"Ahem, Gion. Perhaps Staff Officer Tsuru and Admiral Sengoku are unaware, but I actually have... unpleasant memories of the North Blue. I'm deeply terrified of those waters. That's why I applied to be stationed in the East Blue."
"Besides, given my service record, a lateral transfer to serve as a branch chief in the North Blue would be reasonable, but as a Vice Admiral's aide? I'm hardly qualified for that."
Raleigh racked his brains, trying to come up with excuses.
His first approach was to question the rationality of the reassignment—after all, internal transfers required comprehensive consideration.
The authority of a Vice Admiral's aide in the North Blue was substantial.
When the Vice Admiral was present, the aide served as second-in-command; in their absence, the aide effectively was the Vice Admiral.
Theoretically, given Raleigh's achievements, he'd struggle to even make Commodore, let alone qualify for this.
'Hmm... I should give my bro Borsalino a call later and ask for a favor,' he thought.
'Even being a Vice Admiral's aide in the East Blue would be fine.'
Gion rubbed her elegant brows, looking utterly exasperated.
"Raleigh, Headquarters seems to have anticipated what you'd say, so they already gave me the answer."
"According to Headquarters' evaluation, you truly aren't qualified to serve as the Vice Admiral's aide. But Vice Admiral Borsalino himself is your guarantor, and his word still carries weight."
"Besides," she continued, "Vice Admiral Borsalino already brought up that lame excuse of yours. In the end, he agreed to serve as the Vice Admiral in the North Blue precisely because you'd be going as his aide."
"What? So my own brother is the one screwing me over!"
Raleigh wore an expression of utter shock.
He never imagined that the person dragging him out of his comfort zone would be his own dear brother.
Panicked, he hurriedly pulled out the Den Den Mushi from his pocket and dialed Borsalino.
Buru buru...
The Den Den Mushi morphed into a lazy, drawn-out expression, and an equally lazy voice came through.
"Little brother, what brings you to call your brother?"
Raleigh nearly roared, "BORSALINO! Why did you recommend me to headquarters to be your deputy? You could just go to the North Blue yourself, why drag me along?"
"Oh~ how scary. Little brother, isn't it because I'm also afraid of the North Blue? I thought if we go together, we could at least encourage each other. Do you remember how we fought our way out of the North Blue together back then?"
Raleigh certainly remembered.
Back then, he and Borsalino had a rough time.
It only got better after Borsalino ate the Glint-Glint Fruit.
From then on, Borsalino was in charge of the rampage, while Raleigh was responsible for cheering from behind.
"Alright, what's so bad about going to the North Blue as officials? How long has it been since we brothers last met? Besides, once we're there, I'll be the Commander, and you'll be the deputy. How we do things will be up to us."
"Alright, I won't say more. I worked an extra hour today and need to go home to sleep. We can talk about anything else once we're in the North Blue."
Beep beep beep...
Gion glanced at the clock hanging in the office... exactly seven o'clock.
Not a second more, not a second less.
She couldn't help but complain inwardly.
'Truly brothers. They've got slacking off down to a science.'
Holding the disconnected den den mushi, Raleigh felt as if all the strength had been drained from his body.
He collapsed into his recliner, wearing an expression of utter despair.
He was calculating... until a flash of inspiration struck.
'That's right... his older brother is the Commander, and he's the deputy. Once they're in the North Blue, how things go will be entirely up to them!'
Having realized this, Raleigh climbed out of his recliner, his soul seemingly returned to his body.
Gion added another blow. "Headquarters, considering your work attitudes, has decided to assign Tokikake and me to stay on your ship. We hold the positions of Four Seas Inspectors. Unless there are special circumstances, we'll remain on your ship and report your work to headquarters daily."
Raleigh suffered another critical hit.
However, his mental fortitude was strong.
'Hmph! So what if I'm being transferred, and they're sending two spies? You have your strategies, I have my workarounds. Every system has loopholes.
'I refuse to believe I can't find an opportunity to slack off.'
'Once I reunite with my brother, two of us together can outsmart a mastermind. And Gion and Tokikake are just greenhorns. I'll deceive them until they're completely disoriented.''
Having figured this out, Raleigh had nothing left to worry about.
He got up and sat beside Momonga, congratulating his good brother on his promotion.
Momonga said with deep emotion, "Raleigh, between us brothers, no words are needed. If you ever need anything, just send a Den Den Mushi, and I'll rush to the North Blue to find you immediately."
Raleigh was also moved.
Since his transfer was unavoidable, he could only accept it.
But his good brother's promotion was still worth celebrating.
"Orderly, organize a bonfire party tonight. Everyone can participate."
Raleigh slapped his forehead as if remembering something and hurriedly rummaged through a cabinet.
Gion and the other two were curious.
"What are you looking for Raleigh, do you need some help?" Tokikake asked.
"No, no, I can handle it."
After turning everything upside down, Raleigh finally found a sword he had won in the lottery.
It was the Dōjigiri Yasutsuna.
It belonged to the Ryo Wazamono (Skillful Grade), and since its rank wasn't particularly high, Raleigh hadn't paid it much mind.
He had intended to give it to Momonga, but Momonga had been out capturing pirates, so Raleigh casually stored it in the cabinet and forgot about it.
Everyone watched as Raleigh retrieved a rectangular box.
Momonga's eyes lit up, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Raleigh, is this... a sword?"
Raleigh handed the box to Momonga, gesturing for him to open it.
Momonga couldn't wait and opened it immediately.
Gion and Tokikake also leaned in.
As the box opened, it revealed a tachi with an elegant curve.
Momonga gently stroked the scabbard as if caressing a beloved person.
"Hey, Momonga, hurry up and draw it so we can get a good look," Tokikake urged.
Momonga gripped the hilt and slowly drew the blade.
Hum!
A flash of light gleamed, and the air seemed to grow sharper.
Both Gion and Momonga's eyes sparkled.
As swordsmen, they had a deep understanding of blades.
This sword, with its graceful curve, was clearly well-suited for slashing, and its cold, gleaming edge exuded an unstoppable sharpness.
Momonga was utterly captivated.
"Dōjigiri Yasutsuna," Raleigh's voice came from the side.
"It's a precious famous sword I found. Although it isn't among the 21 Great Grade Swords, I believe this blade has the potential to rival them. Perhaps it just never found a worthy master. I'm confident that in your hands, it will shine with unparalleled brilliance."
Gion was astonished.
Her own Konpira was one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, and even within the Marines, few possessed such renowned blades.
Who in their right mind would casually gift a Ryo Wazamono-grade sword, especially one with such potential?
It was important to remember that the 21 Great Grade Swords were no ordinary blades.
Behind each lay a legendary tale.
As for the 12 Supreme Grade Swords, every one of their wielders stood at the very pinnacle of the world.