It's You, Gion!

On the warship's deck, Gawain emerged from the captain's cabin upon learning they were about to reach Marineford and looked toward the distant pier in slight surprise.

In the sea breeze, the hems of more than twenty coats fluttered wildly in the wind.

Beside him, Vice Admiral Doberman swallowed and smiled.

"Saint Gawain, I only had the chance to witness a scene like this thanks to you.

More than eighteen vice admirals, one admiral, and the Fleet Admiral lined up to welcome you. It truly is spectacular!

I imagine Fleet Admiral Sengoku gathered every flag officer at Headquarters to put together a welcoming ceremony like this.

So... what do you think?"

"I'm honored as well."

Gawain smiled, and his words made Doberman breathe a sigh of relief.

A moment ago, Doberman had genuinely worried that Gawain would think too few people had come to welcome him, since aside from those officers, there were no other Marines on the pier.

Now that Gawain had no objections, he could finally relax.

Accompanied by the booming sound of the ship's whistle, the warship gradually slowed and pulled alongside the pier.

After the Marines handling the mooring lines tossed them onto the bollards and secured the warship firmly in place.

A gangway leading to the pier had opened along the side of the deck.

Gawain looked around, then stepped out first without hesitation. Doberman followed behind him, braving the pressure as he went ashore with him.

As for the other Marines and Lieutenant Colonel Tiago, they had no intention of disembarking at all.

Seeing Gawain step onto the pier, Fleet Admiral Sengoku lightly adjusted his Marine cap. As he turned it slightly, the afro compressed beneath it rebelliously sprang back up.

Ignoring his hair's feelings, Sengoku finished straightening his cap, took two steps forward, and gave a slight bow from roughly twenty meters away.

After bowing, Sengoku straightened up. Kizaru, wearing the grin of a lecherous old man, then led the other vice admirals in giving Gawain a slight bow as well.

Gawain could see that few of the bowing vice admirals wore respectful expressions. Aside from the concealed helplessness in some of their eyes, a few openly regarded him with scrutiny and dissatisfaction.

Gawain did not care about their dissatisfaction at all. He knew that they were not dissatisfied with him, but with the Celestial Dragons behind him.

Even Gawain himself was deeply dissatisfied with that group made up of countless Charloses. How could he blame ordinary vice admirals who shared his thoughts?

After ignoring those looks, Gawain moved his lips and gave everyone an exceptionally gentle, friendly smile.

In that instant, the expressions in many vice admirals' eyes changed.

When had they ever seen such a gentle smile on a Celestial Dragon's face?

How could they know how long Gawain had worked in the past to acquire his current perfect smile?

With just one smile, hadn't those proud and unruly vice admirals already begun to see Gawain differently?

But a smile alone was not enough. Words were also one of Gawain's tools.

Still smiling, Gawain waved his hand and said.

"Sorry to have kept you all waiting here."

As his words fell, a trace of apology appeared in Gawain's smile. Then he softly said to Sengoku.

"You're Fleet Admiral Sengoku, right? This is my fault.

I should have told you not to go out of your way to welcome me.

If all of you officers waste your time on me, wouldn't that mean allowing the pirates active during this period to continue running rampant?"

The moment he finished speaking, every Marine present, including Sengoku, involuntarily widened their eyes.

Veteran actors with deep schemes like Sengoku were one thing, but direct-tempered vice admirals like Onigumo immediately changed their attitude toward Gawain.

After shifting the cigar in his mouth in surprise, Onigumo promptly followed up on Gawain's words.

"You're absolutely right, Saint Gawain. You really do understand us!

If Admiral Sakazuki hadn't put out to sea, after hearing what you just said, he'd probably consider you a lifelong friend. Hahahaha!"

Amid his loud laughter, none of Onigumo's former arrogance remained, and his gaze toward Gawain was full of friendliness.

As for Gawain, seeing Onigumo's attitude, he understood.

This Onigumo was definitely one of Akainu's people, a core force among the Marine hardliners!

Suppressing his thoughts, Gawain said to Onigumo.

"Sakazuki? What a pity he isn't here. By the way, what is your name?"

"Saint Gawain, Admiral Sakazuki put to sea two days ago. By regulation, he has to inspect Impel Down Prison.

But even though Sakazuki isn't here, Admiral Borsalino is still on standby. As for me, I'm Onigumo."

Vice Admiral Onigumo introduced himself to Gawain with a smile.

Hearing Onigumo's words, Gawain nodded and looked toward Sengoku again.

Noticing Gawain's gaze, Sengoku immediately stepped forward and softly said to him.

