Chapter 10: The Unmotivated Motive
At Marine Headquarters, Levi had found his perfect spot: the observation deck overlooking the recruit training grounds. An umbrella shielded him from the sun, a cup of coffee sat cooling on a small table, a newspaper lay unread on his lap, and a plate of snacks was within easy reach. The picture of utter leisure.
Vice Admiral Gion stood beside him, a stack of reports in her hand, diligently reading out updates on the shifting powers across the Grand Line. She had, by now, accepted what being the adjutant to the "Black Crow" Admiral entailed. In a sense, it was peaceful. He hadn't accepted a single mission. He preferred to spend his days here, watching recruits drill, wandering the base, and soaking up the sun. He showed no interest in learning mission protocols or how to accumulate commendations. His investiture ceremony was tomorrow, so long-distance travel was off the table, but he could at least be studying. He wasn't.
This lazy, good-for-nothing crow! Gion fumed internally. It seemed each new Admiral was lazier than the last. First Kizaru, then Aokiji, and now this one. Black Crow? More like Blue Cat. What a waste of a perfectly good name… Still, as an adjutant, she could only advise, not command. Especially since she couldn't exactly force him. She'd tried.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Levi murmured, stirring from his doze as a nearby Den Den Mushi crackled with an urgent report. "It seems Kizaru's 'power-up' is about to commence. One kick, one Supernova. A flawless record of zero effort. Impressive, really…" He listened to the news about the incident on Sabaody but didn't pay it deep attention. He could deal with things after his ceremony tomorrow. No point starting a trip only to have to rush back.
Soon, however, a lieutenant approached, relaying that Fleet Admiral Sengoku required his presence.
He doesn't want to give this job to me, does he? Shouldn't Kizaru handle it? Levi thought, his suspicion immediate. The timing was too convenient.
Entering Sengoku's office, he heard the tail end of a conversation. "…have struck a Celestial Dragon. There is no choice. I will depart myself. I shall return shortly," Kizaru was drawling.
"No, wait. Brat, get in here now!" Sengoku's voice cut through the door.
Levi pushed it open. "I'm here. A shame, I missed out on any juicy secrets." He sounded genuinely disappointed.
Behind him, Gion facepalmed.
His guess was quickly confirmed. "You want me to handle Sabaody Archipelago?"
"Yes," Sengoku nodded. "It should pose no difficulty for you. Consider it an early adaptation to Marine mission life, and it will add something to your otherwise blank service record." From this angle, Sengoku's concern was evident. With Levi's Admiral-level strength, rounding up a group of rookie pirates was a simple task. It was an easy way to score points.
"Can I not go?" Levi asked. "Besides, the main culprit is Garp's grandson. I don't mind, but aren't you worried Garp will come after you?"
Sengoku snorted. "What is there to fear? His whole family is full of criminals! Why shouldn't they be captured? But listen—do not kill him upon capture. Let's see if Garp can finally instill some discipline in the boy. The Marines need strong young blood, after all." His tone was fierce, but the warning was clear. Killing Luffy would cross a line. Moreover, Marine policy, often dictated by the World Government, favored capturing Devil Fruit users alive.
"Can I really not go? This feels like it won't be straightforward…"
Of course it wouldn't be. The Straw Hats were under the watch of Silvers Rayleigh, and there was the wild card of the Warlord Bartholomew Kuma. Sabaody was no simple clean-up mission. Was Sengoku truly trying to hand him an easy win?
"No. You will go," Sengoku stated firmly. "As a Marine Admiral, to have no achievements at all is disgraceful. These may be rookie pirates, but their potential is high, a future threat. And it involves a Celestial Dragon. The merits are not insignificant!"
When you put it that way… Levi thought. "Fine. If you insist, I'll go." He didn't refuse outright. He understood Sengoku's intent, and a part of him didn't want to disappoint the old man who was, in his own gruff way, trying to help.
Levi had planned to visit Sabaody after the ceremony anyway to "sign in." This just moved the timetable up. And the concentration of Supernovas there was a bonus.
"Mr. Sengoku," Levi's lazy eyes suddenly gleamed with a speculative light. "If I capture these pirates, do you think the Celestial Dragons might… invite me to Mariejois as a guest? To thank me?" If that happened, he could sign in at two major locations at once. That meant a significant boost in attribute points. Strength was the ultimate foundation in this world.
Sengoku blinked. "It's… possible, I suppose. Why do you ask?"
"No reason. Adjutant Gion, let's move out!" Levi decided, his earlier reluctance replaced by a new motivation.
As Levi left, Kizaru turned to Sengoku. "Will there be any… problems, Sengoku-san~?"
"He should… exercise some restraint," Sengoku said, though a thread of unease wound through him. He's not planning to wipe out all the Supernovas, is he? Garp would actually try to kill me then. What a troublesome family.
On the deck of the departing warship, Gion looked at Levi, who now seemed uncharacteristically ready. "Why the sudden proactiveness?" she couldn't help but ask. This was the same man who dozed through briefings.
"Vice Admiral Gion," Levi said, turning to her with an expression of grave seriousness. "We are Marines. Righteous Marines. Capturing pirates is our duty. Your ideological awareness seems lacking."
He then turned and strode toward the helm, leaving Gion utterly speechless on the deck.
I could take a lecture from anyone, she thought, exasperated. Anyone but him!
(End of Chapter)
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