Marine Headquarters.
With the public execution of Edward Weevil and Miss Bakkin scheduled for tomorrow, everyone from admirals to rank-and-file soldiers was busy working in an orderly fashion.
As the execution platform rose in the center of Marineford Plaza, the preparations for the event were officially completed.
The night deepened.
The soldiers on duty completed their shifts, and officers of all ranks returned to their homes or dormitories. Only the light in the Fleet Admiral's office remained on.
Seated at his desk, Xayuki handed over a freshly reviewed document to Gion (Momousagi), who stood across from him.
"Fleet Admiral, let me handle these documents."
Taking the papers into her arms, Gion spoke up once again, a reminder she had repeated countless times: "It's late. You should get some rest!"
Xayuki, as if not hearing her, picked up another document and began reviewing it. Without lifting his head, he said, "I'm planning to reform some of the Marine Headquarters' centuries-old systems. One of the major changes I'm considering is expanding the number of admirals. I'm thinking of adding three more positions!"
"You've been on the admiral candidate list for long enough. It's about time you were promoted. When that happens, your forces will take on your codename. How does Momousagi Corps sound?"
Hearing this, Gion shook her head with a smile. "Is the Fleet Admiral consulting me, or simply informing me? If it's the former, I'd rather stay by your side than be promoted to admiral and lead the Momousagi Corps. A Fleet Admiral isn't like a vice admiral. Back when you were a vice admiral, you only needed to handle your own responsibilities. But now, every major decision for Marine Headquarters and its branches rests on your shoulders. Without me, you'd be overwhelmed!"
"Of course, if the Fleet Admiral has already made up his mind and is merely notifying me, then I won't hesitate. I'll lead the Momousagi Corps to clear a path for you!"
Hearing this, Xayuki set down the document and looked up at Gion, who had stood steadfastly by his side all these years.
To Xayuki, Gion was both a mentor and a friend.
If he had to choose one person he trusted the most, Gion would undoubtedly take the top spot.
However, he didn't want to keep Gion by his side as an assistant. Gion was a responsible individual with a genuine sense of Justice in her heart. Her strength was also among the best of all the vice admirals. Keeping her as an assistant would be a terrible waste of her talents.
After a moment of silent eye contact, Xayuki suddenly smiled and said, "Admiral Momousagi, could you pour me a cup of coffee?"
"More coffee?" Gion blurted out instinctively. "If you drink any more, you can forget about sleeping tonight!"
"I wasn't planning to sleep anyway!" Xayuki shrugged helplessly. "You have no idea how chaotic my house is right now. Dracule Mihawk is staying over, and Boa Hancock refuses to go to the guest quarters. With Hancock staying, Gunshi decided to join the fun. Now those two women are constantly at each other's throats. One keeps saying that no matter what mistakes she makes, she'll always be forgiven. The other is ready to wrap her opponent in bandages and hang her up like a mummy."
"It got so bad that Mihawk couldn't take it anymore and fled to the guest quarters! Under these circumstances, do you think I dare go home?"
Seeing Xayuki's helpless expression, Gion couldn't help but laugh, covering her mouth to stifle her giggles.
However, she quickly composed herself and gently suggested, "If you can't go home, why not stay at Vice Admiral Tsuru's house for the night? She's currently at the Holy Land assisting Kong with merging CP9 into CP0 after their chief officer was taken down."
Hearing this, Xayuki's lips twitched slightly. "Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know? If I stay at Vice Admiral Tsuru's house, rumors about me and Peacock will spread across Marine Headquarters by tomorrow morning!"
"True," Gion blinked, then offered another suggestion. "In that case, come to my house. Ever since you were investigated by the disciplinary unit, my mother has been worried about you. Even now, with everything settled, she still asks about you every day."
"It's too late to disturb your family!"
Xayuki waved his hand dismissively. "Once I finish these documents, I'll just make do in the office!"
Gion was about to respond when the Den Den Mushi on the desk suddenly rang.
Seeing this, Gion immediately stepped back, snapping into work mode in an instant.
"Fleet Admiral, this is Noah!"
