The Fleet Admiral succession had caused waves throughout the World.
The World Economy Newspaper dedicated an entire page to the report, even printing the speeches of Kong and Sengoku.
Yet, it was shameless.
Kong's own mistake had led to his forced transfer, but they spun it as inspiring.
On the deck, baked by the New World sun into a honey-golden hue, Black toyed with a tiramisu, gold fork in one hand, newspaper in the other.
Cream splattered onto his embroidered cuffs from his impatient stabbing.
"That's right! Justice! Simply too just!"
Robin glanced at the newspaper in his hand, rolling her eyes silently. She was accustomed to the ways of the Marines and World Government by now.
The Marines had long ceased to be the obedient force they once were in the original story when Aokiji, teacher and friend to Garp, was dispatched to capture Luffy, and Garp personally pursued his grandson.
Later, Kizaru, suspected of Revolutionary ties, came to capture him. Half an episode saw Kizaru's foot suspended above Zoro's head, his leg numb, until Rayleigh intervened.
Had Akainu been deployed even once, the Straw Hats might never have reached Sabaody Archipelago.
But now… to question the Marine's justice was one thing; for a Celestial Dragon to do so was audacious.
Black flipped through the newspaper, pausing on a small section:
"Marine Traitor Monkey D. Dragon Reorganizes Self-Defense Force, Renames it Revolutionary Army."
Black muttered to himself:
"Dragon must have done this after meeting Vegapunk."
After the God Valley battle, Dragon left the Marines following the attack on the Celestial Dragons and formed the Self-Defense Force. Momentum was minor, limited to small skirmishes.
The Dragon of this era wasn't yet the world's most dangerous criminal, nor headline-worthy compared to a Fleet Admiral.
While Black pondered, Perona seized the moment to try squeezing wasabi into his Black tea but a sudden arm from the cake intercepted her, snapping her plan.
Robin's calm voice drifted over:
"According to kingdom records, certain young children peak in foolishness around three in the afternoon."
"You hateful bookworm! You ruined Perona-sama's plan again!"
Perona shrieked.
Without looking back, Black grabbed Perona by the back of her collar, dangling her in mid-air.
"If you cause more trouble, I'll give you to Robin as a research subject."
Perona's bell shoes jingled:
"Put me down! You big meanie!"
"I'll tell Sister Stella you secretly ate my hidden candy yesterday!"
"Oh?"
Black raised an eyebrow, pinching her cheeks with his free hand:
"Want to discuss how that candy ended up under my pillow?"
Robin, eyes on her book, said without looking up:
"This book claims prank frequency of young creatures is inversely proportional to guardian intelligence."
Before Black could respond, Koala emerged from under the coffee table, carrying a silver tray stacked with freshly baked scones larger than herself.
"Careful!" she shouted as the top scone slid.
Robin's three spectral arms appeared, steadying the pastry.
"Thanks, Sister Robin," Koala grinned, her missing front teeth making the smile amusing.
Mandy silently appeared, sword tip lifting a cup of herbal tea for Rami.
Stella handed Black iced lemonade and wiped his cuffs with a gold-embroidered handkerchief, her flour-stained dress showing she had just come from the kitchen.
"Your Highness, Victor and his team have completed the first version of the special medicine, now being tested on Rami."
"Hm, tell them to watch the dosage; her body is too weak," Black instructed.
Stella nodded and stepped aside like a perfect butler.
Robin approached, cautiously:
"Your Highness…"
"What is it?" Black's senses sharpened.
Robin had been with him nearly two years, rarely addressing him in such a tone.
The little Slave, accustomed to sarcasm and teasing, hesitated, then said:
"Your Highness, I want to return to Ohara to see."
At this, Mandy's scabbard tipped a sugar jar, Koala accidentally dropped a scone, and Perona froze mid-struggle.
The sea breeze rose violently, sweeping all sound from the deck.
Black paused, then said to Stella:
"Order the ship to continue through the Calm Belt, heading West Blue."
The Calm Belt flanks the New World, leading horizontally to the North and West Blue.
Seeing Stella move, he asked Robin:
"Why? To clean up the Marine's mess?"
"I want to see if their mess has been cleaned up."
Permission granted, Robin regained composure, sneering, picking up a copy of *Lost Civilization* from Ohara.
Black plunged a silver fork into Robin's tiramisu, cream splattering onto her nose:
"If you pout when we arrive, I'll feed you to the Sea Kings as a living bookmark."
"Cough, cough…" Rami's cough broke the tense air. Shaking her medicine bottle, she smiled slyly:
"Your Highness, I can share half a bottle of Daddy's new drink; please don't trouble Sister Robin."
Black paused, then laughed:
"Deal!"
Glancing at Robin:
"Don't expect me to use the Mary Geoise medical capsule to heal your eyes."
Mandy silently used her sword to hang the damp book pages on the sail ropes.
Koala had brought a dessert tower for Robin, attempting comfort.
Stella leaned close to Black:
"Your Highness clearly cares about Robin…"
Black turned, glaring.
Stella only smiled gently, leaving him speechless.
Amid laughter and chatter, the shadow of Ohara seemed momentarily forgotten beneath the setting sun.