Chapter 18: A Proposal and a Path

Josh's promotion had been swift. It was impossible for people not to notice his rapid rise, especially Galdino, aka Mr. 3, who had witnessed Josh's entry into the organisation just a month ago.

"So, this is how things will go next week," Josh said calmly, though he felt a growing unease deep within him.

As an intern who hadn't yet become a full-fledged lawyer, his conscience still tugged at him.

"What's bothering you?" Mikita asked, noticing his unease.

"Next week," Josh replied, staring at the paper in his hand.

The paper contained his orders. Sitting on the deck of his ship, he held the paper close to the flickering candlelight. It was customary for agents to burn their orders, ensuring they remained a secret.

"I read it. What's wrong with it?" Mikita whispered. "We still have a week before moving to Alabasta."

"Just… whatever." Josh sighed and lifted his head.

The mission was clear. He had to ensure a weapons transfer to Alabasta, where the weapons would be delivered to the rebels. Two innocent factions were being manipulated into a deadly conflict.

Josh, knowing the plot from the anime, was aware that the rebels were being misled by Crocodile, who sought to overthrow the kingdom of Alabasta. He had assumed this was happening at least a year before the canon timeline, but it didn't make the mission any easier. His heart ached at the thought of being part of such manipulation.

'These are real people—breathing, eating—just like me,' he thought.

Josh turned his gaze to Mikita, who still looked stunning to him. A soft blush appeared on her cheeks as she caught him staring, sensing the passion in his eyes.

"Let's get some sleep. We're drunk," she suggested.

"Right."

After a meeting with the other agents, they had returned to their boat and indulged in some alcohol. Now, they were both feeling sleepy. Lying down on blankets spread across the deck, they wrapped their arms around each other.

As Josh held Mikita from behind, his thoughts drifted. It had been more than twenty days since he accepted the mission, and with almost a month ahead, he could see signs that Mikita no longer cared much for Baroque Works.

'I want her on my side,' Josh thought. The cards seemed to be in his favour.

He needed more time to grow stronger and more money, which he'd have to borrow from somewhere—maybe Vivi had enough to help him on his quest.

Josh lowered his head, conflicted between his conscience and the instincts for survival that drove him to succeed in his mission.

---

Mikita, aka Ms. Valentine, sat on the deck, gazing at the Eternal Pose in her hand, which pointed the way to Alabasta.

She had received a mission from Mr. 0, Crocodile himself. Ever since she joined Baroque Works, she'd expected this moment to come, especially since she was among the few with a Devil Fruit ability.

It was inevitable that she would rise through the ranks quickly.

She glanced over at Josh, who was doing a light warm-up. 'Something's wrong with him,' she thought.

Josh, usually playful and flirtatious, seemed off. Though he wasn't sharing his burdens, she could tell. It was unlike him to hide things.

'Did he cheat on me?' Mikita narrowed her eyes at him. Though it seemed unlikely, given his young appearance, it wasn't impossible.

She turned her gaze to the sea. If he wasn't telling her, it was his choice. 'Now I'm dying to know what's bothering him,' she thought, crossing her arms and resting a leg over the other as she sat on the ship's edge.

After a few moments, Josh approached her from behind and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"You're quiet today. That's not like you," he said.

Mikita puffed her cheeks, frowning at him.

Josh chuckled and playfully poked her cheek. "What's really on your mind?" she asked.

His smile slowly faded, and her heartbeat quickened. He was going to tell her something serious. Mikita didn't know what she would do if it was bad news.

"I need to tell you something," he began.

"And that is…?" she asked, bracing for a confession.

"A proposal," Josh said, oblivious to the thoughts running through her mind. If he knew, he'd have thought she was being overly paranoid, though understandably so.

Mikita raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. A proposal? Could he mean… marriage? Her face flushed, and she waved her hands in front of her face, trying to compose herself. She had forgotten that Josh didn't believe in marriage.

"Have you ever thought that Baroque Works pays us too little for what we do?" Josh asked, sitting beside her.

Confusion spread across her face. She remembered that she'd once joked with him about their pay from missions. Could his mind have changed after splitting the money with the higher agents?

"What are you suggesting?" she asked.

"I'm suggesting we carve our own path," Josh said, taking her hand and rubbing it gently. He then met her gaze.

"Our own path? What do you mean?"

"Mr. 0 is rich, you know," Josh smiled.

Mikita's eyes widened. "Are you saying…"

"How about we partner up and take his money? I've heard he even owns a casino. Plus, his organisation has been hunting pirates for ages. There's no one richer in these parts than him."

Mikita blinked in surprise. 'And here I thought I was the crazy one,' she mused, though she didn't voice it. Josh was right—Crocodile had a lot of money, more than enough to live comfortably without worries.

But there was a catch: Crocodile wasn't a Warlord for nothing. He was powerful and dangerous.

"You have a plan, don't you?" Mikita asked.

"Glad you asked." Josh stood up and spread his arms wide, like a dreamer—or more like a madman gambling with his life.

"I'm growing stronger every day. When the right moment comes, we can strike and live the good life," he said.

"I see," Mikita replied, standing up.

Josh looked adorable from her perspective, but his dangerous ambitions didn't match his cute appearance at all. Still, he wasn't wrong. Josh was growing fast. She remembered how, at first, she could have easily defeated him. Now, he had become skilled in martial arts, with the ability to move at incredible speeds.

"What do you say?" Josh asked, his blue eyes gleaming with excitement.

'Who could say no to those eyes?' she thought, placing a hand on his cheek and pinching it. "I'll join you, but on one condition."

"What's that?"

"Wait. Keep this a secret until the time is right to strike."

Josh grinned and squeezed her hand. "You're so smart! I wouldn't know what to do without you."

Even though she knew he was teasing, she smirked and nodded. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Now, let's head to Alabasta," Josh said, standing with a renewed sense of purpose.

"Wait, wait!" Mikita interrupted, raising her hand. "We have to stop at Whisky Peak first. We need supplies."

"Whisky Peak, huh?" Josh rubbed his chin. "I heard the trainees from our old base have been transferred there."

Mikita crossed her arms, pretending to be upset. "Weren't you checking out that blue-haired girl back there? Do you like her?"

"What are you talking about? I was checking out the sea behind her!" Josh teased.

"Get over here!" Mikita lunged at him, ready to pin him down.

"Catch me if you can!" But Josh flashed three meters away, grinning.

"Hmm… Don't blame me when I go all out!" Mikita warned as she chased him across the boat.

"Yeah, in your dreams!" Josh laughed, dodging her playfully, trying to ease the tension weighing on his heart.

More dangerous times lay ahead.