It wasn't that the two were the same thing—only that there were similarities, certain points where they overlapped.
As Borsalino fused his mental energy with his physical energy, an overwhelming surge of chakra erupted from his body.
The finest cypress wood floor exploded outward from beneath his feet, spiderweb-like cracks spreading in every direction. Chakra so dense it was almost tangible flooded the entire cabin in an instant.
The Marines stationed outside the door rushed over, alarmed by the noise, just in time to see the reinforced wooden door blasted clean off its hinges.
"Admiral Kizaru!"
For a split second, they nearly assumed an enemy had infiltrated the warship and was fighting the Admiral inside—until Borsalino stepped out and calmly waved them off, stopping the commotion.
He had underestimated just how much chakra his body could produce.
Though he was still far from anything resembling a true Tailed Beast, with a Marine Admiral's physique, his chakra reserves were easily greater than those of the so-called Uzumaki Clan.
Still, after confirming that he could refine chakra, Borsalino didn't rush to start learning the ninjutsu and forbidden techniques Orochimaru had provided.
On one hand, those techniques all had steep learning curves—none of them were things you could just pick up casually.
On the other hand, Orochimaru choosing to deliver first was his decision. Borsalino had no intention of studying the techniques before fully completing the trade. He didn't like feeling as though he owed someone—or worse, that he'd taken advantage.
Fortunately, it wouldn't take long. Amazon Lily, home of the Kuja Pirates, was already close at hand.
Over the next few days, Kizaru repeatedly practiced chakra refinement. His control improved rapidly, to the point where he no longer risked losing control and wrecking his surroundings.
Having chakra was only the first step. To truly master high-level ninjutsu and forbidden techniques, chakra control had to reach an equally high standard.
Wasting chakra wasn't a big deal. Not being able to use a technique at all—that was the real problem.
"Admiral Kizaru! We've spotted a ship flying the Kuja Pirates' flag ahead!"
The original captain of the warship hurried over with his report. With Nami absent, Borsalino had temporarily appointed this colonel-captain as his acting aide.
"Oh? That'll be here to pick me up," Borsalino said calmly, lifting a small leather case—inside were the scrolls Orochimaru had provided.
"You can head back to Headquarters. I still need to proceed with recruiting a Warlord."
"Yes, sir!"
The acting aide showed no hesitation. As the direct subordinate of Vice Admiral Strawberry, he was firmly part of the Marine hardliners. He wouldn't go so far as to attack a Warlord on sight—but he had no interest in dealing with so-called 'legal pirates' either.
Borsalino stepped onto the railing and leapt lightly.
In the next instant, his body dissolved into light and reformed on the deck of the Kuja Pirates' ship.
"Lord Borsalino!"
A fragrant breeze rushed toward him as Boa Hancock burst out of the cabin, her cheeks flushed red. Without the slightest hesitation, she threw herself straight into his arms.
The other Kuja pirates weren't surprised in the least. If anything, it would've been strange if Hancock hadn't done this.
"Good work, Hancock," Borsalino said, wrapping one arm around her waist and smoothly spinning her halfway around.
Hancock's outfit—a tight, sleeveless top—left her waist bare. The smooth skin beneath his hand was… dangerously pleasant to the touch.
Even someone as seasoned as Borsalino couldn't help but feel a little intoxicated.
Thankfully, his willpower was strong. Otherwise, he really might've drowned in the Pirate Empress's tenderness one day.
"As long as it's your order, Lord Borsalino, this one will give everything she has!"
Hancock pressed herself against his chest like a devoted bird seeking shelter.
It helped that Borsalino was tall enough—otherwise, this position would've been downright impractical.
"Lord Borsalino," Sandersonia reported, holding a box together with Marigold.
"Bloodbeard Roc's head has already been delivered to Marine Base 114. The two Paramecia-type Devil Fruits you requested are also ready."
Inside the boxes were the Devil Fruits intended for Orochimaru.
In a sense, under Hancock's ruinously lovestruck leadership, the Kuja Pirates had effectively become Borsalino's subordinates.
That said, they weren't losing out.
Setting aside the fact that Borsalino had secured them the status of legitimate pirates, just a few of his interventions had already more than repaid the price they'd paid.
And honestly—Hancock was lucky.
If it had been someone like Sakazuki instead, the Kuja Pirates would've been skinned, dismantled, and thrown into Impel Down without a second thought.
"Good. Take these confidential documents and store them as usual," Borsalino said with a satisfied nod, handing over the leather case.
Hancock, still nestled against him, looked utterly entranced. It had been so long since she'd been this close to Lord Borsalino—she didn't want to let go. Ever.
"Yes, Lord Borsalino!"
Sandersonia accepted the case—
—and then watched, expressionless, as her sister was carried straight into the cabin.
Not long after, distinctly suggestive sounds drifted out.
"Set sail," Marigold ordered calmly.
Under Borsalino's guidance, the Kuja Pirates had long since escaped their former dependence on plunder.
In the past, to sustain Amazon Lily, they'd had no choice but to leave the Calm Belt and raid ships along nearby routes.
As raids increased, traffic dwindled. The Kuja Pirates were forced to expand their hunting grounds, creating a vicious cycle.
After Hancock became Empress, and with Borsalino's instruction, the Kuja Pirates shifted to providing escort services for merchant vessels crossing the Calm Belt.
Aside from the Kuja Pirates themselves, only the Marine Headquarters' main fleets could traverse the Calm Belt—and the Marines certainly weren't going to escort civilian ships.
While escort work paid less than outright plunder, raids didn't guarantee suitable targets.
And looted goods weren't always useful. Selling excess cargo meant letting underworld middlemen take a hefty cut.
Escort missions, on the other hand, offered stability.
With a Marine Admiral's unspoken backing and the massive profits tied to Calm Belt trade routes, the Kuja Pirates tripled in size in just a few short years.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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