Not Familiar with Marine Law

Early in the morning.

Marine Branch 16's docks had already gathered quite a crowd, making the place noisy and bustling.

Today.

Colonel Smoker, wearing a sour expression, was finally preparing to leave with his subordinates.

Originally, after discovering that this had all been an act and that he had been forced to make a guest appearance, he had planned to leave with his men. However, Tashigi later saw Guina, and because the two looked so alike... he had no choice but to stay a few more days.

But as a Marine stationed at the entrance to the Grand Line, he was extremely busy and could not stay here for long. So today, he decided it was time to leave.

If he had not received a mission from Marine Headquarters and come here intending to watch Marine Branch 16 make fools of themselves, he never would have come.

So.

Elsewhere.

To thank Colonel Smoker for his help this time, Xia Che had come personally to see his Marine friend off.

However.

"What's wrong? You don't seem very energetic." Xia Che looked curiously at Robin, his personal secretary who was beside him as usual. "Did you stay up too late reading last night and not get enough sleep?"

"Eh..." Robin seemed not to react at first upon hearing Xia Che's words, but she quickly came back to herself. The familiar elegant smile returned to her face as she said softly, "Thank you for your concern, BOSS. I did sleep a little late last night!"

After she said that.

"..."

Xia Che raised an eyebrow and looked Robin up and down. "Didn't I tell you to go to bed early last night?"

"Sorry, dear BOSS." Robin winked playfully at Xia Che, elegantly brushing a lock of hair from her forehead as she smiled and raised her head. "I heard you, but the book I was reading last night was so interesting that I got completely absorbed in it."

Then, seeing that Xia Che still wanted to say something, she quickly spoke again. "By the way, BOSS, the things you asked me to prepare have already been placed aboard Colonel Smoker's warship. Do we need to tell them in advance?"

"Tell them what? Do you think your BOSS is the kind of person who secretly gives a gift and then openly tells everyone about it?" Xia Che righteously rejected Robin's suggestion. Then he gave two fake coughs, leaned closer to her, and whispered, "You can just tell them quietly later!"

"..."

As if she had long expected Xia Che to say that, Robin showed no surprise. She nodded knowingly, then smiled elegantly. "Understood~"

At that moment.

While Xia Che was whispering with his secretary.

It seemed that the time had come.

"Thank you very much for Colonel Xia Che's guidance during this time!" Tashigi, dressed in a plaid shirt and Western-style women's trousers, bowed deeply and said with a grateful expression, "I will remember Colonel Xia Che's teachings in swordsmanship!"

During the time she had been sparring with Guina, Xia Che, a Marine swordsmanship prodigy, had also been guiding Guina while teaching Tashigi a little on the side.

It had to be said that although Tashigi and Guina truly looked alike, their understanding of swordsmanship was still somewhat different. One could clearly tell that they were two different people.

Of course~

In swordsmanship, Guina, who had been taught by him, was still slightly... stronger than Tashigi.

"Guina." After receiving Colonel Xia Che's response, Tashigi raised her head again and looked at Guina, who truly resembled her. "Thank you for your hospitality these past few days."

Though several days had already passed, Tashigi still found it incredible whenever she saw that familiar face.

Someone who looked so much like her and was also a swordswoman.

It had truly been a very interesting experience!

The only regret was that... she was still a little behind Guina in swordsmanship.

Then, as if remembering something, Tashigi winked playfully. "And, keep it up~"

"Mm! I-I'll keep working hard too!" Perhaps because of Tashigi's wink, Guina recalled the secret late-night conversation between the girls last night. Her cheeks reddened slightly, but she still nodded firmly. "You should keep it up too. We can spar again when the time comes. If you have time, I'll take you to my Isshin Dojo. That old man will definitely be surprised."

"Mm-hmm-hmm~" Hearing Guina's invitation, Tashigi smiled as well. "Then I'll show him that even women can become very powerful swordsmen."

Just as they were arranging what to do next time.

At that moment.

"Cough, cough, cough~"

A coughing sound came from behind them, followed by a cold voice.

"It's getting late. Time to go, Tashigi."

"..." Hearing Smoker's words, Tashigi helplessly came back to her senses. After bidding farewell to Nami, Robin, and the others, she boarded the ship and said to Colonel Smoker, who was leaning against the railing and impatiently smoking a cigar, "Colonel Smoker, you should properly thank everyone for their hospitality too."

However.

Faced with his subordinate's complaint, Smoker seemed extremely impatient. He glanced at Xia Che, who was waving at him below, curled his lip, and waved his hand without hesitation. "Head back!"

This experience had been awful.

And they wanted his thanks?

Dream on!

After he said that.

Having received Smoker's order, the Marines at the helm immediately had the Marines on deck raise the sails. Then... amid the waves of Xia Che and the others, the Marine warship slowly departed from Marine Branch 16's docks.

