In a secluded palace chamber, Michael extended his hand, and a sacred healing power washed over Nami.
The girl, who had been on the verge of death, was healed.
Watching the unconscious girl, Michael smiled wryly. "I always knew these kids had guts as big as their appetites... but Nami? She's the exception."
"I don't think it's about courage at all," Rosinante retorted, his lips twitching, worry etched across his brow.
"It's more like a brain malfunction! Nami is supposed to be smart... yet she always gets dragged into Luffy's crazy schemes!"
"Well, Luffy does possess a certain inexplicable charm," Michael offered.
But in his heart, the truth was as clear as a mirror: Childhood friend + succubus physiology + protagonist's halo...
A combination like that would sway anyone, let alone a girl like Nami.
Even Michael himself, had he not been a transmigrator, would have fallen head over heels under that pomegranate-scented skirt—or those baggy shorts.
Imagine waking up from a nap to find a middle-aged man with huge ears and long arms standing outside your door, kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times, begging you to join him in restoring the Han Dynasty...
Who could resist that? Charisma is far more potent than mere sexual allure.
"Even with all the charisma in the world, you can't just run wild on the battlefield!" Rosinante sighed.
He saw the Junior Class kids as his own younger siblings.
Though he knew they were also elite warriors of the Angel Alliance, he couldn't help but worry about them.
"Hahaha, Rosinante, if you're thinking like that, it means you're starting to get old!" Michael chuckled, clapping Rosinante on the shoulder.
"Sometimes, being overprotective isn't a good thing, you know... Look, it's because I gave you all the freedom to develop that the members of SWORD's Special Operations Unit have grown into the pillars of our strength today."
"I wish you'd show us a little more concern for once," Rosinante grumbled, pouting. "Have you forgotten how that Nico Robin nearly turned into a super-bitter young woman after you abandoned her to 'grow up'?"
"Cough, cough... it's not my fault," Michael said, clearing his throat as he changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, how did your mission go?"
"Let's just say... I tried my best." Rosinante's expression turned serious as he mentioned the mission.
"Kong... didn't choose the Angel Alliance."
"But he didn't choose the World Government either, did he?" Michael pointed out the window at Pangaea Castle, which appeared pristine white but was actually riddled with corruption.
"He simply... refused to take sides."
Michael couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy about Kong.
Though their interactions had been few, the old man had always been generous and devoted to the Marines.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he had even tacitly allowed the Marines' independence—an unexpected move for someone raised under the World Government's rule.
So... Kong couldn't be blamed.
Besides, persuading Kong to surrender hadn't been Rosinante's primary mission anyway. Even if it failed, it wouldn't matter.
Michael smiled reassuringly.
While Michael and Rosinante were talking, Nami stirred awake, her eyes opening.
"Whoa! Big wings!" Nami exclaimed, but upon closer inspection, she realized, "Uncle Michael!"
"Tch, so you still remember I'm your uncle? If you got yourself killed here, Bellemere would tear me apart!" Michael grumbled, flicking Nami's smooth forehead.
"If I'm not mistaken, it was your idea to sneak Luffy in here, wasn't it?"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Nami seemed caught red-handed, trying to cover her tracks. But under Michael's piercing gaze, she gave up.
"I was just... trying to get a head start on looting the Celestial Dragons' treasure. Money's my only real passion in life..."
"Then why didn't you just tell me? Is the battlefield a place for your nonsense? Have you forgotten our team's discipline?"
It had to be said: though Michael usually acted laid-back, the moment his smile vanished, even Rosinante straightened his posture.
Only in such moments did they remember he was the Angel Alliance's supreme military power and spiritual symbol.
"I-I-I..." Nami scrambled off the table, standing beside Rosinante with a timid but upright stance.
"Enough! I'm not angry because you're greedy, but because you put yourself in danger! We can sacrifice ourselves, but only for a worthy cause. Before that, if you can't even protect yourself, how can you protect those defenseless civilians?"
Though she had nearly been killed by Shamrock, Nami was far from a weakling.
She had mastered the Rokushiki perfectly, mastered Life Return, and possessed a considerable amount of 'Conqueror's Haki' within her.
But Shamrock was a monster on par with Red-Haired Shanks, now further empowered by Lily's Devil Fruit abilities...
Rosinante understood this as well.
He glanced outside.
"Don't worry, Rosinante," Michael said with a reassuring smile. "That kid will be fine... Besides, judging by the timing, the opponent I prepared for Shamrock should be arriving soon."
Michael smiled and strode out of the secluded palace.
"Shamrock is yours to handle now..."
"As for me, I'm going to face my ultimate opponent."
...
"What the hell is that thing you're holding?" Luffy narrowly dodged Shamrock's attack. "A three-headed dog? Three swords? You're a three-sword style user too?"
"You... are very annoying," Shamrock said, his eyes—now nearly identical to Lily's—flashing with irritation.
Overwhelming Conqueror's Haki surged through Shamrock, coalescing into a potent coating around the three sword-wielding dog heads.
The three heads, along with Shamrock himself, surrounded Luffy from four directions.
Shamrock was confident that under the combined assault of four layers of Conqueror's Haki Coating, even the legendary archangel would have its wings torn to shreds!
But...
"Aren't you getting a little too cocky, Shamrock?"
A figure with equally fiery red hair descended from the sky.
The longsword Gryphon in his hand slashed down toward Shamrock with overwhelming force.
"Divine Departure!"
Conqueror's Haki erupted. Shamrock's eyes widened, and a scornful smirk spread across his face.
"Ah, so it's my foolish little brother after all. Then you two can die together!"
"Hellhound: Razor Teeth!"