Chapter 3 — An Unusual Method of Revenge
Although he said it was interesting, Madara was actually filled with confusion.
This was a completely new world, and everything he had once pursued now felt like nothing but an illusion.
The failed Eye of the Moon Plan, Black Zetsu's deception, and of course…
Hashirama!!!
After landing, Gion coughed twice. Other than that, she didn't seem particularly uncomfortable and didn't even feel much. Uchiha Madara was not Nagato, and the two were on entirely different levels when it came to controlling the Rinnegan. There was also a difference between factory-original and aftermarket.
Before Madara could make any move, Gion suddenly dropped to her knees in front of him and shouted loudly,
"Please accept me as your disciple, Mr. Madara!"
That completely caught Madara off guard.
As everyone knew, Uchiha were the sort who responded poorly to force but softened easily under gentleness. A move like this left Madara somewhat at a loss.
"Brat, as a mere ant, what exactly are you fantasizing about?"
Uchiha Madara said coldly.
But Gion did not get up. Instead, she remained kneeling and shouted even louder,
"Please, for the sake of the favor you owe me, accept me as your disciple, Mr. Madara!"
Madara's face suddenly darkened.
"Are you threatening me?"
Gion, however, did not follow the direction Madara wanted.
"No. This is simply a sincere request. Please accept me as your disciple, Mr. Madara."
Madara's expression became even uglier.
If Gion had tried to use her favor to force his hand, he could have rejected it on the spot. But her complete obedience left Uchiha Madara with no good way to refuse.
Garp and Sengoku were also dumbfounded.
What kind of scene was this?
Unlike Garp, who was simply stunned, Sengoku was inwardly delighted. If they could use this method to keep Uchiha Madara in the Marines, that would be excellent. Sure, he had a bad temper—but the man could really fight.
Even taking ten thousand steps back, even if Uchiha Madara never worked for the Marines, just the identity of being Gion's master would at least keep him from making things too difficult for the Marines… or becoming a pirate.
Thinking this, Sengoku quickly spoke up.
"Ahem, ahem. Mr. Madara has only just recovered, so he's probably still a bit fatigued. Gion, don't push Mr. Madara too hard."
Gion glanced at Sengoku in confusion.
She had finally come up with a way to get back at Uchiha Madara—something that would embarrass him without making him explode—and she couldn't understand why Sengoku was interrupting at this moment.
But Sengoku ignored her confusion and continued,
"Mr. Madara has only just recovered from serious illness, for one. And for another, Mr. Madara said he is a ninja. I happen to know a little about ninja—people from Wano Country, right? Powerful, enduring, bearing humiliation for the sake of their goals, walkers in the darkness, heroic figures among the armed folk."
"Our Marines, as the world's largest law enforcement organization, have always acted impartially. At the same time, we welcome heroes from all walks of life to visit. So how about this, Mr. Madara—why not stay with the Marines for a while?"
Without giving Madara the chance to refuse, Sengoku immediately continued,
"We also know a little about Wano Country. Though its people are strong and it produces many heroes, its information is somewhat isolated. Gion is still young, after all, and her knowledge is limited. But our Marines have always been more than willing to provide all kinds of intelligence to a hero like Mr. Madara."
"With Gion's information as a foundation, Mr. Madara would also have a basis to judge the intelligence we provide. So why not stay with the Marines for a few days? During that time, our strongest Vice Admiral, the hero Garp, can accompany you. What do you think?"
Uchiha Madara was almost dazed by the barrage of flattery.
Back in the Naruto world, as the Asura of the Shinobi World, when had he ever experienced this sort of treatment? It had always been schemes, conspiracies, and life-and-death struggles. He had never encountered anyone flattering him in Sengoku's style.
He found it hard to refuse outright, so after a brief pause, he simply nodded in agreement.
He said nothing, of course.
He had to maintain his cold and lofty image.
The moment Sengoku saw Madara nod, joy welled up in his heart.
He was not some hot-blooded young fool like Gion. He was practically on the verge of becoming Fleet Admiral. When it came to human relations, he was a seasoned master.
Someone like Uchiha Madara—clearly the kind who responded well when handled gently—was exactly the type Sengoku knew how to manage.
After all, if he could even keep the Celestial Dragons of all people smoothed over… then what was one Uchiha Madara?
