In a certain region of the South Blue, Finn's warships sailed through calm waters.
The sun had just risen above the distant horizon.
The matter concerning the Sorbet Kingdom had concluded. Finn didn't bother asking what would become of Bartholomew Kuma in the future.
After all, he'd come to the South Blue ostensibly to execute a political mission and cooperate with the CP agency regarding Sorbet Kingdom affairs.
But in truth, his focus had always been on Roger.
However, no one knew about this yet. Even Stussy had only learned of it recently.
Commodore Doberman walked toward the cabin with a document in hand.
As he approached Finn's quarters, the door opened preemptively.
Then Doberman saw the CP-0 woman emerging from inside.
He wasn't naive. Doberman naturally knew that during these days at sea, this woman would visit Vice Admiral Finn's quarters to spend the night and wouldn't emerge until morning.
What happened there? Did he need to think too hard about it?
Looking at her satisfied expression, you could tell she must have gone there to "exchange friendship."
Doberman had nothing to say about this. After all, the mission was complete and Vice Admiral Finn was on vacation. It didn't violate military discipline.
Stussy also noticed Doberman. She nodded at him and walked past with confidence.
She didn't care what these Marines thought. Indeed, her beauty was her weapon. Otherwise, why would she maintain herself so carefully?
Finn was a man worth investing in. Though Stussy knew perfectly well that such a man wouldn't be controlled by beauty, and with her own identity, it was absolutely impossible to become Finn's wife.
But that didn't matter. Being able to communicate intimately and deepen the "bond" between them was still highly cost-effective.
A secret alliance required some degree of trust.
After knocking on the door and hearing Finn's response from inside, Doberman opened it and entered.
"Vice Admiral." Doberman announced himself.
After a moment, Finn emerged from the bathroom. He was shirtless, wearing black uniform pants and high-top combat boots. His blond hair was wet, and he was toweling it dry.
Even though Doberman was a man, he had to admit Vice Admiral Finn was remarkably handsome. Not delicate or pretty, but handsome with military bearing. Resolute and brave, yet tough and striking.
In appearance and capability, the type who could fight and look good doing it.
Coupled with Finn's tight, firm but not exaggerated physique, he was genuinely attractive. No wonder the woman from the CP agency had recommended herself...
Thinking this, Doberman reached up and touched the scar on his own face. If it weren't for this injury, Doberman would have been a famous handsome young man in the surrounding villages.
"Doberman? What's the matter?" Finn asked while toweling his hair.
Without waiting for Doberman to respond, he pointed to the tea on the table. "Don't be polite. Sit down and pour yourself some."
Doberman felt a pleasant warmth spread through his chest.
When he first arrived, he hadn't known Vice Admiral Finn well. Like most rising stars in the Marines, Finn carried the terrifying nickname, the "Violent Tiger," and Doberman expected him to be arrogant.
However, after becoming his assistant officer aboard the warship, Doberman slowly realized the truth: Vice Admiral Finn had impeccable character and wasn't arrogant at all.
In fact, he was remarkably friendly to his subordinates. He showed a surprising amount of respect for a mere Marine Commodore like Doberman, often consulting him before making key decisions.
Whether the input was ultimately useful or not, the feeling of being valued was what truly mattered.
"Thank you, Vice Admiral," Doberman said with a smile.
"Don't keep calling me 'Vice Admiral, Vice Admiral.' When not on a mission, just call me Finn." Finn waved his hand dismissively. Without further ceremony, he added, "Get me a glass too."
"Yes, Vice Admiral," Doberman replied.
He didn't change his address because of this. Seeing this, Finn said nothing.
In Doberman's opinion, it was fine for superiors to be friendly and respectful. But you couldn't let yourself go because of that.
You should use proper address when appropriate. A Vice Admiral was a Vice Admiral. You couldn't be casual about that.
First he poured tea for Finn, then Doberman poured himself a cup. Without hesitation, he sat on the sofa and watched Finn extract a pure white short-sleeved shirt and put it on, covering his impressive physique.
"What's the matter?" Finn asked again.
"From headquarters. Admiral Sengoku is asking when we'll return to Marineford," Doberman said, indicating the document in his hand.
"Is there something Marineford needs us for?" Finn asked, sitting on the sofa and sipping his tea.
"Not yet. The seas have been relatively peaceful recently. The New World is the same as before, but there's no need for us to intervene," Doberman shook his head.
"Really? Then tell Admiral Sengoku we'll be back later," Finn nodded.
Doberman had no objection. After all, Finn was the commanding officer. It wasn't his place to make such decisions.
"Yes, Vice Admiral," Doberman replied.
After a slight pause, he smiled and said, "Could it be that the Vice Admiral wants more intimate time with the woman from CP-0?"
Finn looked momentarily stunned, then laughed. "I didn't expect you, Doberman, to make such jokes! Hahahaha!"
When Doberman had said it, he'd actually felt somewhat guilty. After all, if he'd misjudged the relationship, discussing such topics would always be awkward.
But seeing Vice Admiral Finn's reaction, he felt relieved. It seemed the Vice Admiral genuinely regarded him as a confidant, one of his own. He absolutely couldn't let the Vice Admiral down.
