One piece: Black Cat

Behind me, I could hear Robin's ragged breathing as she trembled.

Of course she was terrified. Robin hadn't been running away for nothing all these years. The sight before us was enough to make anyone's blood freeze—warships arranged in a perfect circle, their cannons gleaming in the sunlight like the jaws of some massive beast. The formation was eerily reminiscent of a Buster Call, and I could practically feel the phantom heat of Ohara's flames dancing across my fur.

"Robin." My voice cut through the tension. "Hey, Robin."

She startled, her shoulders jerking as if she'd been struck.

"It's okay." I kept my tone steady, reassuring. "I'll be with you until the end."

Even in the worst-case scenario, if I had to go berserk, prepared to lose my head in the process—I'd carve out an escape route for her. That much I could promise.

"So prepare yourself."

I glanced sideways at Robin. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, and her hands hadn't stopped shaking, but she managed a firm nod. The determination in her eyes reminded me why I'd chosen to protect her in the first place.

Good. That's enough for now. The real question is...

(What the hell is going on? I can't imagine Sengoku or Kuzan pulling some idiotic betrayal stunt at this point. Robin's identity being discovered... No, wait. Is it possible they spotted her using her Devil Fruit powers to help steer the ship?)

But who benefits from this chaos?

The Robin situation was certainly important, but it could have been handled later. Everything would have proceeded much more smoothly after we'd retrieved the enslaved marines. Making this kind of public spectacle was just... stupid, honestly.

From the Navy's perspective, this operation was supposed to quietly resolve multiple issues at once. If the World Government had a hand in this mess, it would only give them leverage in their negotiations with the Navy.

If this situation exploded into the open, the entire world would descend into chaos. Complete, utter chaos.

(Could it be that sly bastard with those disgusting pink sunglasses? Did Doflamingo mess with this operation?)

If Doflamingo was truly involved in the marine slavery incident, he'd certainly have the resources and cunning to orchestrate something like this. I'd checked the newspapers—he wasn't one of the Seven Warlords yet, but that didn't mean he lacked influence. The question was: who was acting as his pawn?

He should still be in the North Sea, right?

The man demanding Robin's surrender... well, that was becoming increasingly obvious.

"Sorry to bother you," I called out to the shocked marines behind me, "but do any of you know who's doing all that screaming?"

Amis, the girl who reminded me so much of Tashigi, answered immediately.

"Yes, sir. That's the West Blue branch commander."

"A big shot, then?"

My confusion only deepened. If he were an ambitious fool like Spandam from the original timeline, someone with moderate authority but limited worldview, I could understand him being tempted by Doflamingo's schemes. But why would someone holding such a respectable position as branch commander risk everything?

"By the way, what kind of marine is he? What's his reputation?"

Amis opened her mouth to respond, then hesitated, her words dying in her throat.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, no... I'm sorry. I haven't heard many stories or notable achievements about him, so..."

Interesting.

"Does anyone else know about his background?"

I turned to the other marines behind Amis. They exchanged uncertain glances, whispered among themselves for a moment, then collectively shook their heads with obvious discomfort.

(How does someone become a branch commander in the Navy's meritocratic system without any notable achievements or inspiring stories?)

"Well," one marine ventured hesitantly, "he has sunk some pirate ships and captured mafia vessels."

"It's more like... modest successes. We know he's accomplished things, but the details are always vague..."

A cold dread settled in my stomach like a stone.

The marines had no legitimate reason to launch a surprise attack at this moment. If someone was still proceeding with this plan, it had to be for personal gain rather than official Navy business.

Moreover, based on what I'd just heard, they specifically wanted Robin alive.

If this were simply about silencing witnesses, they would have opened fire with their main cannons long ago. Wanting her alive meant they intended to hand her over to someone—to make a deal.

(It's not just that branch commander. There are Celestial Dragons within the government, and... well, it's not like just one person is pulling these strings...)

One thing had become crystal clear: that shouting maniac of a branch commander was neck-deep in something incredibly shady. Whether it was simple bribery or something far worse, once you got involved in these kinds of schemes, you only sank deeper.

This was dangerous territory. I'd thought I was stepping into hell, but it seemed I'd gotten lucky—I'd caught a glimpse of the real puppet master.

