Stepping into the Role

Meanwhile, when Gion returned to Gawain's side, the vice admirals behind Sengoku inevitably began discussing it among themselves.

"Gion just... followed a Celestial Dragon like that?"

"What else could she do? Who could oppose his decision? Since we can't make a move, we have no way to withstand his Conqueror's Haki.

Even if she refused him, if Saint Gawain refused to let it go, he wouldn't even need to do anything. He'd only have to come to Marineford and unleash his Conqueror's Haki a few times every day, and we wouldn't be able to do anything at all."

"Conqueror's Haki really is too unfair. Sigh, his status is even more unfair. What a pity for Vice Admiral Gion!"

"What's there to pity? Are you kidding? He's a Celestial Dragon!

I'll never become a Marine admiral in this lifetime, but if I could follow a Celestial Dragon, I might end up in CP0. My administrative rank would immediately be on a whole different level!"

"Hmph, just what I'd expect from Kizaru's people. You're as indecisive as ever.

As Marines, isn't following a Celestial Dragon the greatest kind of degradation? Eliminating every last pirate should be the pursuit of our entire lives!"

"Forget that nonsense. Let's talk business. What do you think Saint Gawain is waiting for right now?"

"Yeah, he and Gion have been standing there for over a minute. What are they waiting for?"

"Looks like they're waiting for Doberman's ship."

"That's right, it seems they're waiting for my ship. Saint Gawain said he wanted to take my ship back to Sabaody... Holy shit!"

Realizing it too late, Doberman jolted violently, while the other vice admirals all stared at him as though he were an idiot.

This was only because it was Gawain. If Doberman had kept any other Celestial Dragon waiting for several minutes, then tomorrow he would have been playing hide-and-seek with the monsters of the New World, just like Onigumo had five years ago!

As for Doberman, he pulled out his Den Den Mushi to call Tiago and tell him to bring the ship over, while quietly wiping away a bead of sweat.

He had gotten so caught up in the gossip that it had landed right on his own head. He had nearly delayed something important!

A few minutes later, Doberman's warship slowly stopped in front of Gawain. Gawain said nothing and headed straight for the gangway.

After stepping onto the deck, he did not return to the captain's cabin. Instead, he stood at the bow, smiling as he watched the officers seeing them off.

The whistle sounded, and the warship slowly began to move. Before long, it left Marineford and sailed toward Sabaody.

Amid the wordless silence at the bow, Gion spoke softly.

"My lord, what will we do after returning to Sabaody?"

Hearing Gion's question, Gawain stared at the sea and answered without moving.

"You got into character rather quickly. Very good.

As for what we'll do next.

Mjosgard will need at least another three days to finish the coating. Three days from now, we'll head to the Ryugu Kingdom and meet someone interesting—someone we absolutely cannot miss!"

"Someone we absolutely cannot miss?"

Gion asked softly.

"Like the place I hold in your plans?"

"It's good that you understand how important you are to me. You are my first choice, Gion.

As for that person, other than her different priority, she is, like you, someone I absolutely cannot miss.

As for the three days needed for the coating, come stroll around the Sabaody Archipelago with me."

"Yes, my lord. But I thought you were in such a hurry to return to Sabaody because you had something urgent to deal with.

So you only wanted to tour Sabaody sooner?"

As her words fell, Gion looked meaningfully at Gawain. She would stake the Kompira at her waist on the fact that Gawain was absolutely not a shallow man.

Therefore, the sightseeing Gawain spoke of definitely carried some special meaning.

And Gawain...

He lazily spread his arms, letting his hands brush against the passing sea breeze, and said cheerfully.

"What else would it be? This is my first time leaving Mary Geoise, and even more so, my first time setting foot on the sea.

And when you were in the Marines, you probably never had time to properly go shopping and do the things girls ought to do, right?

Like buying things?"

"Indeed, my lord!"

Gion nodded, a barely perceptible smile appearing at the corner of her lips.

This was my lord's first time leaving Mary Geoise. So he wanted to immerse himself among ordinary islands and observe the lives of common people, along with the customs and scenery of the sea, from up close?

That had to be it. Otherwise, my lord couldn't possibly be trying to court me by taking me shopping, could he?

