"What's going on here?" Dante stared, bewildered, as civilians streamed off the mock pirate ship.
Everyone's faces were etched with grief and indignation, their eyes wide with despair. That wasn't too surprising, but one older man kept muttering under his breath. If you listened close, it sounded like he was cursing the Marines?
"Why curse the Marines? Or Smoker, of all people?"
"Wahahaha... just a little misunderstanding," Mock chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head. "We, uh, ran into Smoker and his crew on the island. Couldn't have rounded everyone up so fast without his help."
Dante just stared at Mock, a conflicted expression creeping across his face.
Mock didn't need to spell it out. Dante, who has come from Grand Line, could guess what had happened.
Think about it. Out on the rough seas, you suddenly meet a bunch of pirates who tell you, "Hey, come on! We'll take you to a place with work and plenty to eat!"
Who in their right mind would believe that? Even calling it 'recruitment' wouldn't convince many.
Recruitment? Sounds more like getting kidnapped and worked to death for free! A salary and food included? What were they smoking? Not even the poor souls adrift out here, or even some nobles, had ever heard of someone doing something so unbelievably stupid!
So, when talking didn't work... they just went full pirate. Saw people, tied 'em up, no questions asked. They figured they'd explain later.
Once they were brought here, though, people calmed down quickly. Especially after they saw it wasn't a lie, suddenly, they were practically falling over themselves with gratitude. Guess trust is just that hard to come by out here.
'So, the Marines helped kidnap these folks?' Dante could practically picture the rest of the scene.
'Talk about moral decay!' No wonder these refugees looked so broken and desperate. Seeing the 'righteous' Marines actually helping pirates round people up must have absolutely shattered them.
Kuzan stepped out then, looking thoughtful. A suspicious expression crossed his face. "Smoker, huh?" he mumbled. "Oh, right, didn't HQ just demote him to Loguetown Base Commander recently? A Marine just landed here and already colluding with pirates?" He looked at Dante, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"I know Smoker. Only been a few days since he got demoted, and you've already corrupted him?"
"Hey, we're cooperating! Good friends! Smoker's a great Captain!" Mock protested. Mock's words barely left his mouth before Dante kicked him.
"What 'good friends'?!" Dante's voice was stern. "How many times have I told you, you don't talk about certain relationships! You're a Pirate, you have nothing to do with the Marines! Remember that! And..." His tone shifted, becoming critical. "Didn't I tell you? Your boss, me, I've retired from that old life. You're not some old-school Grand Line pirates, you're East Blue New Age pirates! You can't just grab people! You need rules! You have to kidnap people in a civilized manner!"
"But... I tried explaining!" Mock looked distraught, rubbing his shin. "They wouldn't listen! How was I supposed to be civilized?"
"Can't you smile?!" Dante demanded. "Go catch 'em with a smile! A smile's the best language, the best explanation, got it?!"
"Got it!"
"So, you know what to do next time?"
"Yeah! I'll make sure everyone kidnaps with a smile!"
Vivi and Kuzan, who had just arrived, stared, dumbfounded. 'Kidnap with a smile?' That sounded even scarier than just grabbing them!
Especially Kuzan... 'Does this guy even realize I'm standing right here, practically admitting collusion with pirates?' As an Admiral, he probably should say something, remind Dante. However...
Just as Kuzan opened his mouth, Dante waved Mock over seriously. "Come here!" He pulled Mock close to Kuzan. "Mock, this is Admiral Kuzan from Headquarters. You know what an Admiral means, right? If you ever see this face out on the sea, you run the other way, got it? And remember what I just told you?"
Mock's eyes went wide, staring at Kuzan. 'An Admiral? The boss was chummy with Marine Hero Garp, now an Admiral? As expected of the boss! He's incredible!'
Mock nodded frantically. "Don't worry, boss! I'm the most tight-lipped guy on the sea! I'll never tell anyone that Admiral Kuzan is our backer!"
Kuzan just blinked at the earnest Mock. 'How did I become their backer?' He wanted to protest, but all that came out was a sweatdrop and a sigh, "I'm not!"
"Exactly! Admiral Kuzan isn't our backer!" Dante nodded seriously. "So don't talk nonsense. Now, go finish the handover. It's getting late, we need to move."
"Understood, boss! Mock is the most tight-lipped man on the sea, no nonsense from me!" Mock sealed his lips shut, nodded gravely, and headed below deck to hand over the 'recruits' to Nojiko.
Kuzan watched him go, then turned back to Dante. He'd just come to watch the show and ended up being labeled a pirate backer?
Before Kuzan could find his voice (or wipe the metaphorical sweatdrop), Dante started talking, his tone softer now. "Mock lost his parents when he was just a kid. He has no home, no relatives, no money. He's been poor his whole life and never even went to school. He's a good man, just... misunderstands things sometimes. Don't worry, I'll make sure he keeps his mouth shut. We are all in this together anyway, except for Princess Vivi." He clapped his chest. "But I know Princess Vivi can keep a secret!"
Vivi turned from Kuzan, her eyes a little wide, then nodded firmly. "Thank you all for your help. Please rest assured, I won't breathe a word of... this kind of secret."
'Yeah, that doesn't sound like someone who won't talk... Wait, there's no secret! I am not their backer!' Kuzan covered his face with a weary hand. "Ah, did I just step into a whole mess? Should've stayed home..." Of course, as a Marine Admiral, he didn't really care about some East Blue scrub's rumors. This wasn't the Grand Line or the New World. What was a dignified Admiral doing dealing with a small-fry like this?
"Right, I should be going." Kuzan hopped back onto his bicycle, settling his feet on the pedals. He gave Dante a long look. "See you around... Hope I don't have to arrest you next time."
"Me? A righteous Marine?" Dante dramatically flapped the Justice cape he'd somehow acquired back in training, the one he rarely wore. "Why would a Greatest Righteous Marine like Admiral Aokiji ever need to arrest me?"
'Such a slippery one!' Kuzan just smiled faintly, shook his head, and pedaled away slowly, waving goodbye to Dante.
He was halfway gone when Dante's voice called out again, suddenly loud.
"Oh, almost forgot!"
"Next time you're in Romance Dawn, don't order the Seawater Bath! It's real seawater in there. Feels great, yeah, but terrible for Devil Fruit users! Now there are rumors going around Romance Dawn about some big, lazy guy... looks strong but he's weak as a kitten on the inside! It's detrimental to the dignity of a Marine admiral, you know? Really bad influence!"
Kuzan's foot slipped off the pedal, and he nearly tumbled into the ocean. 'You know it's bad for reputation, why yell it out idiot?!' He wrestled his bike back under control, pretending he hadn't heard a thing, pretending it wasn't him. He kept pedaling leisurely, just like before.
Except...
The lazy slump was still there, but his feet were pumping the pedals with speed invisible to naked eye.
In moments, he was a speck, then gone, leaving everyone behind staring, still a bit confused.
'Let you make a show of leaving!' Dante muttered, satisfied. He cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. "Alright, settle down. Get ready. We're heading out... Time to hit the Grand Line!"
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