“Is that it? It’s over just like that?”
“It’s definitely over. What a pleasant collaboration it has been!” Looking at Nami, who was still dazed after everyone had left, Shache released the grip on his knife handle and stretched comfortably.
Although things went surprisingly smoothly, he had to admit…
“Truly commendable~”
“No, that’s a naval hero!” Nami, looking at Shache as if it were a matter of course, didn’t know how to respond and incredulously said, “Just because of a fifty percent naval budget bribe, you compromised?”
“That old guy wasn’t fixated on some so-called fifty percent bribe.” Shache shrugged, looking meaningfully at Nami. “I’ve said it before—this sea has no absolute justice; every gift has already been priced.”
This time, it was just Karp.
Otherwise…
If it were Akainu, he would definitely have taken his men and run without a second thought.
If it were Fujitora or Kuzan, perhaps they could discuss things; as long as it wasn’t a hard assignment, these two admirals would have their own sense of justice to decide whether to slack off or take things seriously.
And if it were Sengoku… If it were before he became Fleet Admiral, he might strictly enforce his so-called justice and directly implement it against a naval disgrace like him, who nurtures pirates. But if he were retired, that old guy would also start taking advantage of the situation like Karp.
This is the so-called justice of the navy!
There are quite a few who take advantage of the chaos!
“Sure enough, there are no good people in the navy!” Hearing Shache’s words, Nami seemed to recall that rat-faced colonel and said angrily. But upon seeing Shache’s sidelong glance, she seemed to understand his meaning and, with her neck stiffened and chest out, said something hypocritical, “Of course, I and Bellemere don’t count; we’re both good navy members. What’s wrong with that? Am I wrong?”
“……”
That thick skin is truly a trait of his subordinates~.
Shache nodded seriously and said, “That’s right. After all, I’m also a good navy member!”
“……” Nami looked speechlessly at this shameless guy, who was just like her.
Then, as if recalling something, she turned her eyes and said, “Will they be resting here tonight?”
Raising her small fist with a meaningful smile, she declared, “Let me, Sergeant Nami of the 16th Naval Division, treat them well!”
With that, she turned around and walked outside, leaving Shache with a face full of confusion.
What is this guy trying to do?
He raised an eyebrow and helplessly called out to Nami’s back, “Be careful!”
“Got it~”
“……”
It wasn’t until Nami’s figure disappeared from view that Shache shook his head helplessly.
Then he stood up and walked toward a room on the left at the back, opened the door, and walked in.
Suddenly, he saw Robin sitting elegantly by the window, reading a book.
Dressed in a white shirt and a fitted skirt, her long black hair was pulled back into a neat bun. Occasionally, she would gently adjust her stylish and delicate glasses. Her full legs crossed beneath her short skirt, subtly revealing themselves as she lightly swayed.
She seemed to notice Shache’s unreserved gaze but didn’t mind. After gently flipping a page, she looked up at Shache, smiled gracefully, and said, “Dear BOSS, is it beautiful?”
“It’s fine~ cough cough!” Shache pretended to clear his throat to ease the awkwardness, then raised his gaze to look at Robin, who was quietly reading, smiling, “I thought you would have run away by now!”
“Oh? Oh~ I haven’t resigned yet!” Upon hearing Shache’s words, Robin gently brushed a lock of hair from her forehead, tilted her head, and smiled at Shache, saying, “Could it be that now that the base has developed, the BOSS wants to kick me out? What a heartless BOSS~”
“……”
Has this woman become a bit sarcastic lately?
However, before Shache could speak,
“Well, if one day someone wants to take me away like that fish man wanted to take Nami away…” Robin lowered her head, looking at the book in her hands as if indifferent but with a hint of meaning in her voice. “Will the BOSS keep me here like he did with Nami?”
“No! If you resign voluntarily, I won’t stop you.”
As Shache finished speaking, Robin froze for a moment, and her brows twitched slightly, seemingly a bit disappointed.
In no time, her face once again revealed that elegant smile.
However, before she could say anything,
“But if it’s not your voluntary resignation,” Shache smiled slightly, speaking with a serious tone, “no one can force my employees to leave.”
With those words, the corners of Robin’s mouth involuntarily lifted as she playfully brushed her hair back again, set down the book in her hands, and propped her chin with her left hand.
That elegant smile reappeared on her face, but it seemed a bit different from just now.
Then, Robin’s bright eyes looked at Shache as if smiling, and she softly and naturally said, “Then let’s continue to collaborate happily, BOSS~”
“Happy collaboration, Secretary!”
“……”
……
On this side, Shache was re-signing a contract with his secretary.
