"Now then, the battle situations in each region—"
"Yes. Around seven days after Governor Kuro departed the Holy Land, 'man-hunts' by the Celestial Dragons occurred frequently. This caused many member nations to fall into ruin. Marine officers and member nations who learned the truth defected en masse, and units in each region are scrambling to respond."
Around Zephyr, who'd somehow returned from West Blue to Marine Headquarters, been carried to the medical room, and finally begun recovering after receiving proper treatment, several women in suits stood with worried expressions.
"After that, the Government issued a request for the Celestial Dragons to return from the lower world, but at that time... um, that is—"
Speaking on behalf of the women present, holding a somewhat thick bundle of documents—a bundle of gruesome records of what happened during the Marines' emergency deployments to various locations—was one of the people with special meaning to Zephyr.
"Jenetta, there's no need to dress up your words. This is the Marine's stronghold. And under the current circumstances, Government intelligence agents have no time to eavesdrop here."
"...Yes."
Until just recently, one of the pirate's students who'd handled Holy Land defense and reconstruction duties.
A former Government official woman now drawing attention as one of the few humans who could serve as a pipeline to that man whom the Marines—and the Government—had betrayed.
"In case of emergency, I've become your superior officer and will directly protect you. Your families included. So speak in your own words, Jenetta. Somali, Crex, and everyone waiting in the next room as well."
"Yes, sir."
A talented woman raised in a wealthy, blessed environment in East Blue.
Now a military affiliate—though her exact position hasn't been decided, Jenetta has become a Marine cooperator—she faces the documents once more.
"When the return request was issued to the Celestial Dragons, they ordered the accompanying Marines to collect as much labor and food as possible—specifically, including local specialties containing food. This resulted in Marine backlash, splitting into Government and anti-Government factions. Even now, battles between Marines are occurring alongside pirate damage in various locations."
"...What a disaster."
His students. His students who should have defeated pirates under Absolute Justice and brought peace of mind to the people were killing each other.
He unconsciously clenched his fist, desperately suppressing the urge to destroy the bed he was using, and urged her to continue the report.
"Additionally, in several countries, uprisings by self-defense groups organized from armed militias have begun."
"They're attacking Marines too?"
"Yes, approaching units. However, most don't pursue beyond their strongholds or neighboring villages."
"I see, purely self-defense. And the Marines have become beings who have weapons pointed at them for that reason..."
It was an unbearable humiliation.
For Zephyr, who'd always believed in justice, there was a truth too cruel to face directly.
"The Government and Marines have lost the people's trust. A natural conclusion."
Jenetta, uncertain whether to affirm with 'yes,' ultimately decided not to answer Zephyr's rhetorical question and quietly waited for his words.
"The militia—no, do we know the extent of damage including civilians?"
"No, nowhere has accurate reports yet. Information is quite confused, and we can't even grasp the damage to Government-aligned Marines... However, it's certain that nowhere can stop the mounting casualties, including involved civilians."
"...And seeing the Marines' incompetence in losing options, the people's hearts will increasingly leave the Marines—and by extension, the Government."
Currently, nations around the world that decided to defect total just over ten percent—possibly approaching twenty percent.
Whether that's considered few or many aside, at least the Government can't ignore it.
"The Government is ordering the Marines to promptly suppress and occupy defected member nations, but..."
"Fools. Marines are human too. Because they don't understand that, they repeat absurd orders in this emergency."
The thing most necessary for fighting. The philosophy for rising up.
An occupation order for nations that haven't even rebelled, only declared withdrawal, while losing that.
(The collapse of the Four Blues will exceed the speed you're thinking. World Government...)
"It seems most bases are nearly empty, but is grasping their movements also difficult?"
"Yes. It appears some Celestial Dragons moved incognito, and there are units where we don't even know their current location. We're currently inquiring with each base commander to urgently determine this."
That information indicated that even the World Government, which should hold the reins, could no longer control the Celestial Dragons.
Literally, the world was running out of control.
At this point, even the Government can't hide it.
Because the Government itself can't grasp where and how much damage is occurring.
"Admiral Zephyr. What shall we do from here?"
"...Look through this."
Unlike Zephyr, Jenetta and the others aren't fighters, but they still must confront this situation in some form.
Jenetta receives the stack of papers Zephyr had prepared and looks through them.
"...This handwriting is... Corporal Hina's. Could it be from the Governor?"
"Ah, Kuro's parting gift. A proposal and petition for establishing a new unit, centered on you who served as Kuro's right hand within the Holy Land."
It was documents and materials regarding the establishment petition for a certain unit that Kuro had left before departing the Holy Land.
"An independent special unit specialized in reconstruction and rescue... The utility of that organization, operational cost reduction for governance... and even draft propaganda based on that. Thoroughly characteristic of the Governor."
