Chapter 349: Fooling Around
To be honest, Kuzan was just as confused.
What's going on? It hasn't even been two years since I resigned from my position as an admiral, and suddenly the vast sea has become unrecognizable.
The news in the World Economic News seemed to change every day.
The morning of Day 1: Reports came in that the Heavenly Tribute contributed by the allied nations of the Four Seas had been attacked almost simultaneously, and the World Government's authority was being openly challenged by a group of clowns.
The afternoon of Day 1: Filthy, despicable, world-destroying butchers have landed in the Four Seas. They are burning, killing, and pillaging without remorse. It seems the World Government needs to reassess the current situation.
The evening of Day 1: The demon army of cannibals is advancing towards the World Government-controlled nations. Holy Land Mary Geoise must respond.
The morning of Day 2: Rebel forces illegally occupied Judicial Island. After the 'Mary Geoise Attack', the Holy Land has once again been threatened.
The afternoon of Day 2: The rebels have taken over the Sabaody Archipelago. The Celestial Dragons were killed, and the Navy Headquarters did nothing. The Red Earth Continent is in danger.
The evening of Day 2: The Imperial Army has already attacked the Red Earth Continent. How will the Five Elders respond?
Finally, Day 3: Bathed in the glorious light of the Supreme God-Emperor, the Astartes Legion will arrive today in his loyal New World.
This... well, that news reporter Morgans really knows how to adapt to the wind, huh?
Setting aside the excessive flattery added by Morgans, Kuzan managed to sort through the massive changes that had occurred during his brief vacation from the sea.
In other words, the World Government is no more, the sea pirates of the New World have been wiped out, and the ocean is now under the rule of a new regime called the Empire.
However, Kuzan still couldn't figure out whether the Empire was a revolutionary army, the remnants of a legendary pirate crew from a bygone era, or perhaps some huge returning kingdom. He wasn't sure.
And then came the shocking news: the Navy Headquarters, led by the current admiral Sakazuki, surrendered without resistance to the Imperial Army. Kuzan could hardly believe his eyes.
What… Sakazuki surrendered without a fight?
The news, published in the papers, left Kuzan—currently on a vacation on a hot spring island somewhere in the New World—stunned.
True, Kuzan had never liked Sakazuki's "absolute justice" hawkish style, thinking that this uncompromising iron-fisted ideology was too inhumane. He had strongly opposed Sakazuki's rise to the position of fleet admiral after Sengoku stepped down.
Although their ideologies didn't match, Kuzan couldn't deny that Sakazuki's iron-blooded military style meant he would never surrender to pirates or rebel forces.
The man who knew Sakazuki best was his opponent. Kuzan had fought with Sakazuki for ten days straight in a life-or-death battle on Punk Hazard Island in the New World. He knew Sakazuki inside and out.
From Sakazuki's voluntary surrender, Kuzan could confirm one thing: the Empire was definitely not a revolutionary army or some group of pirates that had turned into a political force.
While Kuzan was still trying to figure out exactly who the Empire was, who this "God-Emperor" might be, and what the Astartes Legion was all about, his old boss Sengoku and his rival Sakazuki both called him via the Den Den Mushi, urging him to return to the New Navy Headquarters. The Navy needed his help, and any force they could add would improve their situation.
And so, despite his reluctance, Kuzan reluctantly returned to the New Navy Headquarters. He said he would just see what was going on, emphasizing that he wouldn't be rejoining the Navy.
And that was that. The Navy, needing more combat power to secure better terms with the Empire, didn't give Kuzan a chance to explain that he wasn't part of the Navy anymore. The Astartes Legion didn't care about that either. They shoved him aboard a battleship, and the high-ranking officers of the Navy were all pulled into outer space.
After reuniting with Sakazuki in the Third Legion's floating fortress, Black Templars, Kuzan finally got the full picture of what had transpired.
Sakazuki's words, the Empire's overwhelming military power, and the feeling of looking down at their home planet from outer space all deeply shook Kuzan's heart.
Looking out the porthole, the sight of countless massive orbital cannon doors immediately caught his eye. The busy deck and the constant movement of small warships in and out of the internal spaceport filled the scene… Well, did he have a choice?
Seeing this bustling activity, Kuzan instantly discarded any thoughts of escape. He would just take things one step at a time and let things unfold naturally.
It just so happened that Sakazuki had been granted permission to meet with the Empress of the Empire. Kuzan thought to himself that he would tag along to see what kind of place this Empire, which Sakazuki highly praised, really was.
