"Sorry for being late, Sensei. Imperial Guard Captain Amis and four others have arrived."
Currently in the capital of non-member nation Mopchi, many people seeking to join the Black Cat Pirates had gathered.
Some hoped to join as pirates—no, as soldiers, while many others came after seeing the recruitment notices for 'settlers and workers' that Daz had issued following Tesoro's proposal.
In a corner of the training grounds within Mopchi Castle, a somewhat large plaza mainly used for training the Imperial Guard and current main fleet crew, some of Black Cat's top swordsmen had assembled.
Imperial Guard Captain Amis. Chris, called the strongest swordsman among the Imperial Guard, and the man and woman who had achieved great results in naval command, Troy and Kika.
Before them sat the man called the strongest in the Black Cat Pirates despite being a guest commander.
"Sorry for the busy time. But I thought we should implement something I've been feeling for a while, so I asked you to gather."
Dracule Mihawk.
The swordsman supreme among the Black Cat Pirates, the sword master who had trained the Imperial Guard from mere escorts for young executives into one of the world's finest elite forces, wore a troubled expression.
"Something you've been feeling?"
"Reviewing general soldier training."
The swordsman, who had constantly worn overalls and a straw hat while always doing farm work during his deployment to Canet Island for development, and had continued wearing them since returning to Mopchi, was now dressed in combat attire, creating tension.
"You and of course the Imperial Guard have extremely high proficiency. Not only swordsmen like Amelia and Valeria, but even those specializing in projectiles like Catharine and Iris never neglect sword training. If enemies let their guard down thinking they can do nothing when approached, the next moment they'd be cut down."
They also trained in haki, capable of defending against at least Mihawk's attacks.
If focused purely on defense, each could hold out sufficiently even alone.
The twenty-one who had been trapped in a mafia hideout, now united under Amis.
As the Imperial Guard, they had added four more that Mihawk recognized, each accumulating training against 'Black Cat's' strong fighters like Kuro, Mihawk, Daz, and Hancock.
Their abilities were recognized by none other than the Navy, with the powerful Devil Fruit user Admiral Aokiji Kuzan telling his subordinates, "If three Imperial Guard members are together, you should retreat unless there are exceptional circumstances."
"I think the soldiers are doing well too. But due to overemphasis on naval combat, especially ship handling and gunnery techniques, I'm somewhat concerned about close combat."
"Hancock chan—the Admiral was saying that too. The First Fleet personnel need combat experience."
"That's a different kind of threat. Even general soldiers requiring my attention to fully grasp their presence isn't normal."
"...I'm somewhat relieved that even Sensei feels that. First Fleet soldiers have that kind of frightening quality."
Since Hancock became Admiral, First Fleet soldiers had been considerably trained, but due to the nature of their frequent joint missions with the Navy, they often had to obtain supplies and civilians from enemy pirate ships as undamaged as possible.
Consequently, the First Fleet became a group most skilled in stealth-first operations.
They were becoming a fleet that infiltrated enemy bases and ships without showing themselves, completing supply recovery and enemy annihilation.
"Those most aware of that frightfulness are probably the Navy."
As a result, Hancock's First Fleet was incredibly feared by the Marines they worked alongside.
Everyone killed enemy pirates completely without a drop of blood on them, without captured civilians sensing their presence or seeing them.
"In contrast, the fleet Kuro—now Daz leads, has high morale, fighting spirit, and decent proficiency. But I repeat, they lean toward sailor abilities. I have some concerns about close combat when special ability users or ships clash in melee."
"...So you gathered sword-skilled Imperial Guard members for this purpose?"
"Exactly."
Mihawk produced a somewhat thick bundle of papers.
An analysis compiling things he'd noticed during past Imperial Guard training and how people he'd taught wielded swords and what habits they developed.
"You who learned from me and continue fighting on the front lines, create 'Black Cat's' foundational sword forms."
The formidable task casually announced tightened the expressions of the Imperial Guard's premier sword bearers.
"We should?"
"A sudden topic..."
"Indeed. Troy, Kika. That's why I called you instead of Valeria or Amelia."
While their swordsmanship was somewhat above Imperial Guard average, these two who showed leadership as emergency fleet command proxies and captains possessed "strength" that Mihawk himself lacked.
