"Next, it's your turn."
Michael spoke as he looked at the top fighters of the SWORD Secret Special Force — the four who had just been exceptionally promoted to Vice Admiral.
"Stella, you and Crocodile are heading to Egghead Island, Egghead, to take over everything there. Especially Vegapunk's safety — that is the absolute top priority." Michael looked seriously at the two very different women.
"This used to be the job of 'Kizaru' Borsalino and 'Chaton' Tokikake. Now it's fallen to you two… Do it well. Make sure Vegapunk, from beginning to end… is on our side."
As soon as Michael said this, everyone smiled.
He practically spelled out: "Keep those World Government busybodies away from Vegapunk."
Stella and Crocodile both nodded, but in Stella's eyes, there was a trace of reluctance…
"Michael…"
"What is it, Stella?" Michael looked at her. Those captivating green eyes of his were as clear as jewels, so much so that even he felt his heart tremble.
"Don't look at me like that… I'll think you've fallen for me."
"…Blockhead."
Stella muttered softly and said nothing more.
Her reaction confused Michael — and set the rest of the SWORD Secret Special Force whispering among themselves.
"Wait, so Stella still hasn't snagged Michael yet?"
"How should I know? I thought for sure the two of them had already… you know."
"You know what exactly?"
"Kissing! Tongues and everything!"
"Come on, Michael isn't really planning to be a playboy, right? I remember when he was with Vice Admiral Gion, the way she looked at him was like she was going to eat him alive."
"Not just Gion — even Crocodile. You haven't seen it, but Crocodile loves staring at Michael's back and side profile like she's in a trance…"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk… you guys forgetting Bell-mère, the one raising kids right now?"
"Wow… when you add it all up, Michael's love life is seriously a mess."
Michael suddenly stood up. His two pairs of wings spread wide as a friendly smile appeared on his face.
"Am I… being too easy on you all lately?"
"Big stick beats small stick! Run, brothers!"
Before Michael could even finish, everyone bolted out of the meeting room.
In the blink of an eye, the only ones left inside were Michael… and Hawk Eyes and Enel, who still had no assigned tasks.
Hawk Eyes calmly pointed at his own face.
"What about me? What am I supposed to do?"
"You? Please! One's a killing maniac, the other's a crazy idiot. Of course you two are coming with me! You think the rest of the Marines have a place for you lunatics?!"
Michael rolled his eyes, clearly exasperated.
Hawk Eyes and Enel were actually the easiest to arrange. Their individual power? Just throw them into the New World and they'd be fine.
But then Michael thought about it. The New World was mainly Akainu's G-1 Branch. These two already had enough of a violent streak — if Akainu rubbed off on them, that'd be a disaster.
So after some thought, he decided to keep them with him instead.
"Anyway, timing works out perfectly. You two, come with me."
"I need to go… officiate a wedding."
...
Baltigo.
Ever since the Revolutionary Army's main forces shifted to the first half of the Grand Line — the 'Paradise' — Baltigo had become the true headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.
Who would have thought that this seemingly barren island hid the force now glaring at the entire world like a hungry tiger?
However, the Revolutionary Army now seemed to have hit a bottleneck.
After liberating the entire Four Seas, voices of dissent had begun to emerge within their ranks.
Some argued that since the Four Seas were free, why not just live peaceful lives there? Why push onward into the Grand Line — a place no ordinary person would ever dare to set foot?
And these voices… were no longer a minority.
Most came from people who had joined the Revolutionary Army after their own nations in the Four Seas had been liberated.
"Sigh, those cowards cheering for others while killing our momentum! Who ever heard of a revolution stopping halfway?!" Ginny sat on the table, clearly annoyed. "Honestly! They saw the Grand Line's crazy weather and lost their nerve!"
"But Ginny, our revolution hopes for like-minded people to join us… not to force unwilling people to close their eyes and charge into darkness."
Even seated on the ground, Kumo's massive frame had to bend down to meet Ginny's eyes.
"They're ordinary people. Wanting an ordinary life… that's only natural."
"But…"
Ginny was about to argue when the door suddenly swung open, cutting her off.
"So you two really were here… I searched all of Baltigo."
"M-Michael-san!? Why did you suddenly show up?!"
Ginny leapt onto Kumo's shoulder in surprise.
"I heard you Marines were holding some big promotion ceremony… did you get promoted too?"
"Not bad." Michael shrugged. "Still a Headquarters Vice Admiral, but now I'm also Chief Inspector… basically the peak of power in the Marines."
"So our backer just got even stronger?"
"Backer my ass." Michael rolled his eyes. "You want strength? Build it yourself! If I weren't here today to officiate your wedding… I'd drag you out and beat you first."
"Wait, wait, wait — w-wedding?!"
"Don't tell me you forgot what Kumo said back then?" Michael rolled his eyes again. "He promised — once the Four Seas were free, he'd propose to you."
"Right… he did propose," Ginny said blankly. "And I agreed."
"Exactly. So why wait? I say today's the day. Let's just have the wedding now."
Ginny and Kumo were both left speechless by Michael's sudden ambush.
Seeing this, Michael dragged the stunned couple out of the room.
At this moment, all of Baltigo was ablaze with lights and celebration.
Their leader, with strange tattoos on his face, the one called the "Light of Revolution" — Monkey D. Dragon — was personally directing everyone to prepare the venue at top speed.
"Uh… when did you even start setting this up?"
"Back when you randomly started brooding…" Dragon walked up to Kumo, looking up at Ginny perched on his shoulder. "Tricking you two was way too easy."
Ginny was about to speak when Kumo gently lifted her down from his shoulder with both hands.
"Ginny, like Michael-san said — why wait…"
"Let's get married."
Michael watched this scene, a proud smile spreading across his face…
Only for Hawk Eyes and Enel, the two expressionless weirdos, to appear right in front of him.
"Should we fire the cannons now? The mood seems right."
"Got any fruit? I'm hungry."
Michael: "Get lost, both of you! Don't ruin my touching moment, damn it!"
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