"Now, let's confirm the situation once more. According to reports, the first reconstruction supply convoy will arrive around noon today. From here, we'll assist with their reception, allocate and supervise work personnel, and conduct inspections."
I've somehow been given not only an office but also a clerical department for what are effectively my team members, making the situation incomprehensible, but whatever.
Until yesterday, many wore clothes with slightly loosened necklines or showing legs, but today is different.
They've changed into pantsuit uniforms similar to ours.
I didn't specifically order this, so why did everyone coordinate like this...
Ah, they matched the Imperial Guard's style?
They probably have that information.
"During this work, all Celestial Dragons are recuperating in the northern area with minimal damage, but we fundamentally cannot restrict their movements. As a precaution, CP personnel will monitor their every action, but whether we can use that to prevent trouble depends on us."
They have motivation.
Unlike yesterday, all the girls are incredibly motivated. So motivated that some have gone pale.
What happened?
Obviously yesterday's monster fight is the cause!!
Really, you should reconsider your influence!
Both flanking me, don't complain quietly in stereo.
Anyway, they think I have influence and don't know what might happen if they don't produce results?
Damn it, I was planning to gradually figure things out during work...
(Creating one representative or precedent like Amis would be more effective than trying multiple people.)
So... rather than ability, someone obedient to instructions would be preferable first...
(Being government officials means all these girls have reasonable ability. They've basically overcome certain hurdles, so they lean toward elite-type ambition... Among them, either they couldn't climb well, got sabotaged, or lost motivation from reality-ideal differences.)
I'm watching three people.
The most useful among them is...
"You there."
A particularly small girl's shoulders trembled.
"Could you tell me your name again?"
"Je... Jenetta... sir."
Yeah, I know.
Sorry for asking again?
Still, she's someone I've been watching.
While others focused on half-hearted seduction or gathering information about my surroundings, though somewhat unreliable, she consistently completed assigned work first.
She'd be perfect for the 'Amis role' among the current members.
"Your jacket and blouse fit very well. Precious items?"
"Um... yes."
"From the collar stitching, it's from a tailor contracted by Harnett Trading Company. East Blue... from around Scottish Island?"
...Um.
Why do you have the face of a defendant receiving a death sentence?
I won't make unreasonable demands or do terrible things like those Celestial Dragon scumbags!
"Operating in that company's range, with excellent students and producing World Government officials suggests Shultry University graduate."
"Y-yes... You're absolutely correct, Governor."
"Excellent."
Really.
Admission there required money and high test difficulty, and the entrance qualification requirements had incredibly high hurdles.
(Parents are fairly wealthy. Those clothes are probably celebration gifts from parents. Family relations are quite good, but she's not good at interpersonal conflicts... Good relations with siblings too, or an only child.)
Probably an only child.
A sheltered daughter raised carefully, tired of performing in political warfare involving sabotage rather than fair competition.
(Until yesterday, she was clearly looked down on by other girls. Probably failed at initial faction formation or selection.)
In normal Japanese companies it wouldn't matter much, but in such rigid organizations, misjudging that leads to misery.
Spandam beside me also seems to have noticed something, nodding with a bitter expression.
(The more you try to recover, the more tremendous loads pile onto normal duties in an ant hell. An infinite Möbius where stress makes you panic and fumble more. Plus unpredictable superiors worse than my previous world... damn, remembering various things is making me nauseous again.)
"Miss Jenetta, you accompanied the joint Navy inspection the other day, right?"
"Yes..."
"Did you think anything was necessary during that?"
"U-um... I was barely keeping up..."
"But you must have seen and felt something. Could you speak honestly?"
...Huh?
I expected nastier looks from other girls, but incredibly sympathetic gazes are gathering.
Am I seriously being seen as the same existence as those Celestial Dragons in a bad way?
Most regrettable. Lawsuit.
"...Stone materials."
Even if off-target, there are uses.
Actually, my current job is considering and arranging environments that utilize people's abilities according to their capabilities.
"The second stone material transport plan needs revision, or work processes might be disrupted... I think..."
Well, such worries were unnecessary this time.
(There she is! Raw talent! Polish them properly, government!!)