"Like Amis, you two particularly excel at naval combat leading captains or small fleets. Therefore, you should have a better feel for how you want soldiers to move in sea battles. Such things should be the foundation for assembling none other than 'Black Cat's' swordsmanship."
Currently, nearly all Black Cat soldiers were learning Fish-Man Karate under Hack's guidance.
While powerful, it extremely depended on individual soldiers' talents, creating considerable variation in combat effectiveness.
For soldiers lacking close combat aptitude, research into heavy weapons like cannons and gatling guns, plus ammunition improvement and development, had begun under Kuro's orders, but resources were currently absorbed by development directly connected to food.
"...The need for baseline improvement means Master thinks war is near?"
Among many who called Mihawk 'Sensei,' Kika, one of the few female Imperial Guard members calling him 'Master,' spoke up.
"Unknown. Kuro would probably judge such things accurately, but... however."
Usually, the swordsman Mihawk always wore two swords at his waist.
One was Miyaou Type-2. One of the 21 Great Grade swords that Kuro had given him saying "good swords should be used by good swordsmen."
The other was a nameless mass-produced blade that an old former blacksmith had reforged during Canet's conquest and reconstruction.
A single sword that none other than Kuro had cracked.
Lightly tapping its handle, Mihawk said,
"Since talk of that man's Celestial Dragon recruitment emerged, events have rapidly accelerated. Even Mopchi's residents seem restless. Nothing would be surprising."
When that something occurred, the four given the role of inspiring soldiers and cutting open enemy formations tensed slightly at those words.
"It won't show immediate effects, but... preparing causes no loss."
"Create swordsmanship that could be called symbolic of you, who are in a sense Black Cat's symbols."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"Go attract that ridiculous pirate called Black Cat. With only your face as merit, it's perfect work for you, right?"
The order from their superior—CP-6 Chief—who had returned to the Holy Land the day after pirate Golden Lion's assault, was only that.
She thought she'd finally fallen this low.
While unconscious of it then, born to a good family, living without any inconvenience, studying with classmates at one of East Blue's premier universities, then becoming a World Government official... after that, nothing went well.
Her followed superior suddenly fell from grace, and at her new assignment, she was yelled at for everything, eventually only handling simple document processing.
So she was sent to a 'pirate's' office mysteriously prepared within Pangaea Castle.
'Ah, I heard. You're here to help manage reconstruction work?'
While her superior half-listened, this unique pirate who single-handedly faced a great pirate, then earned respect from Navy and government soldiers through subsequent command.
The pirate, younger than herself, who approached with gentle demeanor offering a handshake, was ironically kinder, more gentlemanly, and above all more capable than her government official superior.
"Taking a pirate brat's instructions seriously, has Spandine started getting senile?"
Her superior had said such things, but probably now he'd changed his thinking and gone pale.
After all, this was a pirate who might become a Celestial Dragon.
(No, he wouldn't have the sensitivity to go pale over that.)
What this capable, powerful pirate was doing was—
"Sorry, Kuro. I never thought we could hold funerals for fallen soldiers in this situation..."
"No, Fleet Admiral. If possible, I wanted to transport bodies to their respective hometowns, let families see their faces at least before funerals, but..."
"Ships we can deploy are limited in this situation. Naturally, transporting bodies undamaged is difficult. Just having restoration and makeup done..."
"Yes... We must properly mourn them and send remains and belongings to bereaved families, or both families and remaining soldiers will harbor resentment."
"Kuro. Convincing the Five Elders and Celestial Dragons, truly thank you. The soldiers who fought will be somewhat rewarded."
They had just finished overseeing joint funerals for Navy and government soldiers who died in recent combat, working with the Fleet Admiral, Admiral, Vice Admirals, and government officials to successfully complete the ceremony.
The large plaza that was the biggest battlefield in that defense had uneven spots from removing damaged stone pavement, but a magnificent ceremony was held that made this unnoticeable.
"Thanks to her writing draft persuasion letters to relevant parties. Without help from someone knowing government internals, holding funerals during reconstruction would have been difficult."
"Indeed."
(I certainly wrote draft persuasions for Celestial Dragons saying funerals were unimportant and to restore things quickly, but using those was possible because—)
The actual persuasion and groundwork was handled by none other than 'Black Cat.'
