'How about it, Mister? I thought it was perfect for your goals and for making some cash.'
"Jihahahaha! Yeah, not bad, 'Master of Festivities,'" the pirate laughed.
The two pirates, who should be enemies, sounded very friendly on the Den Den Mushi.
"The plan was set for 20 years from now. But it's boring to just watch the Marines get stronger. This is a good way to pass the time."
'That's good to hear. Your power is the only sure way to move the slaves.'
"Yeah. But I'm taking some of the slaves for myself. I need them for farm work. And I want to give women to my best men as rewards."
'Of course, I don't mind. By the way, are you sure? This plan might mean throwing away your men left in the New World.'
"I don't care," Shiki scoffed. "I already took all the useful ones. The rest can just stir up trouble in the New World. If they live, I'll use them again."
The pirate looked down at the sea, far, far below.
His giant ship was moving through the sky, hidden above the clouds.
"Oops."
'What's wrong?' Festa's voice crackled.
"There's a Marine ship right below us. It's big. Must be from HQ."
'What are you going to do?'
"I'll sink it," he decided. "It's part of my last job. It might also trick the Marines. They might think I'm in the West Blue."
'Hahahaha! Well, hinting that you're around isn't a bad idea.'
"Besides, if they're sending five HQ ships to this sea, they must be full of 'help' for the people."
'Ah, I see... OK, go ahead. I'll add extra weapons to our deal. I have a man who deals in those things. I want you to meet him.'
"Jihahaha! That's great. You can never have too many slaves or weapons."
"Now, then—"
The man had no legs.
Instead, he had two swords that looked very sharp. The handles were stuck into his stumps, and he used the swords as legs.
He began to lower the ship. His sword-legs made clack, clack metal sounds as he walked.
"Let's see if you Marines can handle a warm-up with me, 'Golden Lion' Shiki!!" he roared.
--
"Kuzan, are you serious?"
I usually call him "Admiral" when other officers are around, but I couldn't help it.
The other officers didn't scold me. They were too shocked.
"Yeah, it's true," Kuzan replied.
He looked awful.
"All five of the HQ support ships were sunk. A report just came in. The closest base is sending rescue ships."
Ah, shit! We can't attack now! We have to change all our plans! And we've lost all those supplies!
"We'll send ships from here, too. Tell me where."
"Ah, thanks... Can someone bring me a sea chart?"
Even Kuzan wasn't his usual lazy, dependable self. He was truly upset.
We were counting on those soldiers to help us fight back.
Even the older officers from the West Blue looked pale. The younger officers, who had met the refugees and knew how much we needed the supplies, looked hopeless.
This is bad! If the soldiers' morale hits zero, it will affect the civilians. We haven't even started the work-for-pay jobs yet. They're still relying on aid!
"Daz!" I shouted. "Get every ship that isn't on guard duty! Load all the blankets and medicine and go! Rescue every Marine you can! Take all the ship doctors!"
"...Got it. I'm leaving now," Daz replied.
He knew how bad this was. He looked worried, but it's best to give people jobs at a time like this.
"Mihawk, I'm sorry, but I need you!"
"It's fine," Mihawk said, not looking up from his sword. "Use me as you wish."
Thanks, Mihawk!
"Get the medical area ready to take them."
Okay, wait. There must be a lot of dead and injured. If only 10% survived... no, we don't have enough space.
"We will use the new food warehouses as emergency hospitals. If there are too many, just set up beds. Stay on the Den Den Mushi with the rescue team."
"Understood," Mihawk replied. "I'll take Chris and the usual members."
She's one of the Guards who trains hard with Amisu. He must find her easy to work with.
"No problem. Go."
"Good. Do your job."
Thanks, Mihawk. I'll fight you again when we have time.
"Amisu, send a message to the Guards in all areas," I ordered. "Tell them to watch the civilians very closely. Report any strange movements. The agitators will probably show up. Find them and capture them. If you can't, kill them."
"Yes, sir," Amisu said.
"Toya, you help Amisu. Watch the leaders of the countries. They won't act yet, but if they find out the supplies are gone, some might do something stupid."
"Got it, Captain!" Toya confirmed.
Our crew and the Marines all looked stiff. I thought giving orders would help, but... they need one more push.
"Everyone relax!" I called out. "When Daz, the Guards, and I were surrounded by the best soldiers in the West Blue, I felt a lot more like dying."
"——After all, unlike that time, I haven't even wet myself in fear yet! ...So we've got this."