As for his previous plan to team up with "Blackbeard" Marshall D. Teach, Kuzan discarded that idea entirely.
"Are you going to the Imperial Capital too?" Kuzan asked casually, hands in his pockets, with an air of curiosity.
"Mm." Robin nodded succinctly.
"Hey, hey, don't be so boring. Come on, tell me, what makes you so special that the Imperial Army wants you?"
Without the burden of the Navy or World Government over his head, and with the pirate era of his hometown long gone, Kuzan was now completely unburdened, and his actions were free and easy.
"Probably archaeological knowledge, though maybe it's just a side thing. I'm not really sure, Admiral Aokiji..." Robin replied.
"Ahh, no need to call me 'Admiral'. Just call me Kuzan. Right now, I'm just a free agent, awkwardly squeezed into the Navy-designated bridge area," Kuzan waved his hand to stop Robin's formalities.
"...Your hand." Robin's gaze was intense, her voice soft as she spoke.
"Ah, it's just the price I paid for aiming for a higher position. Clearly, I lost," Kuzan shrugged, raising his heavily burned, skinless right hand.
Kuzan stomped his left foot and didn't shy away from admitting his defeat. The truth was, he hadn't been able to defeat Sakazuki. Although Sakazuki hadn't killed him, Kuzan's right side was severely burned during their battle for the position of Fleet Admiral, and he had lost his left leg. Now, he walked with a prosthetic made of ice.
"Seeing you here puts my mind at ease. Saul's efforts weren't in vain," Kuzan said, adjusting the round glasses on his nose, his expression seemingly unchanged from the past.
"Saul… Who knows, maybe things would have turned out worse," Robin said quietly as she stared out the window, her expression complicated. "It's beautiful... but too bad, we didn't get here ourselves."
"Such pessimism~" Kuzan sighed with an exaggerated tone.
...
With the conversation winding down and the atmosphere between the two growing quieter and more awkward, someone suddenly called out with a loud laugh.
"Hahaha, Kuzan, is that the little girl you let go back in Ohara during the 'Devil's Ban' operation? What a coincidence!"
"Admiral Sengoku?" Robin asked uncertainly as she looked towards the voice.
"Hahaha, what? You don't believe it's me? Hehe…" A white-haired Sengoku, no longer wearing the Navy's justice coat, was holding a plate of delicate pastries as he slurred his words.
"Would you like to try some of the Empire's food that Commander Leiva recommended?"
"Uh... no thanks."
"Ah, Sengoku, old man, give me some!" Kuzan didn't hesitate at all.
Robin naturally declined, but Kuzan had no shame.
After handing Kuzan a few pieces, Sengoku suddenly appeared in front of Robin, winking at her with exaggerated gestures. "Really don't want any? It's really good, you know?"
"Really, I'm fine, Admiral Sengoku." Even though she hadn't eaten in a while, Robin wasn't comfortable. Sengoku was being friendly, but she wasn't familiar with him.
In her impression, Sengoku's serious and rigid demeanor as admiral was vastly different from his goofy and comical image now that he was retired. It left her somewhat confused.
She couldn't figure out which one was the real Sengoku. Was he always like this, or was it his duty as admiral that suppressed his true nature? Or was it both a facade? Perhaps only he knew the answer.
"Oh-ho~ so you two are hiding here... huh? Nico Robin, long time no see."
Before the person even arrived, their voice was already heard—mocking, with a perverted expression, one hand in their pocket and the other holding a tea cup. It was none other than Admiral Borsalino, 'Kizaru', who walked over without wearing the Marine justice coat.
"Admiral, 'Yellow Monkey'," Robin greeted calmly.
"Oh-ho~ Don't worry, it's the age of the Empire now. You're not really a pirate or a fugitive anymore. I'm not interested in arresting you, old world criminal," Borsalino said without even glancing at Robin. He stood next to Sengoku and spoke slowly, "Old man, Sakazuki is looking for you. Commander Leiva sent orders, the fortress is about to open the hyperspace gateway. We're about to depart."
As his words fell, a buzzing sound filled the air.
Ding-ding-ding — The indicator lights inside the floating fortress immediately began flashing, and three red signals flashed in quick succession. Then, from the speakers, a cold, metallic male voice sounded.
"Attention all personnel, hyperspace gateway travel preparations are complete. The jump will start in thirty minutes…"
"Repeat, attention all personnel, hyperspace gateway travel preparations are complete…"
Thirty minutes quickly passed. The long-dormant "Particle Engine" tore through the dark void. The rift it generated was even deeper than the void itself, with the violent Particle energy boiling inside.