(Doflamingo, you got a piece of this action, didn't you?)

•~•

A few hours earlier

"Is that information reliable, Joker?"

"Absolutely."

The man who had clawed his way to his position through money and underhanded schemes leaned back in his chair, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool air conditioning.

"You understand the situation, don't you? Sengoku and his people are about to begin an internal audit. You have no way out." The voice on the other end was distorted by a voice changer, making it impossible to determine the speaker's gender. The Joker's tone remained calm as he delivered the harsh reality.

"No matter how much you struggle, you'll be held accountable for your actions. But..." A pause, heavy with implication. "I've found a way for you to avoid prison and live a comfortable life. You should be grateful. Fufufufu."

"Ah, yes... Thank you, Joker! You're a lifesaver! I can always count on you!"

The branch commander had always followed the Joker's instructions. Always. By obeying those orders, he'd gained status, wealth, and the lifestyle he'd always craved.

"I cannot reveal his name, but a certain high-ranking government official wants Nico Robin in their custody."

"The Devil Child of Ohara?"

"Precisely. If she were a stubborn adult, there would be no choice but to eliminate her. But they believe a child with her knowledge can be... tamed."

"But for what purpose—"

"Fufufufu, step into that territory and you'll die. Drop it."

"Oh, uh... I see. Sorry."

Whenever the man ventured into dangerous territory, the Joker would always warn him and guide him back to safety. That's why the man never suspected the Joker's true intentions.

"The World Government is summoning its executives to Mariejois for negotiations with the Navy. This is our only window of opportunity. If someone like Sengoku catches wind of our movements, it's over for all of us."

"Before that happens, we must capture Nico Robin, who's currently under the protection of that brat called 'Kuro the Stealth.'"

"Exactly. Once you capture Nico Robin, bring her to a location I'll specify later. I'll arrange for you to meet with the government official there. And then—"

"I can become a government employee?"

The fool never doubted a word.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. You won't be given any important position. At best, you'll be handling menial tasks. You'll even need to change your name."

"I can't ask for such luxury now! Besides, I've hidden all the money I made from that business! As long as I have decent social status, I can live comfortably!"

"That's right, fufufufu. You're practical. Proper work requires proper consideration."

Silence stretched between them.

"Listen carefully. After you capture Nico Robin, go into hiding immediately. No matter what happens, you'll be a wanted man for a while, understand?"

"Yeah... but to think a single child's bounty would get the government to act."

"You know how obsessed the government is with the Void Century, don't you? Especially after witnessing the Buster Call's devastation. Even a child's knowledge of those lost years is worth its weight in gold. No ambitious person would pass up the chance to use such information."

"It's time to end this call. I wish you luck, Commander."

"Yeah, those brats will be easy to handle if I use my entire fleet against them. I'm counting on you, Joker!"

•~•

—Hey, Trebol.

—Fufufufu, what is it, Doffy?

—Just to be safe, send some anonymous tips to Cipher Pol. Make sure they find what they're looking for.

—Should I also handle the disciplinary oversight?

—Fufufufu. Don't just keep an eye on the marines. Watch the Celestial Dragons and mafia members who were involved as well. They could become useful pawns depending on how they react.

—If the involved parties take action, the situation becomes more believable.

—Once anyone thinks they've glimpsed a convenient truth, more fools will make their move.

—Pride, righteousness, justice... Ah, how wonderful. You are truly something, Kuro the Stealth.

—Thanks to that predictability, he's easy to read. Which is fortunate... at least up to this point.

—Well, can you overcome what comes next?

•~•

"What will you do, Kuro the Stealth?!"

Shut up, you idiot.

Robin seemed to be his primary target, so the branch commander wasn't entirely serious about eliminating the marines. Still, he'd probably prefer if any marines who might talk inconveniently were to die "accidentally."

"No matter what happens, I've already decided what I must do..."

Fighting was inevitable. But first...

"Daz, connect the Den Den Mushi to the speaker system."

"Got it."

After ensuring Daz had properly connected the wires, I walked to the bow with the Den Den Mushi in hand. The salt spray from the ocean misted across my face as I faced the encircling warships.

