One piece: Black Cat

What was supposed to be a temporary base on this uninhabited island had somehow evolved into something more permanent. The entire crew had thrown themselves into developing it, and it was quickly becoming our main stronghold.

Daz and Perona butchered the animals they caught, smoking and grilling the meat for preservation. The marines fashioned their own fishing rods and spent hours by the river and shoreline, their lines cast into the sparkling water. Robin used her Devil Fruit ability to efficiently gather nuts from the island's interior. With all these efforts combined, our food situation looked secure for the foreseeable future.

The malnourished marine who had initially worried us was finally beginning to put on weight, color returning to his hollow cheeks.

Our sleeping arrangements had started as crude shelters cobbled together from driftwood, branches, and palm fronds. But the marines—several of whom possessed carpentry skills—had been steadily constructing proper housing. In fact, they'd already completed one structure.

This became the executive quarters—or as I liked to think of it, the children's house.

I had suggested prioritizing shelter for the injured and infirm, but somehow this is what we ended up with. Well, it also served as our warehouse and meeting space.

"The reason I've gathered you all here," I began, my voice carrying across the modest interior, "is to discuss something crucial."

Outside, there was even talk of establishing farms. The marines had been enthusiastically proposing plans to transform this place into a permanent base. I could see it dawning on them, the harsh reality of their situation.

"This concerns our future actions, including how you marines should conduct yourselves moving forward."

The truth was becoming impossible to ignore: they wouldn't be returning to their normal lives anytime soon. The chances of them even seeing their hometowns again were slim.

Daz maintained his usual stoic expression, unfazed as always. Robin, probably the most empathetic among our group, watched the marines' faces with obvious concern, her dark eyes searching for signs of distress.

Perona, stop snickering. Read the room.

"I believe your comrades who've participated in our previous discussions have filled you in, but let me be clear: the current situation makes it extremely dangerous for you to return to the outside world. There's a high probability you'd be recaptured by those involved in your original ordeal."

Amis—a marine who bore a striking resemblance to Tashigi, nodded grimly. She had become something of a spokesperson for the group, her sharp mind cutting through the emotional fog that clouded many of the others' judgment.

"Even if you report to one of the branch offices, there's no guarantee the people involved in this incident haven't already infiltrated those locations. They might orchestrate another kidnapping... or simply decide to silence you permanently."

The enthusiastic development work on the island suddenly made more sense—they were trying to distract themselves from this grim reality.

"But if we remain on this island indefinitely, we'll never break free from our current predicament. So I've decided to take a gamble."

I had wrestled with this decision for days, weighing our options. This seemed like the fastest route to safely extract these people from the corrupt marine slave trade that had ensnared them.

"I will infiltrate the Navy District Headquarters alone. I'll speak directly with senior officers, explain our situation, and petition for protection, both for you and your families."

Every pair of eyes in the room widened. The silence stretched taut as a bowstring.

But when dealing with matters this dangerous, the safest approach was to appeal directly to someone high-ranking who likely had no involvement in the conspiracy.

"To reach the district headquarters, we'll need to sail a considerable distance. Please prepare as much long-lasting food as possible. We'll resupply at port towns along the way, but I want enough provisions secured to guarantee we reach our destination."

Our current food situation would be manageable if we stayed put, but embarking on a sea voyage would strain our supplies considerably.

We had some salvaged loot that could be sold for cash, but I preferred to handle that after ensuring the marines' safety and establishing their escape routes.

My current funds totaled just over 100,000 berries, plus some items that might work for bartering.

Considering our numbers, supplies alone would consume most of our resources.

"If we delay too long, it becomes impossible to predict how the families and other marines involved will be affected. We need to depart within a week."

Honestly, I had considered taking just the marines and Robin as a precaution, but leaving Robin alone with only the marines felt unwise.

"Everyone, plan accordingly."

Daz gave a slight nod. Perona chuckled softly. Robin, who had looked anxious during our earlier discussions about the infiltration, now met my gaze directly.

Alright, this seemed manageable—

"Wait, Captain Kuro!"

"Even for you, this is far too reckless!"

"Rather than let you endanger yourself, we'll turn ourselves in!"

Hold on there, marines.

"You've been involved in a serious incident and are currently listed as missing."

"But we're still marines! Even those who recognize our faces—"

"That won't work. Even if you attempted a direct petition, the chain of command would prevent the information from reaching the district headquarters commander immediately. If I were orchestrating this cover-up, I'd ensure I controlled every step of that chain."

Preventing discovery meant controlling the flow of information, keeping it away from anyone who might act on it.

Moreover, we couldn't trust that people we recognized were actually our allies.

"First, you should assume the waters around the district headquarters are under constant patrol. Approach carelessly, and you'll be sunk without question. Even if you sailed there alone, the dead can be labeled however convenient. For instance, they could claim you were nameless pirates who stole marine equipment after the incident and disguised yourselves."

In fact, I was beginning to suspect such rumors might already be circulating.

It had been my mistake to focus so heavily on remaining hidden that I'd neglected intelligence gathering.

The idea of infiltrating the district headquarters had been brewing in my mind, but considering our supply shortage for the full voyage and the marines' physical condition, we'd had no choice but to recuperate first.

Well, the biggest factor was that I still carried significant damage from my encounter with Bege. I could barely stay upright for extended periods, let alone attempt a stealth mission.

This whole mess was entirely my fault!

"If it were me, I could force my way through the air and approach from an unexpected angle. The chances of enemy capture would be greatly reduced, and escape would be easier if I went alone."

Honestly, all that leg training had been for moments exactly like this.

