Koala: "He's declared war—Arton has declared war!"
Belo Betty: "What an irresistibly stirring man."
Boa Hancock: "S-so handsome… Arton is just too attractive~!"
Smoothie: "Such a domineering man—no wonder he's the one I've set my sights on."
Nico Robin: "To stand unflinching before the World Government… even the Yonko might not be able to do that."
Whitey Bay: "After this, Arton's name will echo across the globe; every last person will know it."
Stussy: "Morgans must be over the moon with this scoop. Hehe—no matter how the Navy or the World Government try to gag it, he'll spread the story with everything he's got."
Ulti: "Hehehe, something this exciting has to go public. Even if the Navy locks it down, we will find a way for the whole world to hear."
Kalifa: "What a lunatic. At this rate I don't even know if I can stay in Water Seven on assignment. Are they going to stick me next to Arton as an undercover agent?"
Gion: "War is drawing near. When it comes, Arton won't hold back even against us diary-copy holders, will he?"
Baccarat: "Risky, sure—but if I could join Arton, maybe I could become queen of the world, hehe."
At this moment Arton had already stopped the recording
Yet even without the live feed from Loguetown, everyone's hearts were far from calm. Right now, even those who didn't understand the World Government well could guess it was about to make a major move.
The peace of this world was about to be shattered completely.
If someone else were involved, they wouldn't think the Government could lose. But this time their opponent happened to be Arton. Thinking of Arton's current power and potential, the many diary-copy holders doubted the Government could win.
In fact, even the female Marines and female agents on the Government's side felt worried for it.
Reporter Ellie and the others stared blankly as Arton walked away with Tashigi, then at the World Noble burned to nothing but ash. The next second, the reporters scattered, racing back to their rooms and ships to wire the scoop to their papers.
…
Loguetown, inside a café.
"Captain Arton, what do you plan to do with these three women?"
Carina hurried over the moment Arton stepped through the door, enthusiasm written all over her face.
"Here—this coffee was ordered early for you. Good thing I did; right now no one else in town would dare make you a cup." She glanced at the waiters hiding under the tables.
"Thanks, Carina."
Arton accepted the cup with a smile and took a sip. He had no intention of hurting the staff, but explaining himself to each of them held no appeal.
"Since the coffee's ready, our other supplies should be as well—right, Carina, Nami, Kaya?"
Arton looked at his crewmates.
"Everything's set," Nami replied. "After what you just did, the whole town will turn upside down, and no one will sell us a thing. We'd better leave fast before more trouble shows up."
She knew Garp was still in the East Blue; if he caught up, they'd have a real problem.
"Don't worry too much," Nojiko said, patting Nami's shoulder. "If Captain Arton made a move, he's already factored everything in. Even if someone incredibly strong appears, he'll handle it."
Arton nodded. "Exactly. Unless two admirals show up together—which is even less likely than a vice admiral—we'll be fine. But you're right, Nami: staying here isn't smart. The East Blue isn't our destination. It's time to head for someplace far more exciting."
He turned toward the distant sky, as though his gaze pierced the café window and reached the Grand Line. Nami, Kaya, and the others thought he was itching for adventure—unaware that he was actually picturing the beauties waiting beyond.
"Arton, what about these people?"
Carina gestured to the unconscious Doll, Hibari, and Kujaku.
Hina's voice trembled. "A-Arton, could you please not hurt them?"
Tashigi opened her mouth but couldn't speak. As Carina had said, she was now part of the Flame-Blade Pirates and should think from Arton's side, yet she still looked at him hopefully.
Arton cast a glance at the three unconscious women. Earlier, dealing with the World Noble, he'd barely noticed their faces; now he had time to study them in detail.
"They haven't done anything to me. Please spare them. If someone must be punished, H-Hina'll take their place."
She mistook his silence for intent to take the trio away and pleaded hastily.
"Miss Hina, I promised Tashigi I'd let you off this time," Arton said, shaking his head. "If you jump out asking for punishment, I'll break my word to her. Besides, you want to be my sex toy—if I really did something to you, that'd be reward, not punishment."
Hina went crimson in an instant. Carina, Nami, and the others covered their mouths, trying not to laugh.
Arton turned to Nojiko. "You handled what I asked?"
"Yes. I used the Command spell to question Miss Hibari while she was out. They really did come for you—on Gion's orders," Nojiko reported. Along the way she'd uncovered several things that interested her.
Hina's embarrassment morphed back into worry. She had seen Nojiko force Hibari to reveal classified matters—including how many Marines possessed diary copies and even details on Impel Down's Sadi and Domino. If Nojiko's stamina hadn't limited the spell, she might have dug up countless Navy secrets.
Knowing Arton's crew—and thus Arton—could learn all that filled Hina with unease, especially since Arton had already written about giving Gion a beating. If things escalated, might he punish—or even kill—Gion? Then there would truly be no turning back between Arton and the Navy; even now, the Navy already had virtually no leeway left.
"So it really was that woman Gion who sent them," Arton muttered. "Being too outstanding is a hassle—you attract people wherever you go." He made a mental note and headed for the door.
"Let's go, everyone. Time to leave. Hina, I'll do you a favor and hand these female Marines over to you. When they wake, tell them not to follow Gion's orders to bother me again. Otherwise, even though I admire them, I won't hold back."
He waved and walked out. In the end he still didn't want to harm the three heroines. Doll, Kujaku, and Hibari had never attacked him like Gion had. If possible, he hoped not to sour relations with them—perhaps, when the World Government fell one day, they could become his wings, just like in his stories. Especially Kujaku; Arton was quite fond of that whip-wielding, queen-type heroine.
...
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