The grand gates of Marineford stood tall as ever, casting long shadows in the mid-morning sun over polished stone and polished pride.
Luffy stepped inside first, hands in his pockets, face wearing that casual mix of annoyance and boredom.
Behind him, Hina followed, her presence as graceful as ever, yet a sharp contrast to the lazy stride of her companion.
They didn't even make it past the first hallway before a voice called out, "Yo, is that the brat who breaks more walls than pirates?"
Luffy's eye twitched.
"Still calling me that, Smoker?" He said with a smirk, turning toward the silver-haired Marine puffing on two cigars at once, arms crossed and a grin on his face.
Smoker chuckled, stepping forward. "You still look like a twelve-year-old delinquent."
"Yeah?" Luffy grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Want me to punch you into a wall again and see if I grew?"
"That was one time—!"
"Twice," Hina corrected smoothly, passing Smoker with a wink. "Third time, and we'll need another renovation."
Smoker grumbled something under his breath about damn monsters before giving Luffy a quick nod. "Still causing trouble, huh?"
"Always," Luffy replied proudly.
As they kept walking, more familiar faces emerged from around corners and offices.
"Tch. Back already, brat?" Vice Admiral Onigumo growled, his disgusted expression not hiding his dislike.
"Aw, you missed me?" Luffy replied with a wink, making Onigumo twitch violently.
"I heard you escorted Hina all by yourself," A younger Rear Admiral murmured, blushing. "S-Such a gentleman..."
Hina flashed a practiced smile. "He was very dependable."
"More like flirtatious," Tsuru said with a raised brow as she passed by. "I saw the way you clung to his arm."
Hina didn't miss a beat. "It's safer that way, Vice Admiral Tsuru. Pirates don't try anything when they see me with him."
Tsuru narrowed her eyes slightly at Luffy, then sighed. "Just like Garp… You'll be more trouble than the whole New World one day."
Luffy just grinned.
"You're popular as ever," Hina teased, her voice soft so only he could hear.
Luffy clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. "Tch... just means more people I gotta dodge when I sneak out again."
Hina laughed softly. "I doubt you'll get away that easily this time."
As they entered the central hallway that led toward the Fleet Admiral's office, a group of younger recruits were whispering and pointing.
Luffy noticed.
"Oi, what's with the gossiping?"
The tallest one stepped forward nervously. "S-Sorry, Rear Admiral! We just… heard you fought three pirate crews in one day and sank their ships barehanded…"
"Eh, that's not gossip," Luffy shrugged. "That's facts."
"Don't believe half the stories," Hina added smoothly, though a small smirk played on her lips.
"Which half?" One of the recruits whispered.
Luffy leaned down, close enough for the group to hear. "The part where I let some escape… That never happens."
The boys all stiffened and saluted out of instinct.
Luffy waved them off casually, rolling his eyes. "So uptight."
As they neared Sengoku's office, the mood shifted. The air grew a little heavier—formality creeping in like a cold fog. Even the soldiers who admired Luffy's carefree strength straightened up more here.
Everyone knew who sat behind those doors… and what came with it.
"Still time to run," Hina whispered from beside him, her voice like velvet mischief.
Luffy snorted. "Don't tempt me."
Hina stepped forward to knock politely but she didn't get the chance.
BANG!
The door flew open with a loud crack as Luffy kicked it clean off its hinges.
"Yo, old man!" He called out, stepping in with the biggest grin on his face.
Inside, Sengoku had been peacefully sipping his morning tea. The sudden entrance made him choke mid-sip, coughing violently as tea spilled onto his desk.
"DAMMIT, LUFFY!" Sengoku slammed his cup down, his veins bulging. "Stop copying your damned grandfather!"
Luffy walked in like he owned the place, hands in his pockets, and plopped himself down on the nearest couch. "Oi, don't blame me. It's in the blood."
Hina walked in behind him, letting out a sigh, though the amused twinkle in her eyes betrayed her enjoyment of the whole situation.
Sengoku pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered, "You really are Garp's spawn…"
He then straightened up and looked at the pair seriously.
"Well, at least Aokiji did his job," He muttered. "Sending him was the right move. You finally showed your face after how long? Half a year?"
Luffy scoffed. "Only because I got dragged here. You old geezers really hate people enjoying freedom, huh?"
Sengoku smirked. "Freedom's dangerous when it's yours. You know that better than most."
Then, he turned to Hina, his gaze softening. "Hina. Good to see you. You've grown… sharper and stronger since last time."
Hina saluted gracefully. "Thank you, Fleet Admiral."
He studied her a moment longer, then gave a pleased nod. "You're getting a permanent reassignment—to Marineford. Your growth rate is too impressive to be wasted on low-level missions."
Hina's heart skipped a beat. Not only was she receiving recognition, but this meant staying close to Luffy more often.
"Understood. Hina is honored."
Luffy raised an eyebrow. "Heh. Looks like you're getting pampered."
"Unlike someone who runs the moment he hears the word 'promotion,'" Hina shot back with a teasing smile.
Sengoku nodded in agreement. "She deserves it. Zefa would've been proud. Her fundamentals are solid, and now that she's awakened Haki…"
"Oh?" Luffy leaned forward smugly. "See? Told you she was worth stealing."
Hina blushed faintly but didn't deny it.
Sengoku continued, "Of course, her current rank doesn't match her strength, but that's something time will fix. We'll be assigning her missions across the Grand Line to stack up merit. Rear Admiral is within reach."
Hina's eyes lit up—she'd been striving for that for years. But she kept her composure, responding with a sharp nod. "Thank you, sir."
Then Sengoku turned back to Luffy.
His gaze sharpened and his tone shifted.
"Now… as for you."
Luffy blinked and his Observation Haki flared instantly as he used his Future Sight.
And in that instant, he saw it—the next few seconds in the future.
Sengoku praising his accomplishments, listing his battles, and then the words.
"You're being promoted to Vice Admiral."
Luffy sweatdropped.
"Hell no."
Sengoku hadn't even spoken yet. "You've clashed with major pirates, taken down multiple high bounties, and—"
Poof!
Luffy was gone. Nothing but the soft echo of the door flapping in the breeze remained.
Sengoku paused mid-sentence.
He looked at the empty couch, the spot where Luffy had just been.
"…Huh?"
He turned to Hina, baffled. "Where—what—how?!"
Hina chuckled behind her gloved hand. "When you said 'clashed with major pirates,' he already saw it coming and ran."
Sengoku's mouth opened and closed a few times.
Then he slammed both fists on the desk, causing the papers to fly and the tea to be spilled over.
"THAT BRAT!!"
Outside the office, birds scattered from the window ledge as Sengoku's shout echoed through Marineford.
Hina stood there, hands behind her back, smiling as if everything was fine.
Deep inside, she felt a rush of pride for her man—the way he refused to be chained. That unrelenting spirit, wild and free, made her fall for him again and again.
---- ✦ ✦ ✦ ----
Spoilers for the next three chapters!
Chapter 133: The Sword Queens
Chapter 134: Divine Fist's Terror
Chapter 135: The Impel Down
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