Borsalino remained silent, focusing solely on devouring his noodles. It wasn't that he couldn't speak, but Orion sudden proposal for him to go to the Revolutionary Army headquarters and meet with their leader, Dragon, left him extremely awkward.
Because on the night Orion launched his coup, it was precisely after thoroughly investigating his background and presenting it to him that Borsalino chose to remain silent during the coup.
This was also why, in recent days, he had felt uneasy deep down, as Orion who now held absolute power in the Navy, could eliminate him as an unstable factor at any moment.
What surprised him the most was that Orion had brought this matter up openly, even asking him to represent the Navy Marshal at the Revolutionary Army headquarters.
This meant that the young Navy Marshal wasn't worried about him doing anything out of line, and it also indicated that even if Orion knew about his other identity, he still held expectations for him.
For this alone, he had to admire Orion magnanimity and courage. He was certain that no matter who it was in the Navy Headquarters, once they discovered his other identity, they would never get along with him as harmoniously as they did now, let alone prepare a piece of ginger he liked for him.
Just then, Orion, who had devoured the noodles like a whirlwind, suddenly shifted the topic.
"This is also the moment for you to make a choice. If you return to the Navy Headquarters after meeting Dragon, it means you've given up on that side!"
"If you don't make that choice, then stay there!"
With that, Orion stood up, grabbed a tissue to wipe his mouth, and continued.
"I'm setting you free, but the next time we meet, I'll personally measure just how heavy your 'speed is weight' really is."
Hearing this, Borsalino, holding his chopsticks, pushed up his glasses with one finger, his expression serious.
"It's finally my turn. Don't worry, Fleet Admiral Orion, I'll give you a satisfactory answer!"
After saying this, Borsalino continued to wolf down his noodles.
"Buru buru buru—"
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi on the desk rang. Seeing this, Orion didn't avoid Borsalino. He walked over, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and said straightforwardly.
"Navy Headquarters, Orion speaking!"
"It's me."
The voice of Imu, as if speaking through a constricted throat, came through the Den Den Mushi, carrying a hint of accusation.
"Are you planning to bring Nico Robin to the Navy Headquarters and have her decipher the ancient texts?"
"Huh"
Orion glanced at the clock on the wall, somewhat caught off guard.
"You're only just now receiving Gunko report? I thought she'd report to you immediately after the Warlords meeting!"
"Indeed, I'm planning to assemble a fleet to search for the Road Poneglyphs and reach Laugh Tale!"
After a brief pause, Orion tone suddenly turned cold.
"Also, don't use that accusatory tone with me in the future. Otherwise, if I'm in a bad mood one day, I might just go and stay in the Flower Room for a while!"
As Orion words fell, the Den Den Mushi fell silent. Perhaps, just maybe, some ancient being in the Flower Room, whose gender was unknown, was left speechless by Orion remark.
However, it was clear that the person on the other end of the line wasn't angry or furious! Because the Den Den Mushi remained quiet, showing no emotional reaction from the person on the call.
After a brief silence, Imu, perhaps having adjusted their mindset, spoke unhurriedly.
"Your military coup and the treaty with the World Government, as well as those lawless pirates on the seas, mean little to me. What I care about is the person who can decipher the ancient texts."
"I won't interfere with your actions!"
"But you need to agree to one condition!"
Orion, tired of wasting words with Imu, cut straight to the point.
"I know what you're worried about—the Void Century, right? That history has been buried for eight hundred years. Even if the truth were laid bare before me now, I wouldn't be the least bit interested!"
Hearing this, Imu tone noticeably relaxed, and they asked curiously.
"What do you plan to do?"
Orion replied without hesitation. "Find Raftel and erase it from the map completely!"
"That should be something you'd be happy to see."
"So I can't let you off easy. If I do find Raftel and erase it, you'll have to show some gratitude."
Imu was straightforward. "If you truly keep your word, I'll agree to three of your conditions."
"It's a deal."
...
