White Ghost probably didn't realize he'd been staring at Tashigi for a bit too long.
But the people around him certainly did.
Ain pinched his side sharply, while Elena tightened her grip on his arm—her meaning clear: Enough.
Tashigi instantly remembered what Smoker had warned her about earlier. Her heart jumped, and she hurriedly stepped back.
"Um—Vice Admiral White Ghost! P-please… calm down!"
Cough.
White Ghost snapped out of it and rubbed his nose awkwardly.
"Sorry. You look extremely similar to someone I once knew, so I lost focus for a moment."
Smoker sneered from the side.
"No wonder Gion said you'll get yourself killed one day if you don't learn some restraint."
The instant Smoker finished—
KACH!
A blade flashed against his neck.
Ain's eyes were icy.
Feeling the chill of steel, Smoker forced a stiff smile.
"Uh… Ain. We've known each other a long time. No need to go that far, right?"
"Hmph." Ain withdrew her sword.
Tashigi's eyes lit up immediately.
"Is that the famous blade Sakura Ten? Ms. Ain… may I take a closer look?"
Ain frowned.
"We're not Marines anymore. Don't call me by rank."
"S-sorry!" Tashigi bowed quickly.
"Alright," White Ghost said, waving a hand.
"Split up. Free time. We'll stay here for two days."
With that, he led his group away.
Watching them leave, Tashigi—who thought she'd been brushed off—slowly grew downcast.
Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Don't overthink it. They're not Marines anymore. Casual interaction causes problems."
He paused.
"Just go find them after your shift."
"Really?" Tashigi's eyes brightened.
Then she pointed at three figures.
"Then why can those three go with them?"
Arthur. A-Da. A-Er.
Smoker clicked his tongue.
"They submitted resignation reports. Approved long ago."
His cigar burned lower.
"They said they're going to travel the world with that guy."
As they walked—
White Ghost glanced sideways.
"You three… are you trying to make Smoker hate me even more?"
A-Da and A-Er grinned shamelessly.
"Boss, we don't care! Last time we couldn't follow you. This time, we're not missing it!"
White Ghost ignored the idiots and looked at Arthur.
"And you?"
Arthur scratched his head.
"Boss… when you're not around, it feels like something's missing."
White Ghost stumbled as if he'd tripped, then kicked him.
"Go pack. We're resting here for a while."
The three ran off immediately.
Kuro watched them leave.
"Are they a risk?"
"A-Da and A-Er are fine," White Ghost replied.
"Arthur… I'm not sure."
"Then why bring him?" Ain asked.
White Ghost sighed.
"Because I'm unsure, I want him close. Something about him feels… off. Too clean. Too simple."
Kuro adjusted his glasses.
"Even small leaks could make the entire sea hunt us."
"Do you want me to remove him?" Contena offered calmly.
White Ghost shook his head.
"No. I'm certain he's not World Government. CP types have a smell—you can tell instantly."
He rubbed his chin.
"Ambition? Maybe. Like Blackbeard?"
"Could we be overthinking it?" Pedro asked.
"Maybe," White Ghost shrugged.
"We'll see. Two days of fun first."
Laughing, they entered a hotel to book rooms.
Marine Base
Arthur returned to his room and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"Bererere… Kacha."
"Moshi moshi?"
If White Ghost were present, he would've cursed out loud.
"This is Little Senbei, calling Big Rice Cracker."
A pause.
"This is Big Rice Cracker."
Arthur lit a cigarette.
"The target allowed me to join them."
The voice on the other side turned grave.
"Little Senbei. Your safety is the priority. Do not take risks."
"Understood."
"Only transmit important intelligence—and only when safe."
"Understood."
The call ended.
Arthur packed, met A-Da and A-Er, and headed toward White Ghost.
Northern District – Bartolomeo Family
Granny Tomo received the news.
White Ghost had returned.
After hearing he defeated Kaido, she knew—
There was no resisting him in this lifetime.
She watched Bartolomeo training and shook her head.
"Not enough talent… not yet."
Still, she let him train.
"Dezaya," Granny Tomo called.
A tall young woman entered—poised, strong, carrying Tomo's old aura.
"White Ghost is back. Invite him."
Dezaya's eyes lit up.
"I'll go!"
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