Suddenly, the violet-red energy surrounding the rift in space rushed toward the fortress. Looking through the fortress's external armor, reinforced by a void defense array, a massive, circular spatial rift enveloped the entire structure.
Floating aimlessly in the violet-red sea of particles, it was impossible to see anything outside, and everything appeared hazy. The position was indiscernible.
"What will the capital city be like?"
...
In Honkai Dimension, the capital city, in the Upper Forest Garden, at the Glass Palace.
It was a resort-like mansion surrounded by lakes and forests, with scenic water features, wild animals, plants, trees, and gazebos, all interwoven in a beautiful harmony.
The main building was likely a crystal palace with several dozen steps, shimmering with a warm, rippling hue. The entire palace emanated a soft glow, like a jewel reflecting light.
"Your Majesty!"
Returning victorious, Alyssa looked up, and across from the Sea God Gate's fountain, by the shimmering lake, Selene sat on a three-tiered step, joyfully swinging a fishing rod.
Before Selene were several commanders of the Astartes Legion. At this moment, these "big tough guys" were struggling to manage the "toothpicks" in their hands.
There was no helping it—Selene had provided them with ordinary fishing rods meant for normal human physiques, but they, with their armored demigod-like builds over three meters tall, were not allowed to use enhanced fishing rods powered by Honkai Energy...
Sigh—it was like asking a weightlifter to perform delicate embroidery—strength with no place to go.
Each of them had broken rods piled beside them.
They nervously pinched the rods with two fingers, afraid of snapping them, staring at each other in bewilderment—it was actually a little funny.
"The whole army is changing gear. Today, the one with the most fish will be rewarded with five large battleships from me," Selene proclaimed loudly.
"Oh-ho~!"
All the commanders of the Astartes Legion had come from the Imperial Guard, which Selene had once led. They were her old subordinates.
In private settings, not during formal court meetings, when Selene was in a good mood, they dared to joke and yell.
"Just don't let any 'Air Force' show up, that'd be really embarrassing..."
Acknowledging the enthusiastic Alyssa's nod, Selene shouted. With that, she flicked her fishing rod, and a servant immediately caught it.
Well, with this kind of "goofing off" activity, I even sent Leiva off to duty. It's my fault... When Selene saw Alyssa return, she suddenly felt a tinge of guilt thinking about the goofing off guy.
Sigh, I'm just too considerate of others.
"Your Majesty! I brought a gift back for you!" Alyssa hopped over excitedly and said with a proud expression.
"A gift? What is it? A Devil Fruit? Or Vegapunk?"
Looking at Alyssa's beaming face, Selene didn't really pay attention to what she was doing. She wasn't sure exactly what kind of gift Alyssa had prepared.
Selene wasn't someone who was constantly monitoring others or prying into their memories, so she was left to guess the nature of Alyssa's gift.
In Selene's view, in the world of One Piece, the only things that could truly be considered gifts were Devil Fruits or Vegapunk himself—maybe the conscripted soldiers from this world could be considered gifts too, at most.
Devil Fruit users didn't fear the sea, but rather the Seastone, as the sea in their world contained Sea-Prism Stone elements.
And as for the Sea-Prism Stone elements, it was a rare specialty. Not every world would have it, after all.
As for Vegapunk, Selene was purely interested in his ability... Cough! I meant his research abilities.
In a world where cold weapons were prevalent and guns, smoothbore cannons, and flintlock pistols were the norm, under a world government that was anti-intellectual and keen on cultural and technological isolation, the fact that Vegapunk could research laser weapons, humanoid robots, and weapon modifications was truly impressive.
It could only be said—respect!
Vegapunk was praised for being 500 years ahead of current science, being called a scientist who had surpassed human intelligence by 500 years. This wasn't without reason.
"Huh?! Mmm... none of that."
Alyssa tilted her head with a cute, blank expression as she softly hummed and tapped her lower lip. "It's a mermaid!"
"Ha? A mermaid?" Selene froze for a moment, her hand that had been gently brushing Alyssa's hair suddenly halting as her eyes twitched.
Well, it's Alyssa, of course. Despite having a good mentor, her way of thinking is still so... unique.
"Fine, fine, a mermaid it is then. You brought one as a gift, so I'll have them settled in the Royal Palace's Water Forest Garden…"
After a pause, Selene looked at Alyssa, whose eyes were shining with excitement, and continued, "Some of them can be placed in your chambers. I know you like them, right?"
"Mm-hmm! Yes, Your Majesty! I also met a crybaby..."
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