Marine Headquarters, Marineford - High-level Meeting Room
A heavy atmosphere shrouded the meeting room. Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Aether slammed a report onto the table, producing a dull thud.
"In other words, that greedy bastard John took our deposit, and not only did he fail to get Charlotte Linlin's blade, but he was nearly killed by her, and finally had to pay one billion Berries and two Devil Fruits just to save his life?"
Aether's words were full of anger and powerlessness. "Truly... useless! Good for nothing but making things worse!"
"According to reports from our spies on Hachinosu Island, the situation is essentially true." Sengoku pushed up his glasses, his expression grave.
"The strength Charlotte Linlin displayed far exceeded our previous estimates; John was almost completely powerless before her. This plan has utterly failed."
Vice Admiral Tsuru calmly added, "Although we didn't get the weapon, it wasn't a total loss. At least we confirmed Charlotte Linlin's level of strength, and... the cracks within the Rocks Pirates have widened once again."
"Though it's unclear why the Celestial Dragons spent so much to capture Shakky, after these two incidents, the already disunited Rocks Pirates aren't far from falling apart."
"Hmph, trying to gain an advantage only to end up worse off!" Garp commented bluntly while picking his nose; he had always been disdainful of such underhanded tactics.
Just then, a messenger hurried in and handed Fleet Admiral Aether a sealed document bearing the highest emblem of the World Government.
Aether opened the document, and after a quick scan, his expression became even more unsightly. He took a deep breath and looked at the generals present:
"The matter of the weapon will be set aside for now. I've just received a direct Order from Mary Geoise... The location for the Celestial Dragons' next 'World Noble Study Tour' has been officially set as—God Valley in the West Blue."
"God Valley?!" The faces of several veteran Vice Admirals who knew the inside story of the "World Noble Study Tour" instantly became extremely grim, as if they had heard some extremely ominous news. They exchanged looks, their eyes filled with disgust and a hint of hidden concern.
"Study tour?" Garp stopped picking his nose, his thick dark eyebrows knitting together, his face showing unmasked distaste. "Where are those scumbags going to cause trouble now? Every time they have their so-called'study tour,' wherever they go..."
"Garp!" Fleet Admiral Aether interrupted him sharply, his eyes warning him sternly not to continue.
"This is the decision of the World Government! It is also our duty as the Marine! Our task is to ensure the'study tour' goes off without a hitch and to guarantee the absolute safety of all World Nobles! Is that understood?!"
"Yes..." the crowd responded unevenly. Those in the know looked heavy-hearted, while those who weren't, like Garp, turned their heads away in annoyance, muttering under their breath:
"Tsk, a bunch of troublesome parasites..."
...Totto Land Sea Area, Inazuma.
The sun was bright, and the sea breeze blew through the clean streets, carrying the salty scent of the ocean and the fragrance of flowers and fruit.
Children played in the town square, and the sound of rhythmic reading came from a school not far away.
At the market, vendors called out enthusiastically, and most of the residents wore peaceful and satisfied smiles.
An old fisherman sat with his neighbor under the eaves mending a fishing net. Looking at the peaceful scene before him, he sighed:
"It's truly... like a dream. A few years ago, we worried every day about pirate Raids, living hand-to-mouth. Now, the children can go to school in peace, and the fish we catch can be sold for a good price without worrying about most of it being stolen..."
"It's all thanks to Lady Linlin!" an auntie nearby chimed in, her face overflowing with gratitude.
"And the lords of the Heavenly Calamity Pirates. They established Order, drove away other pirates, and taught us how to farm, weave, and build houses... My boy is studying at the academy now. I heard his grades are pretty good; maybe he'll be able to work in those... 'Three Commissions' that Lady Linlin is setting up!"
"The Three Commissions? I've heard of that too!" The old fisherman's eyes lit up.
"Apparently, they are new positions Lady Linlin established to better manage Inazuma. They're divided into the 'Kanjou Commission,' 'Tenryou Commission,' and 'Yashiro Commission'? It sounds very impressive! If my boy has what it takes to be chosen, I'll definitely make him work hard to repay Lady Linlin's kindness!"
Similar conversations were taking place across the various islands of Inazuma.
Charlotte Linlin and her Pirate Crew had gradually evolved from "powerful protectors" to "establishers of Order" and "symbols of hope" in this sea