Chapter 29

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Time flied faster than it ever has been,

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

to an extent where I could hearing the clock ticking from miles away.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

For a day, I took a nice relief, hanging out with my colleagues. However, in the end, they didn't manage to ease my mind, and I found my heart beating fast.

'Ohara. Countless lives will be lost. My persuasion won't work, and my status is considered too low to have a voice in this matter. I lack strength, and I can't afford to make a blatant action either.'

'Should I try to cause a problem here, such that the mission will be delayed? Or should I try to do something, such that Sakazuki ends up being unable to join this mission? But... how?'

'I wish I can inform this matter to Garp-sensei as well, but he cut off all possible forms of communication. If he knew about this, what would his action be?'

'How about—'

"What's with you today? You seem so depressed."

Currently, I was standing on the deck of Kuzan's ship, which was carrying our division to the New World. Travelling against gravity, and surrounded by the red walls, this ship of ours, along with one more warship at our back, was currently crossing the Red Line. the other Vice Admirals were all found at the New World currently, and due to the harsh weather there, it was said by Sengoku that their arrival to G-1 will be later than ours.

And my gaze was headed above, at the top of the Red Line, where the Mariejois lies.

"...Gion," I spoke up sternly, "What do you think about the Buster Call?"

"Buster Call?" Gion, coming to a stop next to me, shrugged, "To a normal human's perspective, it may seem terrifying. After all, it is the merciless bombardment with a terrifying purpose: to erase the existence of an island itself.

However... I don't view it as a bad thing."

I turned to Gion, whose eyes held conviction of her own, "If there are criminals who are so corrupted that their ideals and deeds may infect the others, and if their existence alone challenges the justice, then they deserve the Buster Call."

A little twisted I'd say, however.

"The scholars may seem innocent at the first glance. But know this, Smoker. They knew the full consequence of their actions, yet still took upon the risk. Now, they simply are paying the price. An evacuation ship will be sent to let the innocents get out of the crossfire—there is nothing wrong about this."

"Then let me ask," Upon hearing Gion's firm words, I asked, "Do you believe that the Marine is an absolute justice, under all circumstances?"

Gion, in response, raised her eyebrow,

"Do I need to answer such an obvious question for you?" Gion then stated, "Of course."

Pink rabbit. Momousagi. That will be her future code name. And pink—it is a mix of 'red' and white; it seemed that Gion was yet another individual who placed her ideal in the doctrine of Absolute Justice.

Taking my eyes off of Gion, I looked at my back, where Kuzan was seen to be sleeping with the sleeping band on top of his eyes, by lying on the comfortable-looking chair. Before I knew, he was already becoming more and more like the lazy person whom I've seen in the anime.

'...Is this why you quit the Marine, Saul?' I couldn't help but be repulsed by this organization, the more I came to learn of its true face.

__________

Currently, with two warships, under Kuzan's command, docked at this Marine Base G-1, we were greeted by the female Marine Officer of old age. The calm tone of her voice, the tall height that amounted to 2 meters—without a doubt, the person standing in front of us, was none other than—

"Big sister Tsuru!" Gion, unable to suppress her joy, ran out to Tsuru.

"Oh, good to see you again, Gion." Tsuru, making a gentle smile, embraced Gion as the latter jumped on her. While doing so, she shifted her eyes at Kuzan,

"Good to see you again as well, Kuzan; you are the second one to arrive."

"I'm sorry, Tsuru-san, but I'm not in the mood to talk. If you wish to converse about that so-called secret mission, consult Saul instead." On the other hand, Kuzan, whose eyes were half-lidded from him just having woken up, yawned before placing his sunglasses on his face, "I'm going out for a while. Don't look for me until I return."

"...Why, I suppose I'll do that." Tsuru, knowing that her persuasion won't work on the ice man, simply stated, "The date of operation is within a week, Kuzan. Be sure to return until then."

Kuzan didn't reply, but walked away while pulling on a bicycle next to him.

"Now then," Tsuru, turning back to us as Gion seemed to have calmed down, spoke up in a reserved manner, "I am Vice Admiral Tsuru, the base commander of G-1. Since Kuzan is out, and newly promoted Vice Admiral Stainless is still bedridden, your division will temporarily fall under my command."

She looked around each one of us with a calm expression, before continuing,

"And although I have no plan of making you suffer whatsoever, my children, be sure to keep yourselves self-contained. Is that clear?"

"""Yes, ma'am!"""

Then, Tsuru walked and stopped in front of me, before exclaiming knowingly, "And you must be Smoker whom Garp's been boasting about."

"Vice Admiral Tsuru," I immediately saluted upon her approach, "It is an honour to meet the Great Advisor of the Marine!"

Tsuru smiled in response, "Call me Tsuru-san, my child. There is no need to be so strict in front of me."

Lowering my arm instantly, I smiled back, "Got it, Tsuru-san."

"I see that you aren't a shy one." Chuckling at my demeanour, Tsuru then asked, "Then let me ask you a quick question, child. What is your—"

Then, she froze for a second, before placing her hand on her chin, in a thoughtful manner,

"Now, where was I again?"

Then, she abruptly turned her head at the trail of ice that Kuzan left on the sea, before exclaiming,

"Oh my, he's already gone so far away!"

