Set Up A Branch In Alabasta, Robin Is In Charge Of Management!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to read advanced chapters and support me at the same time, you can join my p@treon. I'm going to start uploading chapters of my two stories again, and if you have doubts about joining, you can try the trial mode—it's seven days of free reading.
--------------------------------------------------
p@treon.com/TheAkashicRecords
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ethan, we have a new member joining our team."
Baccarat observed the man in front, sword in hand, and brushed back her crimson hair before raising an eyebrow to explain.
"Her name is Nico Robin, a survivor from Ohara in West Blue. She's incredibly wise, a true scholar."
"She's currently hiding in Alabasta, serving as Crocodile's right-hand woman and holding the position of vice president in Baroque Works."
"Knowing our aim to defeat Crocodile, she anticipated his downfall and has come to join us, seeking our protection."
Baccarat smiled warmly and added, "Ethan, her appointment as vice president speaks volumes about her managerial skills."
"She could be a valuable asset to our future endeavors. I recommend we welcome her aboard."
Reiju, stroking her pink hair, chimed in, "I recall, Ethan, you had plans from the start."
"Defeat Crocodile, become a Shichibukai, and establish a branch in Alabasta to recruit potential allies for the future," Reiju elaborated.
"Having Robin with us seems to align perfectly with your vision."
Turning to Baccarat, Reiju nodded approvingly, "Your suggestion makes perfect sense when you think it through. It's all about leveraging resources effectively."
Carina's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, her smile broadening as she exclaimed, "Both of you are incredibly insightful!"
"Indeed, placing Robin in charge of Alabasta's affairs seems like the perfect fit," she added with a playful chuckle.
Princess Vivi, already aware of Ethan's plans to establish a branch in Alabasta, wasn't surprised.
Reiju turned to Robin, her smile sweet, "Robin's management prowess is undeniable. Entrusting her with the Alabasta branch would be a wise decision."
Robin gazed at Ethan, admiration evident on her face, "Your foresight is truly impressive, planning for contingencies and having everything under control."
She brushed her dark hair back, smiling gently, "Captain Ethan, I request that you leave me in charge of overseeing operations in Arabasta."
"Rest assured, I bring ample management experience. I'll recruit and lead efficiently, ensuring every task is executed flawlessly."
Despite her earnest plea, Ethan remained focused on his sword practice, not uttering a word throughout their discussion.
Judging by the ancient beast-like aura surrounding him, Robin deduced he was a relentless training enthusiast, explaining his formidable skills.
Unfazed by Ethan's silence, Robin's confidence remained unshaken. Her scholarly acumen allowed her to observe and deduce intricate details swiftly.
The women waited expectantly, eyes fixed on Ethan, anticipating his decision. With their suggestions made, the ball was now in Ethan's court, and they respected his authority to decide.
"Understood," Ethan replied without turning, his blood-red broadsword slicing through the air with precision.
Desire sighed, a wry smile forming on her lips. "As aloof as ever, engrossed only in training," she murmured.
Alvida leaned on her massive iron rod, shrugging nonchalantly. "When he's in the zone, there's no distracting him. It's nearly impossible to interrupt his training."
Carmen chuckled, teasingly adding, "His cold demeanor can be quite unsettling."
"Robin's new here, and he's in a managerial role. A simple acknowledgment would be nice," she continued, empathy in her voice.
Baccarat comforted Robin with a pat on the shoulder, her eyebrows gently arched. "Ethan is deeply focused when cultivating. It's not personal; everyone aboard experiences this."
Betty, puffing on her cigarette, remarked calmly, "You'll get used to Ethan. He's genuinely committed to his training."
The women nodded in agreement, murmuring their concurrence.
Robin smiled gracefully, her intellect shining through. "I'm grateful to Captain Ethan for welcoming me. Staying in Alabasta aligns perfectly with my goals."
Nami seized the opportunity to ask Robin about Ohara, her curiosity evident. "Tell us about the Tree of Knowledge, the world's most extensive repository of books."
Kaya, an avid reader, chimed in, "The Tree of Knowledge, a sanctuary for scholars worldwide, is a place we're eager to hear about."
Makino intervened gently, "Ohara is a painful memory for Robin. Let's be sensitive about it."
Seated elegantly, Robin reassured them, "It's alright. I can share if you're interested."
The woman nodded, eyes fixed on Robin, eager for her story.
With poise, Robin began, "Ohara was tranquil, a haven for scholars. Villagers cherished knowledge, seeking enlightenment through books."
"The residents were poets and scholars, their minds brimming with wisdom and insight..."
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Within the office, several individuals seated around the room held the rank of vice admiral, engrossed in a meeting.
Sengoku sat with a stern expression, addressing the gathered officers. "Crocodile has been contacted by our subordinates."
"He dismisses our warnings entirely, belittling the Marines and claiming our influence at sea has waned."
"He was so sarcastic, nearly provoking me to reprimand him. To make matters worse, he ended the call before our representative could finish speaking."
"With his arrogant demeanor, it's no wonder he's fallen to Ethan."
Hearing Sengoku's remarks, Garp chuckled, banging his hand on the desk. "He's not wrong, the Marines' influence is indeed dwindling, hahaha."
Kizaru, ever the nonchalant one, continued filing his nails. "As expected of a Shichibukai, truly audacious."
"Hanging up on a call from Marine Headquarters... it's quite nerve-wracking."
Akainu, always critical of the Shichibukai system, scowled. "These damned Shichibukai should be eliminated. They're nothing but pirate collaborators!"
Doberman nodded in agreement. "Indeed, recognizing pirates as allies tarnishes the Marines' reputation."
The vice admirals from the Absolute Faction murmured in agreement, "The Shichibukai system is flawed..."
