Chapter 24 – Carina is in crisis

"I always feel like you're not telling me everything."

"Never mind, since you don't want to say, I won't ask."

Smoker shook his head and then spoke again into the Den Den Mushi:

"Since it's a request from Vice Admiral Gion, I'll follow through."

"I'll notify the other Captains in the East Blue branches to search for the wealthy girl named Kaya."

"As well as the ships of the Giant Tiger Pirates and the Black Cat Pirates."

"I'll inform you once there's any news."

Hearing this, Gion said with a smile:

"Thank you, Captain Smoker."

"Also, I have some matters to discuss with Tashigi."

"Could you pass the Den Den Mushi to her, so I can speak with her privately?"

Now that she knew Tashigi had a copy of the diary, Gion naturally wanted to have a thorough discussion with her.

Additionally, she planned to inform Tashigi about Hina and Ain also having copies of the diary.

"Can't you say it in front of me?"

Smoker frowned.

"Just some topics between girls."

"If you're interested, I don't mind."

Gion laughed.

"Tch!"

Hearing this, Smoker naturally had no interest in listening to Gion and Tashigi's conversation. After a grunt, he handed the Den Den Mushi to Tashigi.

Then he voluntarily stepped out of his office.

A little later, after making sure Smoker had left, Tashigi spoke into the Den Den Mushi:

"Vice Admiral Gion, you... you have one too, right?"

"Yes, indeed. I do have a copy of Arton's diary."

"That's great! Vice Admiral Gion, you have one too!"

"Tashigi, are you saying it's good because you found out you're not the only one Arton drew in the doujinshis?"

"No! no! that's not what I meant, Vice Admiral Gion!"

"Hehe, don't be nervous, I was just joking, Tashigi. I had you hold the Den Den Mushi because there's something else I wanted to discuss with you."

"Please, Vice Admiral Gion, go ahead."

"Tashigi, I need you to remind Smoker not to take any rash actions, understood?"

"I understand!"

Tashigi nodded firmly and responded.

Then, Gion exchanged some information about the diary copy and Arton with Tashigi.

She informed her of some points that Tashigi needed to be aware of.

Towards the end of the call, as it was about to conclude, Tashigi hesitated before asking:

"Vice Admiral Gion, about the 'Axe-Hand Morgan' that Arton mentioned."

"Do you need me to investigate, or should I subtly suggest to Smoker-san that we investigate together?"

Upon hearing this, Gion immediately replied:

"No need, Tashigi."

"I will personally investigate the matter concerning 'Axe-Hand Morgan.'"

"Since he was able to injure Vice Admiral Garp, his strength is not something the average marine can handle."

"This applies to both you and Captain Smoker as well."

"Smoker takes his duties too seriously. If he knew about this, he would definitely investigate."

"And he might even put aside the investigation of the Giant Tiger Pirates and the Black Cat Pirates' ships."

"For now, let's have him focus on investigating those two pirate crews' ships, to locate Arton, or to determine Kaya's location."

Hearing this, and considering Smoker's character, Tashigi immediately agreed with Gion's perspective.

Indeed, if Smoker knew about the existence of such a dangerous 'Axe-Hand Morgan,' he would not just stand by.

"If Smoker-san really knew about the existence of such a dangerous 'Axe-Hand Morgan,' he indeed wouldn't just stand by."

"I understand, Vice Admiral Gion."

"I will do as you've asked."

Tashigi took a deep breath and nodded earnestly.

...

While Tashigi and Gion were on the call,

On the other side, aboard the Black Cat Pirates' ship.

"It looks like, unless something unexpected happens, Carina won't be able to escape from the hands of the Black Cat Pirates on her own."

"This probably counts as the butterfly effect caused by my arrival in this world."

After Arton used the diary copy to snap a photo of Carina being judged by a group of Black Cat Pirates members, even intending to be put into a barrel, he closed his navigation diary system.

At this moment, He was standing on top of the Black Cat Pirates' sail, unnoticed by anyone.

"Do you have any last words, Carina?"

"If you don't have any last words, then I'll have to put you into this barrel here."

The current captain of the Black Cat Pirates, Jango, patted the barrel next to him and said to Carina in front of him amidst the jeering voices of the Black Cat Pirates crew members.

Although Jango might become a decent marine in the future, at present, he is still a pure pirate.

The act of putting someone into a barrel and sinking it to the bottom of the sea, he could easily carry out.

***

300 power stones = 1 extra chapter