With that Marine Admiral Aokiji gone, who seemed to got a kick out of watching other people squirm and stirring up trouble, Dante only had a few last things to sort out on Conomi Archipelago and at the 16th Branch base before they could set sail.
Truthfully, there wasn't much left to do. Nojiko already had Conomi Archipelago running smoothly, everything following the development plan he'd laid out. A few days away wouldn't change a thing. And the new civilians arriving? Even less to worry about. It had happened plenty of times now, he trusted Cocoyasi Village to handle them.
As for the 16th Marine Branch... he'd just ramped up the training for the soldiers, keeping them glued to the base and focused on drills. Anything else? That was Nota's problem. As Nota handled all the internal affairs whenever he and Robin were away. Nota wasn't exactly flashy, but he was solid and reliable when it came to keeping the base secure.
His main worry was the pirates they'd recently captured. He had to remind everyone repeatedly not to get lazy and let a riot break out. On that note, he also decided to bring Kuro along.
Kuro had been quiet lately, sure, but Dante didn't for a second believe 'Kuro of a Hundred Plans' wouldn't jump at such a perfect chance to escape if left unwatched. It was much safer having him where Dante could keep an eye on him. That hundred-plans brain could easily slip away, and the 16th Branch might not even notice.
Nami was definitely coming this time. Having her along always made earning money easier. Kuina, who'd come to the branch to sharpen her swordsmanship and see the world, would also get her chance to travel. And Robin? She'd be right there with him, as always. Dante was used to it.
So, aside from Nami, practically everyone useful at the 16th Branch was heading out with him. It left the base looking pretty bare bones, defensively speaking. Yeah... the 16th Branch really needed more talent.
With everything settled, Dante led the group aboard the Dreadnaught Sabre, Krieg's old warship they'd seized, and set off for Reverse Mountain.
With everything settled, Dante led the group aboard the Dreadnaught Sabre, Krieg's old warship they'd seized, and set off for Reverse Mountain. Getting into the Grand Line from the Four Blues usually meant one of three main paths. The first, and supposedly safest, was the World Government's 'Elevator' up the Red Line. It was the standard route for Marines, nobles, and regular folk, secure and convenient, but the tolls were steep. Of course, Marines could get reimbursed by Headquarters.
But... that wasn't an option for them right now. Not exactly smart to ride an Elevator into the heart of Marine control when you're on a captured pirate ship.
The second path was through the Calm Belt. Problem was, there was no wind or current there, just dead calm. A regular sailing ship would just get stuck, dead in the water, without some kind of specialized propulsion. Plus, the Calm Belt was swarming with giant Sea Kings.
No way for ordinary people to survive an encounter. Even if he could brute-force his way through it, it sounded like a pain in the neck, so he crossed that off too. These first two routes? They were fine if you were sailing a proper Marine warship.
Which left the third route, the one pirates mostly used: Reverse Mountain, crashing through the Red Line itself. It was crazy dangerous, wild currents, constant storms. Without an expert navigator and a seriously tough ship, you'd likely get tossed off the side before you even reached the top. Good thing they had both an expert navigator and a sturdy ship that Krieg used to return from Grandline! Reverse Mountain it was.
As for other ways, like coating the ship to go underwater or just flying over? They weren't there yet.
Lounging back on a deck chair, hands behind his head, Dante let out a long, relaxed sigh. 'Man... we still need our own tech...' He reached out his right hand and took the fresh tangerine juice Robin had just handed him.
'Gotta say, three decks on a massive sailing ship? It was incredibly spacious! It's so damn comfortable!'
"Loguetown's coming up," Nami called out. "Want to stop for a bit?"
"Nah, no need," Dante waved dismissively. "Let's not bother Smoker right now. We'll just slip past quietly. We can drop in on him on the way back."
'Yeah, I bet he would be really excited to see you again,' Nami thought, a amused glint in her eyes as she looked at Dante, still lounging there, enjoying his afternoon juice. But since he'd made the call, she steered the Dreadnaught Sabre away from Loguetown, setting a direct course for Reverse Mountain.
Then, as if just noticing her, Nami glanced over at Vivi. The princess still looked tense, a little lost. Nami felt a pang of sympathy. "Hey, you don't have to worry so much," she said gently. "If Dante's decided to help, it means he's sure he can do it. Just like... just like he was back then with me. You just need to trust him."
"I know... I really am grateful for his help." Nami's words seemed to pull Vivi back to the present. Under the comfort, the knot in her chest loosened a bit. She looked up, her gaze lingering on Dante, sprawled out at ease, and then on Mock, standing solid and upright nearby. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "The Mock Pirates...?"