Someone snickered. It was Miakis, standing nearby.
Yes! Good job, Miakis!
She's been managing troops more often, so she knows how to play along.
My crew smiled, and the Marines relaxed a little. Good.
"Hahaha! Was that famous battle so bad?" Commodore Taki, an older officer, joined in. "If my troops were there, we might have caught you, Kuro."
"Oh, please spare me, Commodore Taki," I chuckled. "I know how well you all work. I can hide my own mess, but not more than that."
A small laugh went through the group.
"Good. Commodore Taki, you are in charge of the rescue support. The rest of the officers, hold your posts."
Kuzan seemed a little better, too.
"Admiral Aokiji, I'd like to borrow Rear Admiral Borzoi."
"Oh? Why him?"
"Before he joined the Marines, he worked for a merchant who served the nobles of the West Blue. I want someone who understands them to watch them. He might notice things we would miss."
Kuzan asked the good-looking officer, "Is that okay?"
Rear Admiral Borzoi saluted. "Sir!"
He worked with Toya a lot, so they'll be fine. Miakis said they got along well.
"Losing the HQ supplies is bad," Kuzan announced to the room. "But, we got word that the government's aid convoy has left. Admiral Kizaru is with them. If we protect that convoy, things will get better. Everyone, just hold on."
It was strange to see Kuzan acting so serious.
But...
Honestly, I don't really care about that right now.
"The enemy's next goal is to capture a Marine base."
"That's what I think," Kuzan agreed.
After things calmed down, I decided to tell Kuzan my idea.
"We have to wait for the survivors, but we can't stop the rumors. If we try to order silence, it will just make things worse."
"Why... oh. The agitators."
"Right. It's lucky we had a backup plan. But we can't hide that the food aid will be worse. If we hide it, the agitators will just use it."
"So it's better to tell the truth and show them we have a plan... I see."
"You can decide what to tell the public. But we must tell the kings. And they will get scared."
"...To make them feel safe, we'll have to patrol more... Oh."
Yeah, that's the problem.
"That means the bases will have fewer soldiers. They'll only have a few ships left for emergencies."
The enemy's first plan was probably to hit one big target. They were hiding their main force. They wanted to attack when the government aid arrived, to make people panic.
We were trying to find that target and set a trap.
Now, they might attack many bases at once.
This is so frustrating...
My plan was to set a trap, catch them, find their main base, and attack it. Then we'd get the supplies back and use the government aid to make things stable. But now...
"I've asked Bege to buy more, but the prices for food might be very high now."
"Yeah, but it still helps," Kuzan said. "Sengoku promised he would pay."
"I'm glad they trust me, but..."
What do we do now?
If it was just West Blue ships, it wouldn't be this bad. But this was the HQ fleet. This proves the enemy is incredibly strong.
"Kuro... Will the refugees panic?"
"It's fine," I reassured him. "Things are still stable. There are no riots yet. And the people know Admiral Kizaru is with the government aid. They know that convoy is safe. We just have to last until then."
Seven big transport ships, plus an HQ fleet. And Kizaru... Of course. If this fails, there will be riots and starvation. The government could lose.
"I think this was an accidental fight."
"Accidental?"
"An enemy that can beat an HQ fleet... why show themselves now? They would either be a distraction or be hidden until the very end."
"They attacked the wrong convoy," Kuzan realized. "The main government ships are the real target. They get more from hitting those."
"...Ah, I see. That makes sense."
"They are probably not part of the main enemy group."
They wouldn't have fought. They would be hiding, waiting for the government ships.
...Maybe they were just transporting the slaves? Someone who can cross the Calm Belt. They must have a different goal than the main planner. Maybe they had a deal?
"Daz just reported," I said, reading the slip. "He found some survivors in the water."
"...We just have to wait for their report," Kuzan said.
Yes, that's what I thought, too. So Kuzan and I waited and gave orders.
"Rear Admiral Munchkin, reporting."
Oh no. I know this guy.
He was the Vice Admiral from the Perona incident! He moved to HQ? And now he's a Rear Admiral? Was he demoted?
"...Also, Recruit Hina, reporting."
And why are YOU here?! Please, go dry off or change first! This is so awkward!
"Ah... I'm really sorry, I know you're tired," Kuzan said gently. "But we need information right away. The other survivors can't even stand. Can you tell us... what happened?"
"Sir!"
...Rear Admiral... don't look at me, a pirate, with such a pained face while you salute your boss. Hina... you too. Please.