nami sniffled. "Hungry."
Bell-mère quickly ran over. Though the section of the deck they were walking on was still intact, it was littered with wood shavings from earlier impact.
If either of the little girls got pricked, it would be another sleepless night.
"Nami, we'll be in Alabasta very soon. Once we arrive, Mommy will take you and Nojiko out for something tasty, alright?"
Though only twenty-one years old, Bell-mère had never had children, or even been in a relationship, yet she radiated a maternal aura no different from Rouge's.
"So for now, can you hold on just a little longer?"
"Re… really?" Little Nami sniffled again, but after receiving reassurance, she broke into a smile and rubbed her tiny belly. "Then I can wait a little longer."
"That's my girl—so cute!"
In that moment, Bell-mère threw all her parenting frustrations to the wind.
She hugged her two daughters, who were her whole world, and rubbed their little cheeks with affection.
Michael tilted his head and looked at the tiny girl with orange hair...
It was hard to believe that such an adorable child would one day become a war goddess who could casually beat up Nika.
Speaking of Nika...
Now that he thought about it, Luffy should have been born around this time too, right?
With that realization, Michael made a mental note—he would need to visit Baltigo again soon.
...
"Mommy, who's that weird-smiling uncle over there?"
Nojiko peeked past Bell-mère's shoulder and spotted Michael in the distance.
She asked with curiosity and a little wariness.
"Him? He's the Marine who helped Mommy this time."
"Marine…" Nojiko's gaze toward Michael was full of scrutiny and suspicion, as if he were a bad guy trying to take their mommy away.
"Honestly, no one's ever called me 'uncle' before." Michael smiled wryly and pointed at his own face. "I'm only twenty-three, okay? Right in the prime of youth."
"But I'm only three?" Nojiko replied with a touch of confusion in her eyes. "So a Marine who's twenty whole years older than me… if he's not an uncle, what is he?"
Hearing Nojiko's well-reasoned argument...
Michael had to admit—fair point!
He was twenty years older than her, so calling him "uncle" wasn't exactly wrong.
"Alright, alright, whether it's, it's just a way of calling someone." Bell-mère casually lifted both daughters into her arms. "Michael-san, look—Alubarna is right ahead."
Michael looked up. Sure enough, the Seraphim in the distance had begun docking at the port.
Which meant it was time for him to leave this merchant ship.
...
"Bell-mère, I heard from Sohan that you used to be in the Marines?"
"Yeah, that's right. I served as a Marine for a while in the East Blue… but after rescuing these two little ones from the battlefield, I left."
Bell-mère made no effort to hide this part of her past—nor was there any need.
Everyone on the ship already knew she had once been a Marine.
What she didn't understand was why Michael would suddenly bring it up.
"Although it might sound a bit presumptuous to say this outright..."
"But—would you consider rejoining the Marines?"
"The Alabasta Marine Branch needs someone like you."
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