Robin had already decided. No matter what, she would bring Perona back with them first and comfort her later.
Time was the best medicine for everything.
What she didn't expect was for Oguro to respond without the slightest gentleness.
"Heh. If you don't want to come, then don't. A little girl like you isn't worth anything to us anyway."
Robin froze on the spot.
If you talk like that, there's no way I can help smooth things over for you.
As expected, Perona's eyes widened in anger. "Fine! I'll leave! Hurry up and untie me!"
Oguro signaled for Robin to release her.
Robin shot him a confused look, but he gave her a small reassuring glance.
Just as Perona was about to step out of the room, Oguro suddenly spoke.
"What a pity. I was planning to let you see Moria again someday, since you two were so close. But it seems that won't be necessary."
Perona exploded instantly. She rushed back to him. "What did you say? Lord Moria isn't dead?!"
Oguro's voice was calm. "He's dead. But I can let him live again… in another form."
Because the moment Oguro killed Moria, Moria's soul had been drawn into Shin'o Academy for reincarnation.
A pirate of a Warlord's level… after reincarnation he would at least become a seated officer among the Shinigami.
"You… you can resurrect the dead?" Perona's eyes trembled.
It sounded unbelievable, yet hope still rose in her chest.
Devil Fruits were bizarre. She herself could control ghosts.
Bringing someone back to life didn't sound impossible.
Oguro put on an unfathomable expression. "It's not resurrection. It's reincarnation. You remember how my subordinates call themselves Shinigami, right?"
"If they're Shinigami, then of course they understand the power of life and death."
Perona's little face twisted between doubt and hope. Finally she gritted her teeth.
"If you can let Lord Moria live again… I… I'll follow you!"
For Lord Moria… she would follow this big villain if she had to.
Oguro grinned. "No need to force yourself. I never like forcing people."
"N-not forced…" Perona muttered miserably, looking like she might cry again.
Robin finally couldn't stand it. She patted Perona's back. "Relax. He's teasing you. Just come with us."
Oguro chuckled and slipped away immediately.
Teasing a little girl like this was surprisingly satisfying.
Not long after, Thriller Bark was completely cleaned out.
All the modified zombies were burned in one great fire.
The island felt much clearer afterward.
"Soifon, this place is yours now. Use it as a base for Squad Two."
Thriller Bark wasn't suitable for normal habitation, but it was perfect as a hidden facility.
"Yes."
Soifon was pleased.
The place was secret, safe, and since the island was actually a ship, it had mobility as well.
Practically born to be a covert base.
Oguro anchored a teleportation point inside Thriller Bark, then took everyone back toward Water 7.
Before they boarded, Perona requested to collect Moria's body. Oguro did not object.
After personally burying Moria, Perona quietly left the home she had lived in for years.
Halfway through their voyage, Oguro was enjoying sunbathing while Rangiku massaged his shoulders, when the Den Den Mushi rang.
"Lord Soul King! Mayor Iceburg was attacked by CP0!"
A cute girl's voice came through the snail.
Oguro frowned. "Is he alright?"
"The intruder has been captured and awaits your judgment, Lord Soul King."
Her voice was strict and precise.
Oguro smiled faintly. "Nicely done, Momo."
Hinamori Momo, Vice Captain of Squad Five.
Oguro had summoned her using the Achievement Points he saved before leaving Water 7.
Byakuya remained in Skypiea and Soifon stayed at his side, so he needed someone reliable to guard Water 7.
He pulled one more Epic-tier card.
Luck was on his side. A Vice Captain came out instantly.
After hanging up, Oguro rose from Rangiku's generous embrace, his gaze turning cold.
"Looks like the World Government needs a little warning."
He knew they wouldn't give up easily.
He had barely left with Soifon and they had already made a move.
"The World Government's three major institutions are Marineford, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down."
Oguro tapped his fingers, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Enies Lobby is gone. Should I visit the other two?"
"What would you choose, Yoruichi?"
On the deck, a tall figure stood in the wind, long hair fluttering freely under the sun.
Former Captain of Squad Two.
The Flash Goddess herself.
Shihōin Yoruichi.
Oguro's third Legendary pull… another powerhouse.
And to his delight, the card pool wasn't limited to currently active captains.
Meaning the total pool of strong characters had doubled instantly.
"To cause trouble for the World Government?"
Yoruichi leaped lightly to his side, smiling with confidence.
"The Marines act mostly independently. Trouble there won't accomplish much. I suggest we visit Impel Down."
Oguro snapped his fingers. "Heh. Great minds think alike."
"Compared to the Marines, whom even the World Government is wary of, Impel Down is directly controlled by them and holds countless dangerous criminals. It's one of their pillars of fear."
"If something happens there… the World Government loses all face."
Small tricks from them were expected.
They were enemies after all.
But if they were caught red-handed… too bad.
They would have to accept the consequences.
"Back to Water 7. Bring that CP0 with us."
"Then we'll pay a visit to the famous Impel Down."
Oguro stood, smiling in anticipation.
Whether Impel Down would survive his visit was another question entirely.
Back in Water 7, Iceburg and Hinamori Momo were already waiting at the harbor.
"Lord Soul King!"
Momo knelt on one knee without hesitation.
Iceburg awkwardly copied her.
"Well well, little Momo, you look lively."
Yoruichi flashed behind Momo in an instant, gently pinching her cute cheeks like she was a doll.
"Y-Yoruichi… Captain Yoruichi?"
Momo stared at the haori and Shinigami uniform, stunned.
"You… returned to Squad Two?"
***
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