White Tiger

2 days later, Florian Triangle periphery...

Kimimaro stood on top of the Hijacked Whitebeard's ship bow which ressembled a whale seemingly deep in thought. 

"Sir..." 

Hearing someone voice calling from behind, Kimimaro turned his head back and saw Momonga whose body covered in bandages giving him a paper. 

The young Vice Admiral took the paper from Momonga and briefly read it, after a minute, he gave the paper back towards Momonga as he took a deep breath.

Then he glanced towards Momonga and asked, "How's your injury?"

"I'm fine sir, its just a flesh wound." Answered Momonga in straight face.

Kimimaro nodded, "How about Vegapunk? Does he need anything else?" 

"Dr.Vegapunk had quite a shock after the battle, however he's fine and right now he still engrossed on his book frantically researching on something." 

Kimimaro nodded as he ordered, "Give it to Tiana, she knows what to do."

"Sir!" Momonga saluted Kimimaro and took his leave immediately.

Kimimaro cast his gaze forward once again seeing the line that divided Florian Triangle and the normal sea, it was so distinct with Florian Triangle has perpetual fog lingering inside of it. 

Not long after he lost his thought, there was a warm, delicate hand holding his arms from side. 

"Kimimaro sir, are you okay?"

Jolted awake by the sudden tender voice, Kimimaro step aside as he saw Tiana had appeared there. 

"WHAT THE HELL! Did you dislike me so much that you show that kind of exagerated action?" Tiana scowled against Kimimaro who awkwardly scratched his head. 

"Sorry, i was just surprised..." 

"Hmppfh!" Tiana folded her arms under her ripe bosom as she threw away her head.

"I'm sorry, it just felt weird hearing your sudden delicate voice unlike the usual...." Kimimaro regained his composure as he dealt with Tiana.

"Usual? So, how do i act usualy? S-I-R?" showing a dangerous smile, Tiana approached Kimimaro in threatening manner.

Without minding Tiana, Kimimaro just gave her warm smile without answering as he knew that was a trap question. 

Seeing Kimimaro warm smile, Tiana lost his initial anger for a brief moment before she stomped her feet feeling upset. 

"that smile! that damn smile!" muttered Tiana under her breath before she regained her composure. 

Kimimaro once again cast his gaze forward followed by Tiana who stood besides him. after a while, Tiana asked, 

"are you worried about Enel sir?" 

Kimimaro shook his head as he answered, "Nah, i'm not worried about him, i believe that he is still alive despite losing the battle." 

"Huh? do you think he would lose against King?" 

Kimimaro: "Hard to say, but i'm sure that he will survive." 

"Then, should we turn back to fetch him?" Tiana cast her gaze towards Kimimaro side profile feeling slight mesmerized. 

Kimimaro shook his head, "Don't worry about him, he is not someone directionaly challenged. I'm sure he will get to our destination soon enough. Besides, he can fly." 

Kimimaro then reached inside his sleeve, from it he took a piece of paper which crumpled with burnt mark on its edges. 

As he put the crumpled paper on top of his palm, the paper moved slightly toward another side despite there was no wind blowing on it. Tiana saw the paper, then she nodded in understanding.

"He's still alive, that's good." Kimimaro spoke, his eyes were tender before he put the crumpled paper back inside his sleeve. 

"I see, about our loss sir..." Tiana paused slightly. 

"It's my fault, lot of good men had been sacrificed. I should drag Kuzan to come along before, alas...." 

Tiana gently grabbed Kimimaro's sleeve as she shook her head, 

"It wasn't your fault sir, we are Marines, we know the risk and danger on this job. Thanks to their effort we could escape despite the danger. Who knows that 2 of the biggest Pirates from New World had sent their men to kidnap Dr.Vegapunk and adding The Beast pirates that makes 3." 

Kimimaro took a sigh and spoke, "By the way i thought you were in the middle of making a report?" 

"Hah! Just let that brat Rome to do it. I don't feel like doing anything." 

*Tuck

"Aw!" Tiana held her forehead in grievance after Kimimaro knocked on it lightly.

"Be serious, Rome is only a cadet. You're his mentor go do your job properly." sighed Kimimaro helplesly. 

"Bleeeh! Cheepskate!" Tiana making face immediately teasing Kimimaro as she dashed away from the bow.

Kimimaro chuckled seeing her action, as he turned his gaze back forward. 

This mission took a considerable toll on the Marine convoys, Tokikake lost his ship along with the majority of his men as himself had almost lost his life and Momonga too suffered the same. 

Kimimaro had regretted his confidence and arrogant attitude when he took the mission, he thought that he and Enel could handle whatever the Pirates thrown at them having overestimated their prowes. 

He knew from the beginning that escorting Vegapunk would gave them a tremendous challenge after the government CP agents gave them a heads up. alas, all of his preparation before were clearly not enough! and now, even his brother Enel had to take the brunt dealing with King the Conflagration. 

he knew for sure that Enel should be fine and survive the ordeal, but it wasn't without any risk. He could also predicted all of it as wrong and Enel succumbed to King and lost his life. 

If only he took the mission much more seriously before, then all of the lost could possibly be reduced, for example asking Kuzan or Borsalino to go with him, heck! Even his foster father Zephyr wouldn't refuse if he were to ask. 

Now his brother had lost contact, and his ship along with its technologies on board had sunk into the bottom of the abyss.

Alas, there was no medicine for regrets, all of his attention for now should be to finish his job properly and escorting Vegapunk safely to his hometown. However, he made a stern promise to himself as to not swell in arrogance once again in future.