"Admiral Aokiji! A call from Commodore Taki!" a Marine shouted. "He says the mission was a success!"
"...The Commodore and his team did it. Good."
In the Mogwa Kingdom, Kuzan, who was in charge of the whole operation, breathed a sigh of relief.
"It looks like the government didn't try to interfere... huh."
"Sir! The Commodore reports that thanks to the hard work of his men and the 'Black Cat's' command, we have some minor injuries but no deaths."
"When we report that," Kuzan muttered to himself, "Mr. Sengoku is probably going to sigh again."
He's already so busy, and he probably has to see reports about the Black Cats every day.
...He's probably really mad at Mr. Garp, who's just laughing carelessly next to him.
Kuzan—Admiral Aokiji—looked at a simple notebook on his desk, which was just a stack of scrap paper tied with a string.
In the corner of the cover was the familiar three-clawed cat mark. In the middle, written in that same, neat handwriting, it said: 'Possible Emergencies and How to Handle Them (※Just an example, so please add your own ideas).'
"I should probably send this up to the bosses, too," he mused.
"...Mr. 'Black Cat' did say you could do what you want with it."
"He probably doesn't think it's important... but Mr. Sengoku is really interested in Kuro's paperwork."
This temporary base was just an empty castle at first. But now, it has the basic things we need, like tables and shelves. We also have a system for managing medicine and food. And thanks to the printing machine Kuro suggested, the work needed to move our teams is much faster.
"'A good commander might move a team, but a good organization and supply line move an army,' huh... Man, he's really scary."
"...Honestly, I don't want to fight the 'Black Cats.' Not just because of my feelings, but also because they are a strong group."
"Any Marine who understands Kuro probably feels the same way," Kuzan agreed.
A clear example is how often the officers talk about the low number of casualties when working with the 'Black Cats.'
When the 'Black Cats'—especially their main crew—are there, the number of injured soldiers is clearly lower.
The officers know this from the numbers, but the soldiers in the field feel it too. Many of them are relieved when they hear the 'Black Cats' are coming.
During this chaos in the West Sea, the 'Black Cats' have earned the Marines' trust and respect, as well as their fear.
"...What about the reinforcements from Headquarters?" Kuzan asked.
"The soldiers are recovering. They seem to be having small talk with the Marines and 'Black Cat' members helping them... but the officers who survived aren't talking much."
"...Even when you ask where they were going?"
"Yes, they keep their mouths shut."
Kuzan let out a deep sigh.
The officer reporting to him thought he looked just like Fleet Admiral Sengoku at Headquarters.
"They hesitated a lot when I asked the exact spot where Shiki attacked them. I thought something was strange. This must be it..."
They were attacked in a part of the sea they should not have been in if they were coming straight to the Mogwa Kingdom from the Red Port.
"So, we should guess their real goal was... Mopuchi Country, the 'Black Cat's' home base?"
The officer looked at the sea chart. Kuzan nodded and said, "Probably."
Kuzan and the other officers had a feeling they knew what their real mission was.
They were probably planning to use the chaos to burn the 'Black Cat's' territory and weaken them.
"Mr. Sengoku agreed to the truce. He would never give that order. ...This must have been a strange order from the government, going over Mr. Sengoku's head."
Kuzan glanced at the cover of the trouble-shooting guide Kuro had left.
It was split into three main parts: "Dealing with Pirates," "Dealing with Civilians," and "Dealing with Kingdom Members." It listed problems Kuro thought might happen, their causes, and how to fix them. It also had big empty spaces and blank pages so Kuzan and others could add their own notes. But it only had one line for "Dealing with Government" problems.
Unlike the others, it didn't list causes or other things. It just said one sentence.
'Do not fall for any tricks. Stay calm, contact the Fleet Admiral, and buy time.'
That's all it said.
To be exact, you could see marks where he tried to write reasons or something else below it, but it was all scribbled out with black ink.
It wasn't just crossed out. He used a lot of ink to cover it up, which means he must have thought it was bad for people to see.
...Tricks... huh.
This pirate was smart enough to impress Tsuru with his plans against the mysterious pirate alliance. He must know something to make him judge it that way.
"...Is Kuro coming back soon?" Kuzan asked the officer.
"No, he said that since they took the base, the pirates will be slow for a while. He's going back to Mopuchi Country to check on the royal family and the people."
"...He makes me rethink what the words 'pirate' and 'noble' even mean."
"This is trouble. I really want to talk to you in person right now... Kuro."
--
"Kuro, I am so glad you returned safely," the princess greeted me. "I heard from Hancock and the guards who came back about how much you did..."
"I am sorry for being away so long, Your Highness. The mission was a success. We still have to be careful, but we defeated the leaders who were running the pirate groups. This should calm things down a bit."
I was back in the Mopuchi Country castle. While I was gone, Hancock and the others must have worked hard to fix it. In the throne room, which looked even grander, the princess sat on the throne. She wore a beautiful dress that made her look completely like royalty.
Hancock is much better at this kind of work.
I only know from the defense team's reports, but it seems she worked with the women from Bege's crew. They found ways to get cloth and fabric without slowing down the recovery plan.
Yeah, even I can tell she has good taste.
"I heard Mopuchi Country was also attacked by pirates many times. The reports said there was no major damage, though."
