Marine Base G-8

"The closest base is the Nabarro Fortress of Marine G-8, stationed there is Vice Admiral Jonathan."

Hina pulled out a sea chart, studied it carefully for a moment, then suggested Cifer go to G-8 to cash in the bounty.

"Nabarro Fortress is also along the route to Jaya, and more importantly, Vice Admiral Jonathan is one of those who knows you'll become a Shichibukai. If you go there, you can even tour the Marine base."

"Then let's go there!"

Cifer didn't care which branch he went to, but getting a chance to look around wasn't bad either.

After getting Cifer's approval, Hina pulled out a Den Den Mushi to contact Vice Admiral Jonathan—after all, it wouldn't be good to cause any awkwardness without giving advance notice.

Nabarro Fortress, Base Commander's Office.

"What's wrong? You seem troubled?"

A beautiful woman pressed her hands on Vice Admiral Jonathan's shoulders. She was Jessica, the Head Chef of G-8 base and also Jonathan's wife.

"Hina and that prospective Shichibukai are bringing a bounty criminal to our branch to claim the reward."

"Isn't that a good thing? It's been a while since we've seen little Hina..." Jessica suddenly caught on. "You mean that super problem criminal is coming too?"

"Mm. Based on Headquarters' opinion and the descriptions from Hina and Admiral Kuzan, it's only a matter of time before he becomes a Shichibukai. Naturally, I won't refuse him."

"I heard he's a guy who likes killing pirates for bounties. Aside from the Celestial Dragons incident, he hasn't done anything bad. There shouldn't be any need to worry!"

Jessica kneaded Jonathan's shoulders firmly, telling him not to overthink it.

"That's exactly why I'm worried. Lately, that guy's been slaughtering pirates all over the Grand Line. His way of doing things reminds me of an old friend of mine!"

Vice Admiral Jonathan rested his hands on the desk, chin propped up, not a trace of ease on his face.

"That old friend of mine just came back from the New World. Before returning to Marineford, he'll pass through our base—any day now."

"You mean that..."

Jonathan nodded, and an eerie silence fell over the office.

After two and a half days, Cifer and the others finally arrived at Nabarro Fortress.

The base gates had already been opened in advance, waiting for their arrival. Jonathan and his wife, along with a dozen or so high-ranking Marines, stood there to greet them.

Cifer stepped slowly off the ship, dragging a nearly dead pirate. Hina, draped in a Justice Cape with a cigarette dangling from her lips, followed with a sharp, spirited stride—her demeanor just as it had been when Cifer first met her.

"So this is Nabarro Fortress? First time here!" Wright said, looking around with awe.

Only the pirate in Cifer's hand felt like he'd arrived in heaven. For the past two and a half days, no one on the ship had paid him any mind. Not only was his severe wound left untreated, but he wasn't even given food.

And he didn't dare speak up either—he'd seen the scene of Cifer destroying his own pirate ship with one blow. Remembering that his wanted poster said "Dead or Alive," he resolutely played the role of an invisible man on board.

Finally, after enduring pain and hunger, he'd made it here, ready to start a beautiful new life in prison!

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ulquiorra! Welcome to G-8 Branch."

Jonathan looked up at Cifer, who towered over him, and walked forward without a trace of fear, extending his right hand.

Jessica couldn't help but clench her hands, and the surrounding Marines were so tense they barely dared to move. Two days ago, they'd learned who was coming today.

"I've heard much about you, Vice Admiral Jonathan," Cifer said, accepting his goodwill amicably. "And just call me Cifer."

"Oh! Cifer's heard of me?"

Hearing Cifer say he'd heard much about him, Jonathan started racking his brain for anything impressive he might have done to be known by someone like this.

"I heard about you from Hina a couple of days ago on the ship."

The scene went quiet, as if a crow were flying overhead, but the atmosphere wasn't as tense as before.

"Don't mind him, that's just how he is. But he has no ill will toward the Marines, so no need to be so stiff."

Hina could tell that everyone present harbored suspicion or fear toward Cifer.

"This guy's worth 60 million. He's still got one breath left." Cifer tossed the pirate to a Marine standing nearby. "Put the Berries on my ship."

"Yes, sir!"

Two Marines carried the tear-streaked pirate away.

"Aren't you going to show me around, Vice Admiral Jonathan?"

"With pleasure."

Wright and the crowd of Marines followed behind the two, accompanying Cifer as he toured the massive fortress, though a few Marines stayed behind.

"Don't worry, Sister Jessica. This guy's actually pretty friendly."

Once Cifer was far off, Hina seemed to change completely, rushing over to throw an arm around Jessica's shoulders.

"You little girl, looks like only certain parts of you have grown over the years~" Jessica flicked her finger lightly, making Hina's face flush instantly.

"Little Hina, we all know you were taken by that guy as his navigator." The mood suddenly turned heavy, and Jessica looked at Hina seriously.

"It's only a matter of time before he becomes a Shichibukai. You staying on his ship now can be seen as convenient for contacting Headquarters, but once he takes the position, you need to leave immediately!"

As a woman, Jessica could see that between Hina and Cifer, there was a bond like shipmates. So she had to remind Hina—they were Marines!

"What are you saying, Sister Jessica? Hina doesn't want to stay on that annoying guy's ship. I can't wait for him to become a Shichibukai so I can go back to Marineford!"

Hina looked a little flustered. In her eyes, Cifer was a good person, and they were good friends. But her own position doomed them to part ways.

"Colonel Hina thinking that way is naturally a good thing!"

Without either of them noticing, a navy warship had actually sailed in as well!

A man three meters tall, clad in a red suit with a Justice Cape draped over his shoulders, stood right behind them.

Meanwhile, walking beside Jonathan and observing the patrolling and training soldiers scattered about, Cifer found it novel but ultimately unremarkable.

"What do you think of my base, Cifer? As a fortress, it's practically an iron bastion!"

Jonathan boasted about his base's condition while also sneaking in a bit of self-praise.

An iron bastion, huh?

Cifer suddenly recalled that things claiming to be iron bastions rarely ended well...

"It's certainly an iron bastion against those rookie brats." Cifer roughly sensed that within the entire fortress, there wasn't a single person who could be called a true powerhouse.

The Jonathan before him was even only on par with Hina in strength—clearly a pure bureaucrat.

"Strength is what matters most!"

"Meticulous layouts, overwhelming firepower, cutting-edge technology, and specialized capture nets for ability users—on the surface, it seems capable of handling all kinds of emergencies. But in reality, your base doesn't have a single person who can actually fight head-on."

"Break through at one point, and the whole thing falls apart. All it takes is one physical combat expert charging into the crowd, and everything in your base becomes useless—unless..."

"Unless you're already prepared to sacrifice everything for justice!"

A gruff voice cut Cifer off.