One Piece: Fist of the World

Just as Rhodes and his group were causing a commotion at Speda Myers, a warship was sailing on the sea not far away.

On the deck, amidst the marines carrying out their duties, several naval officers wearing [Justice] cloaks were enjoying afternoon tea at a central table.

"What are your plans after reporting back to headquarters this time?"

One of the burly marines set down his cup and turned to look at a marine sitting beside him.

It was a pretty female marine with short, light pink hair, a cigarette dangling from her lips, and a cool demeanor. She wore dark purple gloves on her hands resting on the table.

Although he addressed "you," his gaze remained fixed on the female marine next to him, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"I will remain in the Grand Line."

The female marine didn't speak, but frowned slightly and took a deep drag from her cigarette. Instead, a marine sitting opposite her spoke.

It was a composed young man with an [X]-shaped scar on his chin.

Despite the relatively relaxed atmosphere of afternoon tea, the navy sat ramrod straight, a serious expression etched on his face.

"Okay, I understand, Colonel Drake. So, what about you, Lieutenant Commander Hina? I presume you also wish to stay in the Grand Line. Have you decided which naval branch to join? If you have any ideas, I can offer my assistance."

The burly navy responded casually, without even glancing away from Lieutenant Commander Hina, still staring intently and subtly trying to reveal some information.

"After all, Vice Admiral Jonathan of the G-8 Fortress has been a close friend of my father for decades."

Reaching out to take the cigarette and extinguishing it in the ashtray, the female Navy named Hina sighed.

"Hina is quite exasperated!"

Lieutenant Commander Hina stood up, pushed down the brown sunglasses perched on her head, adjusted her gloves, and left her colleagues sitting at the table. She walked to the ship's railing alone and gazed at the distant sea.

I should have taken my warship to headquarters.

The thought flashed through Hina's mind.

In recent years, the situation in the North Blue had gradually stabilized. Doflamingo had led the Donquixote Family to the New World and become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. The Germa Kingdom, led by the Vinsmoke Family, had reached some agreement with the World Government and rejoined the government's ranks.

After several years in the North Blue branch, she received a transfer order from headquarters upon accumulating sufficient merits. She was traveling to the Marine Headquarters in Marineford with several personnel from other branches to report on her work.

Unexpectedly, Colonel Monte Barrow had been persistently bothering her since boarding the ship. She had also heard about his background. He was likely a prime example of military rank exceeding ability. Due to the influence of Vice Admiral Monte Giles, his powerful patron, Hina had been enduring his advances without erupting.

However, suppressing her disgust was proving increasingly difficult.

"Is it tedious being on the ship for too long? The sea can be so dull, but we'll arrive soon. Let me get you a glass of wine."

Colonel Monte Barrow remained oblivious. He happily hurried to the galley and returned with a glass of fruit wine for Lieutenant Commander Hina.

"Hina does not wish to drink. Take it!"

If she wasn't concerned that the other party might cause trouble during her subsequent report to headquarters, Hina would have gladly poured the wine directly onto his face.

However, she wasn't impulsive like Smoker. Years of training had taught her the destructive potential of such entitled playboys.

Boom!!!

Just as Hina was becoming increasingly irritated by Colonel Barrow's persistence, a violent sound echoed from the distance.

"That direction is..."

The powerful explosion drew the attention of everyone on the ship. Colonel Drake also walked over from the table, glanced at the faintly visible island in the distance, and pondered for a moment.

"That should be Speda Myers Town. Such a loud noise from that distance... what on earth happened there?"

As a native of the North Blue, he had sailed the seas with his father for several years during his teenage years. He was very familiar with most of the important towns in the North Blue.

"Do you want to go and investigate?"

"To cause such a significant disturbance, it's not some ordinary small-time pirate, but I haven't heard of any powerful pirate groups operating in the surrounding waters."

"Of course, we must go! We are the navy of justice! How can we turn a blind eye to evil unfolding before us!"

Colonel Barrow's voice was resonant and forceful. It would have been more convincing if he hadn't been secretly glancing at Lieutenant Commander Hina while speaking.

"Rear Admiral Bastille, what are your thoughts?"

Drake turned his gaze to the last navy officer, a tall figure wearing a horned mask and wielding a massive, long-handled saw.

This was Rear Admiral Bastille from the Navy Headquarters. He had arrived in the North Blue a few months before handling a significant incident in the Dawson Kingdom. After that, he had conveyed headquarters' orders to the three of them and was escorting them to the Navy Headquarters in Marineford to report for duty.

Without a doubt, only he could decide the warship's course.

"The territory of a Seven Warlord of the Sea?"

Bastille muttered in a low voice.

As a Rear Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, he naturally had access to information regarding the Seven Warlords of the Sea. This small town called Speda Myers was where Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, had made his initial fortune, and it served as the Donquixote Family's base in the North Blue.

Although he didn't want any involvement with a King Shichibukai, especially Doflamingo, who was the most troublesome among them...

However, as Lieutenant Commander Barrow had stated, the cloak of justice he wore made it impossible for him to ignore what was happening before his eyes!

"Change course towards Speda Myers! All soldiers, prepare for action!

Lieutenant Commander Corlaw, organize your personnel and prepare for evacuation later; Captain Barstow, you will lead two teams of soldiers to receive and treat the wounded on the island; the others will follow me and prepare to engage!"

Rear Admiral Bastille looked towards the small island in the distance. His eyesight wasn't particularly sharp, and he couldn't discern the current situation on the island.

However, a feeling in his gut told him that a troublesome individual awaited him on that island.

······

Island

"As expected, Sea Stone handcuffs aren't so easy to come by."

After thoroughly searching the Donquixote Family's warehouse, Rhodes sighed.

"That kind of treasure is probably only found after venturing into the Grand Line."

Neru, standing beside him, smiled and handed the last box of food to Rhodes.

"You can help too. You've been wandering around here. I think you just want to be lazy."

"How can you make such baseless accusations..."

Rhodes took the box, and the two walked towards the port together.

After Gladius and Edorad Manudo had been dealt with, the remaining members of the Donquixote Family had swiftly fled, leaving Rhodes and his companions to happily enjoy the spoils of their victory. Box after box.

It should be said, the Donquixote Family had amassed quite a fortune. Although they hadn't found the specific weapons Gray desired, the various other treasures collected in the manor still astonished Rhodes and the others.

Nia, in particular, happily darted back and forth between the Polaris and the manor, undertaking almost half of the transportation work.

However, after all the valuables had been plundered, Nia refused to leave the boat.

One moment, she claimed she would stay on the ship to care for the injured Gray, and the next, she insisted on guarding the Polaris to prevent thieves from boarding and stealing their loot. In short, she simply wanted to guard the treasures.

So, the task of transporting the food supplies fell solely to Rhodes and Neru.