Ten days earlier.
Marineford, in an office at Marine Headquarters.
Borsalino (Kizaru) was sitting with his legs crossed, sipping tea while reading the newspaper.
A marine captain entered the room.
"Vice Admiral Borsalino, here is the latest intelligence regarding your brother, Christian Raleigh."
"Additionally, Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Commander Kong have ordered you to be stationed at the North Blue branch for two years. I heard it was approved during the meeting, but the official appointment letter hasn't been issued yet."
The marine captain belonged to the neutral faction and had a good relationship with Borsalino.
He often obtained crucial intelligence.
"What?! Why send me to the North Blue? The pirates there are as strong as monsters. How terrifying." Borsalino trimmed his nails absentmindedly, putting on a frightened expression.
"Raleigh... I remember this kid hasn't been answering my Den Den Mushi calls since he went to the East Blue."
"Let me see... Wow, this kid has already racked up so many achievements?"
Borsalino stroked his chin thoughtfully.
He didn't want to go to the North Blue.
Compared to the other three seas, it was the most difficult to manage.
Mafia families and pirates were as numerous as the hairs on an ox.
Having been born in the North Blue himself, he naturally knew how deep the waters ran.
Moreover, the Vice Admiral currently stationed in the North Blue was Sakazuki (Akainu), a man who had displayed unwavering determination and monstrous talent since his academy days.
Even he couldn't fully bring the North Blue under control, making Borsalino's face wrinkle in worry.
"Wait? Raleigh's achievements should be sufficient, right?"
Borsalino flipped through Raleigh's documents, his eyes growing brighter the more he read.
He slapped his thigh.
"Good brother, it's decided—you're the one who's going for me."
"Arrange it as you see fit. Everything must proceed according to regulations."
"Yes!" The marine captain left, ready to act "according to regulations."
This was a hint.
The higher-ups had their eyes on Raleigh.
But if Borsalino was willing to take him to the North Blue, then headquarters wouldn't make other arrangements.
'You want to slack off in the East Blue?' Borsalino thought gleefully.
'Then, based on your achievements, I'll "properly and compliantly" transfer you to the North Blue. Once you're right under my watchful eye, let's see how you plan to slack off.'
He took a sip of hot tea, marveling at how delightful slacking off could be, and missed his younger brother even more.
Initially, Borsalino hadn't wanted to transfer Raleigh.
But once you're in the system, you often have no choice.
More importantly, that guy Raleigh kept slacking off in the East Blue and even frequently sent him photos to show off.
And what about him? After graduating, he rose through the ranks thanks to his talent, quickly becoming a Vice Admiral.
And after that... he was either ordered by Admiral Sengoku to go here or called by the people of Mary Geoise to go there.
The happy, slacking-off days he had enjoyed as a Rear Admiral were cut by more than half.
Now, having to govern the North Blue, there would be no time for slacking off at all.
'So, Raleigh! Your brother truly misses you. Share a bit of the burden—that's what a good younger brother does.'
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Borsalino's eyes.
Soon, Borsalino's application was submitted to the Fleet Commander's office.
Kong approved it readily.
On Tsuru's suggestion, he also assigned Gion and Tokikake to serve as branch chiefs in the North Blue.
Thus, the young Gion and Tokikake set off for the East Blue with special transfer orders from headquarters to find Raleigh.
Meanwhile, Borsalino went directly to the North Blue to handle the handover with Sakazuki.
....
In the office aboard the warship, Raleigh was unusually seated at his desk.
At this time of day, he would usually be either fishing or napping.
On the desk lay a blank sheet of paper, and the pen in his hand was swiftly writing.
This was the training plan he had devised for Momonga and Miles.
Momonga's swordsmanship was already largely formed; all that remained was to strengthen his Haki and develop his Devil Fruit abilities.
Drawing from his knowledge, Raleigh wrote down methods for learning Armament and Observation Haki.
As for Conqueror's Haki, it wasn't that he didn't know how, but those in the Marines who could awaken it were too few.
As for the Devil Fruit, the Mist-Mist Fruit was actually quite decent.
The main issue was not going down the wrong path.
Smoker's Smoke-Smoke Fruit was a case of going astray—using a fruit with low offensive power to forcibly clash with stronger abilities, while neglecting Haki and technique, was a mistake.
The paths he developed for Momonga were primarily aimed at auxiliary offense.
As for Miles, Raleigh couldn't be bothered.
He directly copied the training methods from the Marine Headquarters Academy—the same training he, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan had all undergone.
It was already well-established.
"My current strength is enough to dominate the East Blue, but I should hold off on entering the Grand Line for now."
The thought of being stationed at headquarters with tasks every single day made Raleigh very uncomfortable.
"Sigh, I really hope my brother can step up and let me stay in the East Blue for a few more years. As an older brother, you should hold up a sturdy umbrella for your younger brother."
At that moment, the two brothers, separated by thousands of miles, suddenly reached a consensus.
"Alright... I've already exceeded today's workload. Time to take a break." Raleigh scratched his head.
"If I can get stronger while lying down, why should I work hard in the Grand Line?"
He posed this soul-searching question, then brought out his sun lounger and comfortably stretched out.
"Lying down is just so much better!"
[Slacking off during patrol. Slacking Value +100]
Raleigh dozed off and missed lunch.
...
Time passed to the afternoon.
Raleigh dreamed of a beautiful woman with long, pale legs and a famous named sword at her waist.
Unfortunately, he couldn't see her face clearly.
On the deck behind him, under the scorching sun, Marine soldiers were training, honing their bodies to learn the Six Styles.
Buru buru... Buru buru...
In the captain's cabin, the Den Den Mushi rang out.
"Hmm?" Momonga, who was already out of bed, looked at the Den Den Mushi in confusion.
"Moshi moshi, this is Branch 133."
"..."
On the other end, Gion was momentarily stunned.
She could tell that voice definitely wasn't Raleigh's, but it did sound familiar.
It sounded a bit like... Momonga?
Logically, that Den Den Mushi should only be answered by Raleigh himself, unless the situation was urgent.
"Is that you... Momonga?"