Candidate Admiral: The Meaning of Companionship

"Mr. Tesoro..."

"I'm fine,"

Sitting in the messy hall, where Roman had already left, Tesoro waved to dismiss the three officers who had just entered, but the next second:

"Etc,"

Faced with these three loyal subordinates, even the Gild Tesoro, who treated everything as a tool, couldn't help but feel a strange emotion.

"If... if I were to do something that would certainly lead to my death, would you still be willing to follow me?"

If it were the Tesoro of the past, he would never have given anyone the power of choice. Whether through deception or control, he would never allow any subordinate to escape his grasp. However:

If you still remember the words of someone you once loved, then don't let her grieve for you in the other world.

Stella, if you were still here, there wouldn't be any 'Gild Tesoro' in this world, right?

If you saw me now, would you be disappointed...?

"Haha, Boss. Is a fight about to break out?"

Wearing an open-chested jacket, dark military trousers, a floral headscarf, and chewing gum, Dice, looking every bit the tough guy, nonchalantly clashed his fists together, producing a metallic clang.

"I can't wait to have some fun!"

This burly man is not only a master of Armament Haki, but he also possesses a unique physique: instead of feeling pain when attacked, he experiences 'happiness'. Scientifically speaking, when attacked, his body releases dopamine, producing feelings of excitement and pleasure. Unless you defeat him in one blow, he's essentially a masochistic individual who grows stronger with each attack.

"I don't think I'll lose. I'm very lucky."

Baccarat, a beautiful woman with burgundy curly hair, stands with one hand on her hip. If she accumulates enough 'luck,' she can remain spotless even in the center of a battlefield with thousands of troops.

"Hoo hoo hoo, if the BOSS loses, I'll take you away immediately."

Despite his cunning villainous appearance, Mr. Tanaka, with his enormous head, is quite straightforward.

"Hahaha, you guys!"

Tesoro burst into laughter at the answers from his three eccentric subordinates.

That's right. What storms haven't I weathered in the past ten years? Even near-death crises are commonplace for me. Before, there was no hope at all, but now... although it's still a matter of life and death, it's much better than seeing a glimmer of light, isn't it?

If there's anything that could ignite Tesoro's dream more than 'gold' and 'big stars,' then without a doubt:

Revenge against the Celestial Dragons!!

"My little ones—"

"Here!" X3

Facing his three loyal subordinates kneeling on one knee, the Gild Tesoro sat imposingly on the sofa, his hands supporting him in front of him. He leaned forward slightly, a grin spreading across his face, revealing his gleaming white teeth.

"The real show is about to begin."

"Huh? Cooperation? I don't want it!"

"Luffy, don't refuse so quickly..."

When Roman found Luffy and the others, he saw a Koby with a pained expression explaining something to Luffy, while Helmeppo equipment was becoming increasingly closed off, leaned against a nearby street lamp with a bored expression.

His naval captain's trench coat was unusually worn properly, rather than simply draped over his back, and he wore a round soft hat and sunglasses that covered his eyes...

"Helmeppo, those who know you will say you're from the Navy, but those who don't will think you're some kind of shady spy."

Faced with Roman's complaints, the former playboy, now a rising star in the navy Helmeppo, sighed helplessly.

"Please, this is a perfectly normal naval uniform! On the contrary, you... cough cough, most of the other naval officers don't even wear your overcoats properly."

"Luo... cough cough, Mr. Neo, the Straw Hat crew's strategist—"

"Alright, alright!"

They were all old acquaintances from the East China Sea. Unlike those two who underwent a second growth spurt, Roman's transformation after arriving at Marine Headquarters was more dramatic than rebirth—to the point where even their own mothers wouldn't recognize him. Roman's physique and appearance remained essentially unchanged, therefore:

"Just call me Roman, honestly... I feel awkward even if you guys aren't."

"So, what exactly are you two doing here?"

Zoro glared at the two "old men" from the East Blue with displeasure. Aside from Luffy and Roman, Zoro was the only member of the Straw Hat crew who had ever interacted with these two. Although they had met briefly in Water 7, Zoro hadn't even introduced himself to the other Straw Hat crew members, such as Koby and Helmeppo. After all:

"Aren't you two Marines? What are you talking about 'cooperation' with pirates? Aren't you afraid of being sent to court?"

Facing Zoro, who had a cold expression but was actually acting in their best Zoro, Koby scratched his pink hair and gave a wry smile.

"We didn't want this either, but this time..."

"This time, we are acting under orders."

Helmeppo, who was completely covered up by a hat, sunglasses, and scarf, shrugged helplessly.

"The message from above is that we should join forces with you to eliminate the Blackbeard Pirates. As for how this absurd proposal was approved... well, I can't imagine that Akainu Fleet Admiral would agree to it."

"Akainu..."

Because of Ace's resurrection, the Straw Hat crew's animosity towards the soldier who claimed to be 'Absolute Justice' had lessened. However, they also knew that Whitebeard to the Akainu Ace Marineford War, was someone they found hard to believe would do something like this...

"It wasn't Akainu Fleet Admiral; this order was actually issued by Lord Kong, the Supreme Commander of the World Government's Armed Forces."

Amidst the cold voices, the tall Gion, accompanied by a helpless-looking Nami, and Robin and Brulee with strange expressions, also approached.

"With the help of some 'enthusiasts,' the Navy will decisively defeat the arrogant Blackbeard Pirates and restore peace to the seas. That's the rest of the report—"

"I don't care whether it's reported or not!"

