Chapter 22: Bell-mère's Arrival

Marineford Port, morning.

The morning sun glittered on the surface of the sea. A warship slowly docked.

Bell-mère, dressed in a neat Marine uniform, stood with her back straight, holding the hands of 6-year-old Nojiko and 4-year-old Nami. She gazed at the magnificent fortress of Marine Headquarters, her pupils trembling slightly.

"So... this is Marine Headquarters?"

The towering Gates of Justice, the majestic fortress walls, the dozens of giant warships docked in the port, and in the distance, the fortress of justice that symbolized the supreme power of the Marines—the sheer authority and oppressive presence of Marineford overwhelmed the female Marine lieutenant from the East Blue, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Three years ago, during the battle in the Oykot Kingdom, she had desperately protected the lives of the two children during a pirate attack, forming a deep bond with Roy in the process. After that battle, Roy had been stationed at the G-3 branch. Later, due to mission requirements, he had transferred her to Headquarters, which was why she was now stepping onto this unfamiliar and solemn land.

Nojiko looked up, her little face shining. "Bell-mère, this place is so big!"

Nami, on the other hand, clung tightly to Bell-mère's hand, looking at the bustling Marine soldiers with a mixture of nervousness and curiosity. "Are we going to live here from now on?"

Bell-mère took a deep breath, and just as she was about to answer—

"Swish!"

A tall figure instantly appeared in front of them.

"Ah!"

Nami was so startled she immediately hid behind Bell-mère, while Nojiko gasped.

"Long time no see, Bell-mère."

The familiar voice instantly put Bell-mère at ease. She looked up and saw the boy who had rescued her and the two children in the Oykot Kingdom three years ago—now a tall, sharp, and imposing Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, Roy.

"R-Rear Admiral Roy!" She immediately stood at attention and saluted, a hint of respect and a smile in her eyes. "Long time no see!" *(Was that... instant movement?!)

Roy chuckled and waved his hand. "Don't be so formal. We're old friends. Welcome to Marineford."

Bell-mère lowered her hand, a sincere smile on her face. "Thank you for taking care of us, Rear Admiral."

Roy looked at the two little girls behind her, his gaze gentle. "Nojiko, Nami, do you still remember me?"

Nojiko nodded shyly. "I remember... you saved us before, big brother."

Nami, however, looked at Roy timidly, clutching Bell-mère's hem.

Roy smiled. "No need to be nervous. Vice Admiral Garp has already taken care of everything."

"It's crowded here. Let me take you directly to your residence."

Without waiting for Bell-mère's response, Roy waved a hand—

"Swish!"

The four of them vanished from the port.

The next moment, Bell-mère's vision blurred, and the scenery around her had changed from the port to a spacious, bright living room.

"Th-This is...?!" She looked around in shock, her voice trembling.

Roy walked to the coffee table, poured a glass of water, and handed it to her. "My Devil Fruit ability. Sorry for the surprise."

Bell-mère took the glass, her fingers still trembling slightly. "No... I just didn't expect..."

Roy motioned for Bell-mère to sit down and sat opposite her. "I've read your file. Single-handedly protecting civilians during a retreat, fighting a pirate crew with an 8 million Berry bounty alone... your talents were being wasted at a branch."

Bell-mère gripped the glass, her knuckles turning white. "I just did what I had to do..."

Roy looked her directly in the eye. "Vice Admiral Garp and I both believe you deserve a better platform for development."

Nojiko suddenly tugged on Bell-mère's sleeve and said with an admiring look, "Bell-mère, big brother is so amazing!"

Just as Bell-mère was about to answer—

"Sneak attack!"

A small, snot-nosed kid shot out from the hallway, his face beaming with strange excitement, his hands aiming straight for Nami's cheeks. "Pinchy face!"

"Smack!"

Nami reflexively threw a punch, accurately hitting Luffy on the forehead.

"Owww!!!" Luffy clutched the large bump on his head and rolled on the floor, wailing with teary eyes. "Waaahhh! My head! My head!"

Roy watched this scene and couldn't help but laugh out loud. "I knew it would happen! Hahaha!"

Nojiko and Nami were both startled. Nojiko cautiously hid behind Bell-mère. "Who is this kid? He's so weird."

Bell-mère was bewildered. "Th-This child is...?"

Roy stood to the side, laughing so hard he clutched his forehead. "Sigh... This guy's name is Luffy. He's Old Man Garp's grandson."

As he spoke, Luffy instantly jumped up and made a big goofy face at Nami. "Hehehe, you hit really hard! I'll definitely dodge next time!"

Nami stood with her hands on her hips, puffing her cheeks and waving her little fists. "It's your own fault for rushing over so suddenly! Serves you right!"

"Luffy! You little brat, don't run around!" Ace's voice came from the end of the hallway. He appeared with his arms crossed, frowning at the corner, looking at the three of them with disgust. "Why are there two more brats here..."

Seeing this, Luffy immediately pouted, clutched the bump on his head, and pointed at Nami with teary eyes. "Ace, she hit me! My head hurts so much!"

