On the small warship that Lucci mentioned...
More than two hundred naval soldiers stood on the deck, watching the ensign at the bow who seemed to have made up his mind.
Then, the deputy captain mustered his courage and spoke to the lieutenant.
"Lieutenant Isuka, I... are we really going to try to visit that... legendary Saint Gawain?"
"Why not!"
Isuka said without turning her head.
"We are the righteous navy, and capturing pirates is our mission!"
In order to confirm whether the pirate named Ace had actually been captured by Saint Gawain and his group, I, as a lieutenant of the East Blue Branch of the Navy, asked Saint Gawain for instructions. Is this against the rules?
As soon as she finished speaking, Isuka took a deep breath.
Behind her, listening to Isuka's words, the vice-captain swallowed hard.
"Requesting instructions... it's certainly permissible to request instructions, but... aren't we of too low a rank?"
Even the Vice Admiral and Admiral at headquarters had to kneel before that man. We...
"If we disturb them so rashly, won't we be sent to the New World to feed the thieves?"
"What are you saying!"
The deputy captain's words made Iska frown, and she spoke seriously to the soldiers behind her.
"Even if we are sent to the New World, we will simply be carrying out justice in a new place!"
As for whether Saint Gawain will meet with us...
Most likely, Saint Gawain won't pay any attention to us. Why would such a big shot like him bother with insignificant people like us?
As a naval lieutenant, all I wanted to do was visit Saint Gawain's ship, try to communicate with his ordinary soldiers, and find out Ace's whereabouts!
We've been chasing Fire Fist Ace all the way from the East Blue to the Grand Line, how can it end like this!
Whether he was killed by Saint Gawain's men or captured by Saint Gawain.
"As the person directly responsible for apprehending this thief, I believe I am entitled to know even a few details!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Isuka clenched her fist and cheered herself up.
Then, she couldn't help but look worriedly at the Dark Bird Ship in the distance.
The ship was so majestic, its height far exceeding that of Isuka's small boat. The difference between their two ships was just like the difference in status between Isuka and Gawain.
As Iska gazed at the Dark Bird Ship, her adjutant behind her couldn't help but gasp.
There were some things the adjutant dared not say to Isuka, so he could only silently complain to himself.
Lieutenant Isuka, are you sure your reason for wanting to know Ace's whereabouts is simply because of the pursuit...?
Just as the adjutant was complaining, a black dot suddenly sped toward Isuka's ship from the distant sky.
Isuka's eyes widened suddenly as she stared at the black dot, gripping the knife at her waist tightly.
A moment later, the black dot suddenly landed on the deck in front of Isuka.
Wearing a black overcoat with a cheetah pattern embroidered on the back, and dressed in a crisp German-style Military Uniform, Lucci nodded elegantly but emotionlessly to Isuka.
"Hello, unfamiliar navy personnel, I am Rob Lucci, the Chief of the Black Ice Terrace Observatory under Saint Gawain!"
"Hello... Hello!"
Listening to Lucci's introduction, Isuka swallowed hard, then greeted him with extreme nervousness.
"I... I am Isuka, stationed at the G-117 branch of the East Blue Naval Training Command."
Seeing Isuka's nervous expression, Lucci's brows furrowed slightly, and he spoke coldly to Isuka.
"Very well, Lieutenant Isuka, please state your purpose!"
"I came here to hunt down the supernova Fire Fist Ace. Before this, I chased Ace all the way from the East Blue to the vicinity of Drum Kingdom before losing track of Fire Fist."
When I arrived in Alabasta, I heard that Ace had stayed near the Katorea City.
I followed them there, but I didn't see Fire Fist's ship. I only found out that Fire Fist Ace had been captured by the Dark Bird Ship!
Therefore, I... I hope to personally confirm the information that Fire Fist Ace has been captured!
As soon as she finished speaking, Isuka gripped the hilt of her knife tightly, while Lucci...
He frowned for a moment, then relaxed his brow slightly.
"Fire Fist Ace has joined the Dark Bird Ship and become Gawain's subordinate!"
As for you, since you've come here to hunt him down, you'd better leave as soon as possible!
You are no longer in a position to pursue him!
At this point, Lucci turned away expressionlessly.
The adults instructed that if these marines meant no harm, they should invite the passersby to have lunch on the ship.
But they came to capture Fire Fist Ace...
If that's the case, isn't that malicious?
For a moment, if Gion hadn't been on Gawain's ship, Lucci would have wanted to get rid of the little trouble in front of him for Ace, and even more so for Gawain!
