"So the urgent matter you mentioned this morning... was just going out to hack someone up?"
Bell-mère looked at the two half-dead men currently lying inside Michael's estate and finally couldn't hold back, letting out a long-suffering complaint.
"Hey, we're Marines. It's our job to be ready to deal with criminal activity anytime, anywhere!"
Michael spoke as he reached out his right hand toward Hawk Eyes, who had fallen into a deep coma from his injuries.
"Rejuvenation."
Holy Light, guided by Michael's chant, flowed steadily into Hawk Eyes' body.
Michael was certainly a bit devious, but he did have one redeeming quality—he kept his word.
Hawk Eyes was seriously injured and on the verge of death, but on the verge wasn't the same as actually dead.
So Michael wouldn't let him die.
After all, he'd unexpectedly pulled two SSR cards while doing a routine field sweep—he had to put them to good use, right?
"They're both really badly hurt," little Hancock tilted her head, looking at the prone Hawk Eyes and Crocodile. "But the one with the weird eye definitely looks worse off."
"You're not scared at all?" Michael pointed at Sandersonia and Marigold, who were hiding beside him. "Look at your sisters. Being afraid when seeing people covered in blood—that's what a normal little girl would do."
"But I'm already twelve," little Hancock pouted. "And I'm destined to become the Empress of Amazon Lily. So no matter what, I can't be afraid."
Michael nodded. Compared to her more ordinary sisters, little Hancock had Conqueror's Haki and a natural talent for combat. Her potential was probably top-tier even in the entire pirate world.
A future powerhouse like her was bound to be a bit different.
Bell-mère's mouth twitched as she listened to their conversation.
Not a single normal one among them!
Earlier today during new recruit training, these three sisters had volunteered to join in.
At first, Bell-mère thought it was just curiosity. But even the shyest and most timid-looking Marigold had displayed surprising stamina.
The Grand Line really was full of strange things...
Even now, she was just starting to get used to it.
"Alright, you're still just twelve. Stop pretending to be a grown-up." Michael walked over and ruffled little Hancock's head. "It's already bedtime for kids."
"Fine. Then you grown-ups can keep enjoying your grown-up time."
Little Hancock pouted and led her two sisters toward their room.
Grown-up time...
Although she knew Hancock was just trying to counter Michael calling her a "kid," Bell-mère's cheeks still flushed slightly.
But seeing the two children beside her already fast asleep, Bell-mère showed a gentle smile.
"If you're tired, you can let Nojiko and Nami sleep here. The guest room next door is always kept tidy."
"You're not tired?"
"I am. But I can't sleep tonight." Michael pointed to Hawk Eyes and Crocodile. "We went through a lot of trouble catching them. Can't just let them die, can we?"
He was still counting on these two to contribute to his Seven Warlords of the Sea plan.
"But... who are they exactly?" Bell-mère looked at the massive black blade casually leaning against the wall, then at the giant golden hook on Crocodile's hand. "They sure don't look like good people."
"That one on the left, hasn't been at sea for long, but already has a 400 million Belly bounty."
"The one on the right just made a name for himself recently and got an 81 million Belly bounty."
"They're pirates?" Bell-mère frowned, her voice trembling slightly. "I've never seen a pirate with even an 80 million bounty, let alone 400 million."
"The East Blue is like that. It doesn't have the conditions for big-name pirates to emerge." Michael shrugged. "After all, it's the Marine Hero's hometown. Why do you think no big pirates show up in the East Blue? They're all dealt with by that old guy whenever he visits home."
"You mean Marine Hero Garp? You know him?" Bell-mère suddenly grew excited. "He's my idol!"
"Of course I know him. I even arranged for someone to deliver his grandson." Michael rolled his eyes. "And really, what's with idolizing that old geezer?"
"He's a Marine Hero!"
"I know. But it's not like he's grown three heads and six arms. If he had, maybe I'd admire him a bit."
Hearing Michael casually slander the Marine Hero, Bell-mère realized that he really did know the legendary man well.
Well enough to badmouth him behind his back without the slightest hesitation.
Cough, cough!
Just then, one of the half-dead duo let out a weak cough.
Michael looked up...
Crocodile was waking up from his coma.
After all, compared to some of his older wounds, Hawk Eyes was definitely the more severely injured one.
And Michael hadn't been treating their wounds directly. Instead, he used Rejuvenation to constantly stimulate their internal vitality.
As he developed his Devil Fruit powers further, Michael was becoming increasingly adept at using the Seraphim's abilities.
Lately, he often felt an itch around his wings...
As if something else was about to grow out.
But he was still just one step short.
"Where... am I?" Crocodile barely managed to open his eyes, staring at the ceiling shadows flickering under the lights. His voice was raspy like sandpaper. "Don't tell me this is the afterlife?"
"Good news is, you're not dead." Michael's voice reached Crocodile's ears. "Bad news is, you've been captured by the Marines."
Crocodile turned toward the sound and saw the man who had nearly taken out Hawk Eyes looking at him with a teasing gaze.
Beside him sat a woman with long pink hair, gently comforting two little girls who were frowning in their sleep.
"But this place... doesn't look like a Marine prison."
"Whether you end up in prison depends on your choice."
Michael walked over to Crocodile, placing a hand on the three slash wounds on his body.
Crocodile's already pale face turned ghost-white, and cold sweat instantly covered his forehead.
But his tone remained stubborn.
"Kill me."
"The more you want me to do something, the more I won't do it. I'm just that rebellious." Michael grinned. "Besides, I happen to know a pretty big secret about you..."
With that, Michael leaned down and whispered something in Crocodile's ear.
Bell-mère didn't catch much, just a few unclear words—like "gender" and "Ivankov"...
But what happened next left her completely stunned.
Crocodile, who had been so tough just a moment ago, suddenly broke into a nearly obsequious smile.
"Well, uh... ask me anything. I'll tell you everything I know."
---
(For each review +1 additional chapter)
read +100 chapters on Patreon tambeerg