On the other side, after the naval inspection operation ended unexpectedly and both parties reached a very pleasant collaboration, Karp took the sulking Smoker and the equally dazed Tashigi down to rest.
Today’s expenses were covered by Cocoa West Town. After using a transponder snail to lift the blockade against the 16th Division, they would rest in Cocoa West Town for a night before leaving on the ship of the Moke Pirates tomorrow.
Moke, who was temporarily acting as a tour guide for Karp and the others, was currently also looking confused.
After all, he initially thought he was doomed this time, but unexpectedly… his boss actually latched onto a big shot.
A high-ranking official from the naval headquarters, a big name known as a naval hero.
The situation changed so absurdly that even he, a rough pirate, couldn’t quite understand what was happening.
But as a pirate, he knew… that future operations in the East Sea would likely be stable.
How could it not be stable with the backing of a naval hero?
For a moment, Moke became extremely excited.
No wonder he was the boss; he could even win over high-ranking officials from the naval headquarters—so impressive!
However,
“Hey hey hey, pirate kid!” Karp, looking cheerful as if nothing had happened, directly interrupted Moke’s excitement, grinning as he said, “Your boss said you should treat us well, so hurry up and tell us what interesting places there are here! Take me to see~”
“Ah, yes! Naval hero old man!” Coming back to his senses, Moke looked at Admiral Karp and hurriedly replied, while also patting the sulking Colonel Smoker next to him. “Hey, Smoker brother, we’re in a partnership now, so stop sulking all the time.”
However,
“Get lost! The navy can never cooperate with pirates.” Smoker’s face darkened even more at Moke’s familiarity, glaring at him, “If I find out you’ve done anything bad, I’ll personally arrest you!”
Although he didn’t know why Admiral Karp would accept a bribe, as a naval colonel, he would keep a close watch on them.
If Shache committed any illegal acts, he would definitely not let them off and would report Admiral Karp's actions today to Fleet Admiral Sengoku!
“Don’t worry, unless it’s the boss’s order, I, Moke, will never do such things.” Moke confidently patted his broad chest and assured him, then ignored Smoker, who was raising an eyebrow as if to say something.
He scratched his head, thought for a moment, “Interesting places, right!?”
As if recalling something, his bull-like eyes blinked slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
“I know where to go; that place is quite interesting, and it’s getting late, so it’s time to rest.”
With that, he clapped his hands and turned around.
“Let me take you all to enjoy it properly!”
With his words,
“???”
Before the curious Karp could ask where they were going, in the midst of the three’s confusion, Moke excitedly marched off in a direction.
Before long, they arrived in front of a luxurious, extravagant, and solemn building.
Looking at the luxurious building before them, Tashigi’s innocent face froze for a moment, blinking her eyes, “This looks like the Shambolt Park~”
However, at the entrance stood sexy, beautiful women, and inside, under the dim evening light, red, blue, and pink lights flickered.
As if recalling something, Tashigi’s face flushed slightly, “It just looks so improper.”
With that, Smoker and Karp seemed to have thought of something as well, one with a deadpan expression and the other laughing happily, both looking on with great interest.
However,
Before the deadpan Smoker could say anything,
“What? Shambolt Park? This used to be Evil Dragon Park, a paradise built by the fishmen.” Moke said cheerfully from the side, “But later it was remodeled by the boss, and now it’s called…”
He looked up at the flashing red sign.
“Red Romance Private Club.”
With that, he winked playfully at Smoker.
“This is a place for relaxation and enjoyment~”
As soon as his words fell,
“Where are you taking us?” Smoker, with a deadpan expression, trembled slightly in his hand holding the cigar, nearly dropping it, “Are you trying to use this to corrupt the navy’s justice?”
“Dame~”
Aside from Karp, who remained cheerful and even a bit curious, even the innocent Tashigi blushed, nervously saying, “Such a place is not suitable for the navy, and I’m a girl!”
But even though she verbally rejected it, her sparkling eyes occasionally glanced toward the Red Romance.
However, Moke seemed oblivious to the two’s somewhat nervous and strange expressions. He was determined to enjoy himself since he rarely had the chance, and with the boss footing the bill, he directly pulled Smoker inside, “What’s with this place or that place? This is a proper place; since we’re here, let’s go, let this lord treat you all to some enjoyment!”
“Dame~”
“Damn it!”
“Ah hahaha~”
“Little Peach! Little Red!” Ignoring the strange trio, Moke shouted loudly at the inside, “Come out and receive guests!”
“……” X3
That name sounds so improper at first hearing!