Silence.
A long, heavy silence.
Michael never expected that Jack, who looked like a big dumb oaf with low IQ, would actually turn out to be a straight-A student.
"Shhh! Jack, you can't say things like that here!"
The surrounding Amazon Lily warriors quickly rushed forward, trying to cover Jack's big mouth.
The panic on their faces was something they couldn't fake.
"Huh? Why not? Are you saying I can't talk about my good grades now!?"
Jack crossed his arms angrily.
"Is there no justice left in this world!?"
"Fine, fine! You're the top student! You're the pride of the Navy!"
The Amazon Lily warriors were practically in tears.
"Could you maybe consider our Empress-sama, the Base Commander? Her score on the last Navy-wide assessment was a C-! Sure, it's her own fault for doing so poorly, but think about her temper… does she look like someone who listens to reason?"
Just from Jack's expression, it was clear he hadn't heard a single word they said before that.But the last part stuck.
"R-right… she doesn't exactly listen to reason… If I scored better than her… and brag about it in front of her…"
At that thought, even Jack's huge body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Then he dropped to his knees in front of Michael with a loud thud.
"Vice Admiral Michael! Please save me! You can't let her kill me!"
"Begging me won't help."
Michael shook his head with some regret.
"The Navy-wide assessment scores are announced by division. Hancock has already seen your score."
"... If I run now, I can still make it, right?"
Jack's face fell into despair.
"Who knew she would have the face of a wise ruler but the brain of a donkey!?"
"Watch your mouth! How dare you call Empress-sama a donkey-brain!?"
Marigold barked angrily.
"Empress-sama is just… a little clumsy when it comes to studying!"
"Yeah, sure, like you didn't just throw her under the bus too."
Sandersonia covered her face, clearly worried.
"Sigh… At this rate, we might have to run away with Jack."
...
"Report to the Empress-sama! Vice Admiral Michael has left!"
"What!? Michael left without even saying goodbye!?"
Hancock jumped up, scattering documents all over the floor.
"He actually abandoned his lovely daughter and left!?"
"Uh…"
The Amazon Lily warrior who came to report looked at Hancock, then turned helplessly to Gloriosa and Shakky for backup.
"Just say it straight."
Gloriosa sighed.
"Hancock is your Empress-sama, not a demon."
"I'm just afraid that after I say this, even the wisest Empress would turn into a demon…"
The warrior muttered under her breath, then finally raised her head and shouted:
"Report to the Empress-sama! When Vice Admiral Michael left, he took that woman Yamato with him!"
"... Hmph, let him take her."
"Vice Admiral Michael also took Jack."
"He took Jack? Perfect! That little brat eats too much, drinks too much, and constantly breaks my training grounds! Good riddance!"
"Uh… Sandersonia-sama and Marigold-sama also boarded Vice Admiral Garp's warship with Vice Admiral Michael. They should be leaving the Calm Belt by now."
The warrior finished and looked at Gloriosa and Shakky.
Shakky gave a small nod, then bolted out of the palace like her life depended on it.
Gloriosa and Shakky looked at Hancock, who was standing frozen with her head down.
"Hancock, are you okay?"
Gloriosa asked softly.
No response.
The two women looked at each other.
She wouldn't be that mad… right?
They stepped closer to check.
And saw Hancock standing there with her eyes rolled back—completely fainted.
"Ah… this…"
Gloriosa sighed helplessly.
"Was it really that much of a shock?"
"Scenes of sisters fighting for their father's affection aren't exactly rare."
Shakky chuckled and shook her head.
"But Hancock sure has a temper."
After speaking, Shakky began gathering the documents on the table.
"What are you doing?"
"Use your head. After this whole circus, you really think Hancock will have the energy to run the country?"
Shakky looked at Gloriosa.
"So we will take these tasks and handle them for her."
"Sigh… Do I have to help too?"
"You trying to run? You owe me, remember."
"Yeah, yeah… you really know how to hold a grudge."
...
"We're going straight back to Marine Headquarters like this?"
Garp stood at the bow of the ship, stuffing senbei into his massive mouth.
"When Hancock finds out, she's gonna blow a gasket."
"That's why we're not going to Marine Headquarters."
Michael gave Garp a sideways look.
"What, old man, homesick already?"
"I'm just worried whether my three grandsons are eating properly."
"… Of all the things to worry about, eating is the last one!"
Michael rolled his eyes.
"Those three bottomless of yours could eat a garbage heap clean and still want seconds!"
"Hey, I don't like what you're implying! Big eaters grow up stronger!"
"Don't like it? Too bad! Old geezer."
After teasing Garp a few more times, Michael turned to Bogard.
"Change course. We're heading to Water 7."
"Water 7?"
Bogard gave Garp a questioning look.
"Why are you looking at me? Didn't you hear the Chief Inspector? Do as he says!"
"Yes, sir!"
Bogard saluted and left.
Now only Michael and Garp stood at the bow.
"Hey, Michael… since Roger's execution… how long has it been?"
"Twelve years."
Michael answered without hesitation.
"A full twelve years."
"All these years… we've done our duty as Marines… haven't we?"
"Depends on what you call a Marine."
Michael shrugged, gazing out at the horizon.
"If you mean Marines who obey the World Government unquestioningly, loyal lapdogs through and through—then no. We've been lazy, rebellious, and absolutely terrible at that job."
"But if you mean Marines who fight for true justice and order in the world… then yes, we've done our duty."
"Do you always have to say things so outrageous?"
Garp shook his head helplessly.
"Hard to believe you had the resolve to defy the World Government even back then."
"The World Government never expected that the role model they built up in the Navy had, years ago, already joined forces with a rebel like me."
"Joined forces? No."
Garp's tone grew serious, even as he kept chewing senbei.
"Like you said before—"
"The ones who went astray were the World Government, not us."
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