Finn felt no guilt whatsoever about beating Stussy hard enough to make her cough blood moments earlier. His expression remained earnest, almost eager, as if he genuinely looked forward to working with her.
And truthfully, he did admire her. As a CP agency operative who would later establish the formidable intelligence network known as Pleasure Street, Stussy might lack raw combat power, but her professionalism was undeniable. If he could recruit her into the Marine Intelligence Department, their information gathering would improve dramatically.
Her Cipher Pol affiliation wasn't an obstacle. The Marines and CP both operated under the World Government, and personnel transfers between the two occurred regularly.
Despite the tension between their organizations, they ultimately answered to the same authority. Neither side would dare plant spies within the other; such betrayal would invite devastating punishment from the Government itself.
The rivalry between Marines and Cipher Pol was little more than political theater, a carefully maintained illusion of competition, orchestrated from above. They might clash in methods and pride, but they were never true enemies.
Still, despite Finn's sincere tone, Stussy regarded him like he'd just suggested something ridiculous.
She shook her head firmly. "I appreciate the offer, Rear Admiral, but as CP-9's commander, I have no interest in transferring to the Marines." She paused, a faint smile touching her lips. "Besides, my administrative rank is technically higher than yours. There's no logical reason for me to work under you."
The subtext was clear: strength aside, you don't have the credentials to make me subordinate.
Finn had only asked on a whim anyway. Worth a shot, he'd figured. What if she'd been foolish enough to agree? When she refused, he simply smiled. "That's unfortunate."
With the matter settled and Lucci's fate decided, Stussy saw no reason to linger. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, she turned to leave.
"Speaking of which," Finn called after her, "if I make Vice Admiral someday, would you reconsider joining the Marines then?"
Stussy stopped mid-step and glanced back. "Perhaps when you make Admiral."
A polite deflection, nothing more. Who could predict the future? Finn showed potential, certainly, but Stussy knew others with equal or greater prospects. Among Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino, each had a clearer path to Admiral than this ambitious Rear Admiral.
Finn's smile widened. "I'll hold you to that."
Stussy didn't bother responding and walked away.
Shortly after, the elderly caretaker who'd fled earlier with young Lucci returned, having witnessed Finn's brutal display against Stussy. He no longer treated the man before him as merely another Rear Admiral. His demeanor shifted to something closer to reverence.
"Rear Admiral," he said quickly, "this is Lucci, the talent you were looking for."
Finn nodded and crouched down, reaching out to ruffle the boy's hair with an easy smile. At this age, Lucci hadn't yet developed the cold, lifeless expression he'd wear twenty years from now. He looked almost innocent, even cute.
"The reports say you're a Devil Fruit user?" Finn asked.
Lucci nodded with childlike seriousness. "Zoan type. Cat-Cat Fruit, Leopard Model."
Finn felt a twinge of disappointment. The kid clearly had exceptional talent, and an ordinary Zoan fruit seemed like a waste of that potential. But what could be done? The boy had already eaten it; they couldn't exactly make him spit it back out.
He consoled himself with the knowledge that Lucci would eventually develop his Zoan abilities to an impressive degree. Combined with his natural talent for physical combat and martial arts, the fruit would provide solid enhancement. Not everything could be perfect.
"Excellent. My name is Rodriguez Finn, Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters and Deputy Chief of Intelligence Staff." Finn kept his tone warm, approachable. "I came here to invite you to join our organization. Your talent would be wasted growing up in this place. After we return to headquarters, I'll recommend you to Instructor Zephyr. When you're old enough, you'll officially join the Marines and serve directly under my command. Sound good?"
Though phrased as a question, his words carried the weight of settled fact.
Lucci blinked, processing. He didn't understand the difference between CP and the Marines, but he'd seen this Rear Admiral's strength. The man seemed more powerful than that beautiful older woman who'd just left.
So Lucci nodded. "Okay."
Finn stood, satisfaction crossing his features. He turned to the caretaker. "Process his transfer documents. I'm taking him today. As for the damage here..." He gestured at the ruined training grounds. "Submit the bill to Lady Stussy. She started it, after all."
"Yes, Rear Admiral!" the old man replied immediately.
Of course, he wouldn't actually dare bill Stussy for the destruction. He'd simply absorb the losses and rebuild quietly.
At that moment, Finn's Den Den Mushi rang. He pulled it out and saw it was Chief of Staff Tsuru calling. He waved for the caretaker and Lucci to step away before answering.
