231 I need a bodyguard

Watching their leader's arm being cut and then beaten up, everyone was startled, yet the woman was in a daze for a while, wondering what to do since she knew well that she couldn't make an attack since she didn't want any more conflict. 

This was a king! 

Not a pirate! 

If Masa was just a normal civilian, then he could be treated as a pirate without worry, but as he was a king and Smoker was just a captain of a Marine, it was clear which the World Government would choose, right?

No, if Masa knew what the woman was thinking, he could tell that the Marines would choose Smoker instead of him. After all, he knew full well that the status of the Marines in the hearts of many was in jeopardy, especially after the death of Kizaru in the past. 

If Masa, as an affiliated king, could do whatever he wished, then where was the face of the Marines? 

Still, did the Marines even have a face to begin with? 

No matter how they tried to bleach it, the status of the Marines, in the eyes of many, was definitely not of justice; instead, it was just a group of dogs instructed by the World Government to maintain its interest. 

Yet, this probably also caused a dilemma for many since if a Marine dared to even kill the king of the World Government's affiliated country, then... was there anything that they didn't dare to do? 

Frankly, whether it was Kalifa, Perona, Carina, or even Vivi, they were all dumbfounded when Smoker really dared to attack, especially when Masa's status was clear. 

Still—

"You got the video, right?" 

"Yes, nyaa! It's clear and crisp!" 

One of the cats that held a camera quickly nodded, and it was ready to send the picture of Smoker to the World Economy. 

Still, Masa didn't care about the life of Smoker anymore and thought of killing him, but when he was about to make his order—

"Please stop! It's our fault! So, I beg you not to kill Smoker-san! Please!" 

The only female within the group of Marines bowed her head deeply, begging Masa not to kill Smoker. 

"Stop it, Tashigi!" 

Smoker, who was injured, beaten, and had his arm cut, was enraged by Tashigi's plea. Yes, he was defeated, and he might die, but he didn't regret his decision!

Instead, he felt that it was good to beat up Masa! 

Unfortunately, he knew that he was about to die. 

Yet, even so, he didn't want to involve anyone with him, especially when everything was his responsibility. 

"Please!" 

At the same time, the other Marines also begged Masa since they knew well that the life of their captain was in Masa's hands! 

Even if Smoker was reckless, stupid, and even rude, he was, without a doubt, a good leader; at least, he wasn't someone who was moved by money or connection. 

If Smoker believed that someone had the right to be promoted, then he would promote them! 

So, they didn't want Masa to kill Smoker! 

Still, Masa, who didn't pay attention to the Marines, looked at the young woman with glasses and short black hair. Despite appearing rough and being in a uniform, she was quite beautiful, she thought, and more importantly, he knew this character well. 

'Tashigi...' 

Noticing Masa's eyes, Carina, Perona, and Kalifa rolled their eyes, but they didn't say much. 

Only Vivi didn't notice anything, but she was curious what Masa would do. 

"Sure." 

"Eh?!" 

Everyone was startled when they heard Masa's words. 

"But I need a bodyguard, so no stupid guy will attack me." Masa looked at Tashigi and asked, "Can you do that for me?" 

"Eh?!" 

Tashigi was dumbfounded, and the rest of the people were also dumbfounded. 

Yet, whether it was Smoker or the other Marines when they saw all the beautiful women by Masa's side, they quickly understood what Masa planned to do! 

'This bastard!' 

After all, while everyone kept it hidden, many of them had a crush on this silly and clumsy female Marine who dedicated herself to the path of the sword! 

Masa, as a swordsman, of course, was curious about Tashigi's swordsmanship, and he wondered how good her way of handling a sword was. 

However, it was impossible for Smoker to allow that, and he tried to say something, but facing the cats, he was just beaten up and passed out. 

"Smoker-san!" 

"You don't have to worry, nyaa! We're just beating him, nyaa!" 

"...." Everyone. 

Still, Tashigi knew what it meant to follow Masa, especially when she didn't appear that innocent, and as her surroundings were all men, she naturally thought about many things, but it was her first time. 

Regardless, she hoped someone would have her. 

Yet, when she looked at her surroundings, all the people who met her gaze quickly looked away, including the Marines, who bravely fought against the pirates. 

Even Smoker, who was the strongest in Loguetown, was beaten up by a single cat, so what would they do facing so many of those cats? 

"I... will go with you, so please let all of them go, including Smoker-san...." 

While disappointed by everyone's reaction, Tashigi could only swallow the bitterness in her heart and became Masa's plaything. 

"....." 

Masa wondered why he had become the bad guy, even though he wasn't the first one to cause trouble, especially when Carina, Perona, Kalifa, and Vivi kept staring at him with blank gazes. 

Taking a deep breath, Masa then used the power of Yami Yami no Mi, and the darkness suddenly extended from his hand, enveloping Smoker's figure! 

"Smoker-san!" 

Everyone was startled, and Tashigi quickly begged as she cried. "Please let him go! I will do anything!" 

"..." 

Sighing, Masa felt that he was misunderstood, but then, as the darkness disappeared, Smoker appeared once again, but at the same time, a Devil Fruit appeared in his palm. 

"....." 

Vivi was in a daze when she saw a fruit in Masa's hand. 

"Keep it, Carina." 

"Okay~!" 

As the door storage was opened, Carina kept the Devil Fruit taken from Smoker's body. 

"That's..." 

Tashigi hesitated, but she could see that Smoker was still alive when she saw the fruit that was held by Masa. She had a feeling what it was, but—

"Let's go." 

As his voice fell, Masa left and the rest also followed. 

Tashigi looked at everyone, who was quiet, then Smoker, who had passed out, so she looked at the Marines and said, "From now on, I quit the Marines. Tell Smoker-san that." Leaving those words, she followed Masa like the others, leaving the group of Marines who were in a daze and crushed as their crush left. 

Still, Tashigi was quite nervous, wondering what she should do since even if she knew "that kind of thing," she had no experience at all! 

"By the way, what's your name?" 

Fortunately, Masa broke the silence between them. 

"Ah, um, my name is Tashigi!" 

Tashigi answered as she fixed the frame of her glasses. 

"My name is Masa, Tashigi." 

"Y-Yes, Masa-sama!" Tashigi nodded, but she was still cautious, holding her sword subconsciously, wondering whether they would go to the hotel right away, but—

"Can you guide us around the town?" 

"..." 

It seemed the development was different from what Tashigi thought.