"Yes," she said, smiling. "Hancock, Perona, the guards, and the soldiers all worked very hard... After the attacks, I always visited the barracks and the town. Everyone was so calm. It made me feel very safe."
...That matches the reports.
"So, Kuro. I have a favor to ask you."
"Yes, anything."
It's rare for the princess to ask me for something.
Is it this? Does this mean she trusts me more after all the pirate trouble?
"Yes. As I said, the people did not seem too worried... But after being stressed for so long, and with the first big harvest in a while, I think everyone is very tired."
"Yes, I feel the same way."
"In that case, even though the timing is off," she proposed, "I want to hold a festival as a holiday soon, to help everyone feel better."
Oh, good.
If the royal family suggests it, we can act while still giving them credit.
I was worried it would look bad if pirates led the whole thing, so this helps.
"I understand, Your Highness. I will check our supplies and how much we harvested, and then start planning. ...But, I have one request for you."
"What is it?" she asked.
"The main cities in Mopuchi Country are starting to recover, and our ships have built a strong defense line."
"Yes."
The princess looked a little doubtful... or maybe worried.
Well, a request from a pirate is pretty scary.
"Would you be willing to visit Luchu Island, to see how they are doing?"
"Oh!"
It's a small island with almost no young people, mostly just the elderly. Because of that, many of them miss the old kingdom.
If the princess visits them, and we have the festival, I think it will bring their spirits back up...
"How could I... The people of Luchu Island also suffered through those hard times..."
"Yes. They have finally overcome a time of terrible violence and being used. If possible, I want the people of that island to feel hope for their future, not just from the harvest or the festival."
"Yes, I understand, Kuro," she said, her voice firm. "I will leave the time and planning to you. If I can be the people's hope, then please, use me in any way you need."
...Isn't that a little intense!?
"...Yes. I will work hard to meet your expectations."
--
After finishing my meeting with the princess, I went to the training field—which is just a fancy name for the exercise yard. Right now...
"I never thought I'd get to fight a man this strong!" a voice boomed. "Kuro! Kuro! Your path truly is... interesting!"
"Ha ha ha! I'd heard the name 'Marine Hunter,' but I never knew there was a swordsman this skilled at such a young age! This is tough for an old man like me."
"You say that, but you're blocking all my attacks!"
A storm of sword slashes is raging.
Hmm... no good. If that were me, I'd block maybe four attacks, lose my balance, and get sliced open.
And they're both holding back? Seriously?
...It must be true. The soldiers are used to it. They're just working a short distance away.
......
My soldiers have gotten some serious guts in the past few days.
Well, if you're next to a typhoon of blades every day, I guess you get used to it. You really do.
No, but before that.
"Well, it looks like your boss is here," Rayleigh laughed. "What do you say? We end this with one last clash?"
"...Fine," Mihawk replied. "I will challenge you with all the strength I have right now."
The person over there playing with Mihawk... I mean, that alone is crazy.
Isn't that an insanely dangerous person over there?
"—Here I come, 'Dark King'!!"
Wooooow... the sky just split in two...
I'm sorry for scaring you, Princess and Queen.
"My, that was a good match," Rayleigh said, sheathing his sword. "I haven't sweated this much from a sword fight since Roger left."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it... 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh," I said joining them.
"You don't need to be so stiff and respectful." he chuckled. "Just call me Rayleigh."
"...Then, Mr. Rayleigh."
"Ha ha ha! I heard about you from Hancock, but you're really not like a pirate at all!"
After that, Mihawk left with a big smile, saying he was going to take a bath.
Daz took Robin to the supply department to get ready for the festival. Perona went to Luchu Island with Cazarie from the main guards. Apparently, she likes the old church ruins there.
"Right?" Hancock agreed, stepping up beside me. "But, after seeing so many kinds of pirates, I like Captain's way of doing things."
And Hancock is here.
When the sky split, she was the first one to run around, explaining things to the princess and the people nearby. She also gave orders to her sisters to help.
I'm sorry... I'm really, really sorry...
You being here helps me and Daz so much.
Please forgive me for carelessly letting two monsters play-fight.
"But, were you also planning to go to the Grand Line?" Rayleigh asked me.
"Well, I am a pirate."
"Oh, sorry. You just seem more like a merchant... I thought your goal was just to build up power in the West Sea."
Hmm, he says he's here to thank me for saving Hancock, but... is he testing me?
"It's true I'm making my territory bigger. But that's just to prepare for going to the Grand Line."
"Oh? Prepare?"
It's true.
A big reason I'm building this place up is to get and build ships. I also want to set up supply lines so I can bring as much as possible to the Grand Line.
"Because of the way my crew joined me, I want to cross the sea without stealing if I can. I know that's strange for a pirate..."
"That's your freedom," Rayleigh said, smiling. "A pirate is someone who does what they want."
"That's why," the 'Dark King' paused.
"What I want to know is your destination."
Destination?
"I'll ask you straight. Do you plan to get the One Piece?"
"No."
I answered honestly. "I'm sure that my job is to pass the baton to the right person who deserves to find the One Piece."
I mean, I can't be a big enough fool for the 'Laugh Tale.'
When I said that, Rayleigh just stared at me with his mouth open.
...Huh? Is that not the right answer?
"I just got word that my ally has arrived. We're about to start a meeting to decide what to do next..."
"If you'd like, would you care to watch?"