One Piece: Marine to Warlord to Conqueror-Chapter 169

The foot bath at Romance Dawn was merely a standard benefit for new employees joining the team.

Normally, this task fell to Mock. As a true regular, Mock knew all the service packages inside out and was always the first to test new offerings. With Mock leading the way, new employees would quickly integrate into the branch’s unique culture.

Unfortunately, Mock had already set out on his adventure, so the Boss had to take over for now.

Though Dante wasn’t quite as skilled a host as Mock, the team-building event was ultimately a success. After enjoying the amenities and gaining a general understanding of the 16th Branch’s layout, everyone returned to base to begin their new lives.

As for the Neo Marines, though they were highly dissatisfied with HQ’s orders, Zephyr had officially decided to abandon his radical plans and retire. Keeping the Neo Marines banner no longer made sense.

Some felt deep regret, but dropping the name was necessary to integrate peacefully into the East Blue. They had gathered to follow Zephyr, since he had given up, they had no choice but to accept it.

With Ain, Binz, and Shuzo’s help, the Neo Marines were smoothly integrated into the 16th Branch Academy.

The Aqua Ursa proved incredibly useful for the physical training of these recruits. After some discussion, it was decided that even though these Marines had technically already graduated, they would continue their studies under the 16th Branch curriculum for a while to adjust.

However, the hastily assembled group Zephyr had brought along made the current academy feel cramped. Fortunately, the expansion project had already been approved, so Dante decided to accelerate the timeline.

They secured a neighboring island to serve entirely as the new Marine 16th Branch Academy. Dedicating an entire island to a local academy was somewhat extravagant, but such small islands weren’t scarce, and with their current financial abundance, Dante readily approved the funds.

As for instructors... even adding Ain and the others, they were still short-staffed. They had to select suitable candidates from the recently graduated Marines to stay on as junior instructors.

Dante didn’t need to worry about this part, Zephyr volunteered to personally handle the screening. Having served as Marine HQ’s Chief Instructor for decades, his judgment was experienced.

Eventually, after resting for a few days, Zephyr threw himself back into his educational work with fierce dedication.

Meanwhile, Smoker’s vacation was officially over. It was time for him to return to Loguetown.

Given the current stability in the East Blue, even if he slacked off here for another month, HQ would never find out. However, as a dutiful Marine Captain, he decided to head back, bringing along Tashigi, who had thoroughly enjoyed sparring with Kuina and Ain.

Today was the day they would leave.

"It’s getting late. We should hurry up and leave. Goodbye then!"

"Wait!" Smoker’s face reddened as he glanced up at the sun hanging high in the early afternoon sky. The 16th Branch wasn’t far from Loguetown. If they headed back now, they’d easily make it in time for dinner.

"What do you mean, it’s late?" Smoker looked at Dante, whose face was completely blank. Smoker’s forehead vein twitched. He pulled the cigar from his mouth and demanded, "Where’s my stuff? You didn’t forget, did you?"

"Don’t get worked up, I was just joking!" Seeing Smoker’s mounting irritation, Dante quickly laughed it off. He turned to Robin. "Is it arranged?"

"It’s already arranged," Robin nodded with a soft smile. "Same place as usual."

Just as she spoke, Tashigi walked over from saying goodbye to Kuina. "Stuff? Same place as usual? What stuff?"

"It’s nothing." Satisfied, Smoker waved his hand dismissively. "Let’s go!"

He turned and walked briskly toward his warship, swift and decisive as ever.

"Please wait a moment! I haven’t properly said goodbye yet!" Tashigi hurried after him. "It’s still early, we don’t need to rush!"

"Someone already said it’s getting late."

"Who said that?" Tashigi looked entirely confused. But seeing Smoker marching away without looking back, she hurriedly bowed to Kuina and the others before chasing after her captain. "Can’t we wait a little longer?"

"It’s less than a day’s trip. What’s there to say goodbye for?"

"That’s true," Tashigi conceded. Then she asked curiously, "By the way, did you ask this time, Captain Smoker? What exactly is hidden behind the God Valley Incident?"

"Didn’t ask. Screw the God Valley Incident. I don’t know." Smoker, already standing at the bow of the ship, waved his hand impatiently. "Not interested anymore."

"Huh? Weren’t you incredibly curious before?"

"I’m not curious anymore, okay! And you better kill your curiosity on this too! Hurry up and order the men to set sail!"

Though baffled by his sudden change in attitude, Tashigi saluted sharply. "Yes, sir!" She hurried down to the deck to arrange their departure.

Left alone at the bow, Smoker gazed out at the luxurious 16th Branch facilities. He let out a long sigh and muttered , "Just how far will you go, Dante?"

Just then, Tashigi came running back in a fluster. "Captain Smoker! Several massive crates just appeared in the ship’s hold! There are premium weapons, training supplies, and dozens of those Aqua Ursa. They were probably sent by Captain Dante again. Do we need to return them?"

"Return them? Why the hell would we return them?" Smoker scoffed, looking from Tashigi to the standardized warships docked at the pier. "Take them all."

Tashigi froze, a look of deep confusion on her face.

She finally understood what ’stuff’ and ’same place as usual’ meant. Captain Smoker, who once hated bribery, corruption, and backroom deals more than anything in the world, had just actively demanded a bribe from Dante.

She stared at him, her eyes filled with complex emotion. "Captain Smoker... you’ve changed."

--**--**

Meanwhile, Dante didn’t return to his office. Instead, he headed to Zephyr’s quarters. After knocking and receiving a grunt of approval, he walked straight in.

"Oh, it’s you." Zephyr looked up from his paperwork. "Has Smoker left already?"

"He’s gone."

"Hahaha, I actually forgot to see him off!" Zephyr laughed, looking a bit embarrassed. "He didn’t complain about me, did he?"

"He absolutely complained," Dante nodded seriously. "He said that as his teacher, you never truly cared about him. It broke his heart. The grown man left with red eyes, looking utterly wronged."

Zephyr was taken aback for a second before he barked a laugh. "You really don’t tell a single truth, do you? Smoker isn’t that kind of guy. If I had gone to send him off, he’d probably find me annoying."

He tapped his pen on the desk. "Out with it. What did you come to me for? If there’s nothing important, don’t bother me. I’m very busy right now."

"Not so fast," Dante smiled slyly, entirely unfazed by being called out. "Let’s go to a good place first."

"A good place? Judging by your look... are you hiding something?"

"Of course. This is a massive secret. It will absolutely shock you."

"You already shocked me enough a few days ago," Zephyr scoffed, unconcerned. He had experienced enough surprises lately to last a lifetime. "Could there possibly be a bigger secret? I bet I wouldn’t be surprised no matter what you do now. Don’t tell me you actually found the missing Vegapunk."

He stood up, shaking his head. "Fine then, I’ll go with you. Let’s see you try to shock me."

However...

Not long after arriving at the hidden lab.

"Oh, it’s you, Zephyr! Speaking of which, a few years ago, Marine HQ did say they hoped I’d research a Seastone mechanical arm for you. But I dragged it out until now. My apologies!"

Zephyr stared dumbfounded at the apple-headed, big-tongued old man greeting him. "He’s actually here?!"

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