Chapter 4: Hina's Hidden Mission
The voyage from Marine Headquarters to the East Blue was a long one. Even taking the Navy's dedicated, calm-weather sea routes, it required a significant amount of time. Yet, the promotion notice had arrived yesterday, and the personnel from Headquarters were here today!
It was too fast.
Abnormally fast.
His face was in the newspaper, and he was recognized by Headquarters, but he was just a young Commodore-to-be. Was it really necessary to send someone to fetch him so urgently?
"Commodore Ian, should we change into formal attire and go to the port to receive them?" Nami asked.
Ian remained seated, concentrating and listening carefully to the sounds within the branch base. The hurried rhythm of footsteps came from the direction of the main square. Normally, there weren't this many soldiers on duty at the base at this hour.
Beyond the footsteps, the faint, barely perceptible murmur of conversation was as clear to Ian's ears as if they were standing beside him.
"Captain Hina, you are a distinguished Captain from Headquarters. When visiting a small East Blue branch, their base commander should naturally come to greet you in person. Why must we take the initiative to go to him?"
"Quiet, Morgan! Hina does as she pleases."
"Yes, Captain Hina is always right! What about the other missions in the East Blue you mentioned earlier?"
"The missions are canceled. The only remaining task is to bring Commodore Jock Ian back to Headquarters. Hina dislikes repetition."
"Understood, perfectly understood!"
...
"Captain Hina! I am the sergeant of this branch. I wasn't aware of your arrival. I will inform Commodore Ian immediately. The office hall is just ahead. Please, rest there. Commodore Ian will be with you shortly!"
...
Captain Hina of Marine Headquarters!
Codename: Black Cage.
User of the Paramecia-type Ori-Ori no Mi (Cage-Cage Fruit).
There weren't many capable female officers at Marine Headquarters, and even fewer among the younger generation. Hina was one who had left a deep impression on Ian from the original storyline. Her body could release black bars at will, forming cages harder than steel that could easily trap opponents.
Hearing Hina's conversation with her aide cleared up Ian's confusion. Hina, who was already on a mission in the East Blue, had been temporarily assigned this new task: to escort Ian back to Headquarters. With Navies stationed all over the world, many marines never set foot in Marineford, or even the Grand Line, in their entire careers. It wasn't entirely unreasonable to send an escort; one could easily get lost at sea.
Even so... abandoning her original mission just to pick him up? It still felt a bit strange.
"Let's go, Nami. There's no time to go to the port. The Headquarters personnel are already here. We'll meet them in the main hall," Ian said, leading Nami towards the base's administrative hall.
The structure of an East Blue branch base wasn't complex, with few elaborate buildings. Finding a comfortable, private room to properly receive leadership from Headquarters? Impossible; the conditions simply didn't exist. The administrative hall was the most presentable reception area available.
In the hall, Hina stood waiting. She had long, light pink hair parted in the middle, with purple-lensed sunglasses perched on her forehead. Her rose-red tailored suit accentuated her slender waist and well-proportioned figure.
"Welcome, distinguished guests from Headquarters," Ian announced as he entered. "My apologies for not greeting you properly in advance, Captain Hina."
Upon seeing Ian, Hina looked him over with an appraising gaze. She stood up politely and shook his hand. After his promotion at Headquarters, Ian's rank would be a full grade above hers. The gap in actual authority between a flag officer and a field officer was significant.
"Hello, Commodore Ian. Or should I call you the 'Adjudicator of the Sea'?" Hina said gracefully. "Hina has read the newspapers. Your great achievements in the East Blue have spread far and wide. Hina has received orders to escort you back to Headquarters to assume your post." She was the picture of courtesy, offering repeated praise.
"Ah, that's just an empty title, Captain Hina. Please don't take it seriously," Ian replied with a smile. "I never concern myself with outside opinions, let alone any false reputation. Isn't upholding justice simply our duty? Please, have a seat! Let's sit and talk."
He raised a finger subtly towards Nami behind him. Nami immediately understood. "Ahem!" She cleared her throat loudly and called out towards the door, "Commodore Ian, your seat!"
Hina, who had been about to sit back down in her original chair, paused mid-motion, half-leaning against the armrest. It felt awkward to sit, but equally awkward to remain standing. It's just taking a seat, why the need for such a loud announcement?
Then, Hina was stunned.
Several burly Marines carried a majestic tiger-skin chair in through the door. The seat was made of sturdy, thick solid wood, its grain delicate and beautiful, polished to a fine sheen. The most eye-catching feature was undoubtedly the tiger skin draped over the backrest, its fur vibrant and richly textured.
Ian swaggered over and sat down, chin slightly raised. The arrogance in his eyes seemed to be announcing his authority and status here to Hina and the other outsiders.
Hina frowned slightly. So this is a man who doesn't care about reputation? How exaggerated! He's just a branch Commodore. Was it really necessary to have a special tiger-skin chair brought in? If someone like this comes to Headquarters and gets promoted to Commodore, won't he become even more insufferable?
Ian could tell from Hina's expression that she seemed dissatisfied with his behavior, though she was trying not to show it.
Dissatisfied?
Who cares?
Ian was going to Headquarters to become a Commodore! The dissatisfaction of a mere Captain was inconsequential. The East Blue was Ian's territory. Here, on his home ground, he needed to make the pecking order perfectly clear.
"Commodore Ian," Hina began, her tone formal, "before we depart, there is a Headquarters personnel review form that requires your completion. Some of the questions pertain to personal abilities and require your cooperation. Hina will personally conduct this review on behalf of Headquarters!"
When she mentioned "personal review," Hina looked meaningfully at Ian.
Personal ability questions?
The information submitted to Headquarters every year clearly and meticulously detailed his Devil Fruit abilities. To come to the branch base and personally conduct an "ability review" so urgently... It seemed Headquarters had some specific doubts about his Human-Human Fruit. This further solidified Ian's resolve to keep his awakening concealed for the time being.
"No problem, Captain Hina. How do you intend to conduct this review?" Ian asked, spreading his hands in a gesture of confusion. "You don't want to have a spar with me right here, do you?"
"Of course not. These are just simple inquiries. Hina will record the responses," she said, raising her hand. Her aide, Morgan, promptly handed her a notepad and pen.
"First question, Commodore Jock Ian. The data indicates you ate the Zoan-type, Human-Human Fruit. Please describe how you confirmed it was the Human-Human Fruit you consumed, and not some other Devil Fruit."
As she asked the question, Hina stared intently at Ian, unblinking, watching for the subtlest changes in his expression that might betray a lie.
The situation was exactly as Ian had suspected. Headquarters had dispatched Hina, already on a mission, with an additional, hidden objective. This hidden mission was directly related to his Devil Fruit ability.
No matter.
Whether here or at Headquarters, being questioned and investigated was inevitable. It was only a matter of time.
And Ian had already thought of a way to handle it.