Shining descended from the sky and neatly captured every member of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Paulie and Peepley Lulu gathered around with the workers, all thinking that this was exactly what they expected of someone like him.
"Advisor Shining."
Hina greeted Shining by his official title, given the occasion.
Behind Hina, a squad of Marine Soldiers saluted Shining in unison.
Foreman Paulie, despite being a rough sort of man, jogged over and approached Shining cautiously.
"Mr. Shining. Thank you so much for your assistance."
Paulie glanced at Luffy, who had been trussed into a bundle, then at the Straw Hat Pirates sprawled all over the ground.
Normally, these "small fry" really wouldn't warrant a Shichibukai's attention.
But small fry causing trouble in a Shichibukai's "exclusive territory" were another matter entirely.
"Mr. Shining, early this morning, members of the Straw Hat Pirates attacked Mayor Iceburg..."
Paulie quickly gave him a concise account of the situation.
Shining had an excellent reputation in Water 7, much like Crocodile had once enjoyed in Alabasta.
Still, he was a "Shichibukai," so Paulie chose his words carefully.
"Fortunately, Mr. Iceburg was injured, but not seriously."
At that, Paulie shot Luffy a hostile look.
Luffy, off to the side, couldn't listen to any more.
"-We didn't do it!"
A vein throbbed at Paulie's temple, and he immediately challenged Luffy.
"Then where are your crewmates, Gin and Jango?! After Mr. Iceburg regained consciousness, he said himself that those two infiltrated Galley-La headquarters and attacked him."
Something shifted in Luffy's eyes.
He trusted his companions completely, but Gin and Jango really were missing right now.
"And when we gathered, we found Lucci and Kaku covered in injuries in an alley near the company. Lucci said Luffy and Zoro attacked them."
Bound in steel reinforcing bars, Luffy toppled onto his