Chapter 9. A Proper Place
---
"So it's just over like that?"
"It really is over. What a happy cooperation!" Watching Nami, who was still dazed and hadn't recovered even after the others had left, Dante let go of the knife hilt and stretched comfortably.
Though things went more smoothly than expected, he had to admit...
"This really is something to celebrate~"
"But... that was a Marine Hero!" Looking at Dante, who acted like it was all completely normal, Nami didn't even know how to retort. In disbelief, she said, "He compromised just over fifty percent of the Marines' military funds being bribed?"
"That old man wasn't after something as trivial as fifty percent in bribes." Dante shrugged, giving Nami a meaningful look. "I've said it before—there's no such thing as absolute justice on these seas. And every gift comes with its price already tagged."
It was just because this time, it was Garp.
If it had been someone else—
If Sakazuki had come, Dante would've fled with his people without a moment's hesitation.
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—choosing either to slack off or take it seriously.
And if it had been Sengoku... well, if it was before he stepped down as Fleet Admiral, he might've rigidly enforced so-called justice and punished him, this Marine disgrace who kept pirates under his wing. But if it was after his retirement, that old guy would likely go the Garp route and start slacking too.
That's the so-called justice of the Marines!
There are plenty of people slacking off in the murky waters!
"I knew it! There's no good person in the Marines!" Hearing Dante's words, Nami seemed to recall that rat-faced Captain and said angrily. But seeing Dante's side glance at her, she seemed to get what he meant. Still, she stubbornly raised her chin and said with double standards, "Of course, Bell-mère and I don't count. We're good Marines! What? Am I wrong?"
"…"
This face… she really is worthy of being his subordinate~
Dante nodded seriously and said, "You're right. After all, I'm a good Marine too!"
"…" Nami stared speechlessly at this guy who was just as shameless as she was.
Then, as if something came to mind, her eyes sparkled. "They'll be staying here tonight too?"
She raised her little fist with a meaningful smile. "Then let Master Chief Petty Officer Nami of the 16th Marine Branch give them a proper welcome!"
Saying that, she turned around and walked out, leaving a speechless Dante behind.
What is this woman up to now?
His eyelid twitched, and he called helplessly after her, "Be careful!"
"Got it~"
"…"
Not until Nami's figure had disappeared from sight did Dante shake his head with a sigh.
Then, he stood up and walked to a room on the back left side, directly opening the door and stepping inside.
Immediately—
He saw Robin, sitting elegantly in a chair by the window reading a book.
Dressed in a white shirt and a Western-style pencil skirt, her long black hair was tied into a simple bun. Every so often, she adjusted the delicate fashion glasses on her face. Her full legs were crossed beneath the skirt, occasionally swaying gently and creating a faintly seductive image.
She seemed to notice Dante's unrestrained gaze but didn't mind. She gently turned a page, then looked up at him with an elegant smile.
"Dear Boss, does it look good?"
"Not bad~, ahem!" Dante gave a couple of fake coughs to ease the awkwardness, shifted his gaze upward, looked at Robin quietly reading her book, and smiled. "I thought you would've run away on your own by now."
"Oh, oh~ I haven't resigned yet!" Robin casually brushed a lock of hair from her forehead and tilted her head with a smile. "Now that the base is developing, is Boss planning to get rid of me? What a black-hearted Boss~"
"…"
He couldn't help but feel this woman had been acting a little sarcastic lately?
However—
Before Dante could say anything—
"Then, if someday, someone like that fish-man tries to take me away like he did Nami," Robin said, lowering her head and looking at her book, as if it were casual but with a deeper meaning, "will Boss try to keep me, just like you did with Nami?"
"No! If you resign of your own will, I won't stop you."
As Dante finished speaking, Robin paused, her brows trembling slightly as if she was a little disappointed.
After a moment, she smiled again—still elegant.
But—
Before she could say anything else—
"But if you don't resign voluntarily," Dante added with a faint smile, his tone serious, "then no one can force my employee to go."
As soon as the words fell—
Robin, who had been quietly reading, couldn't help but smile. She brushed her hair back again, put down her book, turned slightly, and rested her chin on her left hand.
That graceful smile appeared on her face again, though somehow, it felt different from the one before.
And then—
With bright, shining eyes fixed on Dante, Robin seemed to be smiling as she softly and naturally said, "Then, let's continue to work happily together, Boss~"
"I'm looking forward to it, Secretary~"
"…"
…
On this side.
While Dante was re-signing the contract with his secretary—
On the other side.
As the Marine Headquarters inspection operation ended in an unexpectedly smooth manner, with both sides reaching a very pleasant cooperation, Garp took the scowling Smoker and the still-dazed Tashigi to get some rest.
