"Sengoku-san, that fool talked. Apparently, even some of the branch commanders managing bases are involved in what they call their 'business.'"
"...I see."
In the room where just recently the bizarre event of three Navy officers and one pirate conversing had occurred, Sengoku listened with an expressionless face.
It wasn't that he lacked anger—he'd gone beyond anger to feeling pathetic.
"In West Blue, having connections with the Mafia for investigation isn't rare. We'd tacitly approved some hoping they'd produce results, but... I didn't realize corruption had spread this far."
Sengoku placed his hand on his desk and sighed. Where he placed his hand was where he'd placed the sea chart he'd "carelessly lost" the other day.
"Where's Kuzan?"
"Having him move covertly. This kind of work is his specialty. He can cross the sea without a ship. If he uses his ability well, without standing out."
The reports coming from Kuzan were all giving Sengoku headaches too. They'd already succeeded in rescuing several captured Marines, but simultaneously reports were coming of Marines they couldn't rescue.
"All around twenty people. Considering 'Silent Step's' story, they were probably Marines 'temporarily stored' before shipment."
Even though it's one section of the four seas, West Blue is fairly large. Moreover, this incident isn't limited to West Blue alone.
"Concerns remain, but I must return to Marineford."
"Understood. In the other seas too, more or less, there are foolish Naval disgraces doing stupid things."
"...Fortunately, thanks to 'Silent Step's' actions, all their prerequisites were overturned."
--They didn't fight pirates, they didn't suffer disasters.
--Betrayed by comrades and superiors who should have been allies, they were about to have their lives as slaves sucked to the marrow without accomplishing anything.
--I truly thought that was cruel! That they should be saved! Then there's only going forward!
--No matter what ending awaits, if we don't stand here, our 'honor' dies!!
Why fight? When asked why fight for Marines, the pirate answered 'honor and duty.'
Just one word. With that single declaration, and the pirate's feelings that followed, the three Marines who should have been enemies were overwhelmed.
"...Sengoku-san."
"What?"
"Can't we somehow make that man a Marine?"
Sengoku turned to Sakazuki in shock.
"...That would be difficult. He's defied the Celestial Dragons. Erasing that crime isn't simple. If there's a possibility, it's the Seven Warlords, but—"
"The Seven Warlords are still pirates. I don't think that would do."
"That man... isn't the type to carry a pirate's banner..."
–
...Something's wrong.
We reached the target location, but there's not a single sign of lookouts. Even though it's broad daylight.
"Captain, that's..."
"I know."
What we aimed for was a certain uninhabited island. Reasonably distant from the accident sites and outside the Navy's patrol range. Well, if this is the right place, it's more like it was excluded rather than just outside.
That black-painted ship—that's a smuggling vessel. Seems we hit the mark, but...
The ship we raided was disguised as a merchant vessel, but this is completely a ship for covert operations.
"Horo horo, it's magnificently capsized."
"There's a hole straight through to the ship's bottom... that's not from cannon fire."
Perona was laughing while Robin had a stern face. ...Same as always.
Perona's overconfident in her ability—she needs to fight some tough opponents.
Actually, if I showed her me withstanding her Negative Ghost while using Haki, that would be fast, but...
I don't know if I'm doing it right.
I think the meditation itself is showing some effect... no, now's not the time for that.
"We're landing. Perona, Robin—watch the ship. Marines... five stay on the ship ready to launch anytime. The rest follow me. Don't forget your weapons."
Everyone seems to want to make hidden storehouses under their feet. In one of the buildings in the ghost town on the uninhabited island we landed on, another similar hidden staircase had been built.
Really not a single lookout. This is... no good?
In that case, the arrangement is to contact Kuzan with the Den Den Mushi I was given, have him preserve the bodies with his ability, and we'll transport them...
Leaving Perona and the others behind was the right call.
Daz touched the problem door, checking if there's a similar mechanism as before. With his right hand still touching it, his left hand became a blade.
"Captain, that stone doesn't seem to be installed."
"Seems so. Sorry Marines, I need several to guard our retreat here. The rest come with me."
Come to think of it, for them—mostly rookies and desk workers—this might be their first real combat.
"It's fine. Daz and I will take the front line. Even if combat occurs, I want you to prioritize enduring rather than defeating enemies."
I raised my hand to stop a Marine trying to object.
"I know everyone here lacks combat experience. But if you can delay even one more enemy heading this way, it makes us that much more advantageous."
If they foolishly banzai-charged and died, I'd feel terrible toward Sengoku-san, and more importantly, the impact on morale would be problematic.
"Daz, I'm leaving the Marines to you."
"Captain will... well, you're stronger rampaging freely."
I do think while rampaging though. Basically, if you crush the head, you win the fight.
"Well, that's how it is. Let's go."
"No! Please!!"
Beyond the opened door, good-looking Marines were gathered, hands suspended like before.
"Please! Close the door!!"
Unlike the ship last time, probably because it also served as a warehouse, it was quite spacious. About the size of a small athletic field.
The problem was that beyond that, there were corpses of what appeared to be a gang, and—
"If they're exposed to sunlight, everyone will disappear!!"
—they were all standing up looking this way.
Hey—
"Kishishishishi!"
Hey!!
"I couldn't rebuild properly without decent corpses or shadows—thought I could only gather fodder at best, but..."
Idiot!! My fate's idiot!! There's an idiot whose face looks more toned than in the original!!
"Some lively ones came!! Right!!"
Stop, stop placing original characters in my path!! Every single time you accurately place obstructive characters! This isn't a tower defense game!!!
"The 65 million berry big-shot rookie! 'Silent Step' Kuro!"
"Gecko Moria...!"
Are you trying to stress-test my stomach every time!? Lord have mercy!!
"Perfect timing—I wanted a zombie with backbone!!"
"Hand over your corpse! 'Silent Step' Kuroooo!!"
"Shut up, Gecko Moria. You probably put the shadows of captured Marines into gangster corpses, but..."
"I'm taking back every last one!!"
Help me... really, please help me...
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