A/N: Please comment on the chapter and let me know how it is and stuff. It's demotivating when you all just read and don't comment.
Plus I've been very consistent and yet I've received no powerstones. If it doesn't improve i will drop the novel đ
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The Marine warship cut steadily through the calm North Blue seas. The scent of salt mixed faintly with lingering smoke and blood that the ocean breeze had yet to fully carry away. Below deck, the ship hummed with routine, Marines returning to their posts, murmuring quietly, pretending not to think about how close things had come only hours earlier.
On the upper deck, however, the atmosphere was far lighter.
A makeshift table had been set up near the starboard side, fashioned hastily from spare crates and a polished plank laid across them. Two sturdy chairs faced one another so the occupants could eat comfortably without sliding every time the ship rocked. Plates of warm food steamed gently beneath the open sky, sunlight pouring down unobstructed, seagulls crying overhead as they circled lazily above the mast.
Tenjin sat back in his chair, one leg casually crossed over the other, eating with an ease that made it seem as though the chaos of earlier never happened. Across from him sat Tashigi, posture straight, chopsticks held properly, her eyes focused firmly on her plate as if concentrating hard enough would keep her from acknowledging the man in front of her.
Tenjin chewed thoughtfully, then suddenly broke into a wide, idiotic grin. He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin in his palm, eyes sparkling with mischief as he stared straight at her.
"You know," he said casually, "this kind of feels like a date, don't you think?"
Tashigi nearly dropped her chopsticks.
Her face flushed red in an instant, heat rushing up her neck as she snapped her head toward him. "W-What are you talking about at a time like this?!" she shot back, flustered and indignant.
Tenjin tilted his head, genuinely curious. "At a time like what?" he asked, tone innocent. He gestured vaguely around them with his chopsticks. "Just think about it. Lunch on the seas, under the sun, seagulls flying all over the place." His grin widened as his eyes flicked back to her. "You're looking absolutely stunning. If life was any fair, we should get married and have kids after this."
Tashigi scoffed loudly, folding her arms. "Like I'd ever want to marry you."
Tenjin straightened up immediately, offended. "Why?" he asked. "What's wrong with me?"
She let out a short chuckle, shaking her head. "Don't get me started. You're lazy, irresponsible, incompâ"
Tenjin raised a hand, cutting her off mid-sentence. "I've heard all those insults," he said calmly. "Don't you have something new?"
Tashigi's teeth ground together. "Yooouâ" she growled, drawing in breath, clearly preparing a devastating clapback.
Before she could unleash itâ
"CAPTAIN!"
Rapid footsteps echoed across the deck as a thin Marine came sprinting toward them, clutching a Den Den Mushi to his chest like his life depended on it. Panic was written all over his face.
Tenjin calmly reached for a napkin, wiping his hands and mouth without the slightest hint of urgency. He glanced up at the approaching Marine. "What's wrong, Chiwawa?"
The Marine skidded to a stop and snapped a salute. "Captain Tenjin! Fleet Admiral Sengoku from Marineford is calling!"
Both Tenjin and Tashigi froze.
"Fleet Admiral?!" Tenjin echoed, eyes widening slightly as he stood and quickly grabbed the Den Den Mushi. Chiwawa saluted again and immediately ran off, leaving them alone.
The Den Den Mushi clicked, then animated itself.
"Hello," came the deep, authoritative voice. "This is Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Am I speaking to Captain Tenjin?"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral," Tenjin replied crisply. "Captain Tenjin speaking."
Tashigi, unable to contain herself, leaned forward eagerly. "A-And I'm Tashigi!"
There was a pause.
"âŠWho?" Sengoku asked.
Then, more seriously, "Captain Tenjin, do you have someone there with you?"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral," Tenjin answered smoothly. "She is an enlistee from Loguetown in the East Blue. She is currently shadowing me under orders from her captain, Captain Smoker."
"Is that so," Sengoku said.
Tenjin nodded once. "Fleet Admiral, if what you want to talk to me about is private, she could excuse herself."
"Don't worry about it," Sengoku replied. "Captain Tenjin, I have a very important mission for you."
Tenjin's expression sharpened. "Please tell me, Fleet Admiral."