She had no complaints about this pirate boy being her superior.
Honestly speaking, among all people she'd met, she'd never seen such a person.
Like mixing papa's moderate dignity with mama's kindness, plus university friends' gentleness and warmth, adding professors' intelligence and topping with tolerance—such a joke-like person.
"Ah, the promising girl you mentioned before. What's her name?"
"A-ah, yes. I'm called Jenetta."
But she really wanted him to stop casually introducing her to heavenly figures like the Navy Chief of Staff.
She was doing her utmost just following him.
"Jenetta. Your assistance with the ceremony, arranging restoration specialists and funeral flowers, truly grateful. Heartfelt thanks."
"No, please raise your head, Admiral Zephyr! Governor Kuro strictly ordered me to pursue anything concerning, so... just that."
"I see... Boy, treasure this girl."
"Yes. I designated and keep her at my side. I'm determined never to treat her poorly."
He wasn't lying.
Actually, she was being treasured unbelievably compared to previous treatment.
She'd somehow noticed envy from female colleagues and seniors who had treated her like a tool until yesterday.
(But being treated too well, I feel I'm buying unnecessary jealousy...)
"Kuro, you have office work next?"
"Yes. Though after witnessing cremation—seeing everyone cremated first."
"...Really, you're thoroughly conscientious."
"They were casualties under my command, even if emergency and midway through. I can't accompany them to the end, but seeing them off is my duty."
"Even though you're a pirate?"
"Before being a pirate... no, because I came to be called a pirate, I want to maintain human pride at least, Fleet Admiral."
How many Marines and officials watching this scene would think this boy was a 'pirate'?
If this boy who could speak so calmly with the Fleet Admiral and Vice Admiral called Navy Chief of Staff—supposed to be mortal enemies—was a pirate.
If this man trying to stay close to people was a pirate.
Those Celestial Dragons who wield power selfishly and harm people on whims look far more like bandits.
The young pirate gave an unusual salute to the three Navy men—the salute used among Black Cat Pirates—and returned to his office after witnessing all cremations.
In the office, the now-familiar strange combination of a Marine girl and CP-9 Chief worked while chatting.
Marines, government shadows, and pirates.
In current circumstances, these two who could become enemies greeted the pirate with casual "Welcome back" and "Oh, you're back."
A completely familiar scene now.
"Seeing off all the cremations must have been hard?"
"Thanks to Jenetta's calculations and Spandam arranging personnel and supplies, it didn't take too long. More importantly Hina, sorry for making you miss the important ceremony while pushing miscellaneous work on you."
"Can't be helped. Officials and guards naturally, but not all Marines could participate, and this office is effectively reconstruction planning headquarters. Can't let miscellaneous work pile up, and leaving it empty would be worse."
"...Having a pirate's office carry such expectations."
That was indeed unavoidable.
While there might be political intentions, this office was entrusted with matters and coordination essential to Holy Land reconstruction's great work.
One work mistake would prolong reconstruction.
Even someone like herself, just an attendant, got stomach aches from such work, but this pirate handled everything perfectly.
It wasn't that mistakes never happened.
Rather, sometimes mistakes were inevitable when some information was restricted or supplies weren't properly distributed.
(But this person... is incredibly good at mistake recovery.)
Minutes after mistakes or shortages occurred, he'd organize recovery procedures, using thick Navy connections plus CP connections and personal friendly relations with government officials to supplement lacking elements.
Then quickly give instructions to women who'd effectively become subordinates.
Understanding each person's traits and personality, he'd simply state optimal work.
Not decorating with unnecessary words made instructions extremely simple and clear.
Probably every woman sent here had experienced this pirate's competence firsthand.
For many, being used so pleasantly might be their first experience since becoming government personnel.
At least, it was her first experience.
(Yesterday too, various things happened and subordinates effectively increased...)
The more time spent at his side, the more unbelievable it became that he was a pirate.
How many government officials could charm people not through force or violence, but through words and work—
Clatter clatter clatter
(Ah)
Someone's running footsteps approached from outside the door.
Governor Kuro probably recognized who it was from footsteps alone.
Wryly smiling and sighing, Corporal Hina—no, Corporal Hina who'd received special promotion after recent combat, and CP-9 Chief Spandine showed similar expressions.
