"Hmm?"
When Lancelot arrived at the port, he saw Zoro and Lina looking at Gin with puzzled expressions. This piqued Lancelot's curiosity.
Then, spotting the distant, damaged pirate ship, he raised an eyebrow, as he already had an idea of what happened.
Zoro, Lina, Nami, Miss Valentine, and Gin all turned to look at him as he approached.
Their expressions varied upon seeing Lancelot return.
But Lancelot spoke directly to Gin, "You did the right thing. You're not fit to fight anyone for now."
"Huh?"
Zoro, Lina, Nami, and Miss Valentine were stunned.
They glanced between Lancelot and Gin, deeply curious.
However, they naturally didn't dwell on the fact that Gin had remained an observer the entire time.
Meeting their gazes, Lancelot smiled and said, "You'll understand in due time."
He then abruptly changed the subject.
"Who was that earlier? Causing such a huge commotion..."
Miss Valentine stepped forward. "Last year's Supernova, Cavendish... though he seemed to be looking for someone and didn't really engage with us. He just left."
"Cavendish? That guy's here too?" Lancelot looked surprised.
However, the most important thing now was to return to the East Blue as soon as possible and establish the rules.
Otherwise, the Four Seas Exchange would become a laughingstock.
So he temporarily put Cavendish out of his mind.
...
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
At the Loguetown port, Smoker and Tashigi were waiting there early.
When they saw Lancelot's new warship entering the port, both Smoker's and Tashigi's eyes lit up.
"Hahaha..." Lancelot laughed heartily before leaping from the ship and landing in front of them.
Zoro, Lina, Gin, Miss Valentine, and Nami quickly disembarked as well.
Smoker and Tashigi both spoke, their voices laced with complex feelings.
"Congratulations... Rear Admiral."
Lancelot grinned. "I never expected to take over your position so quickly either."
Then he shifted the topic.
"But I should congratulate you too. With your achievements in the East Blue, your rank is bound to be promoted again when you return to Marine Headquarters."
Hearing this, Smoker couldn't help but allow a small, rare smile.
Then, remembering something, he reminded Lancelot, "Although you're now a Rear Admiral and the Governor-General... in the East Blue, you're not the only high-ranking officer."
"Huh?" Lancelot froze in place.
Seeing his reaction, Smoker added, "Besides Loguetown, the East Blue has three other major branches: the 8th Branch, the 66th Branch, and the 163rd Branch. These three are second only to Loguetown in importance. Their highest-ranking officers aren't Base Commanders, but Marine Commodores."
"If you want to control all Marine forces in the East Blue, you can't avoid dealing with these three. Also, during your absence, those other inspectors have already formed an alliance, likely with them. It won't be easy for you to consolidate control over the East Blue."
'Three more Commodores in the East Blue?' Lancelot was slightly stunned.
Until now, he had only considered Smoker worth his attention, looking down on all others.
For a moment, he felt somewhat caught off guard.
But upon careful thought, he recalled.
In the original story, the East Blue did indeed have other high-ranking officers.
There was also that mercenary, a Paramecia-type Scythe Fruit Ability User named Eric...
After just a moment of contemplation... that's right.
These people only gave him slight pause.
Beings of this level weren't even worth his attention anymore.
He just needed to find a way to replace them with his own people.
Smoker gave Tashigi a meaningful look, and she immediately understood, waving for the Marine soldiers under her command to board their warship.
Then Smoker boarded as well.
Just as the warship was turning around, he turned back to look at Lancelot.
"I know you're not exactly a good guy. I'm sure you'll exploit the East Blue for all it's worth... but I hope you'll stay true to your original intentions."
"Hahaha!" Lancelot couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Don't worry, Smoker. No matter how much I exploit, I won't target ordinary civilians. After all, what could you possibly get from them anyway?"
Hearing this, Smoker couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
However, Lancelot had indeed given him the answer he wanted.
He chuckled lightly and said, "Then keep it under control! Don't let things get too out of hand..."
He was well aware of the differences between himself and Lancelot.
Those three other Commodores might have obeyed his orders, but they wouldn't necessarily heed his summons if it conflicted with their own interests.
But with Lancelot, their new Governor-General... such behavior would absolutely not be tolerated.
Just as Smoker had thought, the moment his ship left the harbor—
Lancelot's face darkened as he turned to Miss Valentine.
"You were originally an executive of Baroque Works, so I assume you're skilled in intelligence gathering. From now on, the intelligence network in Loguetown is under your control."
Miss Valentine's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Intelligence systems were a crucial component of any faction.
By placing her in this position, Lancelot was essentially granting her both status and real authority.
How could she not be pleased?
At this moment, Lancelot continued, "Two tasks. First, notify all base commanders and Commodores in the East Blue to come to Loguetown in half a month for next year's East Blue deployment meeting. Anyone who fails to attend will be considered disobeying a direct order from the Governor-General."
"Second, find two people for me: Captain Matthew of the Hurricane Pirate Crew and the Marine mercenary, Eric. They are Paramecia-type Ability Users of the Whirlwind Fruit and Scythe Fruit, respectively." After speaking, he added, "I want their exact locations."
Miss Valentine curtsied. "Yes, Rear Admiral Lancelot."
"Zoro, Lina, you two are responsible for Loguetown's security. Remember this: not a single pirate who enters Loguetown should escape. Also, I have only one requirement for pirates—death. Because only dead pirates are good pirates."
Zoro and Lina both grinned. "Yes, sir!"
Lancelot then looked at Gin.
"Your mission is to take the Saber and clear out all remaining pirates from the East Blue."
After speaking, he gave Gin a meaningful glance.
Gin immediately understood. "Yes, Rear Admiral Lancelot."
Simultaneously, he returned a look indicating he had fully comprehended.
While clearing out all East Blue pirates was important, what mattered more was capturing any Ability Users he could find.
Most importantly, this "great pirate purge" would provide the perfect, legitimate origin story for his new abilities.
After he cleared out most of the pirates in the East Blue, he could "officially" reveal his sand abilities, claiming he obtained them from a powerful pirate.
At that point, people would only marvel at his good fortune, and no one would suspect anything else.
"Buru... Buru..."
Just then, Lancelot's other Den Den Mushi rang.
"Hmm?" Lancelot looked surprised, unable to figure out who might be calling at this time.
After answering, Johnson's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Congratulations, Rear Admiral Lancelot, on becoming the East Blue Governor-General!"
Lancelot: "Get straight to the point, Johnson."
Johnson's voice immediately turned serious.
"It's like this, sir. Merry's fleet has been established and has already begun its first trade operations, but we've encountered... trouble."
"Trouble?" Lancelot's brow furrowed. "What kind of trouble?"
Johnson: "The Goa Kingdom, sir... their nobles have detained our entire fleet."