Dandé was a renowned genius Captain, famous for his mastery of the blade and for graduating from the elite training program in just two and a half years.
Naturally, he had spotted Kuina's little "ambush" from the start.
In a single, fluid motion, Dande drew Sandai Kitetsu.
This was the blade he had acquired in Loguetown on his way to his assignment in the East Blue. While it wasn't one of the "50 Skillful Grade" (Ryo Wazamono) swords—merely a "Grade" (Wazamono) blade—its unique properties and durability had served him well.
As for why he wasn't using a higher-grade sword like Yubashiri? Simple: he had been broke.
When he was reassigned, it felt more like an exile. Unlike Smoker, who sailed to the East Blue on a luxury warship with a full crew, Dande had been given a small dinghy and told to get lost.
If he hadn't bumped into Robin on the high seas, he probably would have drifted into the Calm Belt. He was banished to the remote 315th Branch, and if it weren't for his later "cooperation" with Colonel Sean, he'd still be in a derelict outpost with three men and a goat.
As for the so-called "curse" of the Kitetsu... Dande just laughed it off. He wasn't afraid of a curse; he was afraid of being poor.
So, despite Kuina's skill, defeating him was a fantasy. Everything she knew, he knew. Everything he knew, she hadn't seen yet.
The duel ended quickly. Dande tapped her lightly on the crown of her head with the back of his blade. Kuina puffed out her cheeks, holding her head in mock defeat, grumbling about how Senior Brother always hit her in the same spot.
After the session, Dande, Nami, and Robin hosted a welcome feast for the 16th Branch's new Swordsmanship Instructor.
The next day.
Dande called a temporary meeting to welcome the new instructor and organize the Branch's upcoming schedule.
Since it was just a branch in the "Weakest Sea," the attendee list was short.
There was Robin, his secretary; Nami, Petty Officer and Finance Minister; Kuina, the new instructor; and Udo, Petty Officer and General Manager of the 16th Branch's daily operations. The rest were a few middle-management Marines, most of whom were just along for the ride.
Dande sighed internally as he looked at the small group. If Moke weren't out "working," he'd have a seat here too. Still, these were people he had personally vetted; their loyalty was absolute.
After a round of applause for Kuina, she stood up and pledged to dedicate herself to the branch's growth. Then, it was time for business.
"A message came from Marine Headquarters this morning," Robin said, opening her notebook. She pushed up her decorative glasses, a strange look on her face.
"The budget we applied for two days ago has been approved. Not only that, Headquarters has added an extra 10% on top of our request."
Silence.
Except for Kuina, who didn't understand the context, and Dande, who narrowed his eyes, everyone at the table froze. Then, they cheered.
"Not just fast, but an extra ten percent?!" "They're actually being generous!" "And they didn't even try to haggle! This is a miracle!"
Nami, who had been nursing a headache over their mounting debts, practically had Berries in her eyes. She even felt a fleeting moment of gratitude toward the Navy she usually cursed.
"Quiet," Dande commanded. Once the room settled, he looked at Robin. "What are the conditions?"
"There are conditions," Robin nodded. "Headquarters expects us to intercept or arrest the Moke Pirates. Under no circumstances are they to be allowed to enter the Grand Line."
"..."
The room went silent again, every face mirroring Robin's earlier "strange" expression. They all knew exactly where Moke was.
"Ahem," Dande cleared his throat. "Have someone respond to Headquarters. Tell them the 16th Branch will dedicate every resource to stopping the 'vicious' Moke Pirates. We will hold the line."
He had no intention of letting Moke go to the Grand Line anyway. Why go there and play cat-and-mouse with Admirals when you could stay in the East Blue, grow your power, and occasionally sneak into the Grand Line to poach talent? If Moke left, how would they keep applying for "emergency" funds?
"Understood," Robin smiled. Tricking the World Government that had hunted her since childhood always put her in a good mood.
The meeting moved on to the "Great Development" of the Conomi Islands: clearing forests, uniting the villages into a single urban hub, and expanding the 16th Branch's hidden recruitment.
Headquarters had strict quotas for branch personnel and ships. Anything over the limit wasn't recognized or paid for by the government. But Dande didn't care about regulations—he just needed the manpower.
As for training, Dande planned to introduce the Rokushiki (Six Powers). It was a systematic, high-tier martial art. He also intended to incorporate...
Water Breathing.
One of the five basic styles from a certain demon-slaying corps. This was a "Benefit" he had received when he attained his current "Employee Status." While the raw power of Water Breathing wasn't world-shaking compared to Haki, it was more than enough to dominate the East Blue.
However, unlike the local powers, Water Breathing was hard to teach. In several years, only Kuina had managed to grasp the basics—which was why Zoro couldn't beat her. Dande needed to find a way to adapt it to this world's biology.
He glanced at his [Employee Performance Sheet]:
Name: Dande
Rank: Level 4 Chief Staff Member
KPI Index: 5,500/10,000 (Next rank: Level 3. Reward: 1 Employee Benefit.)
After the Inspectors left, his Index had jumped from 1,500 to 5,500. A massive 4,000-point leap. Why so much? It couldn't just be the refugees. Had he inadvertently changed someone's fate? Garp? Smoker? Tashigi?
He pushed the thought aside and concluded the meeting with his core strategy: "Build high walls, store vast amounts of grain, and be slow to claim the throne."
As the others left to carry out their duties, Nami stayed behind.
"I'm telling you, we have NO MONEY!" Nami's face was dark. "Headquarters gave us ten percent more, not ten times more! Where is the capital for these roads and expansions coming from?"
"Trust me, Nami..."
"Don't 'trust me' me! It hasn't worked since the last three times!" She crossed her arms, her silhouette striking even in her anger. "Unless you take me to a gold mine, I can't conjure Berries out of thin air."
"I have a plan," Dande said. He didn't mention the "Reserve Fund" (Shandora). Instead, he pulled out a fresh bounty poster. "It's time for Moke to move."
It was Moke's new bounty: 50,000,000 Berries.
"Are you going to sell Moke to the Marines?!" Nami squinted. "Fifty million isn't enough for all this."
"..." What is wrong with this girl?
Dande ignored her and turned to Robin. "Tell Moke. The operation begins."
Year 1517 of the Sea Calendar.
A new overlord was born in the East Blue.
The fifty-million-Berry bounty poster spread like wildfire. In a certain windmill village, an old man slapped his knee and laughed, but everywhere else, there was only shock.
Fifty million? In the Weakest Sea? To the local pirates, that was as good as being the next Pirate King.
"Don" Krieg, the self-proclaimed ruler of the East Blue, was only worth 17 million. Moke was worth nearly triple that—and he hadn't even left for the Grand Line yet!
While the world wondered what "unspeakable crimes" Moke had committed to earn such a price, the "New Overlord" made his move.
He sent out a Pirate Summons to every crew in the surrounding waters. His message was clear: He was calling for an alliance to wash the Navy's 16th Branch in blood and declare his absolute reign over the East Blue.
The pirates of the East Blue began to boil with excitement.
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