Not just this girl, but several others among the surrounding women seem to have been vaguely concerned too!
There are others besides those I'd marked! Why assign them to pointless honey trap work?!
I secretly crushed the plan I was going to revise this morning under my desk.
It'll be double work, but considering total efficiency, increasing usable personnel by even one is better now.
It's fine, I'm used to this work. Actually, I'm more used to this kind of work.
With budget and interdepartmental power balance problems mostly resolved, if I rack my brains desperately, I can turn seven or eight of these twenty into usable personnel.
(Fortunately funds are abundant, and I have Five Elders approval to request more if needed.)
I won't use more though.
They'd definitely forcibly collect from nations in weird ways, so I'll stubbornly manage with current budget.
"Consumption exceeding estimates?"
"Y-yes... And quality too... Celestial Dragons prefer flashy things."
...That too?!
I'd already selected quite high-quality stone materials... there might still be insufficient possibilities.
Gaaah, higher quality stone materials in large quantities would severely compress the budget... there's still room and I'll make it work though...!
(But her assessment inside the government is probably more accurate.)
Glancing at Spandam, he awkwardly averted his gaze.
You bastard! That attitude suggests you vaguely thought so!
Hina, low kick! Really nail his shin!
What unnecessary consideration in this emergency!!
I said to mention everything concerning you!
"Jenetta, I provisionally appoint you as my secretary. Sorry, but I want your insights to help me."
"B-but I can't work! That's why they said only my face had value...!"
Spandam, let's crush that girl's superior together.
I need to record that name at the top of the incompetent list.
...No, don't hold your shin with teary eyes.
"That's not true. Your sense has value equal to gold... no, surpassing it."
More precisely, gemstones rather than gold.
Raw, they have value but sell cheap; only when polished do they command high prices.
"If others say you have no value, they're wrong. It's not that you lack value, but those handling you lack value."
Personnel education and development being difficult, I agree to the point of nausea.
With ten subordinates, three becoming useful is good; half developing is impressive.
The Imperial Guard, where everyone developed fully while maintaining motivation, is miraculous.
(But if someone doesn't fit your training style, there should be methods and approaches for that... Even watching capable Spandam's work, such know-how doesn't seem rooted in World Government internal culture...)
I stood and bowed.
Without gaining trust, nothing will grow.
"Again, I ask. Please lend me your strength."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"So that's it. Your 'getting serious' means personnel education and coordination?"
"Limited, but... essentially yes. Personally, I've been completely wrung out long ago."
I didn't want to reveal my methods, so I hoped to manage using only individuals' existing traits without personnel interference...
Impossible.
Definitely at limits.
As work accumulates, I need at least one or two pieces I can somewhat adapt to myself or I'll break.
(If I pushed everything onto the Navy to focus on negotiations, the government would shift political pressure targets to the Navy.)
According to Hina, a considerable number of headquarters officers quit the Navy.
I wanted more balanced timing consideration, but what's done is done.
The problem is what follows.
(Probably in these negotiations, the government will offer personnel supplementation to the Navy without my involvement.)
Under supplementation pretense, pushing capable government personnel into the Navy.
Creating government factions within the Navy.
This flow probably can't be changed.
I could interfere, but 'Black Cat' would gain almost no benefit.
(No point focusing on decided non-interference. What I can do is concentrate on quickly stabilizing situations.)
Not just Holy Land reconstruction, but the Navy side needs to achieve as many results as possible to increase their hand.
"Hey Kuro. From your perspective, is that Jenetta girl useful?"
"The idiot who mistreated her should be demoted immediately."
Seriously, noticing problems with our transport plan that three of us brainstorming missed makes her incredibly useful.
The other girls too.
I can't understand why they'd try to waste that level.
"No joke, if they can't see that level as raw talent, the World Government has fatal internal organizational problems. Somewhere needs internal review."
If she were freelance talent, I'd take her home immediately to assist Tesoro.
I'll contact the other two after establishing Jenetta's system, but if my assessment is correct, they're also at levels I'd want to bring back.
The others who seemed to have vague insights too...
"...Hey Kuro."
"If you want me to spend time educating other personnel, that's rejected."
"Come on, Kuro. It would be achievements for you, meaning cards."
