With the current physical strength of the three Hancock sisters, as well as their perception and comprehension far beyond ordinary people, they quickly mastered the basic usage of their respective Devil Fruit abilities.
Michael waited until the three girls had gotten over their initial excitement before speaking again:
"This time, at the promotion ceremony, when your identities are revealed in public, it means you can officially graduate from the SWORD Secret Special Force and shine in all aspects of the Marines."
Before Michael even finished speaking, protests erupted from the team members.
"What do you mean by that!? Are you planning to abandon us!?"
"Woo woo woo, what a scumbag! We ran into a scumbag!"
"I'm telling you now, I'm sticking with you no matter what! If you don't let me follow you, I'll… I'll go to sea and join the Revolutionary Army!"
"You join the Revolutionary Army? Then I'll go be a pirate!"
Everyone was chattering nonsense, but the message was clear…
They weren't letting Michael shake them off!
"How does your brain even work? When did I ever say you wouldn't be part of the SWORD Secret Special Force anymore?" Michael rubbed his temples helplessly. "My plan was always to train you so you could secure a place within the Marines… Now that we've basically achieved that, of course, you have to spread out, develop on your own, and take command in your own right."
Michael didn't bother with comforting words—he laid it all out directly.
With the intelligence of his subordinates, they naturally understood Michael's intentions.
Especially someone like Crocodile, who knew about Michael's other identities…
She had remained silent all this time because she knew Michael intended to change the Marine's internal structure in his own way.
For example…
By sending SWORD Secret Special Force members to different key Marine units, expanding his personal influence into the influence of the entire Special Force.
With him as the Chief Inspector, leading four Marine Vice Admirals and a group of officers destined to reach Vice Admiral rank in the future…
He would become the largest faction within the Marines.
This was how Crocodile saw Michael resolving the internal faction disputes in the Marines…
If the factional disputes can't be eradicated, then why not just become the largest faction?
"Then have you already decided where to send us?"
"Of course… I've already planned it all out."
Michael smiled and nodded.
Smart people like Crocodile were always considerate.
Unlike that blockhead Smoker, who would just pout and start howling any second.
"First, Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold—you three sisters will be sent back to Amazon Lily. And your first task upon returning will be for Hancock to officially inherit the throne of Amazon Lily."
"That's no problem at all. Granny Gloriosa and Shakky-san have sent us many letters saying I should inherit the throne already." Hancock nodded. "Especially Shakky-san. She's getting tired of handling Amazon Lily's affairs… She was forced into this role back then and never wanted to be Empress in the first place."
"Good. As long as you understand." Michael nodded before continuing. "After you inherit the throne, the first thing you'll do is build a Marine branch on Amazon Lily… Once it's built, you'll serve as the Base Commander."
Michael had decided on this plan for Hancock back when he first rescued the three sisters.
The Empress of Amazon Lily serving as Base Commander of a powerful Marine branch—this carried no small amount of authority.
And it was easy to foresee that once Amazon Lily's warriors joined the Marines, they'd inevitably find spouses within the organization to carry on their bloodline.
That way, anyone who married an Amazon Lily warrior would essentially be boarding Michael's ship.
"But the cost of building the branch…"
"Just prepare the invoice and have Rosinante reimburse it."
With a wave of his hand, Michael tossed the details to Rosinante, far away in Alabasta.
Then Michael looked at Hina and Smoker.
"You two will be stationed at the Alabasta branch… Of course, you won't be sitting around for nothing. You'll have priority access to the gold reserves of the Golden City, and if Germa Kingdom develops new technology, you'll be the first to test it."
"Huh!? Why me and Hina!?"
"I want to know why it has to be Smoker!"
"Because no one else wants to breathe secondhand smoke… One delinquent girl and one chain-smoking guy—perfect to ruin each other's lungs." Michael rolled his eyes. He joked, but still explained clearly.
"Alabasta is the most important base for our SWORD Secret Special Force. Our entire foundation is there. You two, along with Rosinante, were my earliest recruits. I trust you the most."
Michael wasn't tricking them—the specific affairs in Alabasta were mainly Rosinante's responsibility. The two of them were there to serve as his deputies.
After all, no matter how capable Rosinante was, he was still just one man.
So sending old acquaintances to support him would make cooperation much smoother.
"Robin… After your official promotion, you'll continue serving as Vice Admiral Gion's adjutant. But in addition, you'll be responsible for establishing an exclusive information exchange network for the SWORD Secret Special Force on Sabaody Archipelago."
"I… I'll do my best!"
Unlike those few blockheads, Robin, the smartest person present, immediately understood Michael's intentions.
This job was clearly meant to make her the glue holding the whole team together after they were dispersed.
Ensuring they'd remain a unified network for information sharing.
"As for Shu and T Bone, I've got a good assignment for you…" Michael smiled at Shu and T Bone.
"How about Enies Lobby? You'll be stationed there permanently as Marine officers… in charge of all defense duties."
Hearing this, Shu and T Bone nodded seriously.
As the only two adults in the SWORD Secret Special Force besides Rosinante, Shu and T Bone had always earned Michael's trust.
T Bone had impeccable character and was respected everywhere he went.
Shu, aside from being rather cunning, had developed the Rust-Rust Fruit to an impressive degree… even giving off a faint semblance of a Logia-type power.
With their expertise in cutting down ships, sending them to guard Enies Lobby—a critical Marine stronghold and transport hub—couldn't be more appropriate.
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