Tatsuki closed his eyes, savoring the cold and powerful ocular power dwelling deep within his eyes.
It wasn't until the cigar between his fingers had burned to its end and scorched his skin that he snapped awake.
"A true hunter, after enjoying a successful hunt, will immediately begin plotting the next one." He muttered to himself and picked up the den den mushi on the table.
He didn't contact Kong, nor the Gorosei, but instead dialed a number he knew all too well.
Purururu...
Click.
From the other end of the den den mushi, a young girl's voice filled with surprise and shyness immediately came through, and the device even mimicked Gion's blushing cheeks.
"Tatsuki! Your injury... is it better?"
"Yeah, the injury is mostly healed."
Tatsuki's voice switched instantly, becoming gentle and carrying a magnetic quality typical of someone newly recovered from a serious illness.
"Gion, I need you to do something for me, a top-secret mission that can only be entrusted to you."
"Yes!"
On the other end of the line, Gion's voice suddenly rose an octave, so excited it almost cracked.
"Please give your orders! Gion will not hesitate even at the cost of her life!"
"It's not that serious." Tatsuki chuckled. "Aren't there many uninhabited islands near the G-5 Branch?"
"Go find an island with a pleasant climate and the most secluded location."
"Then, build a... well, comfortable, cozy, and absolutely safe cabin on it."
"Remember, this matter must be kept strictly confidential. Use only the most reliable workers."
The other end of the phone fell silent. Only Gion's rapid breathing could be heard intermittently.
Her mind was racing, and countless romantic images exploded like fireworks.
A secret, cozy cabin that belongs only to the two of them?
On an uninhabited island far from the bustle of the world?
Tatsuki's serious injuries haven't fully healed, yet what he wants to do most right now is to build a home... for the two of us on a hidden island?
Is this a hint of a marriage proposal?
"Understood!"
Gion's voice carried a hint of a sob, yet she was excited to the extreme.
One could even hear the clang of her famous sword, Konpira, being unsheathed on the other end.
"Don't worry, Tatsuki, I'll personally supervise the construction. I guarantee it will be the most beautiful and sturdy love nest... no, cabin in the world."
Hanging up the phone, Tatsuki rubbed his hands in satisfaction.
Raising the bloodline of the Pirate King, Ace, right under the nose of the Marine G-5 Branch.
If this plan were exposed in the future, the explosive amount of Violation Points would make anyone's lips curl up just thinking about it.
...
The next day.
Tatsuki put on his Admiral robe. Although his body was strong enough to kill Sea Kings with a single punch, he deliberately let his shoulders slump, putting on a sickly appearance of being "powerless."
He pushed open the door to the Fleet Admiral's office, where Kong was fretting over a stack of budget sheets.
"Tatsuki? Why aren't you at home resting?" Seeing him enter, Kong hurriedly dropped his pen and stood up to offer support.
Tatsuki waved his hand with "difficulty," refusing the help, and wobbled over to the sofa to sit down, letting out a suppressed groan of pain.
"Fleet Admiral, I've managed to keep my life, but my three brothers..." Tatsuki's tone was desolate and his eyes were dim, filled with worry and guilt for his brothers.
Kong was taken aback. "Sakazuki and the others? Aren't they doing quite well? I heard they tore down the training ground yesterday."
"No, they are not well."
Tatsuki stared intently into Kong's eyes, looking like a tragic hero speaking up for his brothers.
"During their time at G-5, the three of them withstood the pressure from various forces in the New World and even turned the tables to wipe out several large pirate groups. Their achievements are outstanding."
"In the South Blue, you know how ruthless Roger's crew members are. Those three risked their lives to block blades for me, especially Sakazuki. To protect me, his back was slashed countless times by Rayleigh. He almost bled out."
At the training ground, Sakazuki suddenly sneezed, looking bewildered.
"And the result?" Tatsuki's voice rose, filled with indignation.
"Now that I've been promoted to Admiral, if the three of them are still mere Captains, what will people say about me, Tatsuki? They'll say I only care about my own success while ignoring the life and death of my brothers."
"What will the Marines think? They'll be disheartened."
Kong's face twitched.
In all his years of leading troops, this was the first time he had seen a newly promoted Admiral who didn't come to ask for money or power, but instead ran here to plead for his colleagues' promotions.
He naturally knew that those three monsters were the future hope of the Marines. But according to the normal process, they would have to endure at least another three to five years at G-5 before they could possibly be promoted to Rear Admiral.
