A Proper Place

A Proper Place

"So that was it?"

"It really was. What a pleasant collaboration!" Looking at Nami, who still had not snapped out of it and remained utterly bewildered even after they had left, Xia Che released the hilt of his sword and stretched comfortably.

Although things had gone more smoothly than expected, it had to be said...

"What a cause for celebration~"

"But that was the Marine Hero!" Looking at Xia Che as if this were only natural, Nami did not even know where to begin criticizing him. She said in disbelief, "He compromised just because of a bribe worth half the Marines' military budget?"

"That old man wasn't after some so-called fifty-percent bribe." Xia Che shrugged and looked meaningfully at Nami. "I told you before, there is no such thing as absolute justice on this sea. Every gift has already had its price marked."

It was only because it had been Garp this time.

Otherwise...

If Sakazuki had come, he would have taken everyone and run without the slightest hesitation.

If Borsalino or Kuzan had come, perhaps there would have been room for negotiation. So long as it was not a mandatory mission, those two Marine Admirals had their own versions of justice to decide whether to slack off or carry out their duties seriously.

As for Sengoku... before becoming Fleet Admiral, he might have strictly upheld his so-called justice and directly punished him, a Marine disgrace raising pirates. But after retiring, that old man would become like Garp and start muddling through as well.

That was the Marines' so-called justice!

There were quite a few people muddling through!

"Just as I thought, there isn't a single good person in the Marines!" Hearing Xia Che's words, Nami seemed to recall Colonel Mouse and said indignantly. But when she noticed Xia Che's sidelong look, she seemed to understand what he meant. Still, she stubbornly raised her chin and puffed out her chest as she said hypocritically, "Of course, Bellemere and I don't count. We're good Marines. What, am I wrong?"

"..."

That thick skin was worthy of being his subordinate~

Xia Che nodded solemnly. "That's right. After all, I'm a good Marine too!"

"..." Nami looked speechlessly at this shameless guy who was just like her.

Then, as if remembering something, her eyes darted about as she said, "They'll be staying here tonight?"

She raised her little fist and smiled meaningfully. "Then let Sergeant Nami of Marine Branch 16 give them a proper welcome!"

With that, she turned and headed outside, leaving Xia Che standing there speechless.

What was this girl planning?

His eyelid twitched as he helplessly called after Nami's retreating figure, "Watch yourself!"

"Got it~"

"..."

Only after Nami disappeared from sight did Xia Che shake his head helplessly.

Then...

He stood up and walked toward a room at the rear left, pushing open the door and entering.

Immediately...

He saw Robin sitting elegantly in a chair by the window, reading a book.

She wore a white shirt and a Western-style women's fitted short skirt. Her long black hair was swept back into a simple bun, and from time to time, she lightly adjusted the fashionable, delicate women's glasses she wore as decoration. Her shapely legs were crossed beneath her short skirt, swaying lightly and offering fleeting glimpses.

Robin seemed to notice Xia Che's unabashed gaze, but she did not care. After lightly turning a page, she looked up at him and smiled gracefully. "Dear BOSS, does it look good?"

"Not bad~, ahem!" Xia Che gave two fake coughs to ease the awkwardness. He raised his gaze to Robin, who was quietly reading, and smiled. "I thought you would have run off on your own."

"Oh my, oh my~, I haven't resigned yet!" Hearing Xia Che's words, Robin lightly brushed aside a lock of hair before her forehead, tilted her head, and smiled at him. "Could it be that now the base has developed, BOSS wants to drive me away? What a heartless BOSS~"

"..."

Why did it feel like this woman had been speaking rather sarcastically lately?

However...

Before Xia Che could speak.

"So, if one day, someone wanted to take me away like that Fish-Man wanted to take Nami away." Robin lowered her head again and looked at the book in her hands. She seemed unconcerned, yet her words carried deeper meaning. "Would BOSS keep me too, just like he kept Nami?"

"No. If you resign of your own accord, I won't stop you."

As Xia Che's words fell, Robin froze. Her brows trembled slightly, as if she were somewhat disappointed.

Before long, that elegant smile returned to her face.

However...

Before she could say anything.

"But if you aren't leaving voluntarily." Xia Che smiled slightly, his tone serious. "No one can force my employee to leave."

As soon as he finished speaking.

The corners of Robin's lips rose uncontrollably as she lowered her head over her book. She brushed aside the hair before her forehead again, set the book down, tilted her head, and propped her chin on her left hand.

That elegant smile appeared on her face once more, yet it somehow felt different from before.

Then...

Miss Robin looked at Xia Che with her bright eyes, as though smiling, and said softly and naturally, "Then I look forward to continuing our pleasant collaboration, BOSS~"

"Likewise, Secretary."

"..."

Meanwhile...

While Xia Che was renewing his contract with his secretary.