Nami immediately hid her head in Bell-mère's embrace. "It's his fault for suddenly reaching out!"

Bell-mère held Nami, looking at the group of kids with a headache. "Roy... what... what is all this..."

Roy sighed helplessly and pointed at the two brothers. "Bell-mère, let me formally introduce you—this is Monkey D. Luffy, Vice Admiral Garp's grandson; and this is Portgas D. Ace, who is currently under my care."

Bell-mère's mouth twitched uncontrollably, as if she had been struck by lightning. "So, this place is..."

Roy shrugged, spreading his hands with a blank expression. "The temporary shelter for the Marines' problem children."

Bell-mère: "..."

Luffy suddenly raised his hands high and shouted, "Since it's a shelter, then I'm hungry! Give me meat!"

Ace's face darkened. "You bastard! Not this again!"

"Bang!" Nami and Nojiko also pounced on Bell-mère at the same time. "We want to eat too!"

Bell-mère clutched her forehead. "My head hurts so much..."

Roy looked at the chaotic scene and sighed deeply. "Old Man Garp, you really know how to cause trouble..."

Just then, the living room door was pushed open, and Garp poked his head in, grinning. "Roy, kid, I'll leave these problem children to you! I'm off to have tea with Sengoku!"

"Hey! Vice Admiral Garp!"

"You old geezer! Don't run!"

"Meat! I want meat!"

The room instantly exploded into chaos.

Evening, Roy's residence.

Bell-mère stood at the kitchen entrance, looking at the fully stocked refrigerator, her eyebrows raised slightly. "The food reserves here... are they a bit exaggerated?"

The extra-large refrigerator was stuffed with all kinds of meat, vegetables, and fruits, and there was even a whole, pre-cut, frozen piece of Sea King meat.

Roy leaned against the doorframe and shrugged. "Can't be helped. The three of us eat a lot." He pointed towards the living room, where Ace and Luffy were playing on the floor, and Nojiko and Nami were curiously looking at a sea chart. "Especially those two," Roy added. "Their appetite is five times that of a normal adult."

Bell-mère chuckled, rolled up her sleeves. "Alright, then let me show you what I can do tonight." She skillfully tied an apron, took a kitchen knife from the rack, and with a flick of her wrist—"Swish, swish, swish!"—the onion was instantly sliced into uniform thin pieces.

Roy raised an eyebrow slightly. "Nice knife skills."

Bell-mère didn't look up. "Raising two kids wasn't for nothing."

As the aroma wafted from the kitchen, the noise in the living room gradually died down. Ace sniffed. "What's that smell... it smells so good!"

Luffy's eyes immediately turned into stars as he shouted, "Meat! It must be meat!"

"Bang!" Roy pressed a hand on his head. "Don't disturb Bell-mère while she's cooking."

Nami and Nojiko also came over, their eyes shining. "Bell-mère's cooking is the best!"

Half an hour later, the dining table was laden with a sumptuous feast—pan-fried Sea King steak, vegetable and meat stew, seafood fried rice, and a large pot of steaming fish soup. The four little ones sat neatly at the table, their eyes fixed on the food, drool almost dripping to the floor.

Bell-mère wiped her hands and smiled. "Let's eat!"

"Time to eat!" Luffy immediately reached for the biggest steak—

"Smack!" Ace hit his hand with a chopstick. "Follow the order!"

Nami had already elegantly scooped up a spoonful of fried rice. "Bell-mère, this is delicious!"

Nojiko took a small sip of the fish soup, her eyes closing in bliss.

Roy watched this scene, a slight smile on his lips. "A rare moment of peace..."

After dinner, in the yard.

The Marineford sunset dyed the clouds a golden red, and a gentle sea breeze brushed against their faces. Bell-mère leaned against the railing and lit a cigarette. "So, what exactly do you need me to do?"

Roy looked into the distance. "Vice Admiral Garp has arranged for a residence for you next door. I asked you to come here mainly to help look after these kids occasionally." He turned to look at Bell-mère. "Of course, we won't have you work for free. I'll cover the children's daily expenses, and..." After a pause, Roy continued, "Starting tomorrow, I will teach you the Six Powers and Haki."

The hand holding the cigarette trembled slightly. "Haki?" As a Marine from the East Blue, she had only heard of this power in rumors.

Roy nodded. "Your talent shouldn't be buried. I believe you have the potential to awaken Armament Haki."

Bell-mère was silent for a moment, then blew out a ring of smoke. "Why are you being so good to me?"

Roy smiled. "Because we need you." He looked into the house, where Ace and Luffy were fighting over the last piece of steak, Nami was angrily hitting Luffy's head with a spoon, and Nojiko was trying to mediate. "These children are all very special," Roy said softly. "They need the right guidance."

Bell-mère followed his gaze and suddenly chuckled. "They're certainly special enough." She stubbed out her cigarette and held out her hand. "Deal."

Roy shook her hand. "Pleasure working with you."

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