"May I ask… who exactly is in the Navy right now?"
I eased a step closer, trying my best to sound casual while my mind worked overtime. If I could confirm where we were in the timeline, everything would make more sense. I clearly remembered — Tina was still a Colonel before the Paramount War. Only two years later did she become a Major General. And right now… her appearance matched the original manga perfectly.
That meant the current timeline couldn't be too far off from the beginning of the World Government's major movements.
As long as I know which rank Tina holds right now… I'll know where I am in the story.
"Captain Tina."
So she said it herself — Colonel Tina.
Aha. Right on target.
"I see — so it really is Colonel Tina. I've heard of you for a long time. Your Black Threshold Unit is one of the Navy's most elite forces."
I made sure to start with praise. After all, I needed her to bring me off this godforsaken Graf Island. Making her feel good was the logical play.
"That is only natural. Tina takes pride in her achievements."
"…Yeah. I can tell."
She was definitely confident — way too confident — not humble in the slightest. But to be fair, she could afford to be. In terms of both strength and figure, Tina had more than enough credentials to back it up.
"By the way," she asked, looking me up and down, "why would a bounty hunter with your level of strength be on this deserted island? There are no pirates here."
"Uh… I'm not too familiar with these waters. My boat hit the reefs when I sailed in, so… I ended up stranded here."
Of course, I didn't tell her the truth. Even if I did, nobody would believe me — a boy reincarnated into the body of Kiana Kaslana from Honkai Impact 3rd? Yeah, sure. That would go over well. Explaining that would be a nightmare, so a little harmless lie was the better route.
"I see… that's truly unfortunate."
Tina understood. If a boat crashed on the waters near Graf Island, chances were it would never return. Under normal circumstances, almost no ships came here. She must've thought I'd been stuck here for a long time.
"Then, Kiana — you may board Tina's ship."
"Really?! Thank you! I've seriously had enough of this island!"
I almost jumped for joy. I had been trying to figure out how to bring up the topic myself — but this? She offered first. A smooth escape route served on a silver platter.
Behind us lay the aftermath of the earlier bombardment. The pirate ship was riddled with holes — and aside from Tina and me, every pirate aboard was dead.
I took a slow breath.
…Wait a second.
She just solved my biggest problem.
Not a single pirate survived — meaning no one was left alive who had seen me in both of my appearances. I had been considering whether to kill them myself… but I hadn't been able to bring myself to do it. If they stayed alive, things could've gotten… complicated.
But Tina?
She took care of it for me. Clean and simple.
Secretly, I gave her a mental thumbs-up.
Second battalion commander… I apologize. I misjudged you before. You're a real ally.
Tina, meanwhile, let out a sigh as she surveyed the damage. She hadn't expected all the pirates to die. Then she reached into her jacket — and pulled out a creature that looked exactly like a giant snail.
The moment I saw it, I recognized it instantly.
"Is that… a Den Den Mushi?"
Curiosity bubbled up. It was the first time I'd seen one in person, and I couldn't help but stare.
"Colonel Tina, has everything been resolved?"
"Mm. It's all taken care of. All pirates confirmed dead. Prepare to clean the battlefield and count everything Siegel plundered."
"Understood!"
Once she gave the report, she returned the Den Den Mushi to her pocket and waited for her subordinates to arrive by boat.
"Kiana."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Would you like to join the Navy? With your strength, you would at least start as a commissioned officer. Being a bounty hunter offers no real future."
Tina extended the olive branch. With someone capable of soloing Siegel's Black Horn Pirates, it would be a waste for the Navy not to recruit me. Sure, she could probably defeat them too — but she had already seen how easily I took Siegel down. I didn't even look tired.
"…I'll have to pass. I still have something important to do. I don't have the time… or the energy."
I thought for a moment, then declined. I still need to find the Dragon Balls. If I joined the Navy, would I even have time to search for them? No — staying a free bounty hunter gave me more autonomy. Become a Navy officer, and you have to follow your superiors' orders, no matter how strong you are — even the three Admirals of the Navy are bound by command.
"What are you looking for? Maybe I can help."
She wasn't ready to give up. If I needed to find something, she would find it. And once I owed her a favor, inviting me into the Navy would be a lot easier.
But…
"Uh… well… even if I told you, I doubt you'd recognize it. Honestly, I don't even know what it looks like yet."
It was the truth. Ai-chan had already warned me — these Dragon Balls might not resemble the ones from Dragon Ball at all. They could be people… or objects. So there was nothing I could tell Tina, even if I wanted to.
"I understand. Tina is disappointed… but if Kiana ever changes her mind, you may come to Tina anytime. The Navy's doors will always be open to you."
"Thank you. If I ever get the chance — I'll come find you."
I nodded politely. In my previous life, I was a complete homebody — I'd grown used to being free. The Navy's rigid structure just wasn't for me.
Before long, several small boats arrived. The sailors visibly froze when they saw me standing beside Tina. She had told them everything was resolved — so who was this girl? And wait — wasn't she the one who stopped their cannon fire earlier?
"This is Kiana, the bounty hunter who wiped out Siegel's pirate crew before we arrived."
Tina introduced me, and instantly the sailors swarmed like starving wolves.
"She's gorgeous!"
"Whoa!! What's your name, miss? Do you have a boyfriend?!"
"Back off, you perverts! Don't scare her!"
One soldier smacked a few on the head, scolding them hard — but he turned to me with a sheepish smile.
"If you don't mind, miss, could I perhap—"
He stopped dead. Tina was staring at him. Mercilessly.
"…Are you all seriously this hopeless when a woman shows up? Tina is angry. Are all sailors in Tina's unit like this?"
Clearly, Tina didn't approve of their behavior. Normally, they never acted like this around her — which meant…
Is Kiana Kaslana… more charming than Tina?
The thought seemed to truly irritate her.
After Tina's scolding, the sailors finally got themselves under control — straightening their posture and acting much more professional.
For now.
Would you like me to continue the next scene when they board the Navy ship — or polish the earlier action sequence with Siegel's pirates?