Across from him, listening to Lucci's words, Isuka first let out a heavy sigh.
Thank goodness, that idiot didn't get killed by Saint Gawain because of his impulsiveness.
And he actually joined Gawain...
Etc...?!!
Isuka's big eyes widened suddenly, and then she looked at Lucci and asked.
"Ace joined the Dark Bird Ship?!"
"What, you have a problem with that?!"
Faced with Isuka's surprised question, Lucci pursed his lips slightly, casually took off his coat, folded it neatly, and placed it aside.
Then, Lucci lightly shook his hand and continued speaking to Isuka.
"If you have any complaints, then please keep your mouth shut forever!"
"Letting him join is the adult's decision; no one can go against Gawain's will!"
As he spoke, Lucci extended his left hand.
"Now, either sail away, or I won't mind personally escorting you away, I..."
"Wait, wait, wait!!!"
Hearing Lucci's increasingly dangerous tone, Isuka quickly waved her hand.
That's not what I meant. I meant, I meant, I...
I'd like to ask, if Ace joined the Dark Bird Group, then his pirate status...?"
"Hmph, even with Grandpa Rayleigh's background, you can easily protect him, sir!"
Do you really think that someone as great as a human isn't qualified to protect a mere Supernova?
Lucci responded coldly, then wanted to teach this arrogant naval lieutenant a lesson.
But the moment he finished speaking, Isuka, who was opposite him, suddenly let out an excited shout.
"Really? That's so... wonderful!"
Ace isn't a pirate anymore!
Haha, I'm so happy! Now we're qualified to be friends!
"Excuse me, Commander Lucci, I... hahaha, I'm just a little excited, hehe~~~."
At this point, Isuka loosened his grip on the hilt of his knife and waved his hands repeatedly at Lucci, saying no.
And Lucci...
He paused for a moment, then gently picked up the coat that was placed to the side.
After straightening his clothes, Lucci draped his coat over his back and immediately turned to leave.
However, when he reached the deck, he spoke to Isuka without turning his head.
"Whether it's me or the adults, we're all very busy, so I'm leaving now."
As for you...
In the past, if I saw a Marine like you with some inexplicable connection to pirates, even if I wasn't in the Marine ranks, I would have smashed your head to pieces.
But now...
Since you have no ill intentions, the master's instructions are: please all board the ship for lunch!
At this point, without turning his head, Lucci pointed to the hull of the Dark Bird Ship in the distance.
"Just dock the ship near the Dark Bird Ship, and a ferry will come to take you to the deck."
After saying that, Lucci leaped up and then used Geppo to return to the Dark Bird Ship.
After Lucci left, Isuka immediately raised his hands high.
"Wow, things have changed so fast! That brat actually caught Saint Gawain's eye!"
Hurry, get ready! Everyone, change into your cleanest military uniforms!
Saint Gawain invited us to lunch!
Helmsman, get the boat moving, quick!!!
Beside her, her adjutant sighed helplessly as he listened to Lieutenant Isuka's orders.
You're not even willing to pretend, sir?
About eight minutes later, the warship that had rushed to the scene stopped near a temporarily rented sampan.
On the sampan, the Baroque Works, waiting for the login device, looked at Isuka with a puzzled expression.
A moment later, Valentine couldn't help but ask softly.
"We even have Navy personnel among us? No wonder it's a mysterious organization; we don't even know who our own people are!"
"Why?"
Hearing the sounds coming from the next deck, Isuka couldn't help but look over at them.
"You guys are... bounty hunters who operate in the Grand Line, from some kind of... organization, right?"
How did you get near this ship?!
Upon hearing Isuka's words, Ben Sam immediately perked up.
He gestured with his delicate fingers, and with his domineering CEO-like double chin and heavy makeup, he spoke loudly to Isuka.
"If this were before, I would probably have run away by now. Tsk tsk, the navy, they really scared me to death!"
But now, hmph...
Now, I'm Gawain's woman, I'm...
"Shut up!"
Before Bentham could finish speaking, Daz Bones placed his hand across Ben Sam's neck.
"We are subordinates of the adults' subordinates, not the adults' people!"
If your disgraceful behavior leads to our execution, I will personally chop off your head before I die!
As soon as he finished speaking, Daz Bones turned his head away, no longer deigning to look at Ben Sam and Isuka across from him.
As for Isuka, she nodded in understanding after hearing Daz Bones's words.
