The Edd War Sea.
Far out on the open water, the reconnaissance ship rocked gently with the swell.
Watching the look of outright rejection Borsalino had worn moments ago, Gern Reginald Sigmar tapped his fingers rhythmically against the rim of his teacup, producing a crisp, delicate clinking sound.
Then he cast a sidelong glance at Borsalino, the corner of his mouth lifting into a sly, calculating smile.
"Senior Borsalino…" Gern deliberately dragged out the words."Don't you think…"
"What exactly am I supposed to think?"Borsalino turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing beneath his sunglasses."Or is our Rear Admiral Gern about to come up with yet another bold idea?"
"Just a little one."Interrupted mid-sentence, Gern chuckled, pinching his fingers together for emphasis before continuing."Tell me—what if, this time… we actually manage to capture either Golden Lion or Roger?"
"I knew it…"The moment those words left Gern's mouth, Borsalino's sunglasses slid down a fraction, revealing half of one eye.
"If it really happened, promotions and pay raises would be trivial."Gern leaned closer, lowering his voice into something dangerously persuasive."I've heard Fleet Admiral Kong has been considering creating a new position—something like an Admiral Candidate slot.It doesn't exist yet, but you and I are both rear admirals. We might even skip the vice admiral rank altogether…"
"Admiral… candidate?"Does Marine Headquarters even have a position like that?But now that I think about it… it does sound plausible.And this kid's teacher is Zephyr—maybe it really could happen…
The sea breeze suddenly felt gentler, and the sunlight refracted warmly through Borsalino's teacup.
"And on top of that…"Seeing Borsalino hesitate, Gern pressed on."With that kind of merit, applying for six months—no, a full year—of paid administrative leave wouldn't be a problem, right?"
The words "paid administrative leave" made Borsalino's fingers twitch almost imperceptibly.
Gern saw it clearly—the subtle movement of his senior's throat as he swallowed.
"Senior Borsalino."Gern's voice dropped to a devil's whisper."Just imagine it… the sun and beaches of the Maldives Islands…"
"No paperwork. No meetings.""And absolutely no soul-crushing assignments from those damned Celestial Dragons…"
Gern's words flooded Borsalino's ears like a demon's temptation.
For a moment, the deck of the reconnaissance ship fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the soft slap of waves against the hull.
Borsalino's sunglasses had slid all the way down to the bridge of his nose, revealing eyes that were rarely seen this wide.
Seizing the moment, Gern pushed forward."Sleeping in until you wake naturally every day. As much afternoon tea as you want.Even your custom suits—you'd finally have time to get them tailored properly!And—and—"
"Wait!"Borsalino suddenly raised a hand, snapping out of the fantasy like someone jolted awake from a dream. He shoved his sunglasses back into place and leaned away sharply.
"Gern… now I finally understand why Fleet Admiral Kong handed command authority to me."He exhaled, shaken."Your ability to tempt people is terrifying. I was this close to falling for it."
"But!"He raised a finger."I'm not Sakazuki."
"Damn it—so close!"Gern couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Then he blinked innocently."But you were tempted just now…"
"Tempted is tempted."Borsalino calmly lifted his teacup again, returning to his usual languid posture."But asking me to risk my life against Golden Lion or Roger?"He exaggerated a shiver."Way too scary~"
Gern sighed and tried a different approach."Then what if… we only step in at the critical moment? Say, after they've both suffered heavy losses?"
"Both sides badly wounded?"Borsalino snorted."Gern, do you think those are just two random pirate grunts brawling?"
"That's Golden Lion and Roger.""Even if they're on their last breath, a desperate, all-out fight would still be terrifying!"
"But you're light itself, senior!"Gern countered instantly."The Marine Headquarters' famous 'Light-Speed Man'—everyone knows your reputation!"
"Stop right there."Borsalino made a cutting gesture."My Devil Fruit is for elegant slacking, not for dying."
A seagull flew overhead, letting out a mocking cry.
Gern looked up at the sky, suddenly feeling that this mission was far more boring than he'd anticipated.
"However…"Just as Gern was resigning himself to complete tedium, Borsalino spoke again, his tone oddly subtle."If you're really determined to stir up something…"
"Hm?"Gern's ears perked up instantly.
"We could do this…"Borsalino somehow produced a pack of matcha-flavored daifuku and began unwrapping it at an unhurried pace."Once they're mostly done fighting, we take a few photos from far away.""Then we go back and report that we 'bravely infiltrated enemy territory and obtained critical intelligence.'"
Gern's expression froze.
"As for bonuses…"Borsalino happily bit into the daifuku—gooey filling stretching as he pulled away."Let's just take the basic package."
"And for vacation…""Half a month should get approved, right?""Oh, and we could lightly punch each other to fake some injuries. Might even qualify for a medical subsidy!"
"..."
At last, Gern truly understood why Zephyr had kept telling him—ever since his defeat against Roger—that he should occasionally learn from Borsalino.
Because when it came to gaming missions, Senior Borsalino was the real deal.
"Senior…"Gern rubbed his temples."With this kind of work ethic, how do you ever expect to become an admiral?"
"No rush."Borsalino smiled faintly."You think I enjoy taking assignments from the Celestial Dragons?"
"Heh, youngster."His smile turned enigmatic."Survival—and the workplace—both require wisdom~"
Stretching lazily, he added,"After all, in this world… the ones who live the longest are the real winners."
In the distance, the outline of Golden Lion's fleet grew clearer and clearer.
Gern stared at the dark, cloud-like mass of ships and suddenly realized—damn it—that Borsalino's words actually made sense.
"So…"Borsalino patted Gern on the shoulder."We stick to the plan. Observe from afar… and then—"
"And then safely return to collect the credit,"Gern finished helplessly.
"Exactly!"Borsalino nodded in satisfaction."Looks like you've grasped the essence of survival."
Gern gazed toward the horizon and let out a soft laugh."Senior, you really should teach at the Marine academy sometimes."
"Oh?"
"At the very least, you could teach those hot-blooded Marines…"Gern raised his teacup."How to meet their quotas without dying."
"Hahaha!"Borsalino lifted his cup with a pleased grin."To survival wisdom."
"To paid leave,"Gern replied lightly, clinking cups with him.
The two teacups gleamed warmly under the sun as the reconnaissance ship continued drifting slowly toward the perilous waters—
When suddenly, thunderous cannon fire erupted in the distance.
Golden Lion's fleet had finally discovered the Roger Pirates.
The decisive battle between two legendary pirate crews was about to begin…