A Proper Place

# Chapter 9: A Proper Place

"Just like that, it's over?"

"It really is over. What a pleasant cooperation!" Looking at Nami, who still hadn't snapped out of it and stood there dumbfounded even after the others had left, Xia Che released his grip on the sword hilt and stretched comfortably.

Although things had gone smoother than expected, he had to admit...

"Truly a cause for celebration~"

"Come on, that was the Marine Hero!" Nami looked at Xia Che as if this were only natural, not even knowing how to retort, speaking with disbelief. "He compromised just because of a fifty-percent bribe of the Marine's military budget?"

"That old man wasn't targeting the so-called fifty-percent bribe." Xia Che shrugged, looking at Nami meaningfully. "I told you, there's no such thing as absolute justice on this sea. All gifts already have their price tags."

If it had been anyone other than Garp this time...

Otherwise.

If Sakazuki had come, he would have taken his people and fled without a second's hesitation.

If it had been Borsalino or Kuzan, maybe they could have talked. As long as it wasn't a hard mission, those two Marine Admirals each had their own version of so-called justice, choosing whether to slack off or carry out orders seriously.

And if it had been Sengoku... before becoming Fleet Admiral, he might have strictly enforced so-called justice, directly executing a Marine scum like him who harbored pirates. But if he'd already retired, that old man would have become just like Garp, starting to muddle through.

That was the Marine's so-called justice!

Plenty of them were just muddling through!

"See, there's not a single good person in the Marines!" Hearing Xia Che's words, Nami seemed to remember that Colonel Mouse again, speaking indignantly. But when she saw Xia Che's sidelong glance, as if understanding his meaning, she stubbornly stuck out her neck, puffed out her chest, and spoke with double standards. "Of course, Bellemere and I don't count. We're good Marines. What? Am I wrong?"

"..."

With that kind of nerve, she really was his subordinate~

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

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

Then, as if remembering something, her eyes rolled and she said, "They're resting here tonight?"

Raising her little fist with a meaningful smile, "Let me, Marine Branch 16 Sergeant Nami, give them a proper welcome!"

With that, she turned and walked out, leaving only a speechless Xia Che behind.

What was she planning?

His brow twitched, and he helplessly called after her retreating figure, "Be careful!"

"I know~"

"..."

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

Then.

He stood up, walked toward a room on the left at the back, and directly opened the door to enter.

Inside.

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

A white blouse, a Western-style ladies' pencil skirt, her long black hair combed back into a simple bun. Occasionally she would adjust her fashionable, delicate ladies' glasses—purely decorative. Beneath the short skirt, her full legs were crossed, gently swaying, with glimpses of what lay beneath.

She seemed to notice Xia Che's unrestrained gaze, but Robin didn't mind. After lightly turning a page, she looked up at Xia Che, smiled gracefully, and said, "Dear Boss, do you like the view?"

"Not bad~, ahem!" Xia Che coughed twice to ease the awkwardness, moving his gaze upward, looking at Robin who was quietly reading, and smiled. "I thought you might have run off on your own!"

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

"..."

Was this woman being a bit sarcastic lately?

However.

Before Xia Che could speak.

"Then if one day, someone wants to take me away, just like that Fish-Man wanted to take Nami..." Robin lowered her head again, looking at the book in her hands, speaking as if casually, yet meaningfully, "Would Boss keep me, just like he kept Nami?"

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

As Xia Che's words fell, Robin froze, then her brows trembled slightly, as if a little disappointed.

After a moment, the elegant smile returned to her face.

But.

Before she could say anything.

"But if it's not your voluntary resignation..." Xia Che smiled slightly, his tone turning serious. "No one can force my employee to leave."

As he finished.

Robin, who had been looking down at her book, couldn't help but curl her lips upward. She again brushed aside the hair from her forehead, put down the book, tilted her head, and rested her chin on her left hand.

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

She said...

Robin's bright eyes gazed at Xieche, seemingly smiling as she spoke softly and naturally, "Then let's continue to cooperate happily, Boss~"

"Happy cooperation, Secretary-chan!"

"..."

On this side.

While Xieche was renewing his contract with his secretary.

On the other side.

After this Marine Headquarters inspection operation ended in an unexpected manner and both parties reached a very pleasant cooperation.

Garp took the scowling Smoker and the still-dazed Tashigi to rest.

