"Invite us to join the Marines?"
Iceburg, Franky, and the others were stunned.
It seemed they hadn't expected Rorschach to say such a thing.
Especially Iceburg, who saw Rorschach looking at him first, his expression serious, not joking.
Iceburg couldn't help but bitter smile, "Commodore Rorschach, I'm just an ordinary person. My combat ability isn't even as good as Bari's. I think I'll pass. As for the others, if they want to join the Marines, I won't stop them."
"Iceburg, you're being too modest," Rorschach shook his head. "Martial strength is not the only standard for navy recruitment. Within our navy, we also have intelligent individuals in the staff department, logistics department, and research department, whose combat abilities are not particularly outstanding."
"With your talents, Iceburg, you could easily secure a high position in the Marine Research Department."
Rorschach wasn't just flattering Iceburg.
As one of Fishman Tom's two disciples, Iceburg's shipbuilding skills were undoubtedly world-class.
Even Franky had managed to turn himself into a cyborg, showing that Fishman Tom's teachings also covered other scientific technologies.
Not to mention, the two brothers had seen the designs for the ancient weapon Pluton.
Iceburg fell silent for a moment, then shook his head again.
"I'll pass. I have to serve as the mayor of Water 7 and manage Galley-La Company. I really don't have the time."
Rorschach thought about it and realized Iceburg indeed had more important responsibilities.
He then turned to Franky.
Yes, among everyone present, Rorschach valued Franky the most.
He was a tough guy with immense growth potential and a strong sense of loyalty.
If he could recruit Franky, the future shipwright of the Straw Hat Pirates, the Marines would gain a tech-savvy combatant.
After some training with Vegapunk, Franky would undoubtedly become a vice admiral-level fighter.
Most importantly, Franky was an excellent shipwright.
With him on board, Rorschach wouldn't have to worry about the warship breaking down.
Seeing Rorschach look at him, Franky wiped his blue hair and grinned:
"What? Interested in my combat skills?
I have to say, you've got good taste.
But... I must decline."
Franky glanced at his小弟们 in the distance and subtly looked at Iceburg, then picked up his glass, toasted Rorschach, and downed it in one go.
"I won't leave Water 7, and I definitely won't join the Marines. Although I admire you,brother, I'm sorry."
"Really not considering it? Joining the Marines would allow you to better protect Water 7," Rorschach pressed, unwilling to give up.
But Franky was firm.
Rorschach could tell Franky genuinely had no intention of joining the Marines.
He wasn't hesitating or wavering.
Rorschach had expected this but still wanted to try.
Franky's reasons for not wanting to join the Marines were simple.
First, his mentor and father figure, Tom, had been taken away and executed by the World Government.
Although Rorschach and the others had slightly improved Franky's opinion of the Marines, they couldn't completely change his resistance to them.
Second, he wanted to stay in Water 7 to protect Iceburg.
And third, the most important reason: he possessed the designs for Pluton.
Just this fact alone meant that if the World Government found out, his safety couldn't be guaranteed.
Even Rorschach couldn't promise that the Marine higher-ups wouldn't hand Franky over under pressure.
Moreover, the fact that Franky was Cutty Flam was likely already known by Rob Lucci and the others.
Thinking this, Rorschach could only sigh inwardly.
He then shifted his gaze from Franky to another person.
Rob Lucci, with a pigeon on his shoulder, glanced up at Rorschach, then expressionlessly looked back down, continuing to eat the Barbecue in his hand.
Kaku, sitting beside Lucci, scratched his head, feeling uneasy under Rorschach's gaze.
Kalifa, sitting on the other side, adjusted her glasses, looking at Rorschach with a strange expression.
What was this guy up to?
Was he really thinking of inviting Lucci and Kaku to join the Marines?
Was he crazy?
Kalifa had already learned from Jabra about what had happened at Enies Lobby.
This Commodore Rorschach already knew their true identities as CP9 agents.
"Heh, you're Rob Lucci, right? Would you like to join the Marines?"
Rorschach's lips curled into a slight smile as he looked at the expressionless Lucci.
Rob Lucci paused for a moment while eating his Barbecue, then continued.
The pigeon on his shoulder, however, let out a coo: "Coo coo, not interested, not interested."
Bari, sitting nearby, quickly interjected, "Commodore Rorschach, don't mind him. Lucci's just introverted. He rarely speaks, but your vision is spot on. He's very strong and an excellent shipwright. He's a real talent."
Seeing Rorschach turn to him, Kaku quickly waved his hands, shaking his head like a rattle-drum.
"I... I don't want to join the Marines either. I just want to stay in Water 7 and focus on shipbuilding..."
"Is that so? What a shame. I had high hopes for you both."
Rorschach looked disappointed.
Lucci, who was still Buried eating his Barbecue, had a vein pop on his forehead.
This annoying guy knew they were CP9, yet he was still spouting nonsense. Was he mocking them?
According to the World Government's internal rankings, Rob Lucci's official rank wasn't lower than Rorschach's commodore.
What Lucci didn't know was that if he truly wanted to join the Marines, Rorschach wouldn't refuse.
As the strongest member of CP9, Lucci's potential was undeniable.
If he joined the Marines, Rorschach would definitely recommend him to work under Akainu.
Want to kill? Easy.
Go to the New World with Shiryu and kill to your heart's content.
There were at least hundreds of thousands of pirates there.
"I'd like to join the Marines, but... I don't want to leave Water 7 or Galley-La."
Before Rorschach could even ask, Bari straightforwardly shared his thoughts.
"Same here," Dored added in his deep voice.
"Is that so?"
Rorschach frowned slightly.
He suddenly stood up and walked away from Iceburg.
"Uh... Iceburg, do you think we upset Commodore Rorschach by refusing? He just saved all our lives. Isn't this a bit too ungrateful?"
Bari looked uneasy, glancing at Iceburg.
Iceburg waved his hand. "Don't worry. Commodore Rorschach isn't that kind of person."
Meanwhile, Rorschach found his subordinates who were eating and instructed them to spread out and ask the Galley-La shipwrights if any were willing to join the Marines.
As for the Franky Family Hooligan, Rorschach didn't bother asking.
Although most of them were decent people, their backgrounds were too mixed, making filter too troublesome.
Soon, the soldiers returned one by one, reporting the responses they'd received.
"Most of the shipwrights are willing to join the Marines, but they don't want to leave their hometown or Galley-La Company."
Rorschach frowned, deep in thought, when an idea suddenly struck him.
"If they don't want to leave Water 7, why not establish a Marine branch here?"
"As for not wanting to give up their shipwright identity, that's even simpler."
"Outside the regular navy, it's also possible to appropriately develop some militias."
(End of Chapter)
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