After sailing for five hours, the warship slowly entered the port where the branch base was located. The soldiers who had participated in the battle were fortunately given a day off.
The 'Commodore' who had given them orders stayed at the port. Seizing the moment when no one was around, he openly had the plump little fat bird restore the ship's form and dock it in the Marine's shipyard.
He had Kuina disguised as a Marine logistics soldier and also had the real Pudding Pudding hidden in a crate.
Soon, the Marine's dedicated maintenance technicians walked into the docking area in small groups.
"Oh, Commodore Pudding Pudding, you're here too?"
The old shipwright from the maintenance squad saluted the man sitting on the crate upon seeing him.
"No need for formalities. We just seized a pirate ship out at sea, it's a bit special. Have a look at it."
The 'Commodore', crossing his arms, raised one hand and gestured with his thumb towards the triple-hulled speedboat behind him.
"Hmm, this is really... which idiot designed this piece of junk?"
The old shipwright put on a single loupe that could adjust focus, looked at the ship made almost entirely of raw wood, and let out a scoff.
"Hmm?!"
A row of neat teeth appeared on the ship's ramming prow, and a dangerous gaze swept over the shipwrights who had come up for inspection.
"Cough!"
The 'Commodore', who had followed behind the technicians, reached out to press down on several ropes that were about to come loose. With a fist imbued with Haki, he knocked on the head of the ship spirit that was about to emerge.
"The hull and structure are normal. It's just the interior and some life support systems that have problems."
The old shipwright, finished with the inspection, tapped his back and led his disciples up from the lower decks.
"So, can it be repaired?" Rubbing his hands together awkwardly, the 'Commodore' showed an embarrassed expression.
"Let me be clear, it's not that I like this ship. It's mainly because I think it's quite good, and it's a shame to let it stay broken like this."
The shipwright, who had spent most of his life in the Marine base, immediately understood the underlying meaning. He raised his hand and stroked his beard.
Since the Great Pirate Era began, the Marine regulations regarding seized spoils had been very vague. In principle, pirate ships, as spoils of war, belonged to the Marine as public property.
But Pudding Pudding, as the commander of a local branch, didn't own the spoils, but he had the right to use them.
So...
"Don't worry, Commodore, leave it to me!"
"We'll work overtime this afternoon. I guarantee you can sail this ship by tonight."
The old shipwright gave him an 'I understand' look and made an OK gesture with his hand.
The entire conversation didn't mention a single word about the cost of modifying the cabins, electrical circuits, and water desalination facilities.
To become the head technician of the maintenance squad, one really had to understand human relationships and worldly wisdom~
"Hahaha, Head Shipwright, you're truly reliable. I'll put that matter for the maintenance squad on the agenda immediately!"
Walking back onto the dock, the 'Commodore' ordered Kuina to lift the crate onto a trolley and head towards the interior of the base.
"Really? Thank you so much, sir!"
The old shipwright and the group of technicians from the maintenance squad, upon receiving his promise, immediately started working fervently.
Inside the passageway, Kuina lifted the brim of her Marine cap and asked, "Sakura-nee, how did you know about the matter between the Marine maintenance squad and that Commodore?"
"I didn't know. Think about it, which part of my conversation with them mentioned what the matter was?"
The 'Commodore Sakura' walking ahead turned back and spread her hands towards the 'Kuina laborer' behind her.
"You can do that?"
"Just keep learning!"
The two walked out of the passageway chatting and laughing, found a soldier in the hall, and ordered him to follow Kuina and push the wooden crate to the branch base commander's office.
After closing the door, Sakura sat down in the commander's exclusive chair, released the Jutsu, and returned to her original form.
Nearby, Kuina also opened the crate that was making noise and released the tightly bound Pudding Pudding inside.
"Damn pirates, what is your goal?!"
As soon as the cloth was removed from the man's mouth, he immediately roared at Sakura.
"Don't say that. We're good friends who've shared hardships~"
Sakura picked up a cigar from the desk and sniffed it lightly.
'Hmm, still high-end stuff.'
'It seemed the life of a Marine branch commander in the four seas was indeed comfortable.'
"Sakura-nee, you're so mean."
Kuina, who had walked to the girl's side, rolled her eyes.
"Who's your good friend! Let me go, otherwise just wait for Headquarters to send people to besiege you!"
