Chapter 42

[Mundi island, Marine base G-11]

"...A tactical position that allows us to prevent the emergence of new supernovas, as well as protect various habitations situated in the Grand Line. Although our primary focus should be the New World, the marines are currently suffering from the influx of pirates that ultimately end up becoming part of Yonko's forces." Holding his Den Den Mushi, the man with black hair straightened by wax, amounting to approximately four meter in terms of height, spoke in a calm demeanour. He was seen to be wearing round glasses, black suit, and marine coat, with the word justice on the back, that was hung over his shoulder like a cape.

"Currently, we have managed to saturate the Dandruff island with abnormal number of pirates. Soon, we will purge them all at once and clean the 7th route from the pirates. We are hoping to widen the barricade through the use of the Eternal Log Pose..."

The conversation went on as the huge man continued to speak through the Den Den Mushi.

"We understand your concerns, Rear Admiral Baten. However, we do not see the necessity in keeping someone of your rank near the entrance of the Paradise. Your request is denied, and you will be dispatched under the command of Vice Admiral Bastille. You are to hand over your current duties to Commodore Kazu and return to Marineford within a month. Until then." The call abruptly ended as the Den Den Mushi closed its eyes.

Sighing, Baten placed the dial back onto the Den Den Mushi and leaned on his enormous chair.

"Damn it, I just wanted to chill here and read books..." Baten sighed as he picked up the book that lied on his table, which had a bookmark sticking out in the middle. "Those old monsters are going to throw me into a torture for that stupid Haki. Haa, goodbye my safe haven..."

*Bang* Suddenly, the door to Rear Admiral Baten's office opened without any warning, before a panicked marine soldier rushed in.

"How rude. Can't you see I'm reading right now?" Baten glared at the marine soldier, who was huffing heavily.

"I-I am sorry Rear Admiral Baten! However, this seems quite urgent, you got to come out and see for yourself!" Sweating profusely, the marine soldier said with anxiety.

"*Yawn* What can happen in here? Pirates? Hah, as if. This is G-11, and there exists no pirates strong enough to invade in the early Paradise." With his half-closed eyes, Baten placed his hands into his pocket and stepped out of his office.

*Creak* Another door opened as Baten lazily walked out. To his surprise, the surroundings of the marine base G-11 were covered by a huge volume of steam! The marine soldiers were seen to be tensed, with them gripping on their guns tight and aiming towards the foggy steam.

However, the steam didn't dissipate, but instead, began to hamper the visions within the marine base as well, as it began to move towards the base.

"Commodore Kazu." Baten lazily called out, completely unfazed by the sight. The marine with black hair and black-coloured eyes, who was standing next to Baten with a cape of his own, bowed before jumping up high in the sky.

While in midair, Commodore Kazu took a grip on his sheathed sword with his right hand.

"Wind Bazooka!" At a blinding speed, Kazu unsheathed the sword and slashed towards the steam. In the next moment,

*BOOM* The steam was cleared by the enormous wind generated from the sword slash. The marines looked around as they regained the vision, but found that nothing was off.

Kazu lightly landed next to Baten's left, before kneeling on one knee. "Baten-dono, I have completed your order!"

Baten tiredly waved his hand. "Yes yes, great job. Now," His eyes narrowed all of a sudden. "Check and identify every single individuals within this base at the current moment. Blinded by the steam. No sign of assault. This could only mean the infiltration."

Commodore Kazu nodded before running off to carry out Baten's command.

"The possible infiltrators are... pirates naturally. There is no reason for the revolutionaries to come here in the first place. Why would the pirates come here? The answer can't be more obvious: the Log Pose. Smarter than the most of the pirates indeed." Baten reached into his coat and pulled out the bounty posters. "Rule out the pirates that are already past this point of the Grand Line. Rule out the insignificant pirates. Rule out Capone 'Gang' Bege, who was sighted in the 1st path, and 'Magician' Basil Hawkins, who was sighted in the 3rd path. This leaves us with four possible options: Eustass 'Captain' Kid, 'Treacherous' Alfonse, 'Fallen King' Aoki Ichiro, and 'Grimheart' Rowan."

Baten separated four bounty posters from the pile, before placing the pile back into the coat.

"Production of steam. Necessity of fire or any ability related to heat. With this notion, Eustass 'Captain' Kid or 'Grimheart' Rowan seem to be the most probable; Eustass has a subordinate that breathes fire, while it has been reported from the Logue town that someone within Grimheart's command has an ability to produce fire." Picking up the two bounty posters, Baten stared at them intently. "Now, where are you, infiltrators?"

______________

Two individuals in marine uniforms were seen to be walking in an orderly fashion. Naturally, they were Rowan and Carina, who successfully managed to sneak into the marine base.

Rowan was seen to be wearing a blond wig and blond moustache. His wig was low enough to hide his black eyebrows. He was wearing a marine cap on top to further cover his visage.

Carina, on the other hand, seemed to have gone a complete transformation. Her face now looked rough and square like that of a man, with big nose and small eyes. She wore a black wig and black-coloured lens, in which Rowan didn't even know that she had, and wore marine uniform loosely to hide her feminine features.

"Hey Brandy, what's that on your wrist?" Rowan said to Carina, who had stolen from the small marine named Brandy.

"Oh, this? Just a small watch called LP. It's not mine though; I got to give it back after 16 hours." Carina replied with a smile, while showing the golden watch strapped onto her right hand. "By the way, Gary, did you see anyone else with LP? I heard that this thing is actually quite rare. I had to pay quite a bit just to wear for a day."

'So 16 hours until the Log Pose has fully recorded this island. Think it's better to see if we can find any Log Pose that leads to the island after Mundi.' Rowan shrugged. "No clue. Maybe Captain Bonz? He's always been sailing here and there, so he must have a watch for himself to check time."

Rowan and Carina's eyes narrowed as they continued to stare at one another.

"Are you off duty right now?"

"Yes I am. I'm assuming that you are as well? Why don't we spend this valuable time to recap the layout of our marine base, in order to ensure any confusion in the future?" Rowan asked to Carina, who nodded back. They began to walk towards the office belonging to Captain Bonz.

Suddenly, the marine soldier with a band on his left shoulder, which read 'confirmed,' approached them.

"Halt! As per the command from Rear Admiral Baten, there will be an identity check for everyone in the base. Show your ID card and face." The marine soldier said with his hand stretched out. Complying to the words of the marine soldier, Rowan and Carina handed the ID card.

"Brandy, age: 29. Check, check, check... yes, you are clear. Next, let's see. Gary Stu, age: 17. Check, check... hmm, I am assuming that you have grown since you last took the picture, huh? Should be fine. You are clear." The marine soldier handed the ID cards back before handing them the bands.

"Wear this to avoid any further identification processes. You are now out of suspicions." The marine soldier walked away from Rowan and Carina.

Watching the marine soldier hurrying to another group, Rowan noted, "That was fast."

"Well, I'm not complaining. Come on Gary, we gotta review the layout before our next shift." Carina said while grabbing Rowan's arm and pulling.

'They have figured out that we infiltrated their base.' Rowan thought while keeping his calm composure, 'From what I have seen, I think I would be able to defeat that Commodore by myself. However, I am not sure of the strength of Rear Admiral; it has to be fourth highest rank in the whole marine system, if I'm not wrong. We need to find the Log Pose fast.'

Rowan and Carina continued to walk down the marine base, with their destination being Captain Bonz's office.