All the female Marines knew that Arton and his group were heading toward Cocoyasi Village—maybe they were even close to reaching the island already. And if Captain Nezumi showed up there with a Celestial Dragon, everyone knew exactly what would happen.
Captain Nezumi was the one who ordered the shelling that sank Arton's small boat and caused the tragedy in Nami's hometown. There was no way Arton or Nami would let him go if he appeared in front of them. Moreover, the Celestial Dragon accompanying Nezumi was the same one who'd commanded Nezumi to fire on Arton's craft in the first place.
Normally, the Marines wouldn't be worried about a Celestial Dragon's safety—if any harm befell a Celestial Dragon, an Admiral would be dispatched to handle it. But Arton was different. He possessed terrifying power, and all the female Marines understood he harbored a vendetta against the Celestial Dragons. Under these circumstances, the Celestial Dragon in question was in real danger.
…
[Gion]: Doll, can you guarantee the accuracy of your intel?
[Doll]: No mistake. My people left behind at the 16th Branch managed to trick the local Marines into putting us through to Nezumi. They asked him why he still hadn't returned. That's how we confirmed Nezumi's current location.
[Kujaku]: I've verified it, too. Captain Nezumi really is taking a Celestial Dragon to Cocoyasi Village.
[Hina]: If Arton meets a Celestial Dragon in Cocoyasi Village… The outcome… Dammit, what is that rat of a captain even thinking?
[Ain]: He probably senses we're closing in on him. He's dragging the Celestial Dragon to Cocoyasi to destroy the evidence of his wrongdoing. Now Arton definitely won't become our ally…
[Sadi]: That Captain Nezumi has lost his mind. Taking a Celestial Dragon along to wipe out incriminating records?
[Domino]: He's probably trying to curry favor. By using the Celestial Dragon, he can handle Arton, or so he hopes.
[Ain]: Don't forget some Celestial Dragons have…interests in attractive women. Maybe Nezumi wants to offer the women of Cocoyasi to them—likely including Nami, whom Arton has mentioned so often. If he's noticed Nami is on Arton's crew, then he wants the Celestial Dragon's power to counter Arton.
[Gion]: That Nezumi… He's truly scum. I should have gone after him myself.
Gion clenched her fists, frustration surging. Even so, she knew that if she could rewind time, her choice would be the same—trying to stop Arton sooner was the priority.
[Gion]: Doll, Hina, Kujaku, Tashigi—how much longer before you reach Cocoyasi Village?
[Doll]: We need about six more hours or so.
[Hina]: Hina and Tashigi will arrive at the island in about an hour.
[Gion]: Great. We might still make it in time. Please—no matter what, keep Arton from meeting that Celestial Dragon.
[Doll]: A Celestial Dragon… troublesome, but we'll do what we can.
[Kujaku]: Ugh, how did things get this complicated?
[Hina]: Hina will do her best.
[Tashigi]: But—but how are we supposed to do that…?
[Ain]: Celestial Dragons can be…distracted by beautiful women, right? Gion, you're not thinking of making Tashigi and the others use their bodies to entice the Celestial Dragon, are you?
Silence fell again across the group chat. They all understood that Ain's suggestion might indeed be a practical way to keep the Celestial Dragon and Arton from meeting, but it felt too…unjust. Just then, a brand-new message appeared in Arton's Diary Copy, cutting into their discussion.
[We can see Cocoyasi Village from afar. Time to end Nami's and Nojiko's nightmare.
Speaking of which, I wonder if Nezumi will show up. If not, I'll have to visit that 16th Branch base…]
[Ain]: It's already…too late?
[Tashigi]: H-how can this be, Arton's almost there!?
[Hina]: We still have a chance if we can hold off the Celestial Dragon and Nezumi.
[Doll]: Hina's right. Let's hope Nezumi arrives later rather than sooner.
[Kujaku]: Tch, this is probably the trickiest mission I've ever had.
Gion's fists tightened, anxiety flooding her. "I hope there's still time…"
…
The East Blue, near Cocoyasi Village.
The Sylvan was slicing through the water at a high pace, nearing the shore. Arton sat at the bow of the ship, eyes locked on the island that grew steadily closer. Uta perched in his lap, wearing a gentle smile.
"That Uta," Carina mumbled, pouting as she looked toward them, "managed to find her way into Arton's embrace again. Nami, aren't you going to go over there too? …Nami? Are you even listening to me?"
"Huh?" Nami jolted as she turned toward Carina. "Carina, were you talking to me?"
"What the—? You didn't even hear me?" Carina grumbled. "What's up with you?"
"Sorry, I was…thinking about stuff."
"Oh? And why are you being so polite all of a sudden?"
"Because…we're nearly home."
At that, Carina instantly grasped what Nami meant, her mind was on the village's fate. Naturally, Uta cuddling with Arton wasn't exactly Nami's top priority right now.
***
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