Kalifa

The weather was fine that day. Aboard Tsuru's warship,

Senga lay on the deck with his head resting on Gion's lap, drinking the juice she held to his lips. He could not have been more comfortable.

The female Marines standing guard nearby stared straight ahead. They had gone from initial shock to being completely unfazed by this sort of scene.

Gion patted Senga, who was about to fall asleep, and asked,

"Hey, do you have any plans for this trip to Sabaody?"

Senga stretched lazily and said,

"No particular plans. I'll probably just spend a year there. This time, the main thing is to build up my credentials with the World Government."

"The World Government? How did those people set their sights on you?"

"From what Fleet Admiral Sengoku meant, they're planning to assess me. Since it's a place the Celestial Dragons like to visit, they're having me stationed there for a while."

"Celestial Dragons... Senga, do you know what that name means?"

"I do. It means a bunch of trash. Enough, I've heard so much about them my ears are practically callused. Don't worry. As long as they don't provoke me, I can't be bothered to deal with them."

Seeing this, Gion said nothing more. She only hoped Senga knew what he was doing.

Since Marine Headquarters was very close to the Sabaody Archipelago, the warship quickly reached its destination. The moment he disembarked, Senga saw rows of Marines waiting to receive them. At their head was the highest-ranking officer here, Rear Admiral Ambuster.

Ambuster had not come here solely to welcome Senga, of course. After all, Senga was currently only a colonel.

In a flash, Gion appeared behind Senga. Ambuster immediately led the Marines forward to greet her.

Looks like my rank still isn't high enough. Senga shook his head with a smile, not particularly bothered. Gion merely waved at Ambuster, indicating that she had delivered Senga and was preparing to leave. Then she smiled faintly at Senga and said,

"This is as far as I can take you. I'm leaving now."

Senga nodded and said with a smile,

"Thanks for the effort, Gion."

Gion feigned anger.

"Why are you being so polite with me?"

With that, she pinched Senga's cheek. Naturally, Gion did this to establish Senga's standing and make his time here more comfortable.

Ambuster witnessed their interaction in full. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he thought, This Uchiha Senga has quite the background. And he's so young... I'd better treat him carefully.

After giving Senga a few final reminders, Gion left. This time, she did not linger. First, their relationship was no longer what it had once been. Second, the area where she usually carried out her duties was very close to this place, so she could come by whenever she wanted.

Once Gion had left, Ambuster hurried to Senga's side. He did not dare put on any airs and said warmly,

"You must be Colonel Uchiha Senga sent by Headquarters. I'm Rear Admiral Ambuster, the highest commander here. If you need anything in the future, come find me."

Senga smiled in response.

"I don't need anything at the moment. I'll be serving under you for some time, so I hope you'll guide me."

Senga's attitude greatly reassured Ambuster. It seemed this Uchiha Senga was easy to get along with. It had to be said, having connections really did make life easier everywhere. Even though his rank was higher than Senga's, Ambuster did not dare show the slightest neglect.

After their pleasantries, Ambuster led Senga to Area 66 of the Sabaody Archipelago, where the Marines were stationed.

He brought Senga to an office and pushed open the door, only to discover in astonishment that two women were already seated inside. He had no idea who they were.

One of them had short, curly blonde hair. She looked elegant, wearing a white hat, a pink dress, a white shawl, and high heels.

The other woman looked younger. She had long blonde hair, a cold expression, glasses, a small black suit with a tight black miniskirt, black fishnet stockings, and pointed black high heels.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?"

Ambuster had no mind to admire beautiful women. He assumed a guarded posture and stared intently at the two women before him.

Senga was much calmer. From their appearances, he had already roughly identified them. The woman in the white hat was Stussy of CP0, while the other was Kalifa, who would later join CP9.

Seeing Ambuster's reaction, Stussy stood up and handed him an identification document. Then she covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"My, my, Rear Admiral Ambuster, don't be so nervous. We mean no harm. Let me introduce us. We're from the World Government. I'm Stussy, and the woman beside me is Kalifa."

People from the World Government? Ambuster's pupils contracted as he looked at the document in his hand. They were yet another group he could not afford to offend. Just what was Uchiha Senga's identity? Why did all these lofty figures, whom he normally never saw, start appearing one after another the moment Senga arrived?

Yet whoever they were, they were beyond the reach of a mere rear admiral like him. He could only endure silently. Steadying himself, Ambuster respectfully returned the document to Stussy and said,

"So it's Lady Stussy. Please forgive my discourtesy. May I ask what instructions brought you here in person?"

Stussy returned to her seat, elegantly crossed her legs, picked up a cup of hot tea, and gently blew on it before taking a sip. Watching her, Metis quietly complained to Senga,

"Master, that old woman is really putting on airs. I want to slash her with my claws!"

Senga soothed her and replied in his mind,

"Forget it. This woman has quite the background, and she most likely came for me. Let's see what she wants first."

After taking a sip of tea, Stussy set down her cup. She no longer looked at Ambuster, instead turning her gaze toward Senga behind him. Her smile remained as she said,

"I came here to see our Navy's rising star, Colonel Uchiha Senga."

So it really is him. Fine, you important people can play your games slowly. Just don't drag me into it. Seeing that she had not come for him, Ambuster tactfully turned and left the office at once. As he departed, he thoughtfully pulled the door shut behind him.

As soon as Ambuster left, Senga spoke.

"May I ask what business Lady Stussy has with me?"

Stussy smiled and shook her head, extending a finger toward Kalifa beside her.

"Though I did want to see this generation's rising Navy star, I'm not the main character this time. My task was simply to bring her to you. Let me introduce her. Her name is Kalifa, and during your time in Sabaody, she will serve as your secretary."

When she was introduced, Kalifa immediately rose and walked before Senga. She bowed directly at a ninety-degree angle, and from Senga's angle, he could see a deep cleavage.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of me from now on, Colonel Senga."

Rather than responding, Senga looked at Stussy. Stussy knew this arrangement was indeed somewhat abrupt. After all, Senga was only a colonel, and assigning him a secretary was rather ostentatious. However, she had already prepared an explanation.

"Arranging Kalifa as your secretary was the government's decision. She'll mainly handle your daily necessities and work-related matters. You've only just graduated from Training Camp and don't have much experience yet. Sabaody is also a very special place. This is the government's goodwill."

Heh, that sounds nice. She's actually here to monitor me, isn't she? To see whether I have the potential to become a loyal dog? But even if he knew, he had no reason to refuse at the moment.

With that thought, Senga helped Kalifa, who was still maintaining her bow, back to her feet. He extended his hand toward her. Kalifa looked at him somewhat doubtfully, and Senga smiled.

"I'll be relying on your care from now on, Secretary Kalifa."