Today's expenses were covered by Cocoyasi Town. After lifting the blockade on Branch 16 via Den Den Mushi, they would rest one night in Cocoyasi and leave tomorrow aboard the Mok Pirates' ship.
And Mok, who had been taken along by Garp and the others as a temporary tour guide, was currently looking utterly dumbfounded.
After all, he had thought he was surely doomed this time—but unexpectedly… the Boss had actually latched onto a major thigh.
And not just anyone, but a senior officer of Marine Headquarters—a man known as the Marine Hero.
Things had taken such a wild turn that even this big and strong pirate couldn't quite make sense of it all.
But as a pirate, at least he knew… future activities in the East Blue would likely be stable.
With the Marine Hero as their backing, how could it not be?
For a moment.
Mok was overwhelmed with excitement.
As expected of the Boss! He could even buy off top officers of Marine Headquarters—truly amazing!
However—
"Hey hey hey, pirate boy!" Garp called out cheerfully, as if nothing had happened earlier, breaking Mok's excitement. He grinned and said, "Your Boss did say to give us a good time. Come on now, what's fun around here? Take me to check it out~"
"Ah, yes! Right away, Marine Hero, sir!" The snapped-out-of-it Mok quickly responded, then gave a friendly pat to the scowling Smoker beside him. "Hey, Brother Smoker, we're partners now—don't keep scowling like that."
However—
"Get lost! Marines don't cooperate with pirates." Smoker's face darkened further at Mok's overfamiliarity, glaring at him. "If I find out you're up to anything bad, I'll be the first to arrest you personally!"
Although he still didn't understand why Vice Admiral Garp accepted a bribe, as a Marine captain, he would keep an eye on them himself.
If Dante Shacher did anything unlawful, he absolutely wouldn't let it slide—and would report Garp's behavior to Fleet Admiral Sengoku!
"Don't worry. Unless it's a direct order from the Boss, I, Mok, would never do something like that." Mok pounded his broad chest, confidently promised, then ignored Smoker, whose brows were twitching as if ready to speak again.
He scratched his head, thinking for a moment. "Fun places… oh right!"
As if remembering something, his ox-like eyes blinked and a meaningful smile appeared.
"I know where to go. It's a really interesting place—and just in time, it's getting late, perfect for some rest."
Saying that, he clapped his hands and turned around.
"Let me take you to enjoy it!"
And with that—
"???"
Before the curious Garp could ask where they were going, under the puzzled looks of the three, Mok strode off excitedly in a specific direction.
Before long—
They arrived in front of a lavishly decorated, luxurious, and solemn building.
Looking at the extravagant building, the innocent-faced Tashigi blinked, a bit stunned. "This looks kind of like Sabaody Park~"
Except—
At the entrance stood beautiful women in revealing clothing and attractive features. Inside was faintly visible, and under the dim evening light, red, blue, and pink lights seemed to flicker.
Seemingly realizing something, Tashigi's cheeks flushed lightly. "It just… doesn't look very proper."
As soon as she spoke—
Both Smoker and Garp seemed to have also realized something—one had black lines all over his face, the other was grinning cheerfully, watching with interest.
However—
Before the dark-lined Smoker could say anything—
"What do you mean by not proper? Sabaody Park? This used to be Arlong Park, a paradise built by fish-men," Mok chuckled from the side. "But later, the Boss renovated it. Now it's called…"
He looked up at the red-glowing signboard.
"Red Romance Private Club."
Saying that, he blinked and gave Smoker a meaningful look.
"This is a place to relax and enjoy~"
Just as the words left his mouth—
"You bastard, where are you taking us?" Smoker's hand holding the cigar trembled, nearly dropping it. "Are you trying to corrupt Marine justice with this?"
Aside from the ever-cheerful, even curious Garp, even the innocent Tashigi had a red face, flustered and nervous. "A place like this isn't proper for Marines—and I'm a girl!"
Though she said that, her sparkling eyes still occasionally snuck peeks toward Red Romance.
However—
Mok didn't seem to notice the two's awkward and tense reactions. It was rare to come here, and with the Boss footing the bill, he definitely wanted to enjoy it. He directly grabbed Smoker and started walking in.
"What do you mean improper? This is a proper place! Since we're here already—come, let me treat you!"
"No~!"
"Damn it!"
"Ahahaha~!"
"Tao-chan! Hong-chan!" Ignoring the three's strange reactions, Mok shouted toward the inside in his booming voice, "We've got guests!"
"…" x3
Those names—just don't sound proper at all!