Hehe, how could the owner of the strongest Conqueror's Haki be so shallow?

So it had to be just as I thought!

Confidently, Gion stroked the hilt of Kompira. She found that she had regained her expectations for the future and her passion for life.

Back in the Marines, there had been nowhere higher for her to rise and nowhere else for her to be transferred.

Other than striving for a future opening in the position of admiral, Gion's only entertainment had been pursuing the criminals who plagued the seas.

But now...

Could she finally live for some ambition that had to be realized?

She just did not know what my lord's ambition truly was, or whether she could accept it.

Gion shook her head. She did not need to ask her lord about it now, because he would eventually speak of his goals.

She only needed to wait a little!

With that thought, Gion changed from stroking the hilt to gripping it tightly.

Looking at Gawain's profile, she could not help revealing another captivating smile.

Since she was already by his side, she would have plenty of time to observe what kind of man Lord Gawain truly was, just like now.

Lord Gawain, standing sideways like this, really had a unique presence.

Gawain watched the sea while she watched Gawain. Time slowly passed, and the warship returned to the docks of 61st Island on Sabaody.

Seeing Gawain disembark, Doberman took a deep breath. He raised his right hand and gave Gawain an incomparably solemn salute.

Gawain returned the salute with a smile, then followed the eight Army guards who came to greet them toward Mjosgard's residence together with Gion.

After Gawain had completely disappeared, Doberman aboard the warship let out a relieved breath.

"Thank Saint Gawain. Not being transferred to the New World to fight unwinnable battles against the Four Emperors is truly wonderful!"

He muttered with a face full of relief, but his words made Tiago beside him reveal a dissatisfied expression.

In Tiago's eyes, the New World was the only place Marines ought to go. Vice Admiral Doberman was simply far too cautious!

Perhaps Tiago's thoughts moved some unseen existence. In any case, the next second, the Den Den Mushi in Doberman's pocket began to ring.

As soon as Doberman picked up the Den Den Mushi, he immediately heard Fleet Admiral Sengoku's voice.

Sengoku said,

"Doberman, have you reached Sabaody already?"

"That's right, Fleet Admiral. Saint Gawain and Vice Admiral Gion have already followed the Celestial Dragon guards toward Saint Mjosgard's residence!"

Hearing Doberman's answer, Sengoku fell silent for a moment before speaking sternly.

"Fine. Since Gawain has left, we can talk about you abandoning your post without permission. The damage to your ship wasn't caused at the Sabaody docks, was it?

I knew you were the sort who couldn't stay still. As it happens, over the past year, Red-Haired Shanks, the Fourth Emperor, has made it difficult for our branches in the New World to operate.

Repair your ship, then go support the New World."

"Wuu~~~."

The call ended, and the Den Den Mushi let out a sleepy sound.

As for Doberman, he probably would not be able to sleep as peacefully as the Den Den Mushi for the next several nights.

At the same time, Gawain followed the guards to the vicinity of Mjosgard's residence. Before Gawain could even enter the courtyard, Mjosgard had already come out to greet him with others in tow.

"Gawain, I never expected you to return so quickly. Perfect timing—I'm holding a banquet for the merfolk ladies. Come on, join us!"

As he spoke, Mjosgard gave Gawain a light embrace. Then he glanced at Gion beside Gawain and revealed a teasing smile.

"So this beautiful young lady is why you were in such a hurry to go to the Marines? What's her name?"

Hearing Mjosgard's words, Gion took a deep breath and then gave a deep bow.

"I am Gion, formerly a Marine vice admiral and admiral candidate, now serving as Lord Gawain's chief guard. Greetings, Saint Mjosgard."

"How impressive, an admiral candidate! I truly underestimated you.

I thought you were merely... all right, all right, my mistake.

Since you're the chief guard, hurry and join us at the banquet. During our coming journey to Fish-Man Island, our safety will be in your hands!

Someone, replace all the wine and dishes with fresh ones! I will drink until I drop with Clan Head Gawain and his chief guard, Admiral Gion!"

"Uh, it's vice admiral, Saint Mjosgard..."

Gion could not help pursing her lips. Not only was her lord different from other Celestial Dragons, but even the Celestial Dragons around him seemed vastly different from the rest.

This was truly too interesting!