"The latter portions are already meaningless. But the unit Kuro devised to stabilize the world is needed right now."
About half was a plan created to secure Jenetta's and the others' safety after he left, making a place for them within the Marines.
But precisely because of that, there was a solid plan from which Kuro hadn't cut any corners, thoroughly trimming away anything unnecessary.
"The problem is budget and supplies. In this critical situation not anticipated when it was written, how much can be allocated?"
"Not just Sengoku and the Marine side, but some Government people seem to want to make you a pipeline to Kuro. If they have such intentions—"
"...Then, to have us build a track record early?"
"Most likely."
"Conversely, isn't there a possibility we'll be seen as dangerous as people connected to the Governor?"
At Jenetta's concern, Zephyr frowns.
Not at her, but making no attempt to hide his displeasure toward the Government.
It's possible.
Perhaps even in this situation, there's plenty of possibility the Government will make another move against Kuro.
That's precisely why they're protecting those who received Kuro's teachings within the Marines, families included.
"We are... probably still being viewed with suspicion. In fact, I've heard from Fleet Admiral Sengoku that the Government is strongly ordering us to prepare an operation to re-attack the 'Black Cat.'"
"I'm well aware this is rude before Admiral Zephyr, but after that betrayal resulting in defeat with two Admiral-level forces?"
"...That's precisely why."
While pressing the scar from that very battle, he looks down at the naval port visible from the hospital room window.
On ships that just arrived, the next units are hurriedly rushing about replacing supplies to depart immediately.
Conversely, disembarking Marines including officers are tattered, all exhausted.
They probably haven't gotten proper rest, let alone sleep.
"The Government wants desperately to mar Kuro's combat record. The 'War God' of constant victory that even Marines worship. They think they must diminish even slightly the absolute trust in him that rivals ordinary politicians."
Precisely because they keep losing and the Government side is too disadvantaged, only by inflicting a wound can they finally negotiate a ceasefire, preferably a non-aggression pact.
It was also true that some politicians thought that way.
"...But there's no such margin anywhere. All capable officers are attached to fleets returning the Celestial Dragons."
"Moreover, we can't grasp how many soldiers are following the Government side now."
"Yes... Some radical politicians have fallen into paranoia, with some calling for the Marines' dissolution and reconstruction under Government leadership."
"...They think they have an enemy within. Is that how the Government sees it?"
"Yes. The Marines too, right?"
"Ah, probably. That Sengoku—I felt unprecedented anger in every phrase of his orders. If not for the citizens of each nation, he might have urged all forces to rise up by now."
In fact, Zephyr saw it wouldn't have been strange if that had happened.
The world had truly fallen into a critical situation equal to tightrope walking.
If he'd discovered the Marine slave incident with his own hands.
If there were no cooperator called Kuro.
And if he hadn't valued order and peace.
Then before the pirate alliance incident occurred, the unprecedented 'Great Rebellion' that should never have happened in history would have occurred.
"After repelling Borsalino and with that speech, the man called Kuro became a symbol. Not of our bracket called Marines or Government, but of another order and justice that set sail for endless war against what he calls 'the universal enemy of humanity.'"
Everyone who heard that speech held the same feeling in their hearts.
Not an enemy.
They mustn't make the man called Kuro an enemy. No—
"And for the Government, that's unbearably terrifying. They can't accept that Kuro, not them, has begun that fight."
—Becoming the enemy of that flag is most terrifying of all.
People on the side of order, more or less, all held such feelings.
That's precisely why many came to fear Kuro and Kuro's ideology.
They must defeat him immediately.
They must kill him.
If they don't thoroughly deny that, they themselves will be denied.
Their existence, what they've built, might be denied from its very roots.
"The fact that the Government feels no obligation to protect member nations or their citizens has become common knowledge through this incident."
"But because the framework is too large, it won't collapse cleanly, and carelessly poking it will only increase casualties."
"...So they want to crush the Governor and his ideology that carelessly questions the World Government's reason for existence. If they can't crush it, at least they want to smear it."
"That's right."
(Well, that's precisely why Sengoku and Tsuru wanted to somehow join forces with Kuro, but...)
Even with Kuro's mediation, the Marine upper brass's anger toward the World Government hasn't disappeared.
Moreover, when the anger they'd swallowed for world order and peace was trampled on like this, quite a few soldiers had already abandoned the Government.
"...Rest assured. The malice toward you, I and the elites I trust will block with full power."
And here was the talented woman that pirate evaluated as a 'rough gem.'
Precisely because they were soldiers who believed in justice, there was talent here whose value already matched polished jewels.
"Thank you, Special Admiral Zephyr."
