Koala: "Eh? Is that Marine really planning to quit the Navy and become Arton's crewmate?"
Belo Betty: "Is she truly leaving or just pretending?"
Pudding: "From how Arton treated Hina earlier, it's obvious he wants nothing to do with the Navy. Maybe this Marine woman already knows that and is pretending to join him just to gain his power."
Cinnamon: "This is bad! Arton already mentioned that Tashigi could use the template of Tier Harribel. If she really joins the Flameblade Pirates, won't Arton give her that template?"
Smoothie: "That woman… she must be faking it. Arton, you absolutely have to keep Tier's template for me!"
Sadi: "So she plans to act as a spy?"
Gion: "Something… doesn't feel quite right."
Stussy: "How interesting~. Could it be about those villagers who died because of her?"
Nico Robin: "Or maybe she learned about Imu?"
Carina, Nami, Nojiko, and the others exchanged glances, all watching Tashigi with scrutiny. They knew Tashigi still had ties to the Navy—perhaps some group chat existed between them. So even if Tashigi truly intended to join, they'd proceed with caution.
"Tashigi, what nonsense are you spouting?" Hina frowned in confusion.
"Captain Hina, I'm being serious… I can't remain a Marine anymore."
Tashigi shook her head and let out a heavy sigh.
"It's the villagers who died because of me. Their cries and suffering still echo in my mind. It's impossible to focus on my duties as a Marine, not with that weighing on me."
She opened her mouth as if to add something else, but in the end, she didn't mention Imu. Just as Nico Robin had speculated, after discovering Imu's existence and the darkness hidden within the World Government, Tashigi had lost faith in a Navy ruled by such an institution. The villagers' deaths and Imu's existence together pushed her toward leaving the Navy.
'If the World Nobles are darkness, then Arton, who wants to overthrow them, must be the light… by staying at his side, I may find the justice I'm looking for.'
That was the thought running through Tashigi's mind as she looked at Arton.
With his chin resting in one hand, Arton stroked his jaw and studied the short-haired Marine girl with keen interest.
"Interesting. I never would've expected that answer."
"But talk is cheap. You say you want to leave the Navy, but for all I know, you're just a spy."
"So, if you really mean to join me, there's something I want you to do. If you manage it, I'll accept you as part of my crew."
Arton's lips curved in a faint grin.
"What is it you want me to do?" Tashigi asked.
"Nothing complicated—just stab someone with your sword. Don't worry, he's not a good person."
"Who?"
"Far away, yet right before our eyes."
Smiling, Arton pointed to the World Noble collapsed on the deck.
Hibari: "Arton wants Tashigi to harm a World Noble?!"
Kujaku: "That's awful. If Tashigi really does it, she won't be able to go back to the Navy."
Ain: "And if she refuses, Arton definitely won't let her join. Still, she sounds serious… Could she become the first among us to quit the Navy and join Arton's crew?"
Having spoken, Arton even stepped aside, motioning for Tashigi to draw her sword.
"All right," she said, nodding. Tashigi unsheathed her blade and drove it into the World Noble's body.
Belo Betty: "Whoa! She actually went for it?!"
Smoothie: "This Marine has some nerve."
Ginrummy: "That girl… she'll do anything to become Arton's crewmate."
Stussy: "Stabbing a World Noble? Even if she is a spy, she can't undo that. That Marine's career is over."
Boa Hancock: "Oh my… that female Marine isn't half bad."
Gion: "Tashigi…"
A spurt of bright-red blood shot from the World Noble's body, and the searing pain roused him from unconsciousness.
"Argh—damn it—did you stab me?! You… you're that Marine!"
"How dare you raise a blade against me? I won't forgive you. You're dead!"
"I'll deliver the cruelest punishment imaginable!"
Saint Charlos spat curses at Tashigi with the foulest language. Tashigi said nothing, simply lifted her sword again and thrust it at him once more. Blood oozed from the wound. The World Noble was in too much pain to speak, and upon regaining his senses, all he could do was stare at Tashigi in terror.