So, they, like Ace, were all recruited by that Celestial Dragon...
With various thoughts swirling in their minds, the two groups of people ultimately boarded the same elevator and arrived at the deck of the Dark Bird Ship.
As they stepped off the elevator, the first thing they saw was the incredibly spacious rest area, which was right next to them.
As for their gazes...
At this very moment, countless people are active on the deck, whether training, working, or playing.
But everyone, including Isuka, couldn't help but turn their gaze to Gawain immediately.
At this moment, Gawain was engrossed in reading the newspaper, occasionally muttering a few words as he read, which were then recorded by Robin and Kuma.
While he was reading the newspaper, he was also heartily chewing on various kinds of meat. As everyone watched Gawain eat with gusto, their strange feeling grew even stranger.
As for Isuka...
At this moment, Isuka blushed slightly, and then she pouted and rolled her eyes.
Why is it that even Celestial Dragon like Saint Gawain would be shirtless like that idiot Ace?
But whether it's Ace or Saint Gawain, most men with decent strength do indeed have perfectly sculpted muscles...
Thinking of this, Isuka finally had time to look elsewhere. Her eyes, after scanning the area, immediately fell on Ace, who was being beaten up by Rayleigh in the training field...
Seeing this, Isuka was truly relieved; the guy was really safe.
At the same time, Gawain, who was reading the newspaper, also saw the arrival of the crowd through the Observation Haki Mantra, so he simply put down the newspaper.
"Robin, have those who just boarded the ship come to me."
If I miss it, it'll be gone. But I think I have about seven minutes left.
"Indeed, sir, there are about seven minutes and twenty seconds left until your agreed time with Mr. Franky."
Upon hearing Gawain's words, Robin, the second part-time Secretary who was relieving the pressure on Secretary Kalifa, spoke softly to Gawain.
After saying that, Robin turned and left on her own. She came up to Isuka and the Baroque Works and said with a light laugh.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Nico Robin, the historian of the Dark Bird Ship, and one of Gawain's secretaries."
You are very lucky. Gawain happens to have time to see you. Please prepare the appropriate etiquette and come with me to see Gawain!
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"I am truly honored!"
"Saint Gawain so handsome!"
"Sigh, do I... do I, a mere second lieutenant, even have the right to meet Saint Gawain?"
"What a lucky day! Haha!"
The group was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly began packing up.
As they hurried toward Gawain, they quickly checked their clothes.
And so, a minute and a half later, they finally arrived in front of Gawain and saw him up close as he drank his Gawain wine.
Thump!
The group of people knelt down in unison, and at this moment, the Navy and Baroque Works were surprisingly aligned.
However, after kneeling down, the group of people didn't know what to say.
They were so nervous they couldn't speak...
At the same time, looking at the various kinds of people in front of me.
Gawain smiled and nodded.
Get up.
Gawain casually waved his hand, and instantly, lightning poured down on the ground like flowing water, spreading outwards.
The next moment, everyone felt a numbness in their legs, and then they involuntarily stood up.
Then, Gawain first looked at the guy in the crowd who impressed him the most.
"Von Clay, your appearance is indeed full of the style of the Kamabakka Kingdom."
"Stay put on the ship. The ship's officer, Kuma, is Ivankov's close friend. If there's a chance, I'll have Kuma introduce you to your idol."
"Ha?!!"
Upon hearing this, Ben Sam suddenly knelt down.
"You even know about the person I admire most... Waaah, from this day forward, I'll want to die for you, my gentle sir, every single day..."
"Cough cough!!!"
Gawain quickly interrupted Gawain Clay, expressing his admiration for Bon Clay's willingness to sacrifice everything for his friend and save Luffy's life three times.
But his style...
It's basically a greasy, long-faced version of Huang Xiaoming with a double chin, wearing heavy Big Mom- style makeup...
In short, Gawain waved his hand emphatically, signaling Bon Clay to be quiet.
Then, Gawain looked at the others.
"Daz Bones, a warrior with a steadfast goal, from now on, work hard under your Mr. 0, that is, Crocodile."
I will see your efforts!
"Mr. 3, Gal Dino, you young man have unlimited potential. Keep up the good work, and you might just become the first mate of one of the Four Emperors."
"Miss Valentine's Day, you look much prettier in person than in the photos, keep it up!"
"And also... Miss Isuka!"
At this point, Gawain looked at Isuka with interest.
"I heard you're Ace's friend, so... do you want to stay by Ace's side forever?"
Tickets, please!