After effortlessly wiping out the pirates, Michael descended with Imu into the town.
The self-proclaimed "special envoy" scrambled over on all fours in excitement.
"R-r-reporting, sir! Special Envoy of the Angel Alliance, Lieutenant Cruz, at your service!"
"Hm? You… know me?" Michael blinked. "You called me 'sir.' Do you know my name?"
"Of course! You're Michael! Former Grand Inspector of the Marine, former Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army!" Cruz exclaimed excitedly.
"Every member of the Angel Alliance meticulously studies your historical records and memorizes your appearance from every era! The higher-ups of the Angel Alliance have been waiting for your return all this time!"
Michael's interest was instantly piqued.
"Angel Alliance? Waiting for my return? So… it's after the year 1517 of the Sea Calendar now?"
Yes, this is the year 1524 of the Sea Calendar!" Cruz nodded. "It's been seven years since you disappeared under the attack of Uranus!"
"Seven years..." Michael was momentarily stunned. "The time Toki sent me back to... is quite precise."
But Michael didn't dwell too much on the timing.
Seven years wasn't a significant deviation, all things considered.
However... what exactly was this Angel Alliance?
Could it possibly be what he was thinking?
"Alright, soldier, one last question... Is the Angel Alliance the result of a merger between the N.E.W Marine and the Revolutionary Army?"
"Reporting, sir! The Angel Alliance isn't just a merger of the N.E.W Marine and the Revolutionary Army. It's a coalition formed by all who became your allies—such as the Cross Guild, the Whitebeard Kingdom, and Whole Cake Island..."
Michael's jaw dropped.
This... he hadn't anticipated.
The Cross Guild, Whitebeard, and even Charlotte Linlin had joined forces with the N.E.W Marine and the Revolutionary Army to form a mutual defense pact—all because of him?
It seemed that not only had his disappearance left a profound impact, but Imu and the Celestial Dragons' military power, especially the emergence of Uranus, had also instilled immense pressure in them...
Better to unite than stand alone.
'...Wait a minute!?'
'Imu!?'
Michael immediately turned to look at Imu beside him, who was curiously observing everything with childlike wonder...
If Imu had traveled to the present with him, then...
Who exactly was the Imu who had lived for over eight hundred years!?
Michael's mind was suddenly overwhelmed.
"Cruz, I understand the situation now. Return to your post immediately—the recent pirate attack must have caused panic among the civilians. As a special envoy, your duty is to reassure them, correct?"
"Yes! I'll go right away—"
"Wait, one last question... Where is this place?"
"Reporting, sir! This is Murlak Island in the Grand Line. As you can see, it's a very small island... Oh, and if possible, please refrain from leaving for now. Reinforcements from the Angel Alliance headquarters have already been dispatched and should arrive soon... Among them, you may recognize some familiar faces."
"Alright, go do your job."
Cruz nodded, saluted Michael, and hurried off.
"Hey, Michael, I didn't say anything earlier... but it seems you're quite the big shot in the future," Imu remarked, crossing their arms and narrowing their ruby-like eyes.
"Yet during the overthrow of the Great Kingdom, aside from fighting, you didn't contribute a single suggestion on any other front."
"Imu... If you were someone who came from over eight hundred years in the future and faced a reality completely at odds with history, you'd be even more cautious than I am," Michael sighed.
"But regardless, the biggest anomaly has already occurred."
"You mean me?" Imu pointed at their own nose. "I knew it—I was destined to leave a bold mark in history."
"Mm, right." Michael smirked mischievously. "It's just too dramatic."
"That smile of yours always makes me think you're up to no good!"
Imu frowned suddenly and pounced at Michael without hesitation, biting down hard on his shoulder.
"Tsk..." Michael winced slightly.
Though it didn't hurt much, it was still a reflexive reaction.
"Imu... are you a dog or something?"
"None of your business! Since you brought me to this era, you'd better take responsibility!"
"Do I need to remind you again... you're the one who insisted on following me, you idiot!"
"I said none of your business!" Imu calmly wiped her lips. "So tell me, when are you going to marry me?"
"...Wait, Imu, if I remember correctly, you're supposed to be a queen, right? Why are you so desperate to get married?"
"Then I can marry you instead... but if that's the case, your fate will be miserable."
"...Damn it, something tells me that 'miserable' doesn't mean anything good coming from you!?"
...
"Hurry, hurry! Faster, faster! Nami! Is this the limit already!?"
Luffy clung to the bow of the Seraphim Ship, shouting impatiently.
This scene had been playing out repeatedly since their departure.
Finally, Nami, who was at the helm, had had enough.
She stormed out of the cockpit, clenched her fist, and hammered it down on Luffy's head.
After a chaotic scuffle, Luffy lay sprawled on the deck, bruised and battered.
"Damn it, Luffy! If you, who never steers the ship, say one more word, I'll kick you straight into the ocean!"
With that, Nami turned on her heel and marched back into the cockpit.
"If he weren't Luffy, I'd almost suspect he has some other kind of interest." Nojiko remarked with amusement.
"Tsk tsk tsk, if you just swapped their names, this would be a classic case of teenage boy-girl emotional clashes... but for Luffy and Nami, it's just one itching for a fight and the other begging for a beating."
"Ahh, sorry about my little brother." Sabo covered his mouth, barely suppressing his laughter. "But... I've always been curious. Nami hasn't even learned Armament Haki, so how does she manage to deal such damage to Luffy, who has the Gum-Gum Fruit?"
"Hahaha! Don't ask. Just call it natural-born Conqueror's Haki." Ace was already clutching his stomach with laughter.
"It's not a bad thing, though. Someone needs to keep Luffy in line!"
Sabo wiped away a cold sweat.
"You're really his brother, huh."