"Then we shall, as payback to the Government—"
"Follow the path the Governor showed, and do our utmost so the Marines can save as many people as possible."
That was the greatest 'treasure' most reliable to the current Marines.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"Ten days since Hancock and the others departed, huh?"
"They should be entering the Calm Belt about now? They said they'd approach Redline to the limit without entering Marine or Holy Land sight before entering."
Repelling Marine Headquarters Admiral-level forces, then the Celestial Dragons' barbarism revealed in various locations afterward promoted the growth of the 'Black Cat' faction.
The collapse of the military nation 'Mogwa' that once used its military might to force subordination called alliance in name only on surrounding nations, then through the West Blue naval battle entering completely under 'Black Cat' control—Mishwan and other surrounding nations, though unofficially, hoped to enter under 'Black Cat' protection and were attempting contact.
At the base Mopuchi, Vice Governor Daz, handling responses to these matters, was taking a brief break with Tesoro, who'd also come for a breather, in the Black Cat Mansion's hall that had become somewhat quieter than usual.
"When a fair number of guard corps members are gone, it certainly becomes quiet."
"With Amis and Miakis and the others gone, Toya looked a little lonely."
Those who came after were Mihawk and Robin, who'd returned once after occupation was mostly complete, leaving it to guard corps members stationed locally like Kika and Troy.
They'd returned to Mopuchi once with Hancock and Crocodile, seen off her departure with Rayleigh and additional guard corps members, and remained in Mopuchi partly for rest.
The main reason was reinforcing the defense of the base that had become thin with fewer guard corps members, but even so, with reduced physical labor, the two felt like they were stretching their wings.
As a result, Daz and remaining guard corps members spent their days being mercilessly blown away by Mihawk while rushing to work.
"Among the guard corps, Toya particularly builds trust relationships well with fishmen and mermaids. He seemed to want to participate in this expedition too, but... not this time."
"I saw it too, but there were clearly many people not used to humans... Speaking of which, Daz, how's the salvage by the mermaids going?"
The two were handling paperwork while communicating with sites like Canet and Superior via Den Den Mushi.
Robin aside, even Mihawk was unusually quite serious.
Though he'd normally be guzzling wine, he was drinking ordinary tea while thoroughly reading documents on agricultural land conditions in various locations, thinking things over.
This after blowing away all guard corps members remaining in Mopuchi just ten minutes ago.
"Just received reports on the first group's recovery, but results exceeded expectations. We thought recovering Marine ship cannons and armor plates would be good enough, but... apparently pirate ships, transport ships, and things washed away by disasters sunk here and there before we took root in these waters. Thanks to that, there's enough profit that I hurriedly signed off on plans to hastily convert mid-sized vessels into temporary salvage ships."
"If they were rolling in the sea, they're corroded. Can they be used?"
"Processing takes effort apparently, but it seems manageable. Including that processing will be good experience for workers remaining on the island, and efficiency should improve eventually."
"Hmm."
Though a guest general, Mihawk was currently entrusted with everything related to farming.
Robin, who often paired with him, held decision-making authority, but Mihawk had also earned the right to speak on internal affairs.
"If substantial metal resources come in, can they go to farming tools? I'll leave it to the people for a while, so I'll apply to the workshop for equipment creation later."
"? That's unusual. The usual Mihawk would be like, 'Zwabababam!' plowing alone then saying 'leave the rest to you.'"
Robin, calculating the likely needed material amounts based on Mihawk's words despite being on break, asks while pouring tea matching his preference into his cup.
"...After directly interacting, I understood—Superior's people's fear is extremely strong. Incomparably more than during Mopuchi's occupation."
"Is that because we're pirates?"
"That too, but..."
Mihawk also drains his cup's contents, silently offering it to Robin.
Robin, apparently dissatisfied with that attitude, puffs her cheeks slightly, but still pours the same tea as Tesoro's.
"...Just as the Celestial Dragons suddenly stole everything, perhaps they think we'll turn our palms and steal everything. That's probably what they think."
"? Then wouldn't it be better for Mihawk to help and appeal that we're not enemies?"
In fact, it had worked well in Mopuchi and Canet.
The people trusted Mihawk, the 'Stopgap Pirate,' who cleared ruined land for them, and therefore trusted the Black Cat flag he belonged to.
"No, I learned through these activities that farming is culture rooted in that land, an accumulation of experience. Then it's dangerous to think of Superior's people who had their own lives until recently the same as those constantly robbed like Mopuchi and Canet."
Perhaps because some time had passed and it had cooled, after gulping down the freshly poured tea, Mihawk continues.
"In Superior and Rigalo, by having the people do most of the agricultural land reconstruction themselves, we make them re-recognize it as their own land. Meanwhile, it's probably safer to seize actual power while we procure what's lacking in those activities and arbitrate disputes that will arise in the process."