Screw that, it's my methodology accumulated through current and previous lives! I'll disclose it barely to Jenetta and two others I'm watching plus α, so be satisfied with that!!
"Going that far would disclose not just personnel education but my organizational management methods too, so rejected."
"Why not create your faction within the government?"
"Idiot girl, going that far would increase Kuro's elimination chances."
"Then within the Navy?"
"...Difficult territory."
Don't casually decide my fate.
"If we 'Black Cat' entered Navy influence now, the government would increase Navy pressure."
"No doubt. Then whether Fleet Admiral Sengoku and his circle can maintain influence becomes the focus."
"...Such discussions would eventually make your surroundings noisy again, Kuro."
"That's why I want to stay a pirate..."
Being outside current power structures lets me maneuver; entering internally would cause unnecessary chaos.
(Specifically, Robin's custody and specific force locations... ugh, just thinking about it hurts my stomach...)
"Hina, Spandam, Jenetta will bring her things to this office soon. Sorry, but please help arrange her desk area."
"Yes, understood."
"H-hey Kuro! Me too?! I'm CP-9 Chief?!"
"If her excellence is recognized, it becomes a card for undermining her superior, the CP-6 Chief... who's constantly watching for chances to target your CP-9 Chief position, right?"
"How do you know that much?!"
With political struggles everywhere, information sources multiply.
Moreover, they scattered people with information around me.
Their mission: win me over. Meaning conversation was necessary.
Two days sufficed to eliminate fake information and roughly grasp CP departmental power relationship charts.
Given more time, grasping details wouldn't be difficult.
"I'll properly train her in clerical work before handing her over. Think of simultaneously gaining a political card and excellent clerk/secretary candidate."
"Helping is fine, but you do it too! You're better at organizing and understanding documents!"
"Right, despite being a pirate, you work better than government chiefs."
"Shut up, girl..."
...You two really became friends.
"I'm visiting the Navy briefly."
"Navy? Yesterday you visited injured Marines and checked around!"
I properly visited government-side injured too.
Never expected work like seeing wounded and smoothing situations when Celestial Dragons said 'Get up and work!' to injured people.
"I want to coordinate something with Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"Being recruited by Celestial Dragons... you're increasingly un-pirate-like."
"Somehow... I'm embarrassed. Never expected such moves."
The Navy-side office had less commotion than usual.
Many soldiers were injured in the Holy Land assault.
In the sailors' recreation lounge rather than the usual office, I discussed with the usual Navy leadership.
"So the government is spreading rumors?"
"Adding to previous ones, this incident is already spreading. Throughout the Four Blues and Grand Line, your fight with Golden Lion and subsequent command performance."
Oh no.
Golden Lion battle aside, bringing up the zombie army fight was to involve Black Cat while somewhat lowering Navy prestige.
Quite bold moves...
When revolutionary movements are becoming active.
(They wouldn't abandon the Navy... could they be planning government-led reorganization using this opportunity? Even while apologizing?)
More chaos seems likely... conversely, it shows how much they value the current environment.
"That achievement led to Celestial Dragon invitation rumors spreading. Everywhere is in uproar."
"I heard through regular subordinate communications... they've created quite trouble."
Really now...
Through Daz, I've asked them to suppress troop agitation since I have no such intentions... but that's genuinely too big news.
"How are the Marines?"
"...Honestly, many Marines are positive about Kuro becoming a Celestial Dragon. They'd feel reassured."
Hey Marine soldiers?!
Even if I became a Celestial Dragon, situations wouldn't change!
Moreover, improvement possibilities would greatly decrease!
Basically, they just want to domesticate us and absorb our forces and know-how!!
"...You should urgently educate political officers."
"Indeed. But the Navy emphasizes combat strength and military achievements."
"In that battle, Kuro showed command skills while matching Golden Lion..."
"Bwahahaha! Good opportunity, how about it Kuro? Rather than joining them, become my adopted son?"
"I'd seem to wander life-and-death boundaries daily at unchanged levels, so I decline."
Being abandoned in forests aside, serious combat would probably start with 'Insufficient, right?'
...
Huh? Higher survival rate than continuing to handle Mihawk and Rayleigh's double attack?
