"If there's still no warship heading to Impel Down today, I'll just teleport the hell over there.
Though the chances of getting caught will go up..."
Early morning, as Marineford gradually buzzed with activity, at a breakfast stall on a residential district street, Aus made his decision.
After dinner last night, Aus had nowhere to crash, so he used Observation Haki to scan the officers' quarters, found some single Commodore's place who was out on mission, and spent the night there.
Who would've thought?
At the place where the world's Marine elite gathered—Marine Headquarters Marineford—a pirate with over a billion berry bounty was living here like he owned the place.
Talk about hiding in plain sight.
Aus enjoyed his breakfast.
But soon, within his insane Observation Haki range, two pretty strong auras appeared nearby, one rapidly approaching.
What the hell?
Had he been made?
Aus kept his face neutral, quietly slurping his wonton soup. On the surface, he looked like just some tall, handsome random guy.
Today, to avoid getting saluted by every damn soldier, he'd specifically ditched the Marine coat and changed outfits.
Yesterday he'd been so obvious and nobody suspected shit.
Today he was being low-key, yet got spotted immediately?
Aus was confused. He calmly finished his last spoonful while his eyes flashed with strange red light.
Ah. Got it.
"Excuse me, sir, may I look at the sword you're carrying?"
A voice came from behind Aus. He slowly turned around.
The speaker was a woman with long black hair. Of course, what first grabbed Aus's attention were those long white legs on full display.
Her left thigh had a black spider tattoo, adding contrast and wild beauty.
Based on looks alone, using Aus's months of red-light district experience, she was at least on par with Sami's top girls.
Add the Marine cape behind her, and she'd score even higher.
Evil pirate versus beautiful Marine of justice?
Aus's thoughts wandered. Next time he saw Sami, he could suggest this new service.
Would definitely rake in cash!
As long as she wasn't scared of Marines kicking down her door...
But seriously, he actually knew this Marine officer.
Marine Commodore—Gion.
Aus appreciatively checked out that killer figure, then glanced at whoever was behind her...
Then looked away with zero interest.
"Hey!!! You bastard, that disgusted look is way too damn obvious!!!"
Kake was clearly pissed at that reaction.
Plus this guy was obviously gorgeous even with sunglasses, making him feel threatened, so he roared like a maniac.
"Kake!!!"
Gion snapped disapprovingly, and he immediately shut up.
Then she focused back on Aus.
"Sorry, sir, please forgive my companion's rudeness. I just wanted to look at that sword you're carrying."
"This thing?"
Seeing they apparently hadn't recognized him, Aus relaxed while secretly amazed that simple disguises worked everywhere.
Actually, wasn't really Gion and Kake's fault for being face-blind. Ever since Aus got photographed for wanted posters while fighting with the Roger Pirates, he rarely showed his face publicly.
During the Roger Pirates' later voyage, in their few major Marine battles, Aus was purely the sniper who took cheap shots and ambushed people.
He used his sword so rarely he wasn't particularly noticed. He was actually still a great swordsman.
After several years, Aus's height had shot up dramatically, and his whole vibe had changed completely.
Without that black military uniform and signature black gun on his back, who'd connect a guy over two meters tall with that barely-one-meter kid from before?
Yeah.
For low-key travel, Aus had specifically brought civilian clothes and sunglasses.
He hadn't even brought the black gun Master Bitam gave him as his identity symbol—just a sword and some cash.
On the seas, plenty could recognize someone in military gear carrying black sword and gun.
But almost nobody could recognize a guy in a windbreaker with a sword and shades.
Seeing these two completely didn't recognize him, Aus felt last night's outfit change was worth it.
He was betting that with so many people in Marineford, these officers couldn't possibly know everyone.
Facts matched his expectations perfectly.
"Got this by chance. You recognize this sword?"
Aus asked. Under Kake's suspicious glare, he generously handed over the sword. Hell, he was confident he could snatch it back instantly.
"Yes!" Gion didn't notice Kake's weird behavior. After taking the sword, she examined it carefully. "That's right, it really is one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, Nether Crow: Shadow!!!"
"This sword once belonged to a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral. But after encountering the Roger Pirates in the New World, that Rear Admiral and this Shadow both vanished. Never expected to see it here!"
"Where'd you get it?" Gion asked seriously.
Luckily, like most people, Gion subconsciously believed pirates couldn't possibly strut around Marineford, so she didn't suspect Aus's identity.
Uh...
Aus scratched his head. Couldn't exactly say he'd sliced that Rear Admiral in half and just took the sword.
"Bought it from some merchant I ran into."
Total bullshit.
"I see..." But obviously, Gion bought this explanation. After all, years had passed—could've ended up anywhere.
After hesitating, she bit her lip and made a request.
"I have an unreasonable favor to ask!"
Gion suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Aus's hand directly while speaking passionately, pressing her whole body against him, looking extremely sincere, big eyes staring at his sunglasses.
"I hope I can buy this sword from you. After all, it belonged to a hero who died for justice!"
She tried moving him with love and moral guilt. As a Marineford resident, you'd understand, right?
"Don't do that, Gion, you're too close!" Seeing this scene, Kake was grinding his teeth but could only panic helplessly from the sidelines.
Damn it!!!
If he wasn't a Marine officer bound by military discipline against attacking ordinary Marineford civilians, he'd definitely yank this bastard away right now.
Fuck! So jealous!!!
As for our protagonist Aus, his eyes showed zero emotion.
Facing Gion's approaching body and the two white masses barely visible at her chest, he had no reaction whatsoever.
Didn't even blink behind his shades.
You kidding me? Want to buy my trophy blade with some sweet talk?
Do I look like a fucking moron?
Having already enjoyed life's pleasures, even though Aus was currently teenage age, he still had sky-high immunity to beautiful women.
All trained through full-service experiences.
"Sorry, this is my private collection. You Marines wouldn't force a sale, would you?"
"...Of course not, but..."
"Not selling."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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