As soon as I picked up the receiver, an unpleasant squealing noise filled the air.

"I assume you're the West Blue branch commander! I have a proposal for you!"

From across the water, I could see someone grinning with malicious satisfaction.

"However, the people aboard this ship are not Nico Robin! They are civilians who were stranded at sea!"

His expression immediately soured. So Robin was indeed his target, not the rescued marines.

"Nico Robin is my comrade! I would rather fight than hand her over to save my own skin!"

"Even so—though a battle now seems unavoidable—neither side should harbor unnecessary ill will after this fight!"

I wasn't entirely sure what he was thinking, but he probably planned to capture Robin and flee. Even if he succeeded, there would be no place for him in the Navy after this betrayal.

Once the marines were safely evacuated, at least they'd be protected.

Moreover, someone who had risen through means other than merit was bound to be vulnerable to appeals to honor—or more simply, praise. People who craved status were always transparent in their desires.

"I ask you, who have been governing this western sea, to regard these men as honorable marines and please ensure their protection!"

Come on, take the bait!

Two seconds of silence stretched between us before the bastard picked up his receiver.

"Very well. I'll send soldiers to your ship to retrieve them."

"Daz, Perona."

"Yeah?"

"Horo? Is this about the plan in case they attack under the guise of retrieval?"

"That's something your ghosts should be able to handle... assuming they try anything."

Now I needed to address my own crew.

"This is the final crossroads. You can still choose whether or not to become pirates."

Robin had no choice in the matter. No matter how hard she tried to live peacefully, the world would never stop hunting her.

"I hate to say this in front of Robin, but..." I glanced apologetically at her. "The danger level increases dramatically with her by my side. That's an unchangeable fact."

Robin lowered her head, and guilt twisted in my chest. I'm so sorry!

But I had to address this here and now.

"I tried to be as discreet as possible, but Robin did help me steer the ship during emergencies. It's possible that information leaked somehow."

"Oh, so that's why you never used Robin when we went shopping in towns."

Perona nodded with sudden understanding.

"From here on out, the world will be hunting us. The dangers of our journey will be far greater than we originally anticipated."

Now that Robin's presence had been discovered, it wouldn't be surprising if a lunatic like Rob Lucci came after us at any moment.

"With that in mind, I want to state categorically that, as I declared earlier, I will not abandon Robin."

I'll do everything in my power to protect her. If I die in the process, I'm sorry, but please forgive me, I'll do my best to create an escape route for the rest of you.

"All marines, please move to that ship over there, though it will be cramped. I'm not entirely sure what the enemy's intentions are, but they probably know about the enslaved marines. The fact that they've specifically demanded Robin suggests they're no longer interested in that particular business. As long as we don't show weakness, they probably won't try to silence everyone."

There was no doubt this attack wasn't the unanimous will of the Navy. In that case, that scum was probably planning to run after completing his mission.

The question was: even if Robin had value, would whoever was really pulling the strings make an honest deal with such expendable trash?

(They're just sacrificial pawns. The real masterminds won't interfere, so if we can get through this, the marine slavery issue should be resolved for now.)

The biggest problem was that things were about to get much worse.

Help me... please, someone help me...

"And if you choose not to walk the path of piracy, move over there as refugees."

I hadn't expected the emergency to arise so soon, but—

"As long as they haven't been dispatched yet, I've asked Vice Admiral Kuzan to take you in."

Daz looked at me with unusual surprise.

"When did you arrange this?"

"In our last letter exchange."

"Efficient as always."

The moment Robin and Kuzan reconnected, I'd raised the warning flag. I'd been extra cautious and prepared for exactly this worst-case scenario.

"I'll go with you, horo horo. I would have been wanted either way. I don't want to deal with stuffy military bureaucracy."

Perona, who had seemed the most anxious, was the first to make her decision.

You've got guts in the strangest ways.

"Me too, Captain. I'll follow you."

Robin nodded at Daz's words and looked toward me with quiet determination.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. This is Vice Admiral Momonga from headquarters. I'm here to oversee the protection of the civilians."

That name sounds familiar, but I can't place it.

Well, he looked trustworthy enough.

"Thank you for your assistance! All right, marines, time to move!"

