During the time spent away, aside from a temporary backlog of goods destined for the Four Seas due to Kuma's absence, the East Blue remained largely uneventful. Subordinates simply carried out their duties as usual.
It made sense, given the current state of the East Blue.
Unless a pirate with the potential of an Emperor suddenly emerged, any typical Rookie Pirate attempting to cause trouble would be snapped up instantly by the current strength of the Marine 16th Branch.
Nowadays, pirates had only two real options: keep their heads down and flee to the other half of the East Blue, or brave the Grand Line.
Consequently, while pirate disturbances occurred, they were minor issues. As for the Member Nations...
Completely surrounded, they couldn't stir up any waves. The nobles were effectively confined to their castles, unable to do much beyond living out their lavish lifestyles.
They couldn't do anything, and reporting to the Marines was futile-the highest authority in This Sea Territory was either Dante himself or someone connected to him.
Moreover, for Dante, who had thoroughly studied the laws of the World Government Member Nations and the rights and obligations of the Shichibukai, he would never give them the legal grounds to report him in the first place.
So, compared to the pirates popping up now and then, the trouble from the Member Nations was actually negligible. Aside from a few civilians occasionally fleeing and bringing their kingdom guards to shout a few demands, nothing happened.
The only slightly more serious problem was...
A expert carpenter traveling to an island near the Goa Kingdom for work had suddenly disappeared.
The disappearance was only noticed On the Ship upon reaching the final destination. The Captain, Inspector, and Registrar all suspected he had been taken by pirates during a stopover at an intermediate island.
According to the records, the employee was destitute, unable to afford even a meal, and was traveling to collect unpaid wages and a bonus owed by his Foreman from a previous job. It was deemed impossible for him to have left voluntarily.
A rough investigation revealed that a wave of new pirates had appeared near that island on the day in question, leading the investigator to conclude he had been abducted.
The report requested that the branch send Marines to retrieve him. The employee was described as serious, responsible, proactive, and fully competent, a rare expert carpenter. Moreover, his dedication and diligence marked him as an excellent worker.
Reading this, Dante immediately frowned. Which brainless Rookie Pirate had guts to cause trouble in this Sea Territory?
Between the East Blue Overlord: Mock, the Shichibukai: Bartholomew Kuma, and the Marine Branch, this water was locked down. It was definitely not a place for fresh Rookie Pirates to provoke. And yet, someone actually kidnapped someone?
The solution was obvious: Strike. Strike hard.
Just as he was about to write his approval, his eyes drifted further down the page. Upon seeing a familiar name, Dante suddenly went silent.
Moments later, he tossed the "somewhat important" document-which Robin's Assistant had painstakingly sorted from the pile of trivia-aside, ignoring it completely.
It's Zoro...
Rather than being abducted by pirates, Dante believed it was far more likely that he had simply gotten lost.
However...
Hadn't they agreed he would come work for him? Years later, he was doing so poorly he had to work odd jobs rather than rely on his Senpai?
'Truly ambitious,' Dante thought with a shake of his head. 'Fine, let him keep wandering.'
"There are actually people who withhold wages?" Dante asked, frowning as he looked at Robin.
"Eh, the investigation clarified that," Robin replied, closing the book in her hands to look up at him. "The team transfer was urgent that day. The Foreman agreed to meet at the pier the next morning to distribute everyone's wages while On the ship."
She was well aware of who the Boss and Kuina's kouhai was. Back when the Boss was training in Swordsmanship at the Isshin Dojo, she had seen the boy.
With a hesitant look in her eyes, she added, "So, his wages weren't deducted. It's just that..."
"..." Although Robin didn't finish, Dante guessed exactly what had happened. His eyelid twitched as he nodded. "I understand. Say no more."
"Do we need to arrange a search party?"
"If they had looked On the island the day he went missing, they might have found him. But it's been so many days..." Dante sighed. "Don't bother. With his... unique ability, unless he decides to show up himself, ordinary people will never find him."
"Should I issue an order to report him immediately upon discovery?"
"No need. Leave him be. That kid's strength is decent, he won't run into any real trouble. Since he doesn't want to come, let him drift." Dante waved his hand casually. "I believe Zoro will appear sooner or later."
A slight smile touched his face. "Perhaps by then, his Swordsmanship will surprise both me and Kuina."
He paused, remembering something. "Also, cancel the investigation on that Foreman. As for the wages, just tell the Foreman to pay him whenever he, miraculously, runs into the kid again."
"Understood."
"If there's nothing else, I'm heading to the Vegapunk Research Base. I need to check on Bonney."
After leaving a final instruction, Dante turned and exited the office, leaving Robin to her books.
He didn't know, however, that not long after he left...
A figure arrived at the office. Dressed in a formal lady's suit that did little to hide her voluptuous, mature figure, she stepped inside, her voice dripping with temptation.
"Corrupt Marine."
However, as soon as the voice was heard, Robin looked up from her book. With a smile, she swept her gaze over the newcomer.
"No need to search. He isn't here."
"Is that so? What a pity." Viola, wearing a formal uniform instead of her usual dancer's attire, froze for a moment. She shrugged her shoulders with feigned regret and looked at Robin again. "I came specifically for him. Oh, apologies for the intrusion, Robin!"
"It's nothing," Robin replied, turning slightly to watch her. "As long as your eyes don't wander where they shouldn't."
"Wander? Are you referring to you being in Corrupt Captain's room last night?"
"Am I?"
"..." Viola's smile stiffened slightly. 'How much did she see last night?'
"It seems you've already seen enough," Robin noted, returning her attention to her Book. "Although he has accepted you, I must warn you: keep the secrets of this place. Otherwise, it will be a headache for everyone."
"Thanks for the reminder. I will definitely keep the secret~!" Viola replied, her smile returning.
Speaking openly meant she intended to hide nothing. She understood that the Devil Child knew exactly where she stood.
That's right, she had learned the true identity of this 'female pirate' she had once misunderstood... or perhaps, hadn't misunderstood at all.
She just hadn't expected the Devil Child to offer a simple reminder and leave it at that.
"Then I won't disturb you," Viola said. Just as she turned to leave, she paused, a thought occurring to her. She looked back at Robin, narrowing her eyes slightly with a playful smile. "Robin, may I ask one more thing?"
"What is it?"
"That... rumor about Captain. Is it true?"
Robin paused. She turned to look at Viola, seemingly understanding the subtext. Immediately, an smirk graced her face. She lightly moistened her red lips and replied in a tone that was both teasing and seductive.
"Oh, certainly. He really knows how to play."
--**--**
Meanwhile, on the other side of island.
Vegapunk Research Base.
"Achoo!"
"Your body is failing! Want me to modify it?"
'Why is he insulting my health the moment we meet? Do you have no manners?'
===============
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