Smoker flicked the ash from his cigar and sighed expressionlessly. He took one deep look at the increasingly distant dock and muttered, "Marine Branch 16."

Next, they still had to send the civilians captured by pirates back home.

And also...

"Koby, why hasn't this place been cleaned properly? As a Marine, being serious and meticulous is also essential, you know~"

"Sorry, I'm on it!"

"..." Smoker watched the dim-witted, melon-headed youth doing odd jobs aboard the ship and shook his head with a sigh. "Ridiculous!"

If that guy had not asked him to deliver the kid to Garp, he would not even bother!

How did this guy have even the slightest bearing of a Marine Hero or Fleet Admiral?

That brat had to be joking!

If this dumb goose could become a Marine Hero, then Smoker would, from this day onward...

Smoker pulled out another fresh cigar, lit it directly, and flicked off the ash with a cold laugh as he looked at the cigar in his hand. "Quit smoking!"

Two words...

Unyielding and decisive.

Ringing with conviction!

After all, how could that possibly happen?

Time passed bit by bit.

After Colonel Smoker left, Marine Branch 16 soon welcomed the night.

At this moment.

As usual, Robin was still the last to leave. She set down the book in her hands and looked around the empty office before her gaze finally fell upon a desk beside her.

Looking at its messy surface, Robin, who had worn a calm expression, froze for a moment. Then a helpless smile appeared on her face, and she crossed her hands before her chest.

Immediately.

Countless hands sprouted from the desk, and before long, they had tidied the cluttered desktop.

Looking at the clean desk once again, Robin stood up and gently stroked the desk before her. She also returned the book she had been reading to its original place.

Most of the books here had been found for her by BOSS.

BOSS had always kept the promise they made when they first worked together!

Unfortunately.

Though she had held a book all day today, she had not actually read a single word. She had merely been pretending in secret.

Robin fell silent for a moment, then took out the letter she had prepared from her clothes. The words "resignation letter" were written on it. After gently placing it on the desk, her face seemed to show a hint of relief. With that familiar elegant smile, she murmured, "Dear BOSS, I resign!"

As she spoke, she turned around without looking back, picked up the small backpack she had prepared long ago, lightly ran her right hand across the desk, and walked outside.

When she reached a secluded corner of Marine Branch 16's docks.

Sure enough.

At this moment.

A lazy figure was already lying atop a cold boulder.

And that person was...

Marine Admiral—Kuzan.

"Oh my, what a pleasant sea breeze! The weather's nice today~" Seemingly noticing Robin's arrival, Kuzan stretched lazily, then sat cross-legged. With his right hand resting on his knee and supporting his cheek, he looked at Robin. "Looks like you've made your decision, Devil Child~"

As he spoke, he stepped down from the boulder, his tone carrying regret.

"This doesn't seem like you. After all, this time you haven't sold out your boss yet. I thought I could bring another person back this time, so things would be livelier. But..." His tone turned curious. "What exactly could make a Marine who colludes with pirates choose this, when you've survived by betrayal? How interesting~"

After he said that.

"..."

Robin lowered her head and clenched her right hand tightly. Though the weather here was not cold, she still felt freezing all over, so stiff that she could barely move.

However.

For some reason, after hearing Kuzan's words, Robin, who should have been too afraid to raise her head, took a deep breath and suddenly looked up. Staring directly at Kuzan, she said, "BOSS... that guy..."

However.

Before she could finish.

Suddenly.

"Of course it's because I, the boss, am handsome and generous. I provide full insurance and housing benefits, and the pay is more than enough~"

A familiar voice came from behind her. At the same time, she felt someone patting her shoulder.

That familiar feeling.

In that instant, warmth seemed to surge through Robin's cold, stiff body, spreading throughout her entire being. She no longer felt cold, and it seemed she was no longer...

Afraid.

She turned her head and, sure enough, saw that familiar figure standing beside her at some point. Her mouth opened in disbelief. "BOSS..."

However.

Before she could finish again.

"So you really did know I was here, Colonel Xia Che." Kuzan put both hands in his pockets and stared directly at the commander of Marine Branch 16, who dared meet his gaze. He said expressionlessly, "Colluding with pirates, defrauding funds, sheltering the Devil Child, and now trying to stop me. Commander of Marine Branch 16, are you planning to defy Marine Headquarters' regulations?"

However.

Facing Kuzan's words and icy tone, Xia Che continued to look directly at him with a smile on his face. He patted Robin's shoulder, which had stiffened again because of Kuzan's words.

Xia Che pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Sorry, I'm not familiar with Marine law!"

After he said that.

"..."

Kuzan, who had been acting cool and aloof, immediately twitched. Looking at the shameless guy before him who actually claimed not to know the law, he suddenly had no idea what to say.

A Marine base commander who didn't understand Marine law?

Who was he trying to fool?!

Immediately.

A terrifying chill radiated from his body.