Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
The hostage incident on Hachinosu Island made headlines, but there were two versions of the story.
One was published by the Hoenn Daily, which largely aligned with the facts and circulated in the New World and North Blue. The other was propaganda from the World Government.
[Hero—Captain Koby!]
Koby, disregarding his own life, rescued the royal family of Koa from the den of iniquity known as the "Pirate Paradise." His heroic deeds were heavily promoted by the World Government, who hailed him as a "hero"!
"HAHAHAHA, this is too funny!"
"A hero who abandoned civilians to save himself!"
"I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts!"
The Pirates on Hachinosu Island roared with laughter upon reading the newspaper, treating the article as entertainment during their drinking sessions.
G-14 Marine Base.
Hibari, a new member of Sword, approached Dore with a worried expression.
"Senior Koby is still in his room and refuses to see anyone. He asked me to relay that he's declining the World Government's medal ceremony."
"Yeah, I got it."
Dore clenched a cigarette between her teeth, her mood foul.
Ever since Koby woke up, he had locked himself in his room, refusing to come out. He hadn't eaten a single meal in days.
The kid had shut down completely.
"PUHAHAHA, where's Koby?!"
Suddenly, familiar boisterous laughter echoed from outside.
Dore walked to the window and spotted Vice Admiral Garp at the port. She froze for a moment, her scalp tingling with dread.
Damn it, why is this old bastard here?!
"KOBY!"
Garp barged straight through, demolishing seven or eight walls before finally reaching Dore's office.
A vein throbbed on Dore's forehead.
"Vice Admiral Garp, did you come here just to wreck the place?"
"PUHAHAHA!"
Garp laughed heartily, completely unfazed.
"Don't sweat the small stuff, Dore."
"How can I NOT sweat it?!"
Dore wanted to curse him out.
But then she remembered her own decision—maybe she really shouldn't care.
Garp glanced around.
"Where's Koby?"
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Koby entered the office, and the moment he saw Garp, his nearly shattered emotions erupted. Tears poured down his face.
"Vice Admiral Garp, I'm sorry! It's all my fault! Kujaku, Grus, Helmeppo—they were all captured by Pirates!"
"PUHAHAHA, don't worry!"
Garp laughed and clapped a hand on Koby's shoulder.
"We'll head straight to Hachinosu Island and rescue Helmeppo and the others!"
"R-Really?!"
Koby's eyes widened, dazed.
Those words were the salvation he desperately needed.
"It's too late, Vice Admiral Garp."
Dore poured cold water on their hopes. "According to my intel, Helmeppo and the other hostages have already been transported away by the Pirates. Even if you go to Hachinosu now, you won't find them."
"EH?!"
Garp's jaw dropped in shock.
He had rushed here from Marine HQ as soon as he heard the news!
"Dore, do you know where Helmeppo and the others are?"
"Probably with the Hoenn Government."
Dore sighed. "You don't need to worry about their safety. I just spoke with Saul—Hoenn won't harm them or the hostages."
"Oh, that's a relief."
Hearing that Helmeppo and the others were safe, Garp relaxed and plopped onto the sofa, calling out to Dore.
"Dore, got any tea?"
"Find it yourself!"
Dore crossed her arms, exasperated.
Garp casually sipped tea and munched on snacks, but Koby remained tense.
"Vice Admiral Dore, I've heard about that Vice Admiral Saul. He's now a vice admiral in the Hoenn Navy—why would he tell you these things?"
"Saul was my direct superior."
Dore sighed heavily. "Also, I've already submitted my resignation to headquarters. I'm preparing to take up a position with the Hoenn Government."
"..."
Silence lingered for several seconds.
"Pfft!!!"
Garp spat out his tea in shock!
Koby and the others gaped in astonishment.
"Vice Admiral Dore, why would you—?"
"You know why."
Dore couldn't be bothered to explain.
When she met Saul at Reverse Mountain, the idea had taken root. This incident had solidified her decision.
She was leaving the World Government.
Dore forced a casual tone. "Truth is, I've had enough of headquarters. Continuing as a navy officer in Hoenn isn't a bad deal."
"..."
Koby felt a pang of anguish.
This incident had filled him with fury and disillusionment toward the higher-ups' choices, even making him question the meaning of justice.
He understood Vice Admiral Dore's stance.
Yet the thought of this elder sister figure who'd always looked out for them suddenly leaving the Marines left him disheartened—and more adrift than ever.
Had the Navy truly fallen so far?
"Pffahahaha!"
Garp suddenly burst out laughing, giving Dore a thumbs-up. "Dore, do what you want! The most important thing in life is living by your own convictions!"
"Don't lump me together with you!"
Dore shot Garp a glare.
This man was the most insubordinate officer in the entire Navy—never following orders, doing whatever he pleased.
Damn it, how enviable!
"Whatever. I'm leaving."
Dore shook her head and pulled a backpack from under her desk.
If she didn't go now, it might become impossible.
She wasn't the only officer wanting out.
"Pururu pururu pururu~~"
The Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
"Yo, this is Garp!"
Without hesitation, Garp answered the call.
The Den Den Mushi remained silent for several seconds.
"Vice Admiral Dore, regarding your resignation—the higher-ups have denied your request. You are to continue your duties."
"Hey, pass a message to the higher-ups for me."
Dore planted one foot on the windowsill, glancing back at the Den Den Mushi.
"Tell them to eat shit!"
"Bam!"
The woman launched herself away using Moonwalk.
Meanwhile, at G-5 Branch's harbor.
"Tell them to eat shit!"
Smoker uttered the exact same words, securing his weapons and gear before revving his custom amphibious bike.
Tashigi came running after him.
"Rear Admiral Smoker, I'm coming with you!"
"Then get on, idiot!"
Smoker kept his expression cold as he sped across the water with Tashigi, leaving the G-5 ruffians' pleading shouts behind.
His dissatisfaction with headquarters had simmered for years. After receiving Aokiji's letter, he'd finally resolved to leave the Navy—even if it meant gambling his entire future.
The same scene unfolded at Headquarters.
"Incompetent Navy!"
Zephyr stormed out of Marine Headquarters, a Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea bounty poster fluttering in his wake.
Having devoted his life to the Navy only to face betrayal, he'd lost all faith in its so-called justice.
"Instructor Zephyr, wait for us!"
Ain and Binz hurried after him.
Even if it meant leaving the Navy, they would follow their mentor to the end. As survivors of that incident, they too burned with rage toward the Royal Seven Warlords.
Zephyr boarded the ship and took out a letter from his pocket, a helpless smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Kuzan, your teacher is no match for you!"
As a mentor, he hadn't seen things as clearly as his disciple. Only now had he awakened to the truth. Now that his disciple had found a new justice, he would let him witness it firsthand.
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