Since Governor Kuro's office was prepared, various officials and Marines visited this room.
Still, few people came running like this.
Vice Admiral Garp, who occasionally came suddenly, had departed for South Blue saying he remembered business.
Navy Fleet Admiral and Vice Admirals often visited, but none came rushing so frantically.
If anyone did, it would be people like Chief Spandine—
"You idiot! Which pirate submitted this petition!"
"Only I am a pirate here, Environmental Affairs Deputy Secretary."
Only government bigshots who frequently visited the pirate's office for some reason.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"You bastard! Don't let pirate scum interfere with medical supply transport!"
First, isn't government bigshots directly visiting a pirate's office uncouth?
Probably uncouth.
Five Elders came normally.
Department executive staff implementing Five Elders decisions coming daily—no, not daily-like, but actually daily, how is that?
"Of course, I don't expect this to become final draft. But with wounded soldiers still barely treatable, I wanted some medical supplies shared. Since future reconstruction might injure people—"
"Idiot, medical supplies are delicate! You can't assess everything with these few papers!"
Well, I don't dislike him.
Especially Environmental Martial God Administrative Affairs Deputy Secretary, Lord Kimrick Pinscher.
"Sorry, my recognition was insufficient. But medical supply shortages at sites are also fact."
"I know! But we must prioritize most damaged West Blue and war-torn North Blue where we don't know where to start!"
"...Plus Grand Line's first half with spreading new pirate damage?"
"Right! With nations already reluctant to provide food and supplies, plus medical supplies requiring careful handling, ships capable of secure transport are extremely few! Yet everywhere including you demands medicine for injuries and illness! ...What should I do? How should I handle this?! Please pirate, help me!"
"No... um..."
Somehow... really... I feel strong kinship with someone I can't dismiss callously.
What should I do, my nose is getting hot.
"Plus if I somehow gather requested medicine amounts, local doctors say situations worsened further, can't keep up, send more, plus don't understand supply management importance!"
"...Field judgment moves medical supplies, but management records are sparse, resulting in administrators like yourself losing sight of field realities... something like that?"
"You understand! Yes! That's it!"
Um... even if you grab my shoulders crying...
And don't shake me, even with secured sleep time, I'm not in perfect condition.
Especially yesterday was busy late with future reconstruction scheduling and today's ceremony detail adjustments... ugh.
"Those bastards! Prioritizing lifesaving is fine but they don't understand supply management importance! I understand urgency fearing treatment delays! But when supplies get moved around then later audits don't match numbers, we must suspect embezzlement! Yet doctor groups always make government the villain!"
"I sympathize."
"With unclear fields, Five Elders and Martial God administrators scold us to maintain control, but focusing on supply and fund management gets complaints from below about 'higher-ups not understanding fields'..."
"Yes... yes."
I understand. I really understand.
Such nostalgic infinite hell. Several colleagues broke down physically and mentally from this, dropping out.
(If I could have dropped out then...)
Spandam is probably used to this, but Hina looks conflicted.
Yeah, well, seeing such people in government would be rare.
Completely different from CP groups who stormed in yesterday complaining about ceremonies, right?
"Currently, are medical supplies insufficient everywhere?"
"These past years, Grand Line and North Blue had many member nations requesting aid due to intensified warfare. Plus intensified pirate damage! Rookie pirates target food and valuables, but experienced pirates notice medical supplies. Nations rumored to have good medical care get especially targeted, causing huge world losses! Sea locusts! They should learn from you! You should crush pirates too! You're a pirate!"
The latter half makes no sense, and even if you say that...
"Yes, my apologies."
I can only bow and apologize.
But well, I see.
Blackbeard also attacked Drum.
Since reasons weren't described, maybe he had other aims.
Actually, Bege handling our procurement also faced price gouging worse for medical supplies than food, causing various West Blue shortages.
(In emergencies, selling them brings money. Medical supplies are quite delicious treasure.)
We have Perona's medicinal herb knowledge and basic medicine inherited from her witch guardian, plus Mihawk growing several fast-growing medicinal herbs, so we can somehow self-produce minimum treatment supplies.
Especially fever reducers, wound medicine, burn treatments.
