"Alright, let's focus on fighting with your new devil fruit or a while," I said. "While Mihawk and the others are taking over and developing the old Kanan Kingdom, I'll move with the First Fleet."
"So, instead of Mihawk, I will be with you, Captain, working with the Marines in the Mogwa Kingdom."
"That's right. Hunt down all the stray pirates you can, as part of your training. Leave the rebuilding, internal affairs, and politics to me."
"Yes. And it will be good for you if I, as a new devil fruit user, draw all the attention. It will keep people from looking too closely at what Mihawk and the others are doing, correct?"
She can think like this now. I was right to make her a commander.
I mean, I don't know about her strength, but as a leader of a group... isn't the current Hancock way, way better than she was in the original story?
"Yes. Publicly, we are splitting our forces to stop stray pirates from attacking non-affiliated countries. ...Well, that part is actually true."
"It is always best to be extra careful," Rayleigh warned. "From what I've heard, this Aokiji doesn't seem like the type to cause trouble. But you can't be sure there aren't government agents hidden within the Marines."
"Yes, you're right. I'm counting on you," I said to Hancock.
On a more personal note, if she's leading her own people, there's a better chance she'll stay with us.
I honestly want Hancock and her sisters to stay. They are incredibly reliable. And thinking about Robin, I want as many trustworthy female leaders as I can get.
"Is it time for you to get going? Then... here," Rayleigh said, holding something out.
"...Here?"
What is this, Mr. Rayleigh? This black... strip of cloth.
"Ray... sir. What is this?"
"Hmm? You can't tell?"
"No."
"It's a blindfold."
"Why a blindfold?"
I mean, I have a feeling I know, but I don't want to hear it. Not yet!
"Ray and I discussed it," Mihawk said, appearing out of nowhere. "We've decided it's time to raise your training level by about three stages."
Mihawk! Don't just pop out of nowhere and say something so crazy!
And you should take things step-by-step!
"Can't we at least go up one step at a time? Unlike you two, I'm a normal person..."
...
...Um...
Did I say something so funny that you have to hold your stomach laughing...?
"Let's go. We're wasting time," Rayleigh said. "You have a natural gift for Observation Haki. Don't worry, if Mihawk and I get a little serious with you, you'll improve whether you like it or not."
"When you say 'serious,' you mean serious about training, right?" I asked nervously. "You don't mean you're going to get 'a little serious' about cutting me while I'm blindfolded, right?"
...
Don't just burst out laughing, answer me, you two idiots!
No, don't talk about getting earplugs!
--
"Oh my, look who's finally back."
It was a little over a month ago that he left for the surprise attack to take down the main pirate alliance.
The ship carrying the man he had only spoken to through letters and Transponder Snails was now returning.
There were seven ships.
The main ship, a modified merchant vessel, and one other—the ship of his partner, Capone Bege—looked the same. But he didn't recognize the other five.
"Did he get more forces, or did he swap out the people who were guarding his home base... knowing Kuro, it's probably both."
The man—Kuzan—understood well how the pirate Kuro operated.
In the month or so since that surprise attack, he had probably done everything he possibly could.
Just by numbers alone, the Black Cat Pirates were now a group that most other pirates had no hope of beating.
"Ooh, so that's the famous three-clawed mark," a slow voice drawled. "You know, when I saw it in reports and photos, I thought it wasn't a very pirate-like flag. But seeing it in person, it actually looks pretty strong."
Next to Kuzan stood a man in a yellow suit and a Marine coat, wearing large sunglasses.
Admiral Kizaru.
After the Marines reorganized, he was promoted to Admiral along with Kuzan and Sakazuki. The shady-looking man muttered this as he watched the approaching ship's sail.
"I shouldn't have to say it, but you'll get hurt if you underestimate him," Kuzan warned. "He's the type who gets sharper and stronger the more you back him into a corner."
"I knoow," Kizaru replied. "The Fleet Admiral himself warned me not to make an enemy of him for no reason."
"...Oh?... Sengoku said that?"
"Well, of course. A pirate who's popular with the Marines... that's just hard to deal with, isn't it?"
"...Yeah, I guess you're right."
The 'Black Cat's' reputation was growing every day.
He was a pirate, even if he was cooperative. To check on his base, they had Marines pretend to be non-affiliated citizens. They worked with their contacts to gather info in Mopuchi Country, the 'Black Cat' base. The reports all said that Kuro of the Silent Step was a ruler, not a thief, and this news was quietly spreading.
"Oops, they've docked," Kizaru noted. "We should go greet them."
"I'll go too. I have a message from the Fleet Admiral."
Ooooooooooohhhhhhhhh...
And so, the pirate he met again after so long was leaking a dark mist from his mouth.
His signature glasses were new, and there was a shallow cut over his left eye.
"...K-Kuro...?"
Kuzan, who usually called him 'Kuro-kun' in front of the soldiers, hesitated as he said his name.
Kuro's head, which had been hanging down with empty, staring eyes, snapped up. It shot toward Kuzan as if pulled by a string.
Kuzan took a step back without thinking.
Behind Kuro, Hancock and the members of the Guard were rubbing their heads in pain.
Bege, however, was holding his stomach, laughing.
"Um... are you okay?" Kuzan asked.
...
"I'm back..." Kuro whispered.
...
...
"I... have returned from hell...! I made it back alive...!"
"Weren't you just visiting your home base?" Kuzan asked, confused.
--
Only 15 Powerstones before next Bonus.