"Don't worry," Nami chuckled. "Mock might look like a dummy, but he's not a bad guy!"
"And... the corrupt Marine?"
"He's outrageous in some ways, yeah, but 'corrupt Marine'? Nah, that's not quite right."
"Then... greedy and perverted...?"
"Hmm, not really! Probably... not, right?" Nami's smile wavered slightly, her eyes shifting. Then her gaze grew distant, caught in a memory. A small smile touched her lips. "Actually, we all just sort of became partners by accident. We were... grateful to him. It's all kind of a misunderstanding."
"Grateful?" Vivi looked at Nami with curiosity, especially at the shift in her eyes, from a hint of sadness to that sudden smile.
Vivi had learned a bit about Dante on Conomi Archipelago, hearing he was the Marine Captain everyone there respected. And even though that morning's stunt was confusing, she knew the 'Mock Pirates' weren't actually kidnapping everyone.
After another moment's thought, she looked back at Nami. "Would... would you tell me about it? Your story?"
"Huh? Why do you want to know?" Nami considered it. "Ah, whatever. I'm bored anyway." She pursed her lips. "I don't mind telling." She looked at Vivi, her eyes falling into memory. "You know Conomi Archipelago? It wasn't always rich like it is now, or have so many people..."
Kuina found a new goal because of him, Robin found a home, and Nami... Nami had been saved by him.
Time seemed to slip away as Nami spoke. Princess Vivi listened, completely drawn into the strange tale. A Marine who saved an island. Who then led a bunch of broke, starving people to prosperity.
A bizarre, yet somehow admirable, 'corrupt Marine.' Vivi stared blankly at Dante, still lounging on the deck. Listening to Nami, the tightness in her chest eased. It felt like her confused heart had found something to lean on, and the heavy burden she carried had lifted just a little.
However...
But then, Nami, lost in her own recounting, saw the look on Vivi's face. Her eyebrows shot up. A bad feeling creeping up on her. "Hey, hey, hey! What are you thinking about?"
"It's nothing! I-I was just thinking about how to thank you!"
"Really?" Nami eyed Vivi suspiciously but waved a hand. "Whatever. We're getting paid this time anyway. Just remember the one billion Berries!"
"I-I know..." Vivi stammered, flustered. Under Nami's suspicious gaze, the thought she hadn't been having - about the deal she'd made - suddenly sprang to mind. Heat flooded her face, making her head spin. 'What's wrong with me?' she said quickly. "Once Alabasta has the money, I'll definitely pay it! And... and thank you properly!"
"Just pay the money, that's thanks enough," Nami said, raising an eyebrow, her eyes fixed on Vivi's face. "Seriously, why are you so red?"
"I-I'm just... a little hot all of a sudden! It's nothing, really!"
"You look like you're about to collapse!"
"It's just... heat," Vivi insisted, her voice shaky. "Maybe I'm just... excited!"
"You do not look excited!" Nami stared, confused, at Vivi swaying on her feet, then quickly moved to support her. A thought struck her. She reached out and touched Vivi's forehead. As she expected.
"You're burning up! You're sick!" Nami gasped. "No, no, we need a doctor now! We can't go into the Grand Line like this! Should we go back to East Blue? But we're already past Reverse Mountain! What are we gonna do?"
"I... I'm fine!" Vivi tried to push her hand away, sensing Nami's panic. "Please... don't go back. Please, we have to go to Alabasta! Everyone... everyone's still waiting... for me!"
"What are you even talking about right now?! Just hold still!" Nami steadied Vivi, then whipped her head around, shouting towards where Dante lay sprawled. "Dante! Vivi's got a fever!"
Her words hung in the air. Vivi started to protest again, but Dante, who'd just been wondering who had a fever from his lounge chair, started to sit up. Just then, Mock's voice cut through.
"Boss! Pirate ship ahead!" Mock roared, his voice ringing out. "And it's fast!"
As Mock shouted and Dante turned his head toward Nami, there was a sudden *BANG!* A ship, looking like it had hit the nitrous, surged violently over the waves, crashing towards them.
A massive figure stood silhouetted against the sky at the ship's rail. A wooden box strapped tightly on his back, like it was the most important treasure in the world. He wore a hat with slightly goofy bear ears and frameless glasses glinted on his face. He was frowning, staring right at them.
"East Blue Overlord... Mock Pirates?"
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