I asked out of confusion, "Uh, Tsuru-san—"

"Since when did I give my permission for you to call me 'Tsuru-san?'" Tsuru narrowed her eyes at me, before humming, "No. Before that, who are you?"

"Uh..."

Then, Gion suddenly stepped up, "Snap out of it, sister!"

Tsuru turned at Gion, and raised her eyebrow, "And who are you?"

"Geez, it's gotten much worse since I last saw you!!"

Tsuru then looked down at her body, before raising her face back up with a dumbfounded expression, "...And who am I?"

Gion grabbed Tsuru by shoulders and wildly shook her, "Wakeeee up, sister!!!"

Tsuru remained in her dumbfounded expression for a while, before finally regaining the light in her eyes,

"Oh... oh my."

I sweatdropped.

'Four Vice Admirals out, barely any capable individuals in G-1 currently, and Tsuru being forgetful...'

I could see why Saul managed to break out with Olvia—

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Then, the alert suddenly went off, filling the entire base with loud noises. My eyes widened while turning at the sea out of instinct, and I saw,

<<Emergency!!! Vice Admiral Saul took the criminal and fled!!!>>

one marine ship, sailing out of the base smoothly, toward the south-ward direction.

Tsuru, gaining a serious expression, muttered, "He must be taking that archaeologist to Ohara... to warn them."

'…Saul arrived before us?!'

The marine soldiers were seen running out of the base, and boarding two different marine ships.

"Sail out!!! We can't lose them from our sight!!!" One Marine Officer shouted in urgency, and immediately after he said so, two marine ships raised their anchors and began their sail at rapid speed.

"...Saul is a veteran who's been serving the Marine for quite some time. Along with his giant heritage, our best option at hand is..."

Looking at Tsuru, who seemed to be thinking, I voiced up,

"Tsuru-san, I will go."

Both Tsuru and Gion turned at me.

"I am the user of Smoke Smoke fruit. Flying up in the air is of no trouble to me, while Vice Admiral Saul's set of movements are limited on a ship. If there is anyone who stands the chance against Vice Admiral Saul in this situation, it's me."

"Smoker!" Gion immediately retorted, "Don't forget, you're just a lieutenant in rank just like me! What do you mean stand a chance?! Going after right now, is akin to leading yourself to a sure death!"

Tsuru, who turned away from me, sighed knowingly, "...Like teacher like disciple. You learnt a bad habit from Garp, didn't you."

I grinned in response, while crouching my body down, "Well… you got that part about me right. Even if you were to reject my request, I still am going."

I felt my heart beating fast. Of course this was dangerous, but nothing that I've gone through until today was without risk. The moment I saw the huge form of Saul, I knew, that this was the only way.

"...Just know this, my child," Tsuru said solemnly, "I don't want to earn Garp's remorse. So ensure that you return safe and sound, do you hear?"

"That's for given, Tsuru-san,"

'Though it may not be the way you think.'

SWOOSH! Propelling myself at the distant three ships, I morphed my body into smoke and began the chase after a giant and an archaeologist.

__________

__________

In the West Blue, there lies an island—one that is composed of green all around. In its middle, there lies its most notable trait: the huge, incredibly huge tree that would render anyone shocked.

And at its shore, where the waves gently crashed by, one man—no, a giant, could be seen, lying face first. He was bruised and injured all around, and judging by his unmoving body, one could deduce that he was unconscious.

And at this isolated beach where no one but that one giant seemed to exist, a young girl appeared. She had straight black-hair and blue-coloured eyes; she was none other than Nico Robin, the daughter of Nico Olvia who just turned eight in terms of age, today.

"Wha..." Robin, upon coming to sight the giant, expressed her awe and nervousness. Yet, driven by the curiosity of a scholar, she carefully approached the huge man, before,

"Huff... huff... Saul over here, beach, huff… and..."

a muffled voice was heard from... underneath the giant's body. Then, much to Robin's interest, the wisps of smoke began to flow out, before reforming into a teenage boy wearing the tattered and wet marine attire: Smoker.

His state didn't look good either. His originally white-coloured hair was drenched with blood, and there lied gashes and bruises all over his body—similar to the still-unconscious giant.

Then, he turned his eyes to Robin, who stared at him with a blank expression, and said awkwardly,

"...Hi?"

Robin simply tilted her head, unfazed. Then, she murmured, "...A ghost?"

Smoker sweatdropped, before pointing at the unconscious giant, "What about him then?"

"Hm..." Robin thought for a second, before answering, "Earthworm."

Holding his nose and blowing, Smoker expelled the water out of his ears. He then remarked, "Cheeky brat."

"Says the kid."

"Well, I obviously look older than you."

"Age doesn't represent one's intellect. Are you a scholar like me?"

"One's intelligence is unrelated to his or her wisdom. Wisdom has a closer relation to age, and therefore, I get to call you a brat."

Robin replied in a monotone, "Wisdom is figurative at most. Intelligence is an absolute value. Knowledge determines one's maturity. Based on this logic, I'm more of an adult than you are, and you shouldn't call me a brat."

"...Cheeky brat."

Robin turned her face away from Smoker in the end, "...Whatever. I don't care anyway."

"Cough... cough...!" Then, the giant began to cough, signaling that his consciousness returned.

And just like that, the Ohara incident has come to a start.