Struggling, Pudding Pudding lost his balance and fell face-first towards the ground.
"Don't fuss. You were defeated fair and square by my crew member and are now our prisoner."
"Not killing you and only borrowing your identity for one afternoon is already very good treatment."
Sakura walked over, lifted him out of the wooden crate, and tossed him onto the nearby sofa.
She smiled, squatted beside the sofa, and met his gaze.
"Anyway, let's get along well~"
"You..."
Pudding Pudding clenched his teeth but couldn't refute it.
Losing in skill was losing in skill, and being defeated was an indisputable fact.
Continuing to shout about Justice like this would only make his Justice seem incredibly cheap.
Feeling deeply humiliated, Pudding Pudding closed his eyes, no longer looking at the pirate beside him, and buried his head deeply into the sofa.
Meanwhile, the equipment maintenance squad worked busily all afternoon.
They meticulously repaired the Leviathan's electrical system and water desalination module, and also planned the newly added cabins, creating a living room, storage room, weapons room, bathroom....
The thoughtful old shipwright, considering the 'Commodore's' travel needs, even retrofitted a bar counter in the upper cabin and installed a ventilation system throughout the ship.
"Hmm, the entire ship looks brand new now!"
The satisfied old shipwright led his team in the final touches, spray-painting the entire ship white.
Below the shipyard, some soldiers who had gotten time off came to the dock, wanting to personally adjust the weapons and ammunition on the ship.
However, when they saw the Leviathan moored behind the Battleship, their eyes bulged, and their jaws dropped to the ground.
"Why, why is this ship here?!"
A group of Marines who had participated in the pursuit of Sakura raised their fists and roared at the maintenance squad.
"What do you mean why? This is the spoils of war that Commodore Pudding Pudding asked us to repair."
The old shipwright from the maintenance squad took a pipe from his waist, lit it, and took a blissful puff.
A soldier rushed up and shook the maintenance technician: "Idiots, this ship is Higanbana's pirate ship! And we were defeated by her, how could there be any spoils of war?!"
"Wait, you mean..."
The old shipwright let go, his pipe falling to the ground, his face gradually turning grim.
"Ara ara~ exposed~"
Under the incredulous gazes of the Marines, the Leviathan's shark-like bow opened its sharp teeth, a pair of fierce red eyes staring intently at them.
"The ship... the ship is talking?!"
Among the Marines shrouded in the ship's shadow, someone foamed at the mouth and fainted.
Then they saw the huge triple-hulled composite sailboat leap high into the air, black wings spreading out, turning into a large bird flying into their base.
Woo-!
In the Conifer Islands at night, a long alarm sound echoed throughout the Marine Base.
A large number of soldiers, equipped with weapons and ammunition, charged towards the office of their beloved Commodore, without the slightest fear even though their opponent might be that great pirate.
"Commodore Pudding Pudding!"
The leading sergeant crashed open the office door and immediately saw the Commodore, tied up into a bundle and thrown on the sofa.
And two pirates sitting on the desk, playing a board game.
" We've been discovered. What do we do, Sakura-nee?"
Kuina grabbed the dice and slapped away the sneaky little hand that was trying to move the game piece.
"Then of course... we run away! Don't get caught by the Marines!"
Sakura, sensing the situation outside the base with Observation Haki, threw a punch, shattering the wall behind her.
Then, without warning Kuina, she took the lead and jumped out.
The girl left behind turned her head mechanically, staring blankly at the Marine soldiers raising their guns and cannons.
"Sakura-nee, you unreliable captain-!"
Amidst the volley of gunfire and cannon shots, Kuina also jumped out of the large hole, her figure swallowed by the huge black shadow circling outside the base.
"That is..."
The Marine soldiers who had chased to the broken wall felt the night sea breeze, their wide eyes reflecting the sky-blotting huge black wings.
The Marines swallowed their saliva in unison, their raised gun muzzles trembling. "A m... monster!"
Sakura patted Leviathan's head. The large night sparrow flapped its wings, blowing the group of Marines to the ground, then flew away.
Just as the black shadow was about to disappear, a laugh accompanied by the sea breeze reached their ears.
"Hahaha, one last reminder for you: without power, you can't protect your Justice."
"Also, the time we spent together this afternoon was pleasant. I hope our friendship lasts forever!"