The first half of the Grand Line, "Paradise," Alabasta.
Leaning against the railing, Bellemere smoothed her long hair with her hand.
Standing beside her was Michael, who had just resolved the merchant ship robbery incident.
However, after finishing the job, Michael didn't return to the warship or fly directly back to Alabasta.
Instead, he chose to hitch a ride on their ship.
The easygoing Sohan and Bellemere didn't pay much attention to it.
After all, Michael was a Marine who had helped them, so giving him a ride was only natural.
Thus, with the SWORD Ship leading the way, the merchant vessel quickly followed the route into the territory of Alabasta.
Moving upstream, they entered the wide river from the estuary and headed towards Alubarna.
Bellemere couldn't help but sigh in admiration at the scenery along both banks of the great river.
"A country like this… it's truly wonderful."
Peaceful, tranquil and prosperous.
Undoubtedly a model nation in the One Piece World.
"Though this is only my second time coming to Alabasta, I feel like… something is different now?"
"That's probably because the last time you were here, the Alabasta Marine branch hadn't been established yet and the Marines hadn't officially stationed here," Michael chimed in.
"After all, a country that never had a Marine presence suddenly gaining one would naturally make it stand out, right?"
After the Alabasta Marine branch was completed, Sengoku transferred a group of relatively young Marine soldiers from branches across the four seas and the first half of the Grand Line.
So, there was no shortage of lower-ranking soldiers—what was lacking were Marine officers capable of holding the base.
After all, he couldn't stay in Alabasta forever.
And the SWORD Secret Special Forces couldn't remain stationed in Alabasta indefinitely either.
Thus, during this time, Michael had to leave behind a trusted team to manage the Alabasta branch.
Because, in his plans…
The Kingdom of Alabasta would become a major stronghold for the Revolutionary Army in the future.
Therefore, the Marines stationed here had to be individuals who could carry out his will and whom he could fully trust.
And this woman before him—who had once served in the Marines but later nearly gave her life for them—
Seemed like a good choice.
Most importantly, Bellemere was…
The type who dared to resist oppression and wouldn't blindly follow orders like an obidient dog.
People like her had an innate fire in their bones.
"But I heard that Alabasta had always refused to allow the Marines to establish a branch on their soil…"
"So why have they accepted it now?"
Bellemere's question was quickly answered by Michael.
"That's probably because back then, I brought the King of Alabasta an offer he couldn't refuse, so his original stance was shaken," Michael said with a smile. "Though it was never a matter of principle to begin with, so changing his stance wasn't a big deal."
Bellemere nodded, though not entirely understanding, before falling into silence.
"Mom! Nami's crying again!"
At that moment, a childish voice came from inside the cabin.
Nojiko, just three years old, hold the baby Nami as they slowly emerged from the cabin.
Nami who's now about one year old, wailed loudly as she was pulled along by Nojiko across the undamaged deck.
"Ma… mama!" Nami sniffled. "Hungwy."
Bellemere hurried over.
Though the deck they walked on was intact, it was littered with scattered wood splinters.
If these two little ones got pricked, it would mean another sleepless night.
"Nami, we'll reach Alabasta soon. How about Mommy takes you and Nojiko out for some delicious food then?" Bellemere, who's never have children before radiated maternal warmth no different from Rouge.
"So just bear with it a little longer, okay?"
"R-really?" Nami sniffled, then broke into a smile upon receiving confirmation, rubbing her tiny belly.
"Then I can wait a bit longer."
"That's my girl, you're so adorable."
In that moment, Bellemere cast aside all the frustrations of parenting.
She hugged the two daughters who depended on her for survival, rubbing her face against theirs affectionately.
Michael tilted his head, observing the little orange-haired girl...
It was hard to imagine this adorable child would grow into a violent woman who casually beat up Nika.
Speaking of Nika...
Come to think of it, wasn't Luffy born around this time too?
With this thought, Michael decided he'd need to make another trip to Baltigo soon.
"Mommy, who's that weird smiling uncle over there?"
Nojiko spotted Michael over Bellemere's shoulder, asking with curiosity.
"Him? He's the Marine who helped Mommy this time."
"Marine..." Nojiko's gaze toward Michael was full of scrutiny and wariness, as if he were a villain trying to steal their mother away.
"Honestly, I've never been called 'uncle' before," Michael said with a wry smile, pointing at his face.
"I'm only twenty-three you know? Still in the prime of my youth."
"But I'm only three?" Nojiko's eyes showed confusion. "So a Marine who's twenty years older than me must be an uncle, right?"
Hearing Nojiko's perfectly logical explanation...
WTF, She had a point!
Being twenty years older than Nojiko, being called uncle by her wasn't unreasonable.
"Alright, whether uncle or big brother, it's just a title," Bellemere said lightly, scooping up both daughters.
"Michael-san... look, Alubarna is coming into view."
Michael looked up—sure enough, the SWORD Ship was docking in the distance.
Which meant it was time for him to disembark from this merchant vessel.
"Bellemere, Sohan mentioned you used to be a Marine right?"
"Yes, I served in the East Blue for a time... but after taking these two little ones from the battlefield, I left."
Bellemere saw no reason to hide this part of her past—everyone on board knew she'd once been a Marine.
She just didn't understand why Michael had brought it up now.
"Forgive me if this sounds presumptuous..."
"But would you consider rejoining the Marines?"
"The Alabasta Marine branch needs people like you."
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