"It's over just like that?"
"It's really over. What a pleasant cooperation!" Seeing Nami still in a daze even after everyone had left, Dande lowered his hand from the hilt of his sword and stretched lazily.
Although things went unexpectedly smoothly, he had to admit...
"This really is something worth celebrating~"
"But… that was a Navy hero!" Nami looked at Dande, who acted like it was the most natural thing in the world.
She didn't even know where to start complaining, and said in disbelief, "He compromised just because of a 50% bribe from the Navy's budget?"
"That old guy didn't have his eyes on just the so-called 50% bribe." Dande shrugged and gave Nami a meaningful glance.
"I told you already, on this sea, there's no such thing as absolute justice. Every gift has its price clearly marked."
This time, it just happened to be Garp.
If it had been someone else—
If it were Sakazuki, he would've run off with his people immediately.
No hesitation whatsoever.
If it were Borsalino or Kuzan, there might've been room for negotiation.
As long as it wasn't a mandatory mission, those two admirals would always follow their own version of 'justice'—either slacking off or doing things by the book.
And if it were Sengoku… If he were still Fleet Admiral, he might've carried out his version of justice strictly, and punished Dande as a Navy scum who raised pirates.
But if he had already retired, he'd probably turn a blind eye and slack off just like Garp.
That's what the Navy calls 'justice'!
Plenty of people slacking off in that muddy water!
"Knew it! There's not a single good person in the Navy!" Hearing Dande's words, Nami suddenly recalled Captain Nezumi and said angrily.
But when she saw Dande glance sideways at her, she seemed to understand what he meant.
Still, she straightened her neck, puffed out her chest, and spoke proudly with blatant double standards, "Of course, me and Bell-mère don't count. We were good Marines! What? Did I say something wrong?"
"..."
That thick skin—definitely one of his subordinates.
Dande nodded seriously and said, "That's right. After all, I'm a good Marine too!"
"..."
Nami stared wordlessly at the guy who was just as shameless as she was.
Then, as if remembering something, her eyes lit up. "They're staying here again tonight?"
She raised her little fist, wearing a meaningful smile. "Then let me, Commander Nami of Marine Branch 16, give them a proper welcome!"
With that, she turned and walked straight out, leaving a speechless Dande behind.
What is she planning?
Raising a brow, Dande sighed and called after her, "Be careful!"
"Got it~"
"..."
Only after Nami's figure disappeared from sight did Dande shake his head helplessly.
Then—
He stood up and walked toward a room on the left behind him, opened the door, and entered.
Instantly—
He saw Robin sitting elegantly in a chair by the window, reading a book.
She wore a white blouse and a form-fitting Western-style pencil skirt. Her long black hair was tied back into a neat bun.
Every so often, she would gently adjust her stylish, decorative women's glasses. Her full legs, crossed under the short skirt, swayed lightly—offering the occasional tantalizing glimpse.
She seemed to notice Dande's shameless gaze, but didn't mind. After turning a page, she lifted her head, looked at him with a graceful smile, and said, "Dear boss, do you like what you see?"
"Not bad~, ahem!" Dande fake-coughed twice, trying to ease the awkwardness. He shifted his gaze upward to Robin, who had gone back to quietly reading, and smiled.
"I thought you would've run off on your own by now!"
"Oh my~ I haven't resigned yet, have I?" Robin gently brushed a lock of hair from her forehead, tilted her head, and smiled at him.
"Now that the base is thriving, are you planning to kick me out? What a heartless boss~"
"..."
Why does it feel like this woman's been getting a little too sarcastic lately?
However—
Before Dande could respond—
"If one day, someone wanted to take me away… just like that Fishman tried to take Nami…"
Robin lowered her head again, looking at the book in her hands. She sounded indifferent, yet her words held deeper meaning.
"Would BOSS keep me, like he kept Nami?"
"No. If you resign on your own, I won't stop you."
Robin froze when Dande finished speaking. Her eyebrows trembled slightly, as if she felt a bit disappointed.
But soon after, that elegant smile returned to her face.
However—
Before she could say anything—
"But if you're not leaving by choice," Dande smiled lightly, his tone serious, "then no one can force my employee to leave."
As he said this—
Robin, still looking down at her book, couldn't help but smile. She gently brushed aside the hair on her forehead, put the book down, turned her head, and rested her chin on her left hand.
That elegant smile reappeared—but somehow, it felt different this time.
Then—
Miss Robin looked at Dande with those bright eyes of hers, like she was smiling from the inside.
She said softly and naturally, "Then let's continue working well together, BOSS~"
"Looking forward to it, Secretary!"
"..."
...
On one side—
Dande was re-signing a contract with his secretary.
On the other side—
The Navy Headquarters inspection had ended in an unexpectedly peaceful way, with both sides reaching a pleasant agreement.
Garp took the grumpy Smoker and still-stunned Tashigi to go rest.
Today's expenses were covered by Cocoyashi Village. After lifting the lockdown on Branch 16 via Den Den Mushi, they planned to stay the night in the village.
Tomorrow, they would leave aboard the Mok Pirates' ship.
As for Mok, who was dragged along by Garp's group to act as a temporary guide—he was completely dumbfounded.
After all, he had originally thought they were finished this time, but unexpectedly... the boss actually latched onto a big shot.
And not just any big shot — a high-ranking officer of Marine Headquarters, someone known as a Hero of the Marines.
Things had taken such a ridiculous turn that even a rough-and-tough pirate like him couldn't quite figure out what was going on.
But as a pirate, he still understood one thing… their operations in the East Blue were probably going to be smooth from now on.
With the backing of a Marine hero, how could things not be stable?
At that moment, Mok was completely overwhelmed with excitement.
As expected of the boss — he could even win over a high officer from Marine Headquarters! That's amazing!
**********
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