As the sun set and dusk approached, Orion left the headquarters building after a brief exchange with Kizaru and headed alone toward the family courtyard.
Upon arriving at the courtyard gate, he noticed two pieces of 'clothing' fluttering on the clothesline. What caught him off guard was that, despite the clothes being hung out, there was no sound coming from the courtyard, and the atmosphere felt somewhat eerie.
"What's going on?" Orion muttered to himself as he pushed open the gate, looking around with a sense of unease.
"Did they get tired of arguing and sign a truce?"
The reason he had stayed in the office with Borsalino to finish their ramen before returning was precisely to avoid coming back too early and reigniting the conflict between Hancock and Gunko.
Although he didn't understand why the two were constantly at odds, ever since they moved in, there had been little peace.
He could understand Hancock willfulness—after all, she was the Empress of Amazon Lily and had always been spoiled and headstrong. But Gunko, who had initially appeared as a mature and aloof woman, had transformed into a feisty rival within just two hours of meeting Hancock.
Their constant bickering had even driven the world greatest swordsman to flee the scene.
However, Orion soon came to terms with it. While Gunko appeared cold and aloof, and her position as a member of the God Knights had fostered an arrogant demeanor, it was all a facade!
Beneath that icy exterior lay the heart of a young girl.
In the original story, she was an avid fan of the Soul King, Brook, and a dedicated fangirl.
One was a star-chaser, the other a love-struck romantic—it was no wonder they couldn't get along.
But—
What was going on today?
As Orion stepped into the courtyard, he glanced around once more, confirming that no noise was coming from any corner or room.
Puzzled, he blinked and pushed open the living room door.
"Huh?"
The moment he entered the living room, Orion froze in place. There, sitting on the sofa, was Vice Admiral Tsuru, draped in her coat, leisurely reading a newspaper with her legs crossed.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru?"
Surprised to see Tsuru back at headquarters and now sitting in his home, Orion was momentarily stunned. He quickly removed his marshal coat and hurried over.
"When did you return? Why didn't you let me know?"
Hearing this, Tsuru set down the newspaper and looked up at Orion.
"Marshal, you're always so busy. I didn't want to trouble you."
"Absolutely not!"
Feeling guilty for the coup he had orchestrated, Orion quickly pulled up a chair and sat across from her, grinning.
"I might ignore others when they return, but I must welcome you back, Grandma Tsuru!"
"Do I have a choice?" Tsuru said with a hint of frustration.
"Others might not understand you, but I do. As the marshal, you're not going to sit around issuing orders like Sengoku did! If you suddenly get fired up and go off to hunt pirates, who's going to keep an eye on Marine Headquarters?"
Orion nodded emphatically. "That person must be you, Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
"Good that you know!" Vice Admiral Tsuru expression softened a bit as she pointed towards the kitchen.
"You must be starving after working all day. I prepared some food for you. Go get it from the kitchen. It's all your favorite dishes!"
"Alright!"
Orion reluctantly stood up.
If he had known that Vice Admiral Tsuru had returned and prepared dinner for him, he wouldn't have eaten that huge bowl of ramen with Borsalino in the office earlier.
Fortunately, ever since the system enhanced all his abilities to their peak, his appetite had also increased significantly. Eating another meal wouldn't be a problem.
After bringing all the dishes from the kitchen to the dining table, Orion picked up his chopsticks and suddenly remembered something. He turned to Vice Admiral Tsuru, who was reading the newspaper again, and asked.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, when you came back, was there... no one at home?"
"There was!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded, her eyes still on the newspaper as she pointed towards the clothesline outside.
"They're hanging on the clothesline."
"Huh?"
Orion turned to look at the two 'garments' fluttering on the clothesline outside. They were none other than Hancock and Gunko, who had been transformed into human-shaped clothes by Vice Admiral Tsuru Wash-Wash Fruit ability!
Seeing the two women hanging on the clothesline, Orion facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.
This was—
Absolutely fantastic!
Finally, he could have a quiet meal at home!
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