Doesn't Understand Naval Law

It was early morning.

The dock of Marine Branch 16 was already crowded, buzzing with noise.

Today.

Colonel Smoker, with his usual scowl, was finally ready to depart with his subordinates.

Initially, after realizing this whole situation was a charade and he'd been forced to play a part, he had intended to leave with his men. However, Tashigi had then spotted Guina, and the two who looked so alike… He was reluctantly forced to stay a few more days.

But as a Marine guarding the entrance to the Grand Line, he was extremely busy and couldn't stay here too long. So, he decided today was the day to leave.

If he hadn't received a mission from Marine Headquarters to come and witness the embarrassment of Marine Branch 16, he would never have come here.

Therefore.

Meanwhile.

To express his gratitude for Colonel Smoker's help this time, his friend Xia Che had come to see off his Marine friend.

However.

"What's wrong? You seem a bit down?" Xia Che asked, looking curiously at Robin, his personal secretary, who was by his side as always. "Did you stay up too late reading last night and not sleep well?"

"Ah…" Hearing Xia Che's words, Robin seemed slow to react at first, but she quickly collected herself. With her familiar elegant smile, she said softly, "Thank you for your concern, BOSS. I did sleep a little late last night!"

As she finished speaking.

"…"

Xia Che's eyes narrowed, and he scanned Robin from head to toe. "Didn't I tell you to sleep early last night?"

"My apologies, dear BOSS." Robin playfully winked at Xia Che, elegantly adjusted a strand of hair from her forehead, and looked up with a smile. "I heard you, but the book last night was just too interesting, so I got absorbed in it."

Seeing Xia Che about to say something more, she quickly added, "Oh, right, BOSS, the things you asked me to prepare are already on Colonel Smoker's warship. Should I let them know in advance?"

"Let them know what? You know me, BOSS. Am I the kind of person who would secretly deliver a gift and then openly announce it?" Xia Che righteously rejected Robin's suggestion. He then cleared his throat twice and leaned closer to Robin, whispering, "Just tell them yourself later!"

"…"

As if she had already guessed Xia Che would say this, Robin showed no surprise. She nodded with understanding and gave an elegant smile. "Understood~"

And at this moment.

Just as Xia Che was whispering to his secretary.

It seemed the time was almost up.

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

During this period, when she sparred with Guina, Xia Che, a sword prodigy of the Marines, would also guide Guina and incidentally teach Tashigi as well.

It had to be said that although Tashigi and Guina were indeed very similar, their understanding of swordsmanship was somewhat different. One could completely sense that they were two different people.

Of course~

In terms of swordsmanship, Guina, whom he had personally trained, was still slightly… stronger than Tashigi.

"Guina." Tashigi looked up again after receiving Xia Che's response, looking at Guina, who looked so much like her. "Thank you for your hospitality these past few days."

Even though several days had passed, seeing that familiar face still made Tashigi feel incredibly amazed.

She looked so much like me, and she's also a swordswoman.

What an interesting experience!

The only regret was… in terms of swordsmanship, she was still a little behind Guina.

Then, as if thinking of something, Tashigi playfully blinked. "Also, keep up the good work~"

"Mhm! I, I will continue to work hard too!" Perhaps because of Tashigi's wink, Guina remembered the secret night talk between the girls last night, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she still nodded firmly. "You have to work hard too. We'll spar again then. When I have time, I'll take you to my Isshin Dojo. That old man will be very surprised."

"Mhm, mhm, mhm~" Hearing Guina's invitation, Tashigi's face also broke into a smile. "I'll make sure he understands then that even women can become great swordsmen."

Just as they were discussing what to do next.

At this moment.

"Cough, cough, cough~"

A cough came from behind, followed by a cold voice.

"It's getting late, time to go! Tashigi."

"…" Hearing Smoker's words, Tashigi reluctantly snapped back to attention. After bidding farewell to Nami, Robin, and everyone else, she boarded the ship and said to Colonel Smoker, who was leaning against the ship's railing, impatiently smoking a cigar, "Colonel Smoker, you should also thank everyone for their hospitality."

However.

Facing his subordinate's complaint, Smoker appeared very impatient. He glanced at Xia Che, who was waving at him from below, pursed his lips, and then unhesitatingly waved his hand. "Return!"

This experience was terrible.

And he wanted his thanks?

Don't be ridiculous!

As he finished speaking.

Receiving Smoker's order, the Marine in charge immediately had the Marines on deck hoist the sails, and then… amidst the waving of Xia Che and the others, the Marine warship slowly departed from the dock of Marine Branch 16.