"...If non-interference goes too far, won't they hoard food and money on their own and end up fighting? Like at the shelters?"
The scrambles over preserved food that occurred in various places during the pirate alliance incident, aided by Galdino's and others' agitation.
Back then, they'd suppressed it early with Marine cooperation, but now their only reliable ally was Bege Family.
A dependable partner, but they shared the common problem of few personnel.
"We have no choice but to station the army and have them imitate police. Showing force is classic but effective."
"I agree economically. It's natural to station forces on that island which has become a strategic point internally, and considering the future, we absolutely need such... more efficient occupation know-how."
At Tesoro's words, Mihawk and Daz nod, while Robin tilts her head slightly and nods ambiguously.
"In that case, it's finally becoming necessary."
"Yes. Once the defensive line settles—"
"Rules to bring our order and peace to our territory."
"I'm thinking of dedicating ourselves to creating 'laws' sufficient for us to govern our subjects."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Fishman Island.
An island on the seafloor, rare in this vast ocean world.
Honestly, if we could just solve the coating problem maintaining sunlight and air, the defensive battle on this island—where I'm thinking whether we could somehow make something similar as one of our bases—entered a stalemate as expected.
The Celestial Dragons we'd captured on our side were somehow safe.
Those guys Arlong trusted understood the situation unlike most others, detected the movements of fishmen coming to kill them, and evacuated beforehand with the Celestial Dragons and the Vice Admiral who'd finished first aid.
Then they joined with Arlong, shoved the Celestial Dragons into a room on this large ship that became a temporary base, and joined the unit.
Even now they're following Hina's commands and fortifying defenses.
As for the fishmen who became rioters, they indeed fell into chaos with the Marine side, and quite a number became casualties.
A blessing in disguise was that many fishmen cooperated in fortifying the relay defensive point Hina's unit built, with persuasion from the mermaid Leelin who'd guided us here.
And though persuasion—or rather scolding—is probably still continuing, some are trickling in who swore centered on Arlong not to make reckless moves, citing the number of casualties.
(Of course, we can't completely trust this, but... with half of Fishman District now captured, Arlong's group has the advantage.)
And the slum where fishmen were holed up—Fishman District—most of it was captured.
Seeing the chaos as an opportunity, the Marines immediately tightened the encirclement, probably aiming to retake the Celestial Dragons.
It couldn't be called a clean advance by any stretch, but it might have been dangerous if Arlong's companions hadn't moved.
As expected, there are capable people mixed in.
(Even so, movements are sluggish in obvious crisis, and quick in opportunity... As I thought, it's not that the commander is excellent, but someone near them is.)
Most likely, someone serving beside whoever took over after that Special Vice Admiral.
I see them as a Celestial Dragon sympathizer, the extremely cautious type.
So in critical situations, they fear carelessly moving troops and can't accept opinions.
So when they see obviously visible opportunities, they move immediately.
(The weak point to exploit has come into view. But I don't have enough cards to completely break them.)
Well, naturally.
From here for a while, there'll be skirmishes until one side shows a fatal flaw.
Or until Marine reinforcements arrive, or Whitebeard's ship reaches us.
To use a card game analogy, well.
It's like a battle between hand disruption decks where both sides have no hand, but all attackers on the field are vanilla tokens or something.
What kind of state is that? How would that even happen?
At this point, it's either draw the desired attacker from the deck, or efficiently reduce the opponent's attackers.
I wish only the enemy side would conveniently brick. Damn it.
Come on, you Celestial Dragon bastards, go berserk one more time.
"—Hey, are you listening?!"
Currently, centered on this ship that flew here with Issho's ability, we've constructed a double defensive line.
Thanks to Issho's ability letting us transport materials together, we made sturdy barricades quickly, though they look shabby.
We stuffed empty carts full of dirt, stacked them as improvised sandbags, making anti-rifle walls.
This way, even in skirmishes that'll occur during the standoff, we can reduce the probability of serious injuries.
Fortunately, thanks to Jinbei and the others' efforts, we stole considerable quantities of water and food.
This made the enemy lose considerable time margin.
(Ideally, I'd appreciate if Marines frustrated by impatience killed the Celestial Dragons making unreasonable demands again, but...)
"Pirate! Look this way!"
Anyway, we're using this large ship as a temporary base, facing captured Marines partly for information gathering, but...
"...Yes. I hear you, Headquarters Petty Officer Smoker."
Why. Is. Smoky. Here.
Hina, you—you!
'Gathered the prisoners' isn't enough, tell me properly there's a classmate here!
Why did you finish in one sentence then rush off on patrol?! Explain properly!
Also, Smoky, every time you shout, the other prisoner kids look frightened, so could you please calm down a bit?