•~•

The silhouette I'd seen in that hidden warehouse that day had remained burned into my memory ever since.

"Captain Kuro..."

"Amis, don't look at me like that. I can finally go home."

Carrying his resolve, upholding his personal code, maintaining his pride, he embodied everything we'd once admired about what a marine should be. Even in this critical situation, he wore a slight smile.

Under the watchful eyes of the headquarters colonel and the other marines, they prepared to transfer to the makeshift evacuation vessel.

"But—"

"You're originally marines, and we're about to become pirates. Well, we'll figure something out."

They had to leave behind someone who, despite his small stature, hadn't retreated a single step while protecting them against Devil Fruit users. Now he'd be branded a criminal.

The marines who witnessed this seemed to understand the injustice of the situation. Everyone looked uncomfortable with the arrangement.

"Here, don't forget this."

He handed me his marine coat, the one he'd carefully removed to avoid getting it dirty during our battles.

Why?

Why can't this person wear this uniform anymore?

"Captain Kuro... I... justice is—"

I would never forget that day. The confusion of being handcuffed and gagged by someone who supposedly shared the same sense of justice. The horror of having my body examined and appraised by a superior officer who allegedly upheld those same ideals.

"Justice... justice is—!"

I realized something then. Before I knew it, I'd begun to hate the white uniform I'd once worn with pride. Just seeing it made my skin crawl, my spine stiffen, and my stomach turn. I couldn't help but feel that the uniform in my hands was the dirtiest, most disgusting thing in the world.

"Something like this!"

With emotions so tangled I couldn't even understand them myself, I tried to hurl the uniform into the ocean—

"Stop."

A hand smaller than mine, but filled with unmistakable strength, caught my wrist.

"Too wasteful to throw away."

That gentle but firm grip held the uniform with care.

"Do you hate this outfit?"

When I looked up, I realized my face was soaked with tears. Unable to speak, I could only nod.

"You misunderstand the value of these clothes. And the value of the word 'justice' that you might one day carry on your shoulders."

"Marine uniforms and the word 'justice' are both inherently worthless. So is the code of honor I try to uphold."

Hearing these unexpected words, I raised my head to meet his gaze.

"If justice and the clothes you wear had any inherent value, then those who treated you—all of you, like property would have been valuable too. But that's not the case. There's no word more hollow than 'justice,' and a marine uniform is nothing more than fabric and thread."

"Yet there's no end to the people who aspire to become marines. While increasing numbers become pirates hoping to get rich quick, there are still those who genuinely want to join the Navy. I wonder why that is."

"I'm certain it's not because their uniforms are impressive or their sense of justice is inherently noble. It's because their determination to stand up for someone else is beautiful."

My hands instinctively tightened around the uniform.

"The desire to be useful to others gives meaning to the clothes. The will to protect makes the word 'justice' shine. The true value of any uniform lies in the strength of the person wearing it."

"It would be a shame to throw it away. Keep it. You can make those clothes shine too."

Even though he was about to face mortal danger, everything about him remained unchanged from our first meeting.

Marines, stand proud.

I was certain he'd face whatever came next just like he had back then, for the things that couldn't be allowed to bend.

Clutching the uniform tightly, I stepped forward. I walked up to the colonel leading the marine evacuation and stopped before him.

"Is that really what you want?"

I understood the meaning behind the headquarters Vice admiral's question.

I held out the marine uniform I was supposed to take home and placed it in his hands.

"Even after he taught me the value of this uniform, I still can't bring myself to wear it."

"I understand. I'll take care of it."

The Vice Admiral accepted the uniform with quiet dignity.

There was no more doubt in my mind.

I turned to look back at the path I'd come from—the opposite direction from where I was supposed to go.

Captain Kuro was watching me with a strange, puzzled expression.

"I'm sorry, Captain Kuro!"

"But I can't wear this uniform anymore!"

I saw the understanding dawn on the faces of those following behind me.

"Back then, I had no choice but to let myself be sold. But this time, I want to choose for myself!"

These people were choosing the same path I was.

"I—I want to die for you!"

(゜Д゜)

———

[Power stones and reviews please]

Support link: www.patr eon.com/Well_being

[10 Advanced Chs][7 Chapters/week]

----