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The sky was a brilliant blue, the sea dotted with clouds.
The demonic carrier was cruising at a steady 30 knots, the waves it kicked up like mounds of white snow.
On the deck, under a large parasol, Jin was lounging in a chair, reading the newspaper and enjoying a massage.
Crocodile was more competent than he'd given him credit for. He'd managed to negotiate with all the powers of the West Blue and get the Guild up and running in no time.
He'd test the model in the West Blue, then expand. If it was successful here, he'd have no shortage of bounty hunters wanting to join.
The class system in the pirate world was rigid. As the seas grew more chaotic, life for the average person became more and more difficult.
As long as there was money to be made, there would be no shortage of people willing to do the work.
"Master, we're approaching Lunia Port," Ai reminded him. The ship slowed to a "crawl" of about 8 knots, which, to any other sailing ship, was still incredibly fast.
Jin stood up and walked to the rail. In the distance, a speck of green appeared on the blue horizon.
As they drew closer, an island rose from the sea.
Sailing ships came and went. A white sand beach, a grove of green coconut trees, and a winding bay that cradled a bustling port.
This was the last stop in the West Blue before the Grand Line.
Marine warships patrolled the waters, protecting the port and the merchant vessels.
A lighthouse, perched on a reef, guided the ships into a safe channel marked by buoys.
As they lowered their sails, the ship slowed. They followed the buoys through an S-curve and riding the waves, guided into the docks by the port staff.
After paying the docking fee, Jin looked around.
Not far away, a row of pirate ships was neatly lined up, with dedicated personnel watching over them.
"This is a naval port, isn't it?" Jin asked. "They allow pirate ships to dock here?"
"Of course," the official replied. "Lunia is a tolerant, cosmopolitan port. We offer a place for every ship to dock. But don't worry, the port is divided into a pirate section, a merchant section, and a dedicated Marine section. With Rear Admiral Enru in charge, the pirates don't dare to cause any trouble."
Interesting.
Unlike Loguetown under Smoker's command, this place was thriving. Smoker was a hardliner, arresting any pirate on sight, which had caused a great deal of resentment among the residents of Loguetown.
Rear Admiral Enru, on the other hand... was running a happy family of Marines and pirates.
As a Marine, he was derelict in his duty.
As the administrator of Lunia, he was a great success.
HOOOOOOONK!
Suddenly, the sound of a steamship's whistle, accompanied by a cannon salute and the festive music of a brass band, echoed through the port.
Jin looked over and saw a Marine steamship, the same model as the Salamander, pulling into the naval docks.
"What's that?"
"Oh, I heard a Vice Admiral from Marine Headquarters is coming for an inspection. Rear Admiral Enru is welcoming them."
A Vice Admiral from Headquarters?
Rear Admiral Enru, along with his son and his officers, were there to greet her. Marine soldiers had cordoned off the area.
First, a squad of rifle-wielding soldiers disembarked and formed a line.
Then, a tall woman emerged. She stood at the top of the gangplank and surveyed the port. Her eyes fell on the pirate ships, and her brow furrowed slightly.
But Gion had been briefed on the situation at Lunia. Headquarters had tacitly approved of it. There was no point in making a scene.
She turned a blind eye.
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Vice Admiral Gion descended the gangplank, her hair styled in an elegant updo.
A standard-issue Justice coat was draped over her shoulders, revealing a rose-pink blouse beneath.
A black spider tattoo adorned her exposed left leg.
The overall effect was one of sharp, sensual elegance—a true femme fatale.
Her left hand rested on the hilt of her sword, a clear warning that beneath the stunning exterior was a deadly threat. It was a combination the bold often found irresistible.
"Vice Admiral Gion!"
Rear Admiral Enru called out, snapping to attention with a sharp salute. The base officers behind him followed suit, their formation immaculate.
Gion smiled graciously. "It's nearly the end of the year, Rear Admiral. I'm here on behalf of Headquarters to extend our gratitude for your long and distinguished service."
Though Enru was only a Rear Admiral, she addressed him with formal respect.
He was, after all, a veteran of the same generation as Garp and Sengoku. A little respect was due.
"Thank you, Vice Admiral!" Rear Admiral Enru replied.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku speaks of you often, Rear Admiral."
"He says your accomplishments are worthy of a Vice Admiral's rank. If not for your repeated refusals, he would have transferred you to Headquarters long ago."
"Ah, you flatter me, Vice Admiral," Enru said, though the praise clearly pleased him.
"I've only done my duty. The real credit belongs to you young heroes fighting on the front lines."
"I'm getting old. The rank of Vice Admiral... I'll leave that to the next generation."
Despite his words, Gion's praise had clearly boosted his ego.
It gave him face.
"By the way, Vice Admiral," he said, turning.
"This is the base's second-in-command, Captain Onoran. My energy isn't what it used to be these past couple of years. He's been a great help with my duties."
Captain Onoran puffed out his chest and saluted sharply. "Vice Admiral Gion!"
He was in his thirties, tall and well-built, with handsome features. He wore his own Justice coat with an air of righteous dignity.
Gion offered a polite smile, but her eyes saw right through him. Behind the captain's facade of integrity, she caught the unmistakable glint of greed—and possessive desire.
He wanted her. And he was not a man content with his station.
Gion made her judgment in an instant. She was adept at reading people, and her combination of beauty and power had earned her no shortage of admirers in the Marines.
She smiled faintly. "A promising young officer, Captain Onoran."
"I'm nothing compared to you, Vice Admiral!" he immediately gushed.
Rear Admiral Enru chuckled. "It's windy out here on the docks. I've already arranged a welcome banquet. Vice Admiral, please, this way."
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