Wood had done the math. At his current rank, if he continued working at Impel Down as usual, it would take him at least twenty years to make it to the rank of Marine Headquarters major!
And that was assuming things went well. If something happened at Impel Down during that time, or if they made a mistake in their work, it could take even longer.
There weren't many opportunities to return to Marine Headquarters, and even fewer chances to get promoted quickly.
"Whether I get promoted or not isn't important. What matters is that I'm the most loyal friend around.
We've known each other for two years, after all. We may not be especially close, but as former classmates, when Gion needs help, I, Wood, will naturally do everything I can!"
Wood's words were so impassioned that, if Gion hadn't already seen through what kind of person he was, she might almost have believed him.
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office
"Gion, are you sure this mission only requires the two of you?
There should still be plenty of Marine captains available at Marine Headquarters. Once I officially appoint you as Squad Leader, they'll all follow your orders, even if they're the same rank as you."
Looking at the man and woman standing before him, the old man with the braided goatee once again sought confirmation from Gion. He also asked whether it was a little too reckless to send this pair to carry out the mission...
After Gion accepted the mission, she'd spent two whole days without making a move. Sengoku had assumed she took the assignment very seriously and was being extremely careful in choosing her personnel.
But after those two days, Gion had apparently picked a "third-class soldier" who didn't even qualify as a junior petty officer from among tens of thousands of outstanding Marine officers?
"Yes, Fleet Admiral. This is the decision I reached after careful consideration.
This mission doesn't need many people to begin with. A large group would only attract the attention of anyone with an ulterior motive and risk tipping them off.
Don't be fooled by how unreliable Wood can seem. As his former classmate, I can vouch for his abilities. There won't be any problem.
And to protect the Marines' reputation, I'd also ask you to allow us to conceal our Marine identities this time."
"As far as the Celestial Dragons are concerned, they don't care who escorts the cargo. They only care that the slaves reach Mary Geoise safely.
Concealing our identities would benefit us in two ways. It would make it easier for us to act, and besides, helping the Celestial Dragons transport slaves is hardly an act of justice. Doing it under the Marines' name..."
Before Gion could finish speaking, Sengoku nodded knowingly, his gaze full of admiration.
If he sent someone else to deal with the Celestial Dragons, Sengoku would have to worry that the Marines he dispatched might get into a conflict with them.
But Gion had already considered the negative impact this matter could have on the Marines.
With such a meticulous mind and tactful way of handling things, Sengoku simply couldn't believe Gion would act recklessly. After hesitating for a moment, he ultimately granted the pair's requests, including permission to act and conceal their identities.
After leaving the Fleet Admiral's Office, Wood looked at Gion beside him with undisguised disdain.
"Imagine stumbling across such a filthy deal by accident. You're planning to help the Celestial Dragons traffic people, but you're afraid of sullying the cloak of justice, so you want to hide your identities and do things under the table?
I never would've guessed it, Gion. With that pretty face of yours, you're surprisingly good at politics and intrigue."
Gion had told Wood earlier that their assignment was an escort mission, but she hadn't mentioned that the people they were escorting were slaves belonging to the Celestial Dragons.
If he'd known what kind of mission it was, Wood would never have agreed to help Gion, even if it meant spending the rest of his life stuck on the bench at Impel Down.
Of everything in One Piece, the beings Wood found most sickening—so much so that they made his stomach turn—were the so-called Nobles, the Celestial Dragons.
Some pirates were utterly evil, going around looting and slaughtering people. But when it came to wickedness, they weren't even a fraction as bad as these so-called Nobles.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the Celestial Dragons the very root of "evil" in this world.
Wood didn't consider himself a particularly kind person, but he did have basic standards.
He couldn't bring himself to risk his life to kill a Celestial Dragon and rid the people of them, but there was no way he'd help the Celestial Dragons do evil, either!
"Do you think I like those pig-like creatures? Even if we didn't take this mission, Fleet Admiral Sengoku would send someone else to carry it out.
The Marines are still part of the World Government. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku can't refuse this forced assignment.
So if someone has to take it, why shouldn't it be us? Maybe we can do a better job."
Gion didn't get angry at Wood's scornful remarks. Instead, with a complicated expression, she said this.
Since this was an important mission, naturally, the more fighting strength they had, the better. So why had Gion passed over all those Marine captains and insisted that only she and Wood go?
And when she'd asked Fleet Admiral Sengoku to let them conceal their Marine identities, had she really been thinking only about the Marines' reputation?
Wood wasn't stupid. Hearing the implication in Gion's words, he finally looked relieved.
He didn't know exactly what Gion was planning, but he was only a third-class soldier. He couldn't disobey orders from a Fleet Admiral or a Marine captain anyway. Now that he was aboard the ship, he could only see it through to the end.
After Gion and Wood left the room, Sengoku took out another document and resumed working. But before long, his face clouded with worry.
"I hope that girl Gion doesn't take things too far..."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was known as the Wise General. He wasn't a fool; if anything, he saw things more clearly than anyone.
In fact, after Gion made those strange requests, he could already guess roughly what she intended to do.
Without a doubt, Gion had a Marine's sense of "justice." She was also a lot like Tsuru: before taking action, she knew to think things through and make arrangements.
What worried Sengoku now was whether Gion would go too far and leave him, an old man, to clean up after them.
Then Sengoku looked at another file on his desk. It contained Wood's detailed personal information.
"She didn't choose to go it alone. Instead, she picked a third-class soldier. Looks like that girl Gion trusts this kid named Wood quite a lot."
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