Elsewhere...

After the Marine Headquarters inspection operation ended in such an unexpected manner, with both sides reaching a very pleasant agreement.

Garp took the sour-faced Smoker and the equally stunned Tashigi downstairs to rest.

Cocoyasi Village was footing today's bill. After using the Den Den Mushi to lift the blockade on the 16th Branch, they would rest in Cocoyasi Village for the night before leaving aboard the Moke Pirates' ship tomorrow.

Moke, whom Garp's group had brought along as a temporary guide, was also completely dumbfounded.

After all, he had originally thought he was definitely finished this time. Who would have thought... the boss had found himself such a powerful backer.

And it was a high-ranking official from Marine Headquarters, a great figure known as the Marine Hero.

The turn of events was so absurd that even he, a burly pirate, could not understand what had happened.

But as a pirate, he still knew one thing... their future operations in the East Blue would probably be secure.

How could they not be secure with the Marine Hero backing them?

For a moment.

Moke was overwhelmed with excitement.

As expected of the boss. He could even buy off a high-ranking official from Marine Headquarters. Amazing!

However...

"Hey, hey, pirate brat!" Garp, still beaming as if nothing had happened earlier, directly interrupted Moke's excitement. He said with a grin, "Didn't your boss say you were supposed to treat us well? Hurry up and tell me, what interesting places are there around here? Take this old man to have a look~"

"Ah, ah, ah, yes! Marine Hero sir!" Snapping back to his senses, Moke hurriedly answered as he looked at Vice Admiral Garp. He also patted the sour-faced Colonel Smoker beside him. "Hey, Brother Smoker, we're partners now. Stop making that miserable face."

However...

"Get lost! The Marines will never cooperate with pirates." Smoker's face darkened even further at Moke's familiarity. He glared at him. "The moment I catch you doing anything bad, I'll arrest you myself!"

Although he did not know why Vice Admiral Garp had accepted a bribe, as a Marine Colonel, he would personally keep an eye on them.

If Dander Xieche committed any illegal act, he would absolutely not spare them. He would also report everything Vice Admiral Garp had done today to Fleet Admiral Sengoku!

"Don't worry. Unless it's the boss's order, I, Moke, will never do that kind of thing." Moke patted his broad chest and promised confidently. Then, ignoring Smoker, whose brow twitched as he was about to say something in response.

Moke scratched his head and thought for a moment. "Interesting places... right!"

As if he had remembered something, his bull-like eyes blinked slightly, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"I know just the place. It's quite interesting, and since it's getting late, it's time to relax."

With that, he clapped his hands and turned around.

"Let this great man show you how to enjoy yourselves!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

"???"

Before the curious Garp could ask where they were going, Moke strode off excitedly in one direction amid the three people's confusion.

Not long after.

They arrived before an extravagantly decorated, luxurious, yet dignified building.

Looking at the lavish building before them, Tashigi's innocent face froze. She blinked. "This looks a lot like Sabaody Park~"

But...

At the entrance stood beautiful women dressed provocatively, while vague sights could be glimpsed within. Under the dim evening light, red, blue, and pink lights flickered.

As if realizing something, Tashigi's face flushed slightly. "It just looks very improper."

As soon as she said that.

Smoker and Garp seemed to realize something too. One wore a dark expression, while the other laughed cheerfully and watched with great interest.

However...

Before the dark-faced Smoker could say anything.

"What do you mean, Sabaody Park? This used to be Arlong Park, an amusement park built by Fish-Men." Moke said cheerfully beside them. "But the boss later renovated it, and now it's called..."

He raised his head and looked at the red-glowing sign.

"Red Romance Private Club."

Then he blinked and looked meaningfully at Smoker.

"This is a place to relax and enjoy yourself~"

The moment he finished speaking.

"Where are you taking us?" Smoker's face was covered in dark lines, and even the hand holding his cigar trembled. He nearly dropped it. "Are you trying to corrupt Marine justice with this?"

"No way~"

Aside from Garp, who remained cheerful and even looked curious, even the pure-hearted Tashigi blushed as she said in flustered panic, "Marines can't go to places like this, and besides, I'm a girl!"

Although she spoke of refusing, her gleaming eyes still secretly glanced toward Red Romance from time to time.

However...

Moke seemed not to notice the nervous and strange expressions on their faces. Since they had rarely gotten the chance to come here, and the boss was covering the bill, he intended to enjoy himself properly. He directly dragged Smoker inside. "What do you mean, places like this? This is a proper place. We're already here, so come on, this great man will show you a good time!"

"No way~"

"Damn it!"

"Ahahaha~"

"Xiao Tao! Xiao Hong!" Ignoring the strange trio, Moke shouted loudly toward the interior, "Come out and greet the customers!"

"..." x3

Those names alone sounded completely improper!