[Name: Dante Ashford]
[Occupation: Level-3 Senior Staff Member]
[Quota: 100]
[Remarks: Upon reaching a quota of 100,000, employee can be promoted to Level-2 Senior Staff Member and receive an Employee Benefit.]
[Congratulations on passing the Company's comprehensive evaluation! You've successfully passed the promotion review and are hereby promoted to Level-3 Senior Staff Member, effective today. From this day forward, you will enjoy all the benefits of a Level-3 Senior Staff Member.]
[We hope you consider this a new starting point in your life, continue your excellent work, strive diligently, realize your self-worth, and become a pillar of the Company! This is your official notification and congratulation.]
"..."
When Dante came around, he found he'd been promoted again, and this time he'd received the promotion reward: Advanced Haki Techniques.
'That's right,' he thought. 'A proper company really takes care of its staff!'
Just for one promotion, they'd just handed over Advanced Haki Techniques for all three types, not stingy in the slightest.
Though he hadn't used it yet, Dante could already feel that his Haki felt stronger already.
As for why he was promoted this time...
Probably because the fight with Kuzan had shifted things somehow, netting him 2,000 performance points, earning the Company's commendation, and resulting in the promotion and raise.
'Maybe 'fate' really does change every moment!' Dante glanced at his occupation: [Level-3 Senior Staff Member], a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
Just then, a voice broke his thoughts.
"Are you awake already?"
A familiar, gentle, and intellectual voice drifted down from above.
Dante, exhausted from the night's fight, felt the warm, firm softness beneath his head. His eyes fluttered open. What greeted him wasn't the sky, but the distinct scent... the unique charm of a mature woman. He knew where he was.
He got up, stretched, looked at Robin, who was leisurely reading as if nothing was out of the ordinary, and asked, "Where'd that guy go?"
Seriously, Kuzan had thrown out any sense of a fair fight. He'd just started swinging his Ice Fist and whaling on Dante. He was brutal about it, too. Dante felt the Admiral had hit him harder this time than when he'd first 'tested' Dante's strength.
A friggin' Marine Admiral stooped by to beating up a poor, helpless Marine Captain like him! If Dante's Armament Haki hadn't been solid and his evasive speed high, he probably would have made a fool of himself right there.
Finally, as dawn neared, Kuzan, maybe seeing there was no point, or maybe just getting tired, yawned, muttered something about 'Lazy Justice,' and finally stopped, saying he wanted to rest.
'And a treat...?'
'He'd already worn himself out beating the hell out of me. 'Treat'? Don't make me laugh.'
'Yeah, don't even dream about it! Let that guy just go back to Headquarters and get reimbursed!'
Although the beating was rough, the payoff was huge, though, and he even got a lap pillow out of it from Robin.
Indeed, fighting against powerhouses is the fastest way to improve one's strength.
If it were Kaido, Dante probably wouldn't even need Advanced Haki Techniques right now. Under Kaido-Sensei's personal 'tutoring', perhaps he would have already learned far more unique Haki techniques.
Of course, there were also shortcomings, for example...
Dante looked at his Sandai Kitetsu and stroked his chin.
'Maybe if I switched to a Seastone Sword, my swordsmanship and the Eleventh Form might pack more of a punch?'
"He left the Sixteenth Branch this morning. It seems he went to Cocoyasi Town." Watching Dante lost in thought, Robin turned a page of her book, still wearing that calm, intellectual smile, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. "Because the notification was timely, the Marine Sixteenth Branch and the Conomi Archipelago didn't take much damage. They've already started resuming normal life this morning. However, some pirates who tried to escape during the chaos were also rounded up."
Dante nodded, a quiet sigh escaping him inwardly. It seemed that while he was resting, Robin had already handled the Marine Sixteenth Branch and the Conomi Archipelago.
'Indeed...'
'It really is great having a personal secretary around.'
Robin's voice came again.
Robin, who'd been quietly reading, closed her book. Her elegant, intellectual smile faded. Her expression suddenly turned serious. She wore a serious expression, was silent for a moment, then asked, "Isn't there something boss wants to say to me?"
Looking directly at Dante, she looked at him with a mix of hesitation and self-blame before lowering her head.
"I'm sorry, I... I didn't keep my promise to you!"
However.
"Say what to you? Deduct your salary? *cough, cough* Yeah, you better reflect on this!" Dante, ever the BOSS, answered without a beat, stunning Robin. But just as quickly, that familiar smile was back.
Dante, ever the 'Boss,' answered without missing a beat, stunning Robin for a moment before her familiar smile returned as she nodded. "Okay, boss. I'll reflect properly this time."
However.
Dante's face grew serious. "It seems you haven't reflected enough! You can still smile?"
Before the stunned Robin could say anything.
She heard the boss say, his face serious again, "If there's a next time, not only will I dock your pay!" His eyes glanced downwards. "You'll also be punished severely. When that time comes I will give you a proper punishment!"
Hearing Dante's words, Robin came back to herself and couldn't help but let out a giggle. Immediately after, her cheeks turned slightly red. She raised her head, looked at Dante, that calm smile back in place, her eyes serious, and said, "It won't happen again. I've entrusted everything to you, boss!"
Just as a stunned Dante was about to say something...
*Click*
The door opened.
"Robin, is he awake yet?" Nami walked right in, complaining, "There are really important things he needs to handle! And that Marine Admiral..."
She stopped mid-sentence, looking inside suspiciously, as if sensing the atmosphere was a bit... off?
She blinked in confusion, looking from Dante's innocent expression to Robin's slightly flushed cheeks, and asked, her tone suspicious, "What were you two... doing in here?"
"Boss he..."
"*Cough cough!* Not yet!" Dante interrupted Robin before she could finish, looking at Nami, still wearing that innocent expression. "Yeah, what were you saying? Kuzan? What's he done now?"
"I dunno, something feels weird in here, really weird!" Nami muttered, pouting slightly. "Anyway, you're up!" She looked at Dante, as if just remembering why she came in. "Oh, right! Admiral Kuzan..."
Before she could finish speaking.
Just then, from behind them, standing right beside Nami, another familiar voice suddenly spoke up.
Kuzan stood beside Nami, acting way too familiar, waving a hand. "Yo~" he said in his lazy voice. "I'm back again! Also~"
With that, he stepped aside, revealing a figure behind him. "I brought your friend back. No need to thank me. But if you really insist on thanking me... well, nothing I can do about that, I guess."
As the words fell.
Dante looked at the figure behind Kuzan.
'Why's she here?'
It was a girl wrapped in a thick blanket, still sniffling, her long blue hair draped down. When she saw him, she immediately brightened and said excitedly, "Captain Dante, I finally see you!"
==========
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