"To truly stop what's happening, we need the Navy's power. As things stand, we must explain the situation directly to high-ranking officials without alerting our enemies. I'm the only one capable of that."

"But Captain, you're a pirate! Even if you succeed in infiltrating, there's no guarantee the branch commander and his staff will believe you! At minimum, we should send one of us—"

"That would make landing and infiltration nearly impossible. I've carried Daz and Perona through the air before, but that severely limits my altitude and maneuverability."

But the marines raised a valid concern, would anyone listen to me?

"I understand your doubts. I'd probably burst out laughing if a pirate suddenly appeared with this kind of story."

We needed credible evidence.

"I regret asking you all to wear those looted uniforms, but I'd like several of you to exchange clothing with me. Those uniforms, along with signed statements from all of you, will serve as initial evidence. After that... well, we'll see."

"Maybe they'd be curious enough about a foolish pirate who infiltrated their headquarters alone and recklessly that they'd at least hear him out?"

"It's worth the risk."

•~•

"Do you think the marines were convinced?"

"That's not something easily accepted, Captain."

"Well, thinking about it normally, it's a suicidal mission. Horo horo horo."

Although we'd somehow settled on a plan, some marines remained unconvinced, their protests punctuated by tears and desperate pleas.

I had attempted something similar once before with Perona.

That had failed spectacularly.

"But Captain, isn't this genuinely dangerous?"

"Well, yes, but there's no point in going in large numbers, and the risks of continued hiding only increase with time."

Due to the search for O'Hara and Robin, at least two future headquarters admirals should currently be operating in these waters.

I could only imagine how Sakazuki, the mad dog of justice, was he a vice admiral now?—would react. I could picture him erupting in righteous fury, but whether he'd cooperate remained anyone's guess.

He might just as easily tell me to drop dead after hearing my proposal.

Ideally, I'd prefer to encounter Aokiji, Kuzan would be more reasonable.

But you never knew until you tried.

If things went badly, I could always retreat.

The real problem was what would happen after that.

"Daz, could you speak with the marines about information on companies and craftsmen who might be willing to construct a ship?"

"Hmm? If I recall correctly, the ship is in the east... No, I see. No need to return there."

Exactly. The seastone from East Blue, we'd ended up with roughly twice what we needed.

This meant even a reasonably large vessel could be equipped to cross the Calm Belt, just like naval ships, if we built a special cargo hold and lined the bottom properly.

I would have preferred to secure Django first, but given how events had unfolded, it might be better to expand our power base in one decisive move.

If Robin could assist with navigation using her abilities, we should be able to manage even a smaller vessel.

"It'll be some time before we can complete the ship's construction, but that's acceptable."

"After we resolve this incident—"

"That's right. From here on, there's a possibility fighting will become continuous. We'll need to maintain the ship and equipment properly. Perona and Robin..."

"Horo horo, I'll be helping out as ship's attendant while you're away, right?"

"Right now we have valuable items and seastone there, so we just need to ensure nothing goes wrong... correct?"

"Exactly. I know it's tedious work, but I'm counting on you both. You excel in suppression, reconnaissance, ship operation, and versatility during emergencies."

Seriously, I wasn't joking when I said that through the first half of the Grand Line, Perona could probably handle most situations single-handedly.

Robin might not focus on combat, but the sheer number of possibilities her multiple hands created was staggering.

Additionally, their eyes and ears could gather intelligence while their voices facilitated communication in countless scenarios.

In terms of raw military strength, we could tackle the Grand Line right now.

"I heard the marine carpentry group will modify the cabin, so that should work."

"If there's extra wood, they'll craft some furniture too."

Oh, right.

I had instructed those marines not to mention Robin to anyone, and they seemed trustworthy, but I'd need to remain vigilant.

Well, all of this had transpired after the marines' escape from that underground nightmare.

"I never imagined a pirate would infiltrate a naval base single-handedly."

They set sail five days later and arrived after an additional two-week voyage.

"My, my, what a courageous pirate you are, despite your youth. How old are you?"

We made several refueling stops at port towns along the route before reaching the approximate area.

"Fourteen. A fourteen-year-old rookie with a bounty of 65 million berries—Kuro of the 'Slippery Steps.'"

I departed with the neatly folded marine uniforms they'd given me, heading toward the district headquarters.

Hey, this was just the district headquarters, you know? It wasn't like I'd raided Marineford itself.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, and Vice Admiral Kuzan as well... I believe you're Admiral Sengoku of Marine Headquarters."

Wasn't it a bit unusual for all these future naval powerhouses to be assembled here?

"I came because I heard you were upstanding marines who walk the path of justice. If you don't mind, I'd like a moment of your time to share something important."

I had expected either Kuzan or Sakazuki might be present, but having Sengoku in the mix was genuinely terrifying.

Someone please, I'll pay any price—could you install a difficulty adjustment patch on my life?

"Don't get cocky with your pirate attitude, kid!"

So bowing and showing respect wouldn't help here?

Well, that was Akainu for you!

"Well, well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to hear what you have to say. I'm also curious about those neatly folded marine uniforms."

If possible, could you please let me leave safely after hearing my story?

...No?

"Very well, I'll listen to your tale, Kuro of the 'Slippery Steps.' What business brought you to infiltrate the deepest levels of this district headquarters?"

Sakazuki-san, Sengoku-san said he'd listen, so please dial back that murderous intent. My skin is crawling, and I feel like I'll lose consciousness if I let my guard down.

Help! Somebody help me!

If I'm not careful, Kuzan's speech patterns are starting to remind me of Iceberg's...

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[10 Advanced Chs][7 Chapters/week]