"Saint Gawain, the wind is strong at the pier. If you don't mind, why not go to my office and discuss this in detail?

I'm quite curious about why you came to Marineford."

"No need. That would waste too much time. Since everyone is here, I'll briefly explain why I came.

For certain special reasons, I am temporarily unsuited to remain in Mary Geoise. So for the time ahead, I will travel the seas beyond the Holy Land."

At this point, Gawain gently shook his head.

"But this is my first time leaving Mary Geoise, and I am deeply afraid of the sea.

Through the newspapers, I can see that piracy is becoming increasingly rampant, and the pirates' brazen conduct also makes me deeply worried about my safety.

For the sake of my future safety, I came specifically to Marineford in hopes of finding one or two sufficiently capable officers to serve as my personal guards for the time being.

What do you all think of this?"

Once he finished speaking, Gawain swept his gaze around. Every vice admiral who met his eyes could not help shrinking back a little.

The vice admirals had merely changed their impression of Gawain. After only a few words, they were far from willing to volunteer themselves.

Sengoku, standing nearby, wanted to say something, but Gawain gave him no chance. After looking everyone over, Gawain immediately continued.

"Ah, although the Five Elders sent several teams from the Army to serve as my guards, the Army gives me nowhere near the reassurance that the Marines do with all of you here.

What do you think?"

After speaking, Gawain smiled faintly and looked toward the vice admirals again.

This time was different from before. In just an instant, several vice admirals, including Onigumo, were already growing restless!

Onigumo himself could not help stepping forward.

"Saint Gawain, you're right. The Army, which has been stationed at Mary Geoise and the Red Line for years, has experienced far less warfare than we Marines have!"

"Indeed. When it comes to carrying out justice, they're far inferior!"

Beside Onigumo, a vice admiral wearing a metal helmet and carrying no fewer than eight long swords on his back could not help chiming in.

After those two expressed their positions, Sengoku looked deeply at Gawain while extending his right hand toward his subordinates.

"Saint Gawain."

Sengoku spoke.

"The Marines are naturally willing to take on the task of protecting you. Whatever the Army can do, the Marines will only do better!"

As he spoke, Sengoku felt helpless. As Fleet Admiral, even if he was unwilling, he could not pass up the chance to compare the Marines with the Army in front of his subordinates.

Sengoku simply did not know whether Gawain had said that by chance, or whether he had deliberately planned to use the Army to stir up his Marine vice admirals' enthusiasm.

Even as he thought, Sengoku did not stop speaking. He continued.

"As long as it does not affect the Marines' critical strategy against pirates, Saint Gawain may choose freely from all Marine personnel!"

After Sengoku finished speaking, hardline vice admirals such as Onigumo immediately stepped forward.

But Gawain did not look at them.

He softly asked.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you mean... anyone?"

"Of course!" Sengoku nodded decisively.

Gawain smiled in satisfaction and walked over to Sengoku.

"Does that 'anyone' include you? You are the Fleet Admiral. With your protection, I would never have to worry about my safety again, wouldn't I?"

"Uh..." Sengoku froze. "Saint Gawain, don't forget the premise I mentioned. I must be responsible for the Marines' overall strategy, so I truly cannot take on guard duty."

"I understand. Then... what about Admiral Borsalino? Do you have any interest in taking a trip across the seas with me?"

Gawain looked at Borsalino.

Meeting Gawain's gaze, Kizaru tilted his head and smiled lecherously.

"I'd personally love to accompany you for a stroll. That would count as paid vacation, wouldn't it?

But unfortunately, I'm responsible for liaising with Vegapunk. That is an order from the Five Elders. What a shame to miss this opportunity!"

"All right, then I'll settle for the next best thing. I hear the Marines have a legendary hero, Monkey D. Garp. What do you think..."

"Cough, cough, cough, cough!"

Sengoku nearly coughed out his lungs and hurriedly explained in displeasure.

"Saint Gawain, Vice Admiral Garp is carrying out a secret mission in the East Blue. Even if he rushed back immediately, it would take at least a month and a half. I'm afraid you cannot wait that long!"

"Oh?"

After hearing Sengoku's words, Gawain nodded, then pointed toward the most striking figure in the crowd.

"Then what about her?"

"Hm?!"

The vice admiral Gawain had called out froze. She raised a hand and pointed at herself in disbelief.

"You mean... me?"

"Yes. What is your name?"

"I am Gion. Greetings, Saint Gawain.

I currently serve in the Marine Headquarters Staff Office, so I truly cannot take on your guard..."

"Stop."

Gawain waved his hand, cutting Gion off.

"I've decided. It's you, Gion!"