"Heh heh, good, good. As long as Mr. Madara agrees. Hey! Garp! Hurry up and catch a couple of decent sea beasts! Tonight, I'm going to drink and discuss heroes with Mr. Madara!"
Garp was momentarily stunned.
You're the one flattering him—what does that have to do with me? Not only do I have to keep him company after you butter him up, now I have to provide the food too?
"Temple of Nirvana Technique — Release."
Madara, meanwhile, did not stay idle. Forming a seal with one hand, he dispelled the illusion affecting most of the Marines. After all, now that the fighting had stopped, it would be inappropriate to leave so many people sprawled on the ground.
Sengoku paid no attention to Garp's reaction and directly led Madara back to his own residence.
"What Mr. Madara may not know is that, not long ago, our Marines captured the most vicious pirate in the world—the one known as the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. His execution will take place soon. This is a matter of the highest importance in the world, so we were assigned here in advance to stand guard."
Seeing Sengoku show him this much respect, Madara found it difficult to keep putting on airs and finally responded in his usual flat tone,
"Pirate King? Sounds interesting. Can he fight me?"
"Hahaha! As expected of Mr. Madara. Most people tremble in fear the moment they hear Roger's name."
How could Sengoku not see through Uchiha Madara and Gion?
One didn't want to take on a disciple. The other didn't want to become one. Gion was obviously just doing all this to disgust Madara.
That was exactly why Sengoku had interrupted the matter earlier—to stabilize Uchiha Madara first, then think things over slowly afterward.
In Sengoku's eyes, someone like Uchiha Madara—who valued favors, didn't reject things too decisively, and looked like he was a bit soft-hearted underneath—was basically a duck already in the pot.
How could he possibly let it fly away?
Besides, during Roger's execution, at such a critical moment, a terrifying combat force like Uchiha Madara wandering around freely would probably keep Sengoku awake at night. Better to find an excuse and have Garp keep an eye on him.
But one Garp didn't feel like enough.
Hmm. No. Better find a reason to bring Zephyr over too.
Honestly, the eve of Roger's execution was proving to be troublesome beyond belief. First Shiki, now Uchiha Madara… and one after another, the monsters lurking in the shadows were starting to emerge.
Just two more days.
They only had to hold on for two more days.
Yes. The era of pirates—it was time for it to end.
What this world needed was justice.
Justice that reigned supreme over all!
By the time Garp returned from hunting, Sengoku had already found an excuse to quietly go look for Gion.
Uchiha Madara might not be trustworthy yet, but even if he turned out to be spoiled meat, he was still a piece of fat meat. There was no way Sengoku could simply ignore that.
In private, Sengoku crept stealthily to the door of the treatment ward and knocked lightly.
An irritated voice came from inside.
"Come in, Mr. Sengoku."
Only then did Sengoku let out a breath of relief.
What he feared most was Gion's blunt temper flaring up and driving him right back out. After all, this time he was the one asking for something.
"Ahem, well, little Gion… how are your injuries?"
Gion ignored the question. In a tone as cold as Uchiha Madara's, she replied,
"Physically, I'm fine. But mentally, I'm feeling a bit unwell. I was planning to have a long talk with Sister Tsuru about Mr. Sengoku's performance today. What you did today really didn't match the image of the future Fleet Admiral in my heart."
Cold sweat immediately began to form on Sengoku's back.
Luckily, he still had plans for what came next. Otherwise, after the fact, wouldn't all of Tsuru's anger end up being taken out on him?
"Ahem, ahem, ahem… well, little Gion, about today's matter… there were reasons for it. Besides, this future Fleet Admiral is still only a future one. It's only natural to have some shortcomings, right?"
Gion continued in her sarcastic tone:
"Then I'll have to trouble Fleet Admiral to explain it properly to little old me. After all, who in the Marines doesn't know how all-powerful the great Sengoku is?"
Sweating more and more, Sengoku hurriedly explained,
"Ahem, ahem… future, future Fleet Admiral. The final choice hasn't even been decided yet. We're doing all of this for justice—how can you make it sound so calculating?"
Gion ignored his explanation and continued speaking to herself:
"Judging from how decisively Lord Sengoku acted today, you weren't nearly as polite as you claim. Let me guess—you've set your sights on that ungrateful old man, haven't you? So you came here to act as a lobbyist?"
"Let me guess what comes next. Threats and temptations, and then it'll be time for me, a young female Marine, to sell my body for the organization in exchange for powerful support. Is that right?"