Just as Rod and the others were raising hell in Spiders Mill, a warship was sailing across the sea not far away.
On deck, besides the marines going about their duties, several naval officers in coats emblazoned with "Justice" were having afternoon tea around a table.
"What are your plans after we return to headquarters and give our reports?"
One of the broad-shouldered marines set down his cup and turned to look at the marine seated beside him.
She was a pretty young marine with short, pale-pink hair. A cigarette dangled from her lips, and an air of cool detachment surrounded her. Her hands, resting on the table, were covered in deep-purple gloves.
Though he'd asked about "your plans," his gaze never left the woman beside him. His eyes burned with desire.
"I'll stay in the Grand Line."
The woman didn't answer. She only furrowed her brow slightly and took a deep drag. The marine seated across from her spoke instead.
He was a solemn-looking young man with an X-shaped scar on his chin.
Though afternoon tea was meant to be a relatively relaxed affair, he sat ramrod straight, his expression stern.
"All right, I understand, Colonel Drake. And you, Lieutenant Commander Hina? I imagine you'd like to stay in the Grand Line too. Have you decided which marine branch to join? If you have any ideas, I could help you out."
The broad-shouldered marine casually acknowledged Drake without even turning his gaze. His eyes remained fixed on Lieutenant Commander Hina as he let slip a little information, pretending it was no big deal.
"After all, Vice Admiral Jonathan of the G-8 base has been a close friend of my father's for decades."
Hina removed her cigarette and pressed it into the ashtray, then sighed.
"Hina is annoyed!"
Lieutenant Commander Hina stood up, lowered the tea-colored sunglasses perched on her head, and tugged at her gloves. Leaving her colleagues at the table, she walked over to the side of the ship and gazed out at the distant sea.
I should've taken my own ship to headquarters.
That thought crossed Hina's mind.
Over the past few years, the situation in North Blue had gradually settled down. Doflamingo had led the Donquixote Family to the New World and become one of the Shichibukai. Meanwhile, Germa, led by the Vinsmoke Family, had reached some sort of agreement with the World Government and once again become an affiliated kingdom.
After serving for several years in a North Blue branch and earning enough merit, Hina had received orders from headquarters. She was to join several other officers from different branches and report to Marine Headquarters in Marineford.
She hadn't expected Colonel Monte Baro to cling to her from the moment he boarded the ship. She'd heard about him, too. He was probably the classic example of someone whose rank exceeded his abilities. Out of wariness toward Vice Admiral Monte Giles, the man backing him, Hina had kept her temper in check.
But suppressing her disgust was proving difficult.
"Are you bored from being on the ship too long? The sea can be pretty dull, but we'll be there soon. I'll bring you a glass of wine."
Colonel Monte Baro seemed oblivious. Delighted, he hurried to the galley to fetch Lieutenant Commander Hina some fruit wine.
"Hina doesn't want any wine. Take it away!"
If she weren't worried he might cause trouble for her when they reported to headquarters, Hina would've thrown the wine in his face.
But she wasn't like Smoker. Years of experience had taught her just how much damage spoiled young men like him could cause.
BOOM!!!
Just as Hina was getting fed up with Colonel Baro's relentless advances, a tremendous roar came from far away.
"That direction..."
The loud explosion drew everyone's attention. Colonel Drake walked over from the table, glanced at the faint outline of an island in the distance, and thought for a moment.
"That should be Spiders Mill. The sound carried this far, and it was still that loud. What on earth happened there?"
A native of North Blue, Drake had spent several years wandering the sea with his father as a boy. He was familiar with most of the important towns in the region.
"Should we go take a look?"
"Anyone who could make that much noise isn't some nobody. But I haven't heard of any powerful pirate crews in these waters."
"Of course we should go! We're the righteous navy. How could we ignore a heinous crime happening right before our eyes?"
Colonel Baro's voice rang out with conviction. It would've sounded even better if he hadn't been sneaking glances at Lieutenant Commander Hina as he spoke.
"Rear Admiral Bastille, what do you think?"
Drake turned his gaze to the last marine. A tall man wearing a horned mask stood there, holding a huge, long-handled saw blade.
This was Rear Admiral Bastille of Marine Headquarters. He'd come to North Blue several months earlier to handle an important matter in the Dawson Kingdom. Afterward, he'd delivered headquarters' orders to the three of them and was taking them back to Marine Headquarters to report.
There was no doubt that only he could decide the warship's course.
"Shichibukai territory?"
Bastille muttered the words under his breath.
As a rear admiral at Marine Headquarters, he was naturally entitled to know about the Shichibukai. The town of Spiders Mill was the birthplace of one of the Shichibukai, Doflamingo, and the Donquixote Family's current base in North Blue.
He didn't want to get mixed up with the Shichibukai, especially the troublesome Doflamingo.
But, as Colonel Baro had said, the Justice coat on his back meant he couldn't turn a blind eye to what was happening right before him.
"Change course. We're heading for Spiders Mill. All soldiers, prepare yourselves.
"Major Corlau, organize a team to handle evacuations when we arrive. Lieutenant Bastor, take two squads and prepare to shelter and treat the island's wounded. The rest of you will come with me. Get ready for battle!"
Rear Admiral Bastille looked toward the distant island. His Observation Haki wasn't especially strong, and he couldn't sense what was happening there.
Still, he had a feeling that a troublesome opponent was waiting for him on that island.
......
On the island
"Looks like Seastone handcuffs aren't so easy to find after all."
After turning the Donquixote Family's warehouse upside down, Rod sighed.
"Those kinds of treasures probably won't turn up until we reach the Grand Line."
Nerl smiled and handed Rod the last crate of food they'd looted.
"You could give me a hand, you know. You've been wandering around over there the whole time. I think you're just trying to slack off."
"How can you just make things up like that..."
Rod took the crate, and the two of them headed for the harbor.
After Gladius and Edouard D. Mann had been dealt with, the remaining members of the Donquixote Family quickly scattered and fled. Rod and the others happily moved on to the post-victory looting.
As expected of the Donquixote Family, even though they hadn't found the various weapons Grey wanted, the other treasures kept in the estate had left Rod and the others stunned.
Nia, in particular, had happily shuttled back and forth between the Polar Tang and the estate, handling more than half of the hauling.
But once all the valuable items had been taken, Nia refused to leave the ship.
One moment, she said she had to stay aboard to look after the injured Grey. The next, she said she had to guard the Polar Tang so no thieves could sneak aboard and steal their things. In short, she stayed glued to the treasure without budging.
That left Rod and Nerl to carry the food supplies.
Before you continue