Today's expenses were covered by Cocoyasi Village. After using the Den Den Mushi to lift the blockade on the 16th Branch, they would rest one night in Cocoyasi Village and then leave tomorrow on the Moke Pirates' ship.

As for Moke, who had been taken away by Garp and the other two to act as a temporary guide, he was also completely bewildered.

After all, he originally thought he was done for this time, but unexpectedly... the boss had latched onto a big shot.

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

Things had changed so absurdly that even this rough-and-tumble pirate couldn't quite figure out what was going on.

But as a pirate, he still knew... that future operations in the East Blue were probably secure.

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

For a moment.

Moke was completely thrilled.

As expected of the boss, even being able to bribe a high-ranking official at Marine Headquarters—amazing!

However.

"Hey hey hey, pirate brat!" Garp, looking cheerful as if nothing had happened, directly interrupted Moke's excitement, grinning as he said, "Your boss said you should treat us well, so hurry up and tell me—what interesting places are there around here? Take this old man to check them out~"

"Ah ah ah, yes! Marine Hero old man!" Snapping back to reality, Moke looked at Vice Admiral Garp and quickly responded, then patted the scowling Colonel Smoker on the shoulder. "Hey, Smoker bro, we're partners now, don't keep making that sour face."

However.

"Get lost! The Marines will never cooperate with pirates." At Moke's presumptuous familiarity, Smoker's face darkened even further, glaring at Moke. "If I ever catch you doing anything illegal, I'll personally arrest you!"

Though he didn't know why Vice Admiral Garp had accepted a bribe, as a Marine Colonel, he would keep a close watch on them.

If Dander Xieche committed any illegal acts, he would never forgive them, and he would report Vice Admiral Garp's actions today to Fleet Admiral Sengoku!

"Don't worry, unless the boss orders it, I, Moke, would never do something like that." Moke patted his broad chest and confidently guaranteed, then ignored Smoker, who raised an eyebrow as if about to say something.

He scratched his head and thought for a moment. "Interesting place... right!"

As if remembering something, his bull-like eyes blinked, revealing a meaningful smile.

"I know where to go. That place is quite interesting, and it's about time to rest anyway."

With that, he clapped his hands and turned around.

"Let this big bro take you to enjoy yourselves properly!"

As he spoke.

"???"

Before the curious Garp could ask where they were going, under the trio's puzzled gazes, Moke strode forward excitedly in one direction.

Before long.

They arrived at a building with luxurious, extravagant, yet dignified decor.

Looking at the lavish building before her, Tashigi's innocent face froze for a moment, and she blinked. "This looks like the Shabondy Park~"

But.

At the entrance stood beautiful women in sexy attire, and inside, faint shapes were visible, with red, blue, and pink lights flickering in the dim dusk.

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

As she spoke.

Beside her, Smoker and Garp seemed to think of something too—one had a face full of black lines, while the other grinned cheerfully, looking on with interest.

However.

Before the black-faced Smoker could say anything.

"What 'improper'? Shabondy Park? This used to be Arlong Park, a paradise built by Fish-Men." Moke beside them said cheerfully. "But later the boss renovated it, and now it's called..."

He looked up at the sign glowing with red light.

"Red Romance Private Club."

With that, he blinked, giving Smoker a meaningful look.

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

The words had barely left his mouth.

"Where the hell are you taking us?" Smoker's face was dark with fury, the hand holding his cigar trembling so much it nearly slipped from his grasp. "Are you trying to corrupt the justice of the Marines with this?"

"No way~"

Aside from Garp, who remained cheerfully amused and even a little curious, even the innocent Tashigi blushed, flustered and tense as she stammered, "This kind of place is no good for a Marine! And I'm a girl, you know!"

But even as her mouth refused, her sparkling eyes kept stealing furtive glances toward the Red Romance.

Yet.

Moke seemed oblivious to the two who looked tense and uneasy. A rare trip like this, with the boss footing the bill—he was determined to enjoy himself. He grabbed Smoker and pulled him inside. "What's all this 'this kind of place, that kind of place'? This is a perfectly legitimate establishment. We're here now, so come on—This Humble One will show you a good time!"

"No way~"

"Damn it!"

"Ahahaha~"

"Xiao Tao! Xiao Hong!" Ignoring the strange trio, Moke bellowed toward the interior, "Come out and greet the guests!"

"..." X3

Those names—they sounded anything but proper!