Marineford.
Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi and let out a slow breath.
"So, how did it go?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru asked calmly.
Sengoku shook his head.
"The Whitebeard Pirates have withdrawn. Looks like they don't want to go to war with us either."
Tsuru smiled faintly.
"Newgate wouldn't. That man values his 'family' more than anything."
"But the Whitebeard Pirates already have a massive impact on the balance of the seas," Sengoku said gravely.
"One day, we'll inevitably move against them. That much is unavoidable."
Tsuru nodded.
"Yes—but not now. As Newgate grows older, his strength will only continue to decline. The later we act, the better."
"And once we do move," she added, eyes sharp,
"we must win. And we must win cleanly."
Sengoku exhaled.
"Yeah… by the way, what do you think of Karl?"
"Karl?" Tsuru closed her eyes briefly, thinking.
"He has strength, courage, intelligence, and restraint. He understands limits."
She paused.
"His only real flaw is that his attitude toward pirates is a bit… extreme. In that regard, he resembles Sakazuki."
Sengoku chuckled.
"And when do you think he could become an admiral?"
Tsuru frowned and shook her head.
"Too early to talk about that. Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru are all in their prime. There's no vacancy."
"Unless…" she looked at Sengoku,
"you step down as Fleet Admiral and one of the three replaces you."
Sengoku smiled.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking."
"You plan to retire?"
"Yes. I'm seventy-two already. It's time to make room for the next generation."
"But not yet—at least not until Newgate is dealt with."
Tsuru sighed softly, gazing out the window.
"Karl could still compete for the position of admiral candidate. After all… a Marine with Conqueror's Haki is extremely rare."
"Time really flies," she murmured.
"In the blink of an eye, we've become an old man and an old woman."
Sengoku laughed quietly.
"Yeah… back then…"
G-10 Base.
Ain paced restlessly inside her office, glancing toward the harbor again and again.
Karl still hadn't returned.
Today, he had lost an arm just to force her escape.
Even though she knew his ability meant it could be reattached easily, her heart still felt tangled and heavy.
And then—
Tsuru… no, Gion's words echoed in her mind.
If he comes back safely… then I'll…
"Whoa~ your office even has a massage bathtub? That's envy-inducing."
"Hahaha! Of course! Cost me twenty thousand Beli. Feels amazing—but sorry, old man, you're too old to enjoy it!"
Ain froze.
That voice—
"Karl?!"
She burst through the door without hesitation—and immediately saw Kizaru's wrinkled face…
then Karl, completely unharmed.
She ignored Kizaru entirely and threw herself into Karl's arms.
"Thank goodness… you're okay!"
Kizaru pointed at Karl.
Then at Ain.
His lips twitched for a long moment before he smirked, crossing his arms and watching the scene unfold with great interest.
Karl shot him desperate looks.
Kizaru only looked more entertained.
With no choice, Karl patted Ain's back gently.
"I told you I'd be fine. Admiral Kizaru helped me out—without him, getting away wouldn't have been so easy."
Key words: Admiral Kizaru.
Ain stiffened and immediately stepped back, bowing awkwardly.
"Th-thank you very much, Admiral Kizaru…"
Kizaru chuckled.
"How long have you two been together?"
"W-we're not! It's not like that—!"
He waved his hand lazily.
"No need to explain. I get it~ Since that's the case, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
"Young people really are nice~"
His body dissolved into light and vanished.
The room fell silent.
Only Karl and Ain remained.
Karl opened his mouth to speak—
But a soft finger pressed against his lips.
Ain shook her head gently.
Then she walked to the door, peeked down the hallway to make sure no one was there, closed it—and locked it.
She returned, took Karl's hand, and looked up at him with misty eyes.
"Thank you… for saving me today."
"What kind of reward do you want?"
Karl smiled faintly.
"What do you think?"
Her cheeks flushed.
Standing on tiptoe, Ain wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his.
It was clumsy.
Gentle.
Her body trembled slightly.
Just as Karl tried to deepen the kiss, she pushed him away shyly.
"It's… still daytime…"
"Heh."
"You're right. I'll come tonight."
"Your birthday's in a few days anyway—let's say I'm giving you your gift early."
"…Okay."
That night, Karl walked into Ain's room carrying several boxes.
"Ain, I had these twin swords specially made for you. Beautiful, right?"
She smiled softly.
"As long as it's from you… I love it."
Karl grinned and took out another box.
"This is a North Blue pink gemstone necklace. It suits you perfectly."
He brushed her hair aside and fastened it around her neck.
The atmosphere slowly turned warm and sweet.
The next morning.
Karl stepped out of Ain's room.
All things considered, she was very satisfied with her birthday gifts.
The gifts—and the person.
Their relationship had officially changed.
No longer just classmates.
No longer just colleagues.
They were lovers now.
A while later, Ain sneaked out as well, glancing around like a thief before calmly walking into the base.
"Good morning, ma'am! You look especially beautiful today—did you change cosmetics? I'll ask my wife to buy the same!"
Ain touched her cheek and smiled.
After a few pleasantries, she headed inside.
"Knock knock."
"Come in."
"Karl, breakfast."
Karl rubbed his stomach seriously.
"Yeah… I really need food. Last night almost wore me out."
Ain shot him a glare.
"That's not true! I was the one who—ugh! Forget it! Eat it or don't!"
Karl laughed, took the homemade breakfast, and ate happily.
His eyes, however, stayed fixed on the newspaper.
The headline was about yesterday's clash with the Whitebeard Pirates.
"…Looks like things should quiet down for a while," he muttered.
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