Luffy glared angrily at Gion, who was wearing a Marine Admiral's coat.

"Whether or not I fight Blackbeard, and when I fight him, is my business. But there is absolutely no possibility of us joining forces with your navy!"

Don't you want to know who's leading this time?

Luffy frowned at Momousagi Gion's unhurried question.

"I don't care who he is—"

"It's the candidate Admiral 'White Dove' Roman."

?!

"Oh, is that Roman?"

When Luffy suddenly turned 180 degrees to look at Luffy, Roman felt like the mask on his face was about to melt from the intense heat.

Don't get me wrong, I'm just angry!

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm Neo! Is your brain made of tofu? You can't even remember your comrade's 'name'??"

"Oh, oh, oh... Yes, yes, yes! Neo, that's right..."

Luffy and coughed lightly, making a fist.

"That's right, we don't have any Roman on our ship, only Neo... so, whoever is leading the team has nothing to do with us... cough cough."

???

Could you be any more fake?!

Faced with Luffy's numerous flaws... no, it was simply a blatant attempt to cover up his mistake, the surrounding group was sweating profusely and speechless. Roman was so embarrassed that he almost dug a Marine Headquarters out of the ground with his toes.

Sigh, if we were to expect Luffy to have acting skills, we might as well not have told him in the first place.

I regret it so much!

"What are you doing here... Navy?!"

Just when the air was thick with awkwardness, Sanji, who had disappeared for a while, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and a strong smell of smoke wafted over from afar.

"I mean, while I shouldn't pry into your hobbies, Sanji, you're smoking way too much, aren't you?"

It smelled like it had just emerged from a pile of cigarette butts, and it made Chopper, with his incredibly sensitive sense of smell, start spinning in circles.

"... Excuse me, but is this... perhaps someone who does 'role-playing' here?"

Sanji's gaze couldn't help but fall on Gion, partly because she was a stunning beauty. And partly because...

This beautiful woman with a lovely smile, despite not having any imposing presence, gave Sanji a strange and unsettling feeling!

"No, I'm a genuine navy officer."

?

"Although it's a bit late, please allow me to introduce myself first: I candidate Admiral 'Momousagi' Gion."

?!

"Hey, am I hallucinating because I've been smoking too much?"

Seeing Sanji speechless, Roman waved, and a whirlwind swept away the strong smell of tobacco emanating from him. Then:

"This man is indeed candidate Admiral, but there's nothing to be surprised about. This is a 'neutral zone' recognized by the World Government. Even if we saw Fleet Admiral with two women on either side..."

The image of Akainu with a stern, resentful face, embracing two Akainu, flashed through Roman's mind, and he shuddered as he changed the subject:

"Hey Sanji, where did you go? You look so preoccupied."

"Yeah, did you, Sanji, perform a scene somewhere where you smoked five cigarettes at the same time? And even held them upside down in your mouth?"

"Can you drink juice at the same time? That's amazing!"

"Hey, don't add any random settings to my story. How could a human possibly do something like that?"

Faced with Luffy and Chopper's eyes shining, Sanji didn't know how to respond. But this interruption—

"I'm sorry, I was indeed thinking about some things just now. But..."

"Hahaha, this is really a nice place."

Amidst a burst of lewd laughter, a middle-aged man dressed in a khaki suit, draped in a naval officer's coat, and wearing a khaki hat walked towards them, with one woman on each arm, causing Roman to raise an eyebrow.

'Chaton' Kake is also one of the candidate Admiral. Despite his sleazy old man appearance, he is actually very popular among ordinary people and, like Fujitora, belongs to the Navy's high-ranking officers who consider the common people.

Incidentally, he and Fujitora have a very good personal relationship. Of course:

"Gion, you've arrived."

Releasing the two dancers who were merely putting on an act, and waving away the two spies of Tesoro, the newcomer's expression turned serious! As the Straw Hat crew secretly prepared, they began their charge:

What a powerful aura!

"On this auspicious occasion, Gion, will you marry me?"

Ignoring the Straw Hat crew who were on the verge of exploding, the newcomer gracefully slid down on one knee and stopped in front of Gion. Such control, such perfect timing.

Candidate Admiral, truly deserving of the title!

"I refuse!"

"Haha, what a pity, the 101st confession failed~~"

Facing Gion's disgusted Gion, Kakei stood up Kake a laugh, his legs splayed outwards in his wooden clogs, leaning forward. His once-proud Admiral's height was transformed into that of a cripple, making him appear even more wretched.

?!

Are there no normal people left in your navy?

Facing the gazes of the Straw Hat crew, Roman slammed his mask to the ground with a 'thud'.

What's with the pretense?!

"I'd be a fool to expect you guys to keep this a secret... Never mind, let's talk somewhere else— Sanji, weren't you worried about how to help Brulee?"

"Hey... why...?"

Aside from your relationship with Brulee, what could possibly make you smoke like this all by yourself?

Moreover, no matter how good Brulee is at acting, how could she possibly hide her inner anxiety in front of a group of people with high-level Observation Haki?

"Luffy, Sanji wants to help Brulee rescue the captured Charlotte family members, and teaming up with the Navy is the easiest way to achieve this, look—"

"I agree."

Just moments ago, Luffy had been so adamant about not cooperating, even if it meant dying and jumping off this Ark Maxim. He then adjusted his Straw Hat and chuckled.

"Since they're comrades, there's nothing we can do about it."