An hour and a half later, the cabin door was finally pushed open.
Ryan stepped out onto the wooden deck, wearing a dark gray stand-collar shirt neatly fastened at the neck, revealing his sharply defined collarbones. He paired it with black work pants tucked into brown leather boots, the Seven Star Sword hanging at his waist. His entire demeanor exuded crisp efficiency.
Clearly, during that hour and a half, aside from the intense "interaction," he had taken a thorough shower and changed into fresh clothes.
As soon as Ryan reached the center of the deck, his gaze fell upon the striking pink figure by the ship's railing. A flicker of amusement crossed his mind, and he curled his lips into a playful smile. "I wondered who the Marines would send. So it's you, Captain Hina. Had I known it was you, I wouldn't have dragged my feet and kept you waiting."
Hina, standing by the railing, turned around. The iconic Navy Justice Cloak was draped over her shoulders, and her light pink hair was parted neatly down the middle, framing her delicate face. She wore purple-tinted sunglasses and a form-fitting rose-red professional suit that accentuated her tall, poised figure.
At that moment, Hina had a lady's cigarette between her lips, a wisp of pale smoke curling from the tip. Hearing Ryan's teasing, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Her sharp eyes swept over him, taking in his tidy collar and relaxed demeanor, and a flash of knowing mockery gleamed in her gaze.
"Hina has no interest in waiting for you. Navy Headquarters' order was to 'proceed immediately,' not for you to 'kill time' in your cabin." Hina deliberately emphasized the words "kill time," her gaze drifting meaningfully toward the cabin door. It was clear she had guessed what Ryan had been up to during the past hour and a half.
After all, she had firsthand experience with his temperament.
"What's the rush?" Ryan didn't bother hiding anything, raising an eyebrow as he casually approached Hina. "It's not like Navy Headquarters is going anywhere. More importantly, why did you personally come to fetch me, Captain Hina? Are the Marines that short-staffed?"
"Hina is merely following orders." Hina bit down on her cigarette, flicked the ash, and turned away. "Since you're out now, come with me to Navy Headquarters."
If not for the headquarters' directive, she would have preferred not to lay eyes on this repulsive scoundrel.
"Tsk, tsk..." Ryan chuckled softly at Hina's aloof demeanor, his tone deliberately provocative. "After all, we're 'close comrades.' Why so cold?"
The words "close comrades" pierced Hina's heart like needles. Her face instantly darkened, and the Strength in her bite on the cigarette intensified abruptly. Her eyes blazed with fury as she glared at Ryan.
Memories of being coerced by Ryan and forced to compromise—those humiliating scenes—flooded her mind in an instant. As a Navy Captain, that was the stain she least wanted to recall in her life, yet in Ryan's eyes, it had become nothing more than a subject for jest!
Rage surged in her chest, threatening to shatter her composure. But Hina was an intensely rational person. She knew now was not the time to confront Ryan over this. With headquarters' orders pending, she couldn't let personal grievances delay their mission.
"Enough of your nonsense!" Hina took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to lash out on the spot. She spun around sharply, avoiding Ryan's mocking face.
The figure walking toward the gangplank was crisp and decisive, the rose-red professional attire outlining a waistline faintly visible beneath the Justice cloak. Deep purple gloves gripped the hem of the cloak, and even the arc of each step carried the precision of a military professional.
Ryan's gaze fell upon Hina, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
With such a "dashing" colonel accompanying him, this journey to Navy Headquarters likely wouldn't be too dull.
Withdrawing his gaze, Ryan looked up at the crew standing by on deck, his voice soft yet clear enough: "While I'm at Navy Headquarters, you'll remain on Sabaody Archipelago for free activities. Watch the ship and wait for my message."
No sooner had he spoken than Rob Lucci stepped forward, dressed in his signature black suit with an impeccably tied necktie, his eyes calm and unreadable as he looked at Ryan: "We're going to Navy Headquarters with you."
Ryan raised an eyebrow, his gaze first resting on Lucci's expressionless face before slowly sweeping over Kaku, Kalifa, and the others behind Lucci. A playful smile tugged at his lips: "Seems you've all discussed this already."
Lucci didn't deny it, merely stating calmly: "We won't hold you back."
"Suit yourselves." Ryan chuckled lightly, waving a hand dismissively.
Ever since CP9's mission failure, these former World Government assassins had become discarded pawns. Staying with Ryan was merely a temporary arrangement - while nominally under Ryan's command, they maintained CP9's independence largely due to Kalifa's influence.
Ryan had a clear understanding of CP9's position: fulfill their basic duties, and beyond that, they could do as they pleased.
This time, Rob Lucci and the others wanting to go to Navy Headquarters was probably because they had their eyes on the stage of the "Summit War." They sought to improve their strength through real combat while using this "grand stage" to prove their worth to the world.
Thinking this, Ryan glanced sideways at the taciturn Daz Bones: "You coming along?"
"Of course." Daz Bones' reply was brief and to the point, without unnecessary words.
Ryan smiled at this but said nothing more. After all, Daz Bones and Lucci shared a common trait - an innate obsession with "strength" and thirst for real combat. Since he was allowing Lucci's group to come along, there was no reason to stop Daz.
Compared to the always-distant CP9, the taciturn Daz Bones was truly "one of his own" in the real sense.
Ryan's gaze swept across the other side of the deck, landing on Mikita, Porche, Perona and the others. He smiled: "How about you all come along? It'll be fun."
Upon hearing this, they quickly declined, especially Mikita, who wore a terrified expression as she waved her hands repeatedly: "Captain, we'll pass. We'll stay here on Sabaody Archipelago to guard the ship and await your triumphant return."
They weren't fools - this involved the Whitebeard Pirates, notorious enough to make children cry. The danger of going to Navy Headquarters was far from what Ryan called "fun"; it was a meat grinder that had claimed countless pirates' lives. Only idiots would volunteer for that.
Seeing their reactions, Ryan smiled without pressing further. After all, he had a clear understanding of their roles too.
"Let's go." Ryan turned and led the way, Daz Bones following closely behind. Lucci brought the CP9 members along as the group proceeded along the gangplank toward the Marine warship.
Looking at the Seven Warlords, most of them went to Navy Headquarters alone. In contrast, Ryan himself was accompanied by Daz Bones and CP9, which could already be considered "lively."
But it didn't matter. Ryan never took this "forced summons" seriously. Rather than saying he was going to participate in the Summit War, it was more accurate to say he was going to "join the fun" and see just how spectacular this battle, hailed as the "largest battle of the Great Pirate Era," truly was.
He was just going for a bit of amusement.
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