As Fleet Admiral, Kong naturally knew of the Donquixote Family's cooperation with Monkey D. Dragon in the North Blue, as well as the true identities of Rossi and his brother.
He simply had not expected such a righteous declaration to come from someone in that family.
They carried the blood of the Twenty Kings who had established the world order...
"Give the phone back to Tsuru."
After several seconds of consideration, Fleet Admiral Kong made his decision.
"Reporting!"
Gion pushed the door open and entered, looking straight ahead as she gave Vice Admiral Tsuru a crisp salute.
"Gion, what comes next isn't an official assignment."
Tsuru looked at the young female ** who had entered the cabin. Despite their difference in age, they were as close as sisters.
"You've been granted a period of 'leave.'
"For the time being, you will accompany the Donquixote Family as a Navy 'inspector.'"
The air in the cabin went still for a moment.
Gion straightened her back, her fingertips unconsciously brushing the brass button on her uniform cuff.
Vice Admiral Tsuru's words were not an order, yet they weighed more heavily than any order-she understood the unspoken considerations beneath every word.
The Navy could not openly intervene, but it needed a pair of eyes, a blade that could be drawn if necessary.
And that indefinable relationship between her and Rossi had become the most reasonable footnote to this operation.
"Understood."
She heard her own voice ring out decisively. The dull sound of her palm striking her left breast as she saluted was especially clear in the confined space.
As she turned and pulled the cabin door open, four softly spoken words drifted from behind her.
There was no form of address, no unnecessary emotion, like a feather brushing past her ear.
Her steps