(Ah, plus Mihawk said he wanted to try alcohol-making once farm work settled, so we could aim for homemade disinfectants through distillation experiments.)
Really, thank you Mihawk.
Despite being a swordsman, he's completely become a production cornerstone.
"I understand the current situation. Yes... painfully so. But for Holy Land reconstruction plus future pirate response, wasting Marines who gained experience here would be a huge government loss."
"I understand what you're saying! But, however..."
"Currently, under military doctor management, we're stabilizing situations as much as possible, and I'm inspecting sites while receiving doctor explanations to confirm situations. Through those discussions, I calculated minimum, lowest request amounts."
"Gu... mmm... You personally?"
"Yes."
I totally understand the reluctance.
In this work, precedents become double-edged swords. Being cautious is totally understandable.
Especially under Five Elders, constantly watching necks in dual meanings, stepping forward requires courage.
"Treating combat-experienced Marines quickly and returning them to sites in perfect condition might burden one or two months, but could become a factor reducing subsequent burdens."
"...Your document numbers are correct?"
"Yes, we double-checked sites with subordinates as precaution."
Jenetta is also working hard to unite others after being given position, involving cooperative and trustworthy people.
"...Normally this would require at least half a month's assessment. But this morning we received Drum Kingdom's response agreeing to requests including medical personnel. If these numbers, it's not impossible."
"Deputy Secretary..."
"Listen, this is because it's none other than your request and the situation was permissible!"
"Yes."
"Normally this wouldn't go through so easily! You understand?!"
"Yes. I was very rude this time. I'll remember this lesson."
"For future medical supply matters, bring materials directly to my office or call me! I'll keep direct lines always open!"
"Yes. Truly grateful for your various considerations."
Never expected to hear middle-aged tsundere-like lines at this age.
...No, it's not... strange... right?
No good. I don't remember hearing middle-aged tsundere in my previous life.
Also Jenetta, discretely offer him a handkerchief when seeing him off.
His face is a bit messy with tears and snot.
"Governor, Lord Kimrick Pinscher has left. He sends regards to the Governor."
"Thank you. Hina, contact Sengoku that medical supply supplementation is arranged."
"Yes, understood."
"Jenetta, what's the rest of the schedule?"
"Yes. At 2 PM, meeting with all Five Elders in the Authority Chamber. Then meal and site inspection."
Good, today is easy.
The Five Elders meeting is about that apology statement coordination.
Since I don't know how long it'll take, I kept the schedule clear as precaution, but I should still confirm worker conditions before dark.
"In about two weeks to a month, I should finish everything I need to do..."
"No, Kuro... hasn't your work increased incredibly?"
Spandam, zip your lips.
"Well, some is inevitable. Like in West Blue, reconstruction work requires repeated detailed coordination."
"Medical supply supplementation requests too?"
"Inevitable."
"Requests to stone guilds in each sea and reward coordination too?"
"Inevitable."
"Drafting gratitude messages to royal families from member nations offering aid?"
"...Inevitable."
"You handling negotiations with various nations' trading companies and commercial councils regarding future supply procurement and sales?"
"..."
"Recently, assistants from several departments all come asking you for instructions instead of superiors—"
"I said it's inevitable!!"
It can't be helped, even with somewhat increased pieces here, Daz, Robin, Tesoro, and Bege aren't here!!
If Daz and others were here I could reduce work, and if Bege were here I could leave supply procurement through back channels to him, but they're not here so it can't be helped!!
Pinscher works, but too many incompetents just throw random instructions to subordinates then only fawn over Celestial Dragons in this emergency!!
Some small departments are effectively under my command, what's going on?!
"Actually, schedule-wise it's completely on track."
I'm somehow handling and finishing everything.
I'm aware it's thanks to fully using Spandam's connections, but I'm getting Spandam considerable achievements in return!
"Fortunately, with this much personnel freely usable, I can arrange second transport planning somewhat faster, and above all, including site craftsmen, I should considerably reduce personnel burden."
...
Hina, Spandam.
What's that eye contact?
Moreover, why are you alternately elbowing each other?
"Governor Kuro."
"Hmm? What is it, Jenetta?"
"No. Since those two seem reluctant to speak, I'll say it."
"That's exactly the problem."
"What problem?"