Chapter 3, the future Naval Headquarters Vice Admiral

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"What? Larkin is dead? Who did it?" Rakwal's face twisted in anger.

Rakwal, the future Vice Admiral of Naval Headquarters, is currently just a Rear Admiral in the West Blue branch. As Rear Admiral, he is the highest-ranking Marine officer in West Blue. Unless something unexpected happens, the West Blue branch follows his command.

Larkin was not only a fellow Marine but also an important subordinate to Rakwal. They shared a strong bond as comrades-in-arms. Hearing about Larkin's death filled Rakwal with rage.

"It was a man named Gabriel Yuri. He was originally a pirate hunter in West Blue, but now he has formed the Gabriel Pirates. Most importantly, the World Government's most wanted criminal, the Demon Child Nico Robin, is on his ship," reported a Marine colonel.

"Then what are you waiting for? Give the order to prepare the ship. I will personally avenge Larkin," Rakwal commanded.

"Yes, sir! I will prepare the warship immediately," the Marine colonel replied and left promptly.

After the colonel departed, Rakwal's expression remained dark. "Larkin, rest assured, I will use Gabriel Yuri's head to pay homage to you," he vowed coldly.

...

"Aren't we leaving?" Robin asked Yuri, puzzled.

"Leaving? Why? Do you not like it here?" Yuri responded.

"Aren't you planning to go out to sea? You killed so many Marines earlier. Even the highest-ranking officer of the Marine branch, a captain, was killed by you. The Marines won't give up. Shouldn't we leave to hide?"

"Ho ho ho, do you want me to run away? Who do you think I am? The West Blue Marines are no threat to me!" Yuri raised an eyebrow.

"We do want to go out to sea, but first, you need to improve your strength. Going out as you are now will be a burden. The sea is not kind to Devil Fruit users," Yuri explained.

"Oh, you know I have a Devil Fruit ability?" Robin said in surprise. She hadn't shown her powers in front of Yuri.

"I know more about you than you think. Your Flower-Flower Fruit is actually very powerful. The problem is that you're too weak," Yuri said.

The Flower-Flower Fruit is indeed strong, and Robin had developed her abilities well in the original story. If Robin's strength were greater, if she could awaken Armament Haki, her power would increase significantly.

Now that Robin was on his ship, Yuri decided to train her properly, ensuring she could protect herself.

"Do you know me well?" Robin asked, looking at Yuri curiously.

"Starting today, I will train you seriously. Get ready for some devilish training," Yuri said.

Yuri began Robin's training that very day, and it truly was devilish. Although Yuri cared for Robin, he knew that strength was essential for survival in their world. Robin's ability to interpret historical texts meant she would always be pursued by the World Government. Her life was destined to be turbulent, so Yuri trained her rigorously for her own good.

Half a month passed quickly.

"Gabriel Yuri didn't escape? How bold. He killed Marines so brazenly, yet he underestimated us. What arrogance," Rakwal said coldly.

Rakwal, aboard his battleship with a group of Marines, headed straight for Buta Island. Along the way, he ordered the Marines on Buta Island to monitor Yuri and Robin's movements. But when Rakwal arrived, he found that Yuri and Robin had not fled. They remained on Buta Island openly, with Yuri reportedly training Nico Robin.

This was a disgrace to the Marines. Although the seas were overrun with pirates, the Marines were still a formidable force. Despite being stretched thin, they could crush pirates due to their superior strength and the pirates' lack of unity. Pirates typically fled when encountering Marines.

Yuri's killing of the Marine Division's highest commander and his subsequent stay on Buta Island was a direct provocation to Rakwal and the Marines.