Smoker flicked the ash from his cigarette, sighed with a blank expression, and cast a deep look at the receding dock, muttering to himself, "Marine Branch 16."

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

And also...

"Koby, why isn't this place cleaned up? As Marines, diligence and thoroughness are essential lessons~"

"Sorry, I'm coming!"

"..." Smoker looked at the dim-witted, melon-headed youth messing around on the ship, shook his head with emotion, "Ridiculous!"

If that guy hadn't made him send this kid to Garp, he wouldn't have bothered!

Did this kid have any semblance of a Marine Hero or Fleet Admiral's bearing?

That kid must be joking!

If this dullard could become a Marine Hero, then he, Smoker, from this day forward...

Smoker pulled out a new cigar, lit it, and with a cold laugh, flicked the ash, looking at the cigar in his hand, "Quit smoking!"

Two words...

Decisive.

Resolute!

After all, how could such a thing be possible?

Time passed little by little.

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

At this moment.

As usual, Robin, who was always the last to leave, put down the book she was holding, looked at the empty office before her, and finally, her gaze fell upon a desk nearby.

Looking at the messy desktop, Robin, who had a calm expression, was startled for a moment. Then, a helpless smile appeared on her face. She crossed her hands in front of her chest.

Instantly.

Countless hands emerged from the desk, and in no time, the messy desktop was tidied up.

Looking at the clean desk again, Robin stood up, gently touched the desk in front of her, and then put the book she had just been reading back in its place.

Most of the books here were found by the BOSS for her.

The BOSS had been honoring their agreement from years ago!

Unfortunately.

Although she had been holding a book all day today, she hadn't actually read it; she was just pretending.

Robin fell silent for a moment, took out a prepared letter from her pocket. It had the word "Resignation" written on it. She gently placed it on the desk, a look of relief seeming to appear on her face. With that familiar and elegant smile, she muttered to herself, "Dear BOSS, I resign!"

Saying this, she turned around directly, without looking back, picked up her small backpack that had been prepared long ago, lightly swept her right hand across the desk, and walked out.

When she arrived at a secluded corner of the Marine Branch 16 dock.

As expected.

At this time.

On a cold, giant rock, a lazy figure was already lying there.

And that was none other than...

Marine Admiral Kuzan.

"Oh my, what a comfortable sea breeze! The weather's nice today~" As if noticing Robin's arrival, Kuzan stretched comfortably, then sat cross-legged, resting his chin on his knee with his right hand, and looked at Robin before him, "It seems you've made your decision? Devil Child~"

He said, walking down, his tone laced with regret.

"This isn't like you. You know, you didn't even sell out your boss this time. I thought you might bring someone back again, it would have been livelier! But..." he asked with curiosity, "A Marine colluding with pirates, what kind of reason could make you, who survives by betrayal, make such a choice? It's truly curious~"

As he finished speaking.

"..."

Robin, who had lowered her head, clenched her right fist tightly. Although the weather here wasn't cold, she still felt a chill all over her body, making her stiff and unable to move.

However.

Hearing Kuzan's words, inexplicably, Robin, who should have been afraid and dared not look up, took a deep breath and suddenly raised her head, looking directly at Kuzan before her, and said, "BOSS... that guy..."

However.

Before she could finish speaking.

Suddenly.

"Of course, it's because your boss is handsome and generous, not only providing social insurance and housing fund, but also paying enough salary~"

A familiar voice came from behind her, and at this moment, she felt someone pat her shoulder.

That familiar feeling.

At that moment, a warm current seemed to surge through Robin's cold, stiff body, spreading throughout her entire being. She no longer felt the cold, and it seemed she no longer...

felt fear.

She turned her head and indeed saw the familiar figure standing beside her at some point. Incredulously, she opened her mouth, "BOSS..."

However.

Before she could even finish speaking.

"You really guessed I was coming, Colonel Xia Che," Kuzan said, hands in his pockets, staring directly at the base commander of Marine Branch 16 who dared to meet his gaze. "Colluding with pirates, embezzling funds, harboring a Devil Child, and now you want to stop me. Base Commander of Marine Branch 16, are you preparing to defy the regulations of Marine Headquarters?"

However.

Facing Kuzan's words and his cold tone, Xiashe continued to stare at him, a smile on his face. He patted Robin's shoulder, who had stiffened again due to Kuzan's words.

Xiashe pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Sorry, I don't understand Marine law!"

As he finished speaking.

"..."

Kuzan, who was trying to act cool and aloof, felt his face twitch. Looking at the shameless guy in front of him who claimed not to understand the law, he was at a loss for words.

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

He was trying to fool someone!

Instantly.

A terrifying cold aura emanated from him.