That sentence had slightly opened the dynamic, allowing Doberman to no longer strictly adhere to subordinate formality, and feel somewhat like a friend.
"We're all men. That woman's appearance and figure really are quite good," Doberman said with a smile.
"That's true. Stussy, setting everything else aside, does have excellent appearance and figure," Finn nodded, then added mentally, She's also very flexible and has good technique...
Without dwelling on it, Finn shook his head at Doberman. "But I'm not someone who indulges in beauty. Don't underestimate this woman named Stussy. She's a formidable figure, not just a pretty face. I have other matters to confirm this time."
"Yes, Vice Admiral," Doberman responded quickly.
He also knew he needed to be careful with his words and not make such jokes constantly.
What if the Vice Admiral developed genuine feelings for that woman? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?
However, he still asked curiously, "Then Vice Admiral, what are we trying to confirm now?"
Finn set down his teacup, extracted a box of cigars from his drawer, and tossed one to Doberman. "I got these from Instructor Zephyr. They're special supply for Admirals. Little guys like us aren't qualified to receive them. Come have a taste."
Doberman smiled and caught the cigar.
Instructor Zephyr suffered from asthma. Though it wasn't serious now, he definitely couldn't smoke. Not good for his health. Finn took on the responsibility. Every time he visited the teacher's house, not only did he not bring gifts, he actually took these things back...
After lighting his cigar and exhaling a stream of smoke, Finn said softly, "Based on intelligence I've gathered, combined with information from CP-0's Stussy, I have reason to suspect that Pirate King Gol D. Roger, who disappeared at sea two years ago, is hiding in the South Blue. Currently, I suspect he's on Baterilla Island."
Commodore Doberman, who'd just taken a puff of his 'Admiral-grade' cigar, hadn't even savored the taste when he was nearly choked to death by Finn's words.
He coughed violently for several moments, drinking multiple sips of tea before finally recovering.
After regaining his composure, he suddenly asked, "Vice Admiral Finn, is this true?"
"Whether it's true or not, I can't confirm yet. I don't have concrete intelligence. But with this kind of information, it's always better to investigate and find nothing than ignore it and miss something. Now that I'm here, of course I should go take a look," Finn said with a smile.
"If that's the case, shouldn't we notify headquarters and request support and assistance? After all, he's the Pirate King. With our current strength..." Doberman said seriously.
As an assistant officer, one naturally had to be brave enough to speak up and offer suggestions.
In his opinion, wasn't Vice Admiral Finn being a bit too cavalier about this?
Finn smiled and waved his hand. "Doberman, you should know I just resigned from the Intelligence Staff not long ago, correct?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral." Doberman nodded, though somewhat confused. What did this have to do with anything?
"Then you probably don't know how many Roger sightings and reports the Intelligence Department receives every month... There are approximately fifteen. In other words, every two days, there are reports of Roger appearing in certain waters or on certain islands. If we took every single one seriously and responded with full force... Over the past two years, our Marines wouldn't have had to do anything except run around the world chasing random reports," Finn said with a smile.
Doberman slowly came to understanding after hearing this, and smiled sheepishly. "Then I was making a fuss over nothing..."
He'd finally grasped it. There was too much messy information about Roger. A "Roger" appeared somewhere new constantly.
Vice Admiral Finn probably wasn't taking it too seriously this time either. He just happened to be in the area, so he'd decided to take a look.
Requesting immediate support from headquarters for something like this... really was an overreaction.
Come to think of it, Marine Headquarters hadn't found a single trace of Roger in over two years. Could it be that the Vice Admiral would just happen to encounter Roger by coming to the South Blue on business this time?
Wasn't that a bit far-fetched?
It was probably more false information. Just take a look and handle it routinely. There really was no need to alarm headquarters.
Thinking this, Doberman looked at Vice Admiral Finn, who appeared calm and composed, and sighed internally. Doberman, you're still too impulsive. You should learn from the Vice Admiral. As a Marine Commodore, how can you lose your composure over a piece of unconfirmed intelligence?
Finn tapped ash from his cigar. "I don't think it's particularly likely, but it's intelligence. We should still investigate. There's no need to report to headquarters and waste manpower and resources. Let's circle Baterilla Island, and if there's no problem, we'll return to headquarters."
"Yes, Vice Admiral." Doberman stood and responded.
There was nothing more to discuss, and he didn't want to disturb the Vice Admiral's rest any longer, so he prepared to leave.
Walking to the door, he extended his hand to the doorknob. After a slight pause, he turned to look at Finn and asked, "Then Vice Admiral, what if... I'm saying what if. What if Roger really is on Baterilla Island?"
Finn turned to look at Doberman. "Then it's naturally time for us to enforce justice. As Marines, when have we ever feared pirates? Even if he's the Pirate King! As long as he dares show himself, we'll bite him to death!"
After a slight pause, Finn said righteously, "I will never reconcile with evil!"
Doberman was the type who feared nothing. Otherwise, how could he earn the moniker "Fighting Dog" in the future?
Finn's words were quite to his liking. He stood at attention and saluted. "Yes, everything for justice!"