"Captain!"
Everyone in the Blackbeard Pirates heard the words drifting through the air and turned to Marshall D. Teach, who sat nearby.
His eyes flickered before he smiled, looking thoughtful. "Cooperation?"
"What an interesting proposal!"
Van Augur's gaze sharpened. "He seems hostile toward River, too."
"Should we talk to him?"
Lafitte spoke quietly.
Marshall D. Teach fell silent for a moment. After some thought, his lips spread into a grin. "Not yet!"
"Besides, we don't know whose side that fellow is really on."
After a pause, he sighed and continued in a low voice.
"The troubled waters at Marine Headquarters won't be easy to navigate this time."
"Every Warlord has an agenda of their own."
Marshall D. Teach slowly rose, smiling as he watched the others leave the reception room one after another. He spoke again with a laugh.
"But that only makes it more interesting!"
Meanwhile, River returned to his office after leaving the reception room and received a visitor of his own.
"Jinbe, Knight of the Sea."
"You went out of your way to follow me here. What can I do for you?"
River leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the man at the door, and asked with a smile.
Freya remained silent, watching Jinbe as well.
"Admiral River, I'd like to speak with you."
Jinbe drew a deep breath and spoke in a low voice, his expression grave and solemn.
"Oh?"
River raised his eyebrows and glanced at the corridor outside, where people were coming and going.
"Then come in."
Jinbe's eyes brightened. "Thank you!"
He stepped into the office, then turned and firmly closed the door.
The noise from the corridor immediately faded. The Marine offices truly had excellent soundproofing.
River accepted the tea Freya handed him, blew on it, and took a