"Is this the legendary Marine Headquarters?"
Outside the docks of Marineford, Hancock raised her head and gazed at the distant Marine Headquarters building.
She let out an awed "Wow."
"So? Pretty grand and majestic, isn't it?"
"Indeed! It's about the same size as my palace!"
Hearing Hancock's utterly naive words without any concealment, Michael's lips twitched.
Damn!
I forgot about this!
She's a legitimate princess! The kind who lives in a palace!
And no matter how majestic Marine Headquarters is, it's still an office building—its luxury can't compare to a royal palace!
"That's not the point. The point is, when you meet the Marines later, don't instinctively attack or run away!"
"We would never run! We're brave warriors of the Kuja!"
Now fully familiar with Michael, the Boa sisters rolled up their sleeves, revealing their slender arms.
Michael's lips twitched again.
Kuja warriors, huh?...
Who was it again that got kidnapped from their own pirate ship?
But he couldn't be bothered to argue with the three kids any further.
"Day off for everyone today—dismissed!" Michael announced to the SWORD members behind him.
The moment the words left his mouth, everyone except Stella and Issho vanished instantly.
"Uh... do Marines not usually get days off?" Hancock shot Michael a questioning look.
In her mind, Michael's image was already morphing into that of a tyrannical boss who exploited his employees.
"Don't talk nonsense—they just... really had to pee! Yeah, that's it!" Michael cut her off before she could react, striding ahead towards Marine Headquarters.
The three kids hurried after him without pause, while Issho and Stella followed at a leisurely pace.
"Only at times like these do I truly feel that Michael is just a twenty-three-year-old young man."
"Issho-san, are you joining the Marines this time?"
"Not yet." Issho tapped the ground lightly with his sword and replied softly.
"I only acknowledge Michael—I'm far from acknowledging the Marines."
Stella nodded thoughtfully, then quickened her pace to catch up with Michael, walking side by side with him.
Their golden and platinum-blonde hair fluttered in the breeze, creating an unexpectedly harmonious sight.
"Hmph, Michael... I'll be waiting for the day your plan succeeds."
"When that time comes... it'll surely be a wonderful world, won't it?"
***
In the Admiral's office.
Sengoku had set down the documents in his hands, rising from behind his desk to stare wide-eyed at the three little girls.
"So you're the princess of Amazon Lily?"
"Not just the princess—also a soon-to-be Marine recruit."
Hancock nodded, showing no trace of nervousness in front of a Marine Admiral.
Though Sandersonia and Marigold were a bit timid, it wasn't obvious on the surface.
Michael nodded in satisfaction.
Despite Hancock's extreme personality in the original story, as long as it wasn't related to Luffy, her intelligence was top-notch.
As a princess, Hancock was practically perfect.
Talented, courageous and sharp-witted.
As one of the rare female wielders of Conqueror's Haki, her talent could easily rival Yamato's for the top two among female characters.
Their configurations were strikingly similar—both masters of all three types of Haki.
The only advantage Yamato had was probably having Kaido as her father.
At least Yamato could get an early exposure to the advanced technique of Conqueror's Haki Coating.
"New recruits? Do you realize that Amazon Lily has always been a pirate nation?"
"What pirate nation? I don't know anything about that?" Hancock glanced at Michael, then relaxed and said with a grin.
"Right now, is there even a single wanted pirate in the entire country of Amazon Lily?"
Sengoku's mouth twitched.
If he still didn't realize by now that this little girl had thoroughly coordinated her story with Michael, then he might as well resign as a Marine Admiral.
"Hmph, what a sharp-tongued brat!" Sengoku snorted, though his smile was unmistakable.
"I hope once you join the Marine, you won't bring any of your old pirate habits with you!"
Though his words still sounded critical, it was clear he had already accepted Michael's recruitment plan.
"There are quite a number of young adults in Amazon Lily and bringing them all to HQ would be too troublesome and conspicuous" Michael said, seeing that Sengoku had agreed.
"So I suggest having them enlist and train at Sabaody Archipelago instead. After the recent purge, there's plenty of vacant space there—enough to accommodate this large batch of new recruits."
"...Fine, I'll leave this matter to you." Sengoku nodded and sat back in his chair.
"Since this is your doing, you'll see it through to the end."
As for how Michael would handle the specifics, Sengoku didn't concern himself with it.
He never doubted Michael's capabilities.
Just then, a messenger from outside walked in and announced.
"Admiral Sengoku!"
"Vice Admiral Akainu, Vice Admiral Onigumo and Rear Admiral Doberman have arrived!"
"Let them in."
Sengoku didn't pay it much mind, but Michael frowned slightly.
Sakazuki was one thing, but Onigumo and Doberman were hardliners among hardliners—especially Doberman, who was so radical that he'd openly berated Red Hair during the Summit War.
Of all times, why did they have to show up now...?
Michael turned his gaze to the office door as three tall figures filed in.
"Sit, all of you." Sengoku gestured casually at the group.
Thus, on one long sofa sat Akainu, Onigumo and Doberman, while opposite them sat Michael and the three girls.
Perhaps it was the overwhelming killing intent radiating from the three hardliners, but the sisters—who hadn't flinched even in front of Sengoku—now looked pale.
After all, even the eldest, Hancock, was just a twelve-year-old child.
"Sakazuki, what brings you here?"
Sakazuki shook his head without answering, leaving it to Onigumo and Doberman to passionately voice their objections.
"Admiral Sengoku! We've heard about this! A pirate nation like Amazon Lily wants to join the Marine!? Preposterous! Absolutely preposterous!"
"Exactly! As members of the Marine, we can't allow this to happen! This is clearly an infiltration attempt by pirates!"
Michael's eye twitched.
Those who knew him well could tell—those two sentences had just pushed Michael's temper to the boiling point.
What the fuck, is this some kind of joke!?
I finally managed to recruit some high-quality soldiers and now you're opposing it!?
Oppose my ass instead!
"Onigumo, Doberman."
Michael stood up, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Shut the fuck up! before i make you!"
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