...No, he seems worse at restraint than those two.
"Actually Kuro, Marines don't think badly of you. Many soldiers are inspired to learn your methods."
"...I'm a pirate though..."
"Too late for that. Some apparently mistake you for a Navy officer."
Navy doesn't occupy non-member nations, make citizens work, or collect taxes!!
"Actually, if the government accepts last night's conditions, would you consider becoming a Celestial Dragon?"
"I think it wouldn't be bad... if the government could honor contracts."
Actually, if expansion and independent governance outside the Holy Land were permitted, it wouldn't be bad.
(Honestly, I expected their move to be proposing member nation status centered on Mopchi...)
Reducing our crimes for member nation status, essentially recognizing me as king.
Sealing our Poneglyph searches using Robin's knowledge, slowing our expansion by recognizing us as a nation, keeping us in West Blue.
Regular Reverie summons to the Holy Land would be shackles too. I was cautious about that direction, then they threw a dead ball from outside...
"I also think Kuro becoming a Celestial Dragon wouldn't be bad. Under you, soldiers could sincerely perform duties."
"...Honestly, I don't trust myself enough to confidently avoid drowning in luxurious living."
Actually, if I could freely marry beauties like Robin and Hancock and do whatever I wanted continuously, despite initial disgust, I'd probably get used to it and sink deeper.
If money could do anything, I could achieve what I wanted in a bad way.
"Someday, I'd think citizens' and soldiers' lives are naturally expendable like other Celestial Dragons. That's most terrifying for me, Vice Admiral Garp. I can only feel secure by staying outside Celestial Dragon lifestyles."
If I entered the Holy Land, differences with veteran Celestial Dragons would make me a target for unreasonable demands.
"Bwahahaha! Pirates should dream of luxurious living!"
Like Buggy...
...There are many, certainly.
Pirate Alliance members were exactly like that.
"...Then."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral."
I spread the Holy Land map borrowed from the government.
A reconstruction plan where Spandam and I determined the framework, then revised incorporating Hina's, meaning Navy perspectives.
"After starting first convoy material reception and subsequent reconstruction commencement, around planning the next convoy, I plan returning to West Blue."
Things should flow properly with materials and people once that takes shape.
"...Not yet leaked to others, but last night's informal meeting between you and Saint Warcury definitely improved situations. If events proceed accordingly, government and Navy can rebuild relations."
Though considerable friction during rebuilding is expected, please persevere.
"Then our relationship will probably return to normal."
"Ceasefire agreement termination?"
"...Being dangled as a card."
Help persuade Black Cat into government or Celestial Dragon membership if you don't want conflict...
(Besides inevitable confrontations with Sakazuki, I don't want to fight Kuzan or Sengoku...)
I don't want to fight Garp either, in different, instinctive ways. But...
"Please don't worry then. We are pirates."
"We go where we want, how we want."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
In a shabby tavern on a certain North Blue island, a lone pirate gulped alcohol.
'Heavenly Yaksha' Donquixote Doflamingo.
The pirate who was once a Celestial Dragon had been spending increasing time drinking alone since hearing the information he'd obtained early, the big news already circulating worldwide.
"Fu, fufu..."
Every night,
"Fuffuffuffu!"
That time definitely lengthened.
"Denying Celestial Dragon ways, escaping, persisting with his own will in the lower world, then being sought by Celestial Dragons?"
Underworld figures often scorned 'Black Cat' as government dogs, but simultaneously, if rumors were true, envious voices were also heard.
"Why..."
On the table, current 'Black Cat' crew wanted posters were spread.
'Marine Hunter' Dracule Mihawk
'Devil of Ohara' Nico Robin
'Ghost Princess' Perona
'Steel Blade' Daz Bonez
Doflamingo roughly swept those posters aside with bottles and ashtrays, leaving one before him.
'Cat Burglar' Kuro
Undoubtedly 'Black Cat's' leader.
No longer called 'Cat Burglar' but 'Black Cat', a great pirate.
"Why..."
Doflamingo drew a knife from nearby, aiming at that wanted poster photo,
"Why couldn't I do this back then!"
Stabbing the blade at that printed face.
"Damn fatherrr!!"