Chapter 35 : The Marine is Just a Group of Dogs Raised by the Celestial Dragons

A Reluctant Proposal

As the saying goes, even the strongest woman can't resist persistence.

Tashigi, knowing she was technically at fault, found herself in an unfamiliar situation. She had never dealt with anything like this before and had no idea how to respond.

"But… I'm a Marine," she hesitated.

"Can't Marines get married?" Hikaru countered smoothly. "Look at Vice Admiral Garp, Admiral Akainu, and others—they hold high ranks and great power, yet they still have families."

"Uh…"

Tashigi was stunned. Something about his words felt off, but she couldn't quite figure out what.

"Forget it," Hikaru sighed. "If you won't marry me, I'll have to use another method."

"What method?"

Tashigi's eyes lit up with hope. As long as he stopped pestering her, she might finally escape this ridiculous situation.

"If you don't agree to be my wife, I'll destroy the Marine base in Loguetown," Hikaru said casually. "But if you do, you'd be making a great contribution to the Marines by keeping it safe."

"Are you kidding me!?"

Tashigi looked at him in disbelief, hoping he was joking.

But Hikaru simply stared at her, completely serious.

Just as her face flushed and she found herself at a loss for words, the sound of chaotic footsteps echoed from the street.

"They finally showed up~"

Hikaru smirked. With so many people knocked out by his Conqueror's Haki, it was only a matter of time before someone noticed and called the Marines.

Sure enough, a group of Marines arrived, quickly surrounding them. However, none of them dared to step too close, keeping a large distance between them.

"Hey! Tashigi, get over here!"

A deep, raspy voice called out.

Smoker stood at the front of the group, three cigars clenched between his teeth, his face serious.

"Ah?"

Tashigi was still processing everything.

"If you want them all to die… then go ahead and leave me alone," Hikaru said indifferently.

"Hikaru!" Smoker growled, his fists clenched in frustration. "Why the hell is someone as powerful as you in the East Blue?! And what did you do to Hina?!"

He gritted his teeth, cursing himself for not learning Haki under Zephyr at the Marine Academy.

"Heh~ So you recognize me, yet instead of staying far away, you came straight to me," Hikaru chuckled.

"You're Hikaru!?"

Tashigi's eyes widened in shock. "Have you been teasing me this whole time!?"

"Of course not," Hikaru replied smoothly. "Everything I said was true. Tashigi, be my divine consort! If you promise, I'll let the Marines in Loguetown go."

As he spoke, he stepped forward, placing his hands on her trembling shoulders. A strange sensation coursed through her body, like an electric current, instantly calming her chaotic thoughts.

"I…"

"Damn it, Tashigi! Don't listen to him!"

Smoker's voice was sharp, filled with urgency. "We'd rather die than let a pirate get what he wants!"

"Then you will die."

A cold glint flashed in Hikaru's eyes.

Before Smoker could react, his vision blurred—then a sharp pain exploded in his head.

With overwhelming force, Hikaru's Haki-coated foot slammed down on him, crushing him into the ground.

CRACK!

The ground beneath them split apart from the sheer impact.

Smoker's eyes rolled back as he lost consciousness instantly.

"Colonel Smoker!!!"

Tashigi and the surrounding Marines shouted in shock.

Hikaru's eyes narrowed as an invisible wave of power surged outward.

The Marines caught in its wake barely had time to react before their eyes rolled back, their bodies going limp as they collapsed unconscious. The sounds of swords clattering to the ground and bodies thudding echoed through the silent street.

Tashigi's eyes widened in shock and anger.

"What… What did you do to them!?" she demanded.

"They fainted, of course," Hikaru replied nonchalantly. "Tashigi, I trust you'll make a decision that satisfies me~"

He stepped over Smoker's unconscious body, closing the distance between them.

"Why? Why are you targeting me?" Tashigi's voice trembled. Everything had happened too fast, leaving her at a complete loss.

"Why?" Hikaru chuckled. "Because I'm merciful. I want to save you from the suffering of the Marines."

"What?"

Tashigi blinked, confusion etched across her face. The navy, a sea of suffering?

She clenched her fists and glared at him. "The Marines uphold justice! Becoming a pirate like you means falling into true misery!"

Hikaru scoffed. "Pirate? I am neither. I am the god and emperor of the Kingdom of God."

With that, he took her by the wrist and led her into a nearby café, seating her down.

"Tell me," he continued, pouring her a cup of tea, "have you ever noticed that, aside from Vice Admiral Tsuru and her sister Gion, there are no other high-ranking women in the Marines?"

Tashigi hesitated. "I… What does that have to do with the Marines being a sea of suffering?"

"Heh~" Hikaru smirked. "Because once a Marine reaches the rank of Rear Admiral or higher, there's a high chance they'll be assigned to protect the Celestial Dragons…"

His voice grew colder.

"Male Marines rarely face trouble. After all, female Celestial Dragons wouldn't stoop so low as to toy with 'ordinary' men. But female Marines?" His smirk deepened. "Heh… Let's just say their fate isn't quite so fortunate."

Tashigi's hands trembled as she gripped the teacup. Her usually fair face turned pale.

Hikaru pushed the cup toward her. "Drink. It'll help calm you down."

"If they lack solid backing—like Vice Admiral Tsuru—then it doesn't matter whether the Celestial Dragons are male or female. If they take a liking to a female Marine, she'll be treated as nothing more than a toy… until she's discarded."

Tashigi's breath hitched. "The… Celestial Dragons?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Do you really think I'd lie to you?" Hikaru said simply. "One day, you'll understand the true darkness of this world."

He leaned back, watching as her expression slowly collapsed.

"The Marines are nothing more than the Celestial Dragons' trained dogs," he continued. "Their sole purpose is to protect their rule—nothing more, nothing less."

Tashigi sat frozen in place, her eyes empty.

Hikaru wasn't in a hurry. He knew her worldview was shattering, her mind struggling to process everything she had just heard.

Minutes passed in silence.

Then, at last, Tashigi stirred. She lifted her head, her expression bleak as she whispered,

"I… I understand. If you keep your word and spare the Marines in Loguetown… then I will be your divine consort."

She had made her choice.

If what Hikaru said was true, then her fate as a Marine would be nothing but a slow descent into obscurity and humiliation.

If that was the case, then sacrificing herself to save the Marines of Loguetown was the only way she could uphold her own sense of justice.

"Don't look so disheartened," Hikaru said, his tone lighter now. "As my divine consort, you can still uphold your justice. When we return to my Kingdom of God, I'll allow you to maintain peace there."

A faint light flickered in Tashigi's dull eyes—small, but no longer lifeless.

Hikaru wasn't worried. Right now, her understanding of the world's darkness was still too shallow.

But once she stood by his side, once she truly saw the world for what it was, she would never regret her decision.

"Come," he said, standing up. "Let's visit your hometown before we leave the East Blue at noon. If there's anything you need, get ready now."

"Alright…"

Tashigi's voice was soft, her body unmoving.

Hikaru chuckled helplessly before effortlessly lifting her into his arms.

Her mind snapped back to reality. A faint blush crept up her still-pale face as she turned her head away, unused to such close contact.

"Let's go," Hikaru declared.

As he stepped forward, his gaze casually flicked to the side—where a certain figure followed them silently from a distance.

Hina.

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