Momonga, observing the Absolute Faction's reactions, frowned. "We can't openly challenge a decision made by the higher-ups."
Yamakaji took a drag from his cigarette, nodding with a smirk. "While the decision is above us, Crocodile's arrogance will be his downfall."
Tokikake lounged in his chair, speaking smoothly. "He hides away in Alabasta, neglecting his skills, and grows weaker by the day."
"He fails to recognize this, acting as if he's above all."
"It's no wonder he's been removed from the Shichibukai ranks."
Momousagi, her brow furrowed, added, "His declining strength makes him unfit for the role. However, replacing a Shichibukai isn't a simple task."
"Should he be replaced, all pirates will target the vacant Shichibukai position, escalating conflicts across the sea."
Staff Officer Tsuru interjected, resting her chin on crossed hands, addressing Sengoku. "The situation with Crocodile is clear; his fate is sealed."
"Once Ethan's intervention becomes evident, the higher-ups will act. Waiting until Crocodile is defeated may be too late."
Upon hearing Tsuru's advice, Sengoku pondered briefly before nodding in agreement. "You're right; we need to act swiftly."
"The situation has escalated to this point; it's imperative to inform the higher-ups and let them decide," Sengoku declared gravely.
Just then, hurried footsteps approached.
Brannew swiftly approached Sengoku, speaking with respect. "Master Marshal, we've located the contact information for the Ethan Pirates."
Garp's eyes lit up at the mention of Ethan. "Sengoku, don't delay. Make the call," he urged between hearty laughs. "That young devil with Conqueror's Haki is quite something."
Kizaru, ever nonchalant, lounged in his chair, legs crossed, and mused, "It'll be interesting to see how he responds."
Tokikake, intrigued, narrowed his eyes and commented provocatively, "I'm eager to engage with Ethan. This should be interesting."
Momousagi gazed pensively at the desk, letting out a soft sigh. "This will surely rile them up," she murmured.
"With someone like Ethan, ignoring Marine generals, even Marshal Sengoku, isn't an option," she continued. "I wonder what he'll say."
Sengoku nodded, his expression serious. "I'll reach out to him personally."
He continued with resolve, "It's crucial to approach this with care. Sending a subordinate might not have the desired impact."
Without further ado, he dialed Ethan's contact number.
Leviathan Fang, inside the training room.
Kaya gazed at Robin with a look of regret clouding her delicate features. "It's a shame such a place for learning was destroyed by the Marines," she lamented. "I used to think the Marines were just, noble, and admirable. Now, it seems their mistakes can be more terrifying than those of pirates."
"It's infuriating to see such a valuable place treated this way," she added.
Makino nodded thoughtfully, offering a rueful smile. "Not all pirates are villains, just like not all Marines are virtuous," she pointed out.
Honey Queen brushed her pale golden hair back and remarked casually, "Ethan once exposed a World Government secret: Tequila Wolf in East Blue."
"It's a labor camp disguised as a nation, situated on a never-ending bridge. The citizens, many of them ordinary folks, are coerced into hard labor to build it."
"Without Ethan's revelation, who would've thought such a dark secret lurked in the seemingly peaceful East Blue?" Moodie furrowed her brow and added, "I hail from East Blue, yet I've never heard of such a thing. It shows how effectively the World Government hides these atrocities."
Alvida swung her hefty iron rod, her tone dripping with scorn. "The so-called World Government is nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing. It preaches justice while committing heinous acts behind closed doors. It's despicable!"
Robin's eyes widened in shock at these revelations. "You mentioned a labor camp in East Blue? Why have I never heard of this?" she asked incredulously.
Reiju met her gaze, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It's not surprising you're unaware. We were clueless too, until Ethan exposed it. This secret was buried deep; no one would've known otherwise."
"It's a testament to the World Government's iron grip on information," she continued, "keeping such secrets hidden and soundless."
Carina's eyes twinkled mischievously as she mused, "Ethan indeed knows quite a bit."
"It's a shame he's so tight-lipped. If he shared all he knows, it'd be perfect," she chuckled.
Perona floated about, giggling. "Exactly! I'm curious about more secrets too!"
Robin sighed softly, her expression a mix of sadness and frustration. "This is the World Government for you, exploiting ordinary people and perpetuating their suffering."
"From the tragedy of Ohara to the labor camp in East Blue, their actions paint a very different picture from their self-proclaimed ideals."
"Behind their façade of justice, there's a web of dark secrets and scandalous acts," she concluded.
At that moment, a crisp ringing echoed through the training room.
"Pere Pere Pere Pere Pere..."
The sound of the Den Den Mushi caught everyone's attention. All chatter ceased, and Vivi's gaze locked onto the drawer in front of Baccarat, where the noise originated.
Honey Queen leaned back in her chair, a smirk on her face. "It might be Violet again. She called just yesterday and now again today."
"Hehe, seems like she misses Ethan more than I realized," she added with a chuckle.
Carina's eyes twinkled mischievously as she commented, "So far, Violet's the only one who knows how to use that phone bug."
"Don't overthink it; it's probably her calling," she reassured.
Perona floated gleefully in the air, laughing, "I enjoy chatting with Sister Violet when I'm bored. Horohorohoro~"
Baccarat, with her elegant poise, smoothly brushed her crimson hair back, opened the drawer, and retrieved the phone bug.
"I have a feeling it's not Violet calling this time," she remarked coolly.
Without further ado, she picked up the receiver and answered the call.
--------------------------------------------------
p@treon.com/TheAkashicRecords
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Titles of the next chapters. (Spoilers)
----------------------------------------------------
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
106-107: Ethan: I'm Not A Child, If You Have Anything To Say, Just Tell Me, Sengoku!
108-109: Gorosei: Let Ethan be a Shichibukai!"
110-111: Dorry and Broggy Appear!!