"This isn't according to the rules." Kong rubbed his temples. "It's only been a year since they were promoted to Captain."
"Rules are dead, but people are alive!"
Tatsuki slammed the table. He controlled his strength perfectly, so the table didn't break.
However, he himself seemed to be jolted by the counterforce. His body shook violently, and his face instantly turned as pale as paper.
"Pfft—"
A mouthful of bright red blood sprayed from his mouth, splattering onto the wool carpet.
Of course, it was actually a juice blend of top-tier tomatoes and cherries hidden in his mouth beforehand. The taste was excellent, and the visual effect was a perfect ten.
"Tatsuki!"
Kong was panicked. He rushed over in a single stride to support him. "What are you doing! Your injuries haven't healed yet!"
Seeing Tatsuki's tragic state of coughing up blood while still trying to secure a future for his brothers, the softest part of Kong's heart was struck hard.
What rules? What process?
In front of such a hero who burned his life for justice and poured his heart out for his comrades, it was all damn nonsense.
[Ding! Host has successfully distorted the Fleet Admiral's decision through superb acting and moral blackmail!]
[Violation Points +50!]
"Enough, stop coughing blood! I promise you!" Kong waved his hand, compromising.
"I will immediately apply to the Gorosei for a special promotion channel! Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino... these three are officially promoted to Marineford Rear Admiral! Happy now?"
Tatsuki knew when to stop. He wiped the "blood" from the corner of his lips and, with Kong's support, stood up shakily and gave a crooked salute.
"The Fleet Admiral's great kindness... I... all of us in G-5... will never forget it."
"I'll take them to the South Blue now to take over those...'stolen goods'."
Watching Tatsuki's figure as he quickly slipped out, Kong felt something was not quite right.
This kid... why does it feel like he's walking much more briskly than when he came in?
Two hours later, at the port.
Tatsuki's personal warship was ready to depart.
Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino looked with varying expressions at the promotion documents in their hands, the ink still wet.
"Rear Admiral?" Kuzan scratched his hair, his eyes a bit dazed. "I just went for a spin in the South Blue, and I'm already promoted?"
"Oh my. Tatsuki really is efficient at getting things done."
Borsalino trimmed his nails, but his gaze beneath his lenses drifted thoughtfully toward Tatsuki, who stood on the deck giving orders with composure.
Sakazuki stared at Tatsuki, remained silent for a long while, and finally blurted out, "Next time something like this happens, give us a heads-up."
Hearing this, Tatsuki turned around. There was no trace of smugness on his face. He simply pointed toward the South Blue, his tone becoming somewhat deep. "We're all brothers, don't worry about it."
As the warship slowly sailed away from Marineford, the wind pressure around Tatsuki's body suddenly surged. He looked at the distant horizon, the corners of his lips slowly curling up.
"You guys sail slowly, I'll head over first to take stock of the 'spoils of war'."
As soon as he finished speaking, his entire body transformed into a tornado that tore through the sky. Ignoring everyone's shocked gazes, he shot straight into the clouds and instantly vanished into the horizon.
—
South Blue, Baterilla Island.
Waves lapped against the silver beach, coconut trees swayed in the wind, and the air was filled with a salty, leisurely scent.
Tatsuki descended from the sky, landing on a secluded hillside.
Following the address Roger had given him, he quickly found a small wooden cabin surrounded by flowers.
The owner of the wooden cabin was standing in front of the door, holding a watering can. She was a gentle woman with long hair falling over her shoulders, and her loose floral dress could not hide her slightly bulging lower abdomen. Her eyes were filled with worry and confusion about the future.
Portgas D. Rouge.
The Pirate King's woman, the mother of that future unlucky fellow, Ace.
"A Marine... Tatsuki?"
Rouge stopped what she was doing and subconsciously shielded her belly, her face full of vigilance.
"Don't be nervous, Rouge-san."
A gentle smile appeared on Tatsuki's face as he deliberately suppressed his presence, making himself look like a harmless young man next door.
He pulled something from his coat—a slightly worn straw hat.
The moment she saw the straw hat, Rouge's eyes turned red. Her strong facade collapsed instantly, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Is... is he okay?"
"He's fine." Tatsuki pulled out a rattan chair in the yard and sat down, his voice as calm as if he were telling someone else's story.
"We reached a deal. He's trading his life and his reputation for a peaceful future for you and this child."
(End of Chapter)
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