"Chief of Staff?"
"Finn, have you finished your business?" Tsuru's voice came through, carrying an unusual weight.
Finn's instincts sharpened. That serious tone meant something significant had happened.
"There were complications, but it's handled," he replied. "I'll return to Marineford once the paperwork's transferred. Do you have new orders?"
"Return as soon as possible. Something major has occurred." Tsuru paused. "The Roger Pirates have confirmed your earlier speculation."
Finn's breath caught. So soon?
But then again, the timing made sense. This was when it would happen.
"Has the news spread?" he asked quickly.
"Not yet, but it will. We received this information from Morgans. He's agreed to keep it confidential for three days. After that, the newspaper will announce it to the world." Tsuru's voice dropped. "Roger will become the Pirate King."
So Morgans had been frightened enough to contact the World Government first, buying them time to prepare rather than immediately publishing the bombshell. Smart of him.
"Understood. I'll return to Marineford immediately," Finn said, his tone matching her gravity.
He knew perfectly well that at this point, the Marines had no good countermeasures. They could only accept the fact passively and intensify their pursuit of the Roger Pirates. That's why they'd summoned him back: to discuss their response.
But Finn also knew the pursuit would prove futile. The Roger Pirates, small in number and highly mobile, would disband almost immediately after this. The crew would scatter across the world like startled birds. Except for someone with foreknowledge like himself, the Marines wouldn't be able to find them at all.
It wouldn't be until two years later, in Sea Circle Calendar year 1500, that Roger, his body finally failing him after a period in seclusion, would surrender himself to the Marines.
And then the Great Pirate Era would begin.
Still, even knowing all this, Finn had to return and play his part.
He ended the call and walked back to the caretaker and Lucci. "Headquarters has an urgent situation requiring my presence. Process the paperwork here and fax it back to headquarters. I'm taking Lucci with me now."
The old man didn't dare object. "Yes, Rear Admiral."
Soon after, Finn boarded his warship.
A Marine Lieutenant stood at attention beside him, awaiting orders.
"Turn the ship around. Set course for Impel Down," Finn commanded without hesitation. "Notify them to prepare the Gate of Justice for opening. We'll ride the currents back to Marineford at maximum speed."
When he'd departed headquarters, he hadn't been in any particular hurry. It had been his first time commanding a warship independently, so he'd taken the scenic route, enjoying the journey to the orphanage.
But returning was far more urgent. This location was closest to Impel Down, reachable in half a day. From Impel Down, they could use the Tarai Current through the Gate of Justice and reach Marineford in less than another half day.
The Lieutenant hesitated briefly before responding crisply, "Yes, Rear Admiral!"
Impel Down sat in the Calm Belt, indeed very close, but the route was dangerous. Sea Kings infested those waters.
The Lieutenant had been about to warn Finn of this, but then reconsidered. Rear Admiral Finn's strength was proven. A few Sea Kings probably weren't much of a threat to him.
The warship soon departed the orphanage island, cutting through the waves toward the Calm Belt at full speed.
Upon entering those windless waters, the paddle wheel mechanism engaged, propelling them forward.
Though the Marines now possessed paddle wheel technology, they hadn't yet developed the Seastone plating that would eventually shield ships from Sea King attention. As a result, few warships ventured into the Calm Belt unless absolutely necessary.
Only someone with Finn's skill and confidence would dare such a direct route.
Lucci stood on the deck beside him, watching the strange, still waters with wide eyes. The boy said nothing, but Finn could sense his mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"Ever seen a Sea King?" Finn asked casually.
Lucci shook his head.
"You might get lucky today." Finn's smile carried a predatory edge. "If one shows up, I'll give you a demonstration of what real strength looks like."
As if summoned by his words, the water ahead began to churn. Something massive moved beneath the surface, disturbing the deceptive calm.
The Lieutenant paled slightly. "Rear Admiral, Sea King ahead!"
"I can see that," Finn said mildly. He didn't move from his position at the rail, merely watched as an enormous serpentine head rose from the depths, water cascading from scales the size of shields.
The creature's eyes, each larger than a man, fixed on the warship with predatory interest.
Finn sighed, almost disappointed. "They never learn."
He stepped forward, coat billowing behind him, and the Sea King's fate was sealed before it even understood the danger.
This was going to be a very short demonstration.