As soon as Xayuki picked up the Den Den Mushi, Rear Admiral Noah's voice came through. "Kazha and Jinbe, the two Seven Warlords, have been escorted to the Marine base on Sabaody Archipelago. Tomorrow morning, they will depart alongside Bastille and Donquixote Doflamingo."
"Report complete! Loyalty!"
Xayuki chuckled lightly. "Why do I hear a hint of resentment in your voice? Is it because these three Warlords cooperated so well that you had no chance to show off your charm?"
"Ah, so you noticed?" Noah's voice carried a trace of embarrassment. "It's true. Both Kazha and Jinbe were very cooperative. Although Doflamingo had a brief scuffle with Bastille, it was nothing serious."
"Fleet Admiral, what's going on? Back when Sengoku was in charge, these Warlords were incredibly arrogant, especially Doflamingo. At the last Warlords meeting, he even used his Devil Fruit powers to manipulate two soldiers right in front of Sengoku."
"I was hoping that if he acted up this time, Bastille and I could take him down together! But to my surprise, he backed down!"
Hearing Noah's rambling complaints, Xayuki couldn't help but laugh. "You're really itching to fight someone, aren't you? Is it because you can't take revenge on Mihawk for your former superior, so you're venting your frustration on the other Warlords?"
"Not at all~" Noah replied without hesitation. "From the moment I pledged my loyalty to you, Fleet Admiral, my personal grievances became insignificant!"
"Well said—personal grievances are insignificant!" Xayuki praised. "Don't worry. Once this matter is resolved, I'll make sure Mihawk gives your former superior an explanation. While I always repay kindness, I won't let my comrades suffer injustice. That's all for now. See you tomorrow!"
"Loyalty!"
Noah shouted the slogan before reluctantly ending the call.
If Xayuki hadn't said "see you tomorrow," Noah would've happily chatted with the Fleet Admiral, who was not only close in age but also far more commanding and charismatic, all night long!
Especially when Xayuki said "I won't let my comrades suffer injustice," the word "comrades" made Noah want to rush back to headquarters immediately and shout "Loyalty!" right in front of Xayuki.
Standing quietly nearby, Gion couldn't help but smile as she watched Xayuki chat so enthusiastically with a subordinate.
When Xayuki had mentioned Boa Hancock, Gunshi, and Peacock, his tone and expression were filled with exasperation and frustration. Yet when talking to a subordinate, he was full of energy, even taking the time to empathize with their thoughts. It was truly remarkable.
Her amusement aside, Gion understood Xayuki's behavior deeply.
Over the years, it was this very approach that had won Xayuki the unwavering loyalty and admiration of countless officers and soldiers. His dazzling charisma had earned him the devotion of nearly everyone in Marine Headquarters.
Marine Base, Sabaody Archipelago.
After finishing his call with Xayuki, Noah's mood was soaring. The grin on his face grew wider and more unrestrained.
"Hahahahaha—"
"Ha... hahaha..."
After a long bout of laughter, Noah turned to face Bastille and Strawberry, who had just returned from District 13. Smirking, he said, "Guess what the Fleet Admiral just said to me?"
"What?" Bastille looked at Noah as if he were an idiot.
"The Fleet Admiral said, 'I won't let my brothers suffer injustice!'"
Before he even finished speaking, Noah burst into another round of laughter. "Brothers... the Fleet Admiral called me his brother... Hahaha—cough... huh?"
Suddenly, Noah's laughter was interrupted as he noticed Donquixote Doflamingo standing nearby, grinning wickedly at him.
"Doflamingo, if you keep smiling like that, I'll kill you right here and now!" Noah declared. "I feel invincible right now!"
Hearing this, Doflamingo's grin froze. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
He hadn't done anything!
What's wrong with the Marines these days?
Is even smiling a crime now?
Have they all gone mad?
Before Doflamingo could respond, Jinbe and Kazha, who were standing beside him, turned and walked away without hesitation.
"They're insane~"
"The Marines these days—from officers to soldiers—have all gone mad~"
"Did you see those soldiers earlier?" Kazha whispered to Jinbe as they quickly distanced themselves from Doflamingo. "The way they looked at us was like cats eyeing mice, their eyes practically glowing green..."
Jinbe nodded silently in agreement.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!
Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!
👉 patreon.com/GoldenLong