It wasn't that Kairo had an overactive imagination and jumped to the ruler of the Empty Throne based on a single name.
It was simply because this woman called herself Eva Maria.
There was no way he wouldn't make that connection.
Naturally, Eva Maria had no idea what Kairo was thinking.
Seeing him staring at her in slight surprise, she nodded gently.
"Consider it compensation... for secretly investigating your whereabouts."
Kairo said nothing.
He simply continued staring at her without blinking.
This woman was simply too mysterious.
He was certain that no such person existed in this world.
If she truly did...
There were only two possibilities.
Either she was another transmigrator like him...
Or...
She was the mysterious Imu who sat upon the Empty Throne.
Before transmigrating, Kairo had studied a little about medieval Christianity.
Christians often offered lilies to the Virgin Mary, and lilies had long symbolized her purity and holiness.
In countless religious paintings, the Virgin Mary was frequently depicted surrounded by butterflies and lilies.
And when Imu first appeared in the manga, seated within the Chamber of Flowers...
There had likewise been butterflies and blooming flowers surrounding the throne.
Kairo was certain those flowers were lilies.
Because of that, he had once speculated that Imu's character design might have been inspired by the Virgin Mary.
After all, even Mary Geoise itself featured cathedral-like architecture.
Virgin Mary...
Holy Land Mary Geoise...
And this woman calls herself Eva Maria...
Is that really just a coincidence?
...Whatever.
Whether she called herself Eva Maria or Imu...
It had nothing to do with him.
With that thought, Kairo withdrew his gaze and spoke calmly.
"Normally, no one is interested in my whereabouts."
"After all, I'm just an ordinary traveler."
"The people who do take an interest in me generally fall into only two categories."
"Those who think highly of me..."
"...and enemies."
"So here's my question."
"Miss Eva Maria."
"Which one are you?"
"Neither."
Eva Maria set down her coffee cup without the slightest change in expression.
"I'm simply curious."
Just as Kairo and Eva Maria continued their conversation...
A group of Marines entered the hotel downstairs.
Escorted by the reception staff, they proceeded inside one after another.
Leading them was none other than Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Momousagi (Gion), who looked as though she had travelled a great distance.
After completing the check-in procedures at the front desk, Gion quietly gave a few instructions to the two officers accompanying her before heading alone toward the café on the second floor.
"Welcome, Vice Admiral."
The moment she reached the café, the two attendants waiting outside bowed respectfully before leading her toward an empty booth.
Following behind them, Gion casually swept her gaze around the room.
"What a peaceful place..."
"Hm?"
As her eyes passed over Kairo's booth, she suddenly looked back.
Her beautiful eyes widened as she stared at the familiar figure sitting there.
After confirming it really was Kairo, she hurried over, unable to hide her excitement.
"Mr. Kairo?"
"It really is you!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Kairo turned around in surprise.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi?"
Seeing Gion standing before him, he blinked.
"What are you doing here?"
Gion had just opened her mouth to answer when Eva Maria quietly rose to her feet.
Without saying a single word, she gracefully walked away.
Watching the mysterious woman leave, Gion blinked curiously before asking,
"Mr. Kairo... is she your friend?"
"I suppose you could say that."
Kairo smiled.
"Come on."
"Have a seat."
Running into Kairo here had put Gion in an exceptionally good mood.
All the fatigue from her long journey disappeared instantly.
She sat down opposite him with complete ease.
The moment she sat down, she asked excitedly,
"Mr. Kairo, when did you arrive on the Grand Line?"
"Why didn't you come to Marine Headquarters?"
"A lot of people there have been looking forward to your visit."
"Hahaha..."
Kairo laughed.
"What if old man Garp refuses to let me leave once I get there?"
Gion blinked before smiling helplessly.
"Don't worry."
"Although Vice Admiral Garp has often joked about recruiting you into the Marines and even said he'd drag you to Headquarters himself..."
"...those were only jokes."
"Please don't take them seriously."
"I'm not so sure."
Looking at Gion's earnest expression, Kairo replied just as seriously,
"That old man can be pretty stubborn."
His casual "old man" instantly made Gion laugh.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi."
Kairo changed the subject.
"Are you here in Alabasta on a mission?"
"Yes."
Gion nodded openly, making no attempt to hide it.
"The Reverie is about to be held."
"I'm here to escort Alabasta's royal representatives safely to the meeting."
"The Reverie?"
Kairo looked up in surprise.
"Now that's unexpected news."
Without even thinking, he already knew what the central topic of this year's Reverie would be.
However...
According to the timeline from the original story, he remembered it being held the following year.
"The conference itself won't begin for several months."
Seeing Kairo's surprise, Gion continued explaining.
"I came to Alabasta early because I have other duties to handle."
"Most importantly, the safety of each kingdom's representatives is paramount."
"We have to begin preparations a full month in advance."
"And the delegates themselves must depart a month before the meeting."
"I see."
Kairo immediately understood.
A kingdom's representative was often the king himself.
Naturally, their safety was of the utmost importance.
That meant the Marines responsible for protecting the member nations had to begin preparations well ahead of time—clearing pirates from the sea routes leading to the Holy Land, monitoring weather conditions, and dealing with countless other potential dangers.
"Are you interested in the Reverie as well, Mr. Kairo?"
Gion suddenly leaned in closer and lowered her voice.
"If you are..."
"I could take you to the Holy Land."
"You'd just need to wear a Marine uniform first."
Looking at Gion, who had leaned in close, Kairo blinked before smiling.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi..."
"So you're trying to recruit me into the Marines too?"
"But..."
His tone suddenly shifted.
"There actually is something I'd like to ask Vice Admiral Momousagi to help me with."
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