At the sight of the penguin flag drawing closer, the Marines quickened their pace as they escorted the Buggy Pirates. They had no intention of letting someone steal the credit at the last moment.
Kakashi sighed. He hadn't expected to run into them here.
A few minutes later, the three ships met.
Uchiha Mai boarded the Marine warship with Might Guy and Shizune.
All the Marines took a step back, leaving Kakashi out in front.
Kakashi was the highest-ranking officer on this mission, so there was nothing wrong with having him speak for them.
"We meet again, Sergeant Kakashi," Uchiha Mai greeted him with a smile. Might Guy wanted to say something, but held himself back.
Shizune, on the other hand, bowed politely and said, "We got lost. We'd like to go back to Loguetown with you."
Uchiha Mai: ...
Seeing the Marines holding back their laughter, Uchiha Mai began to regret bringing Shizune along.
Might Guy: ...
Damn it. Now Kakashi's going to laugh at me.
Although Kakashi's mouth was covered, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes gave away his laughter.
Uchiha Mai, who had originally intended to strike a pose, lost interest and asked the Marines to help sail their ships back to Loguetown.
As for how Kakashi had captured Bucky's crew, Uchiha Mai couldn't even be bothered to ask. With Kakashi's strength and the Seastone Handcuffs, Bucky couldn't have escaped even if his name were spelled backward.
On the way to Loguetown, Uchiha Mai wore a dark expression, while Kakashi draped an arm around Might Guy's shoulders and chatted and laughed to his heart's content.
Kakashi had been waiting a long time for this opportunity.
Kakashi: *I've waited three years for a chance like this. I want to reclaim my pride, not prove how