"Finally… they're gone."
Crocodile and Nico Robin both let out long breaths of relief.
Even after Saint Roselith Seraphina had completely disappeared, the overwhelming pressure of her Haoshoku Haki still seemed to linger in the air like an invisible storm, refusing to fade.
"Robin…"
"It seems the two of us need to have another talk."
"I never expected you to fear death so much at such a critical moment."
Crocodile's expression immediately darkened.
He would never dare display such an attitude toward a monster like Saint Roselith Seraphina, but Nico Robin was an entirely different matter.
The humility he had shown earlier had never been directed toward Robin.
It had been born solely from his respect and caution toward an overwhelmingly powerful opponent.
"Weren't you exactly the same?"
Robin calmly met his gaze.
"At that moment, telling the truth was our only option."
"That Marine possesses an ability capable of distinguishing truth from lies."
Her tone remained composed and matter-of-fact.
She did not believe she had made the wrong decision.
Had they stubbornly refused to answer, Saint Roselith Seraphina might truly have executed both of them without hesitation.
"…Fine."
Crocodile stared at Robin in silence for several moments, attempting to read something from her calm expression.
The flickering firelight reflected across her elegant features, yet Robin's face remained completely tranquil.
This matter was far from over.
As long as Pluton could still be found, there remained hope.
After all, only Nico Robin possessed the ability to read the Poneglyphs.
She was the world's sole survivor capable of deciphering the Ancient Script.
Without her, his ambitions could never be realized.
For now…
He could only endure.
Morning arrived.
Purururu… Purururu…
Inside Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office, a Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
"This is Sengoku."
Sengoku answered slowly.
Most calls arriving this early concerned unfinished business from the previous day, so he answered almost absentmindedly before glancing toward the Den Den Mushi.
The next instant, his expression stiffened.
Damn…
It's that Celestial Dragon princess.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"This is Saint Roselith Seraphina."
Seraphina had deliberately waited until morning before making the call.
Since the matter was not particularly urgent, she saw no reason to disturb the Fleet Admiral during the middle of the night.
"Seraphina?"
"Are you calling about Donquixote Doflamingo?"
Sengoku immediately assumed the purpose of the call.
"Don't worry."
"That matter has already been handled."
As he spoke, Sengoku subconsciously glanced toward the empty chair beside his desk.
Normally, at this hour, Vice Admiral Tsuru would already be sitting there discussing Marine affairs with him.
Today, however…
The chair remained empty.
"I understand."
"But that isn't my reason for calling."
"My main purpose is something else."
Seraphina smiled faintly before getting straight to the point.
She proposed the construction of Marine Academies within the Alabasta Kingdom and the East Blue, along with the establishment of a Marine fortress at Whiskey Peak.
"What?!"
"You want to build Marine Academies in Alabasta and the East Blue?!"
"No!"
"Rear Admiral Seraphina, what exactly are you thinking?!"
Sengoku nearly jumped out of his chair.
Early in the morning, such shocking news had completely caught him off guard.
He had never expected such an enormous proposal to descend upon him while quietly sitting in his office.
"Is it truly impossible?"
Seraphina asked with genuine curiosity.
In her opinion, such a project should naturally benefit the Marines.
"It isn't impossible…"
Sengoku rubbed his forehead before sighing.
"But the Marines simply don't have that kind of budget."
"And the World Government is unlikely to approve such a large expansion."
"If circumstances allowed it, I would gladly support the idea."
"But reality is another matter."
"Would King Cobra agree?"
"Would the World Government approve?"
"And most importantly…"
"Where would the funding come from?"
Seraphina smiled slightly.
"I will personally provide the funding."
"As for the World Government…"
"I'll handle that myself."
"The Marines only need to provide experienced personnel."
"Preferably retired Marines with extensive teaching experience."
"And if possible…"
"I hope Instructor Zephyr can accept an important position within the academy."
She had already considered nearly every obstacle.
No one understood Zephyr's teaching abilities better than she did.
With his decades of experience nurturing Marine officers, he would be the ideal candidate to serve as one of the academy's leaders.
Silence filled Sengoku's office.
"…"
"Give me a moment."
"I'll discuss this with the senior officers first."
Although Sengoku felt there was a strong chance of success, such an important decision could not be made alone.
Vice Admiral Tsuru was currently away on assignment, and he also wished to hear the opinions of several influential Marine officers.
After ending the call with Sengoku, Seraphina immediately dialed another Den Den Mushi.
Purururu…
The call connected almost instantly.
"Father."
"What is it, daughter?"
The familiar voice sounded slightly sleepy.
Clearly, he had only just awakened.
However, the moment he realized it was his beloved daughter calling, any trace of irritation immediately disappeared.
This man was none other than Saint Victor Roselith, the patriarch of the Roselith Family.
"The proposal we discussed previously…"
"Has it already been submitted?"
Before leaving for Alabasta, Seraphina had entrusted her father with submitting the charter requesting approval for the construction of the Marine Academies.
"Yes."
"The proposal has already reached the highest authorities."
"The God's Knights have reviewed it."
"The Five Elders have also expressed their position."
"They are willing to approve the project in principle."
"However…"
"They insist that the academies remain administratively independent from Marine Headquarters."
"They intend to appoint World Government officials to supervise them."
Victor patiently explained every detail.
"The World Government does not wish for Marine Headquarters to gain excessive authority."
"So they insist on retaining influence over the academy's administration."
"Still…"
"Because you are leading the project, they are willing to approve it."
"They simply won't provide any financial assistance."
"All construction costs must be borne privately."
Victor chuckled warmly.
"But that's hardly a problem."
"Don't worry, daughter."
"The Roselith Family will fully support you."
"You may accomplish whatever you believe is right."
"If money is needed… spend it."
"Our family has never lacked wealth."
Silence followed.
Seraphina gently lowered her gaze toward the Den Den Mushi.
"I understand."
Her voice was softer than before.
Everything was progressing far more smoothly than she had expected.
More importantly…
The unwavering support shown by the Roselith Family genuinely moved her.
Although the World Government remained riddled with corruption and arrogance, her own family still possessed people willing to place the future above personal gain.
It only strengthened her determination.
If the Celestial Dragons continued down their current path, destruction was inevitable.
History would eventually judge them.
But perhaps…
The Roselith Family did not have to share that fate.
If the corruption festering within the Celestial Dragons could one day be eradicated…
If pirates and criminal organizations could be crushed beneath the banner of justice…
If the Marines grew stronger while remaining true to genuine justice…
If more officers carried honorable ideals into every sea…
Then the balance of the world itself could gradually begin to change.
Under the overwhelming strength of a righteous Marine force, even the kings of countless nations would think twice before exploiting or oppressing their own people.
✦ [SYSTEM] ✦
Mission Updated
Primary Objective: Expand the influence of the Marines through education.
Current Progress:
Marine Academy (Alabasta): Proposal Approved in Principle.
Marine Academy (East Blue): Proposal Approved in Principle.
Whiskey Peak Marine Fortress: Planning Phase Initiated.
Additional Conditions:
Funding will be provided by the Roselith Family.
Marine Headquarters will supply instructors and retired personnel.
World Government supervision is mandatory.
Administrative authority will remain independent from Marine Headquarters.
Mission Reward (Upon Completion): To Be Determined.
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