"While the main force was away, you led the remaining troops," I announced. "You defended Mopuchi Country from many pirates and defeated them. You also repaired the port quickly. For these great things, Boa Hancock... I name you Admiral of the First Fleet."
"I humbly accept this duty," Hancock replied, her voice clear.
Daz, the Guards, and the other leaders of the 'Black Cat' group are standing in a line. In front of them, Hancock is kneeling before me.
...Gild Tesoro called this a promotion ceremony, but doesn't this feel just like a medieval knighting ceremony? Well, I'm the one who put him in charge of it.
Hancock is kneeling and wearing her usual suit, but something is a little different.
Over her usual pants, she is wearing a long, asymmetrical overskirt, like a pareo. Of course, it has the three-clawed cat mark stitched on it.
She suggested that if she was going to be an official leader, she should look the part. Maybe Gild Tesoro is just better at this kind of flashy, showy work...
Gild Tesoro is actually doing a great job.
Stella is helping him, but he's managing all the internal work well. He has already decided which fields to use for the next grain planting and has started preparing the roads, tools, and storage.
Plus, he's a good singer and can play instruments, so he's also working as our musician.
"I know I've already relied on you so much," I said, "but I'm counting on you from now on, too."
"Yes. You gave us three of those fruits, which could have been sold for a fortune. My sisters and I will work hard to meet your expectations, Captain."
I thought about giving her the Devil Fruit at this ceremony. But someone pointed out that it might make people think you need a devil fruit to become an admiral. So, instead, I'm just putting a special, modified jacket on her in front of everyone.
She wanted a jacket this time, but usually, it will probably be a coat or a cape.
I just hope the Marines don't think we're trying to pick a fight by wearing something similar to their white coats.
I put the jacket on her. She puts her arms through the sleeves and turns around.
Behind her, the crew of the First Fleet is standing in a line. I decided to give her two transport ships as well, so her fleet now has five ships.
This is the crew she rebuilt. She spent days thinking about it with her sisters, getting help from Amisu and Toya, and talking directly with the men she led.
Good. None of the soldiers are looking down on her.
I had a feeling, but the 'Black Cat' name has grown bigger than I thought.
We're probably as famous as the Krieg Pirates were in the East Blue. Though the Marines probably see us as a mid-to-high-level Grand Line crew, since Mihawk is with us.
Because of that, we have a lot of volunteers. But we're also starting to get former thugs and people who are just desperate for food.
I can't let them become common thugs like low-level pirates, so I'm drilling discipline into them hard...
It seems fine for now.
I thought I might have to kick or cut someone down as an example, so this is a relief.
"Sandersonia, Marigold," Hancock called.
"Yes, sister," Sandersonia replied.
"Ma'am!" Marigold added.
Her sisters, who now look completely natural in suits rather than their old swimsuit-like clothes, step forward.
Sonia hasn't changed much, but Marigold is actually quite beautiful.
Why did she look like that in the original story...?
She was bigger than just from training... Was it stress?
"I appoint you as assistants to the First Fleet Admiral."
I give the orders to the First Fleet, but I let Hancock manage her own people.
So, I knew this would happen, but Hancock chose her sisters as her assistants.
And they are slowly growing as commanders.
Unlike Hancock, though, they can't do any of the internal government work.
No, that's because Hancock is working so hard with Robin, studying and checking things on-site.
"I need you to keep helping me," Hancock told them.
Hancock gives them both a cape that drapes over one shoulder.
...Wait, this really does look like a knighting ceremony.
I'm pretty sure Gild Tesoro and the Princess talked about what gifts to give.
...Is that why? I'm not so sure the Princess even thinks of us as pirates.
Anyway, the ceremony went on just as planned, very formally.
The crew salutes me, Hancock the Admiral, and her sister assistants. The three of them salute back.
Daz, Perona, and the Guard are clapping—huh!? Mihawk is clapping, too!?
W-well, I guess it's fine.
He's fitting in with the 'Black Cat' crew in his own way. Maybe he'll just stay... maybe...
Wait? If Mihawk, Zoro's final goal, is on my crew...
Doesn't that make me one of the guys Luffy has to beat up?
Wait? Am I going to get sent flying by one of Luffy's headbutts, just like in the story?
W-well, who knows what the future holds.
"That was a good ceremony. Not very pirate-like... but not bad," Rayleigh commented.
After the ceremony ended, we went backstage with Hancock, and Rayleigh was there.
He doesn't want people to know he's here, so we usually just call him 'Ray'.
...Actually, the townspeople all call him 'Mr. Ray' or 'Old Man Ray', so he's fitting in.
"Yeah. I was worried some might look down on Hancock because of her looks, but that's not happening. This gives her more respect."
"Hmm. Hancock, how is that devil fruit working for you?" Rayleigh asked.
All three of them have already eaten their Devil Fruits and have the same powers as in the original story.
"No problems," Hancock replied. "I tried it on some stray pirates the other day. They all turned to stone at a single glance, before a fight could even start."
As a result, Hancock's power to control a fight is almost at Perona's level. Seriously, you're amazing, Hancock.
"Can you turn them back?"
"That is also not a problem. I have practiced, just in case."
Oh, okay. That's good... but wow, this is crazy. Besides the range, it's just like Perona's power.
Toya, who was with them, said Sonia and Marigold's fighting strength has also jumped like crazy, and they wipe out weak pirates at an amazing speed.
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