"A World Noble has been shipwrecked in the North Blue," Sengoku said, voice grave. "They are currently headed to Lvneel Kingdom on an emergency boat. I want you to coordinate with Marine forces in the North Blue, and I want you to personally head there to ensure the safety of Saint Paul until CP0 reinforcements arrive."
Tenjin and Tashigi were taken aback.
"A World Noble?" Tenjin repeated, disbelief slipping into his voice. "As in descendants of the twenty founding families of the World Government?"
"Good," Sengoku said. "You are educated. Yes, I mean a descendant of the twenty founding families."
Tashigi frowned deeply. "What would someone that important be doing in the North Blue?"
"I don't know," Sengoku replied bluntly. "No one knows what these World Nobles think. In any case, make sure you follow my orders."
"As you command, Fleet Admiral," Tenjin said.
Another voice joined the line, older, sharper and composed. "Captain Tenjin. This is Vice Admiral Tsuru. I wanted to inform you of some important matters regarding this mission."
"Vice Admiral Tsuru?!" Tashigi blurted out. "I-I'm such a big fan!"
Tenjin shot her a sharp glare. Tashigi immediately shrank back.
Tsuru chuckled softly. "I'm honored to hear that." Her tone shifted. "Captain Tenjin, I don't know if you're aware, but the World Nobles are very detestable people. They believe themselves to be gods, and think everyone belongs to them for the taking."
Tenjin and Tashigi both narrowed their eyes, listening carefully.
"While you are there," Tsuru continued, "the noble may commit some questionable actions. I implore you to turn a blind eye."
Tashigi's eyes widened in shock. Tenjin's face darkened noticeably.
"What do you mean, Vice Admiral Tsuru?" Tenjin asked.
"I mean," Tsuru said calmly, "they might try to enslave someone, for instance. If that happens, turn a blind eye."
Tashigi shot to her feet, slamming her hands on the table. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, that's insane!"
Tenjin raised a hand, still calm. "Tashigi, calm down."
"Butâ!"
"Tashigi," he said again, voice darker.
She clenched her fists, then slowly sat back down.
Tsuru sighed. "Young lady, I understand your reaction. Unfortunately, this is not something we have control over. The World Nobles hold absolute authority, even over the Navy. If you were to act against one, an Admiral would be dispatched immediately, and your career would end before it even begins."
"Understood, Vice Admiral Tsuru," Tenjin said with a smile. "I shall follow your instructions to the best of my abilities."
Sengoku laughed. "Good. I knew I could count on you, Tenjin. I look forward to meeting you at Marineford during the trainee program. I have high hopes for you."
"You think too highly of me, Fleet Admiral," Tenjin chuckled. "I'm just a normal Marine."
"Nonsense," Sengoku said. "Your maturity and responsible nature are exceptional. I may even take you as my protégé."
"That's more than I deserve," Tenjin replied.
"You will do great things."
"Thank you, Fleet Admiral."
The call ended.
A few moments later
Tashigi let out an awkward laugh. "I just spoke to Fleet Admiral Sengoku⊠and Vice Admiral Tsuru. I should be happy, but for some reason I'm not."
Tenjin simply smiled, sipping his water.
"If something like a World Noble trying to enslave someone happens," Tashigi asked quietly, "what will you do Captain Tenjin?"
"My job," Tenjin answered calmly.
She looked away and thought to herself. So he'd turn a blind eye⊠It makes sense, I can't blame him.
"I've lost my appetite," she said. "May I be excused?"
"Sure." Tenjin replied.
She then walked away.
Tenjin turned and shouted, "We're changing course and heading to Lvneel Kingdom!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
---
Back at Marineford, right after the call was dropped, Sengoku smiled. "What a mature boy."
Tsuru nodded. "Hard to believe he's only seventeen."
But Garp suddenly burst into laughter.
Sengoku and Tsuru were taken aback by his sudden laughter. Sengoku looked at Garp, narrowing his eyes and said, "Garp, what's so funny?"
"That boy," Garp said, wiping tears from his eyes, "has no intention of following your orders."
Back on the ship Tenjin smiled wide like a maniac.