"Tashigi, what are you doing?"
"Have you gone mad?"
Hina's voice trembled with alarm.
"I'm not crazy. I've never been more calm," Tashigi said, shaking her head. She turned to Arton and asked,
"Is this proof enough, Arton? Or do I need to finish him off with my blade for you to believe I'm serious about joining you?"
Arton gazed at Tashigi for a moment, then clapped his hands once.
"That's enough, Tashigi. The fact that you would dare harm a World Noble… you've already proven your sincerity. Since I told you I'd let you join if you attacked him, I'll keep my word. Still, leave killing him to me."
He approached Tashigi and gripped the handle of Shigure, the sword in her hands. Lifting it high, he brought it down, plunging it straight through Saint Charlos's skull.
Strike!
Saint Charlos's body jerked spasmodically. Moments later, his breathing stopped for good.
[Photo: The Death of Saint Charlos, a World Noble!]
[Captain Nezumi is gone, and we've dealt with one out of two World Nobles.]
[All that remains is the female World Noble.]
[I never imagined Tashigi would really dare attack a World Noble. I was mostly joking…]
[It may be because of those villagers who died…]
[Once word spreads that she harmed a World Noble, they'll hunt her down. She's as good as dead.]
[Ah well—she's one of the heroines I created, and it'd be a waste if she died for that. I'll keep her on the Sylvan for a bit and see how she fares.]
[Arrancar Tier Harribel is a template Tashigi can handle. Once I'm satisfied, I'll grant it to her.]
Once Arton finished recording, he closed the Maritime Diary system's interface, ending the live footage of the World Noble's death. All across the sea, various Diary Copy holders stared in stunned silence at their now-black screens. Sure, Arton had mentioned wanting to kill a World Noble, but seeing one publicly executed on a live feed left them speechless.
Smoothie: "He's thinking of giving Tier's template to Tashigi? That's not acceptable. Absolutely not!"
Boa Hancock: "A World Noble is really dead?! Amazing… Arton truly is a fine man."
Black Maria: "With the World Noble gone, there's no way Arton can ever side with the Navy or World Government. Suits me just fine."
Viola: "If I join Arton, I may never return to Dressrosa. Still, I don't mind."
Monet: "Arton is terrifyingly decisive. If he's this ruthless with a sitting World Noble… If my Young Master ever clashes with Arton—no, we need to recruit Arton at all costs, no matter the price."
Koala: "Nice! Seeing that World Noble die was so satisfying. Right, Belo Betty?"
Belo Betty: "Indeed! Arton would fit perfectly with the Revolutionary Army."
Kalifa: "He killed a World Noble. Even if we Diary Copy holders are the only witnesses, the World Government will investigate. Should I report it? …No, that'd raise too many questions about how I knew. Better let the higher-ups figure it out themselves. For now, I'll keep focusing on the Ancient Weapons. If Arton ever reveals info about Pluton's blueprints, my mission might fail."
Stussy: "Arton is definitely going to be hunted by the World Government."
Gion: "This is bad…"
Back aboard the Sylvan, Carina, Nami, Nojiko, Kaya, and Uta all looked grimly at the World Noble's corpse. They knew his death spelled serious trouble. Naturally, they also felt astonished that Tashigi had mustered the nerve to stab a World Noble in the first place.
"Arton, what do you plan to do next? Killing a World Noble is no small matter," Carina asked after taking a steadying breath. "The Navy and the World Government will definitely send some formidable people to pursue us."
"Are you worried, Carina?" Arton asked with a wry smile.
"No. Our captain has beaten both the Shiki and Mihawk, after all. Why would I be scared?" Carina returned his smile. "I believe Captain Arton can handle any threat."
Still smiling, she continued, "But I do want to know your next move. Where are we heading? And what about Miss Hina over there, who doesn't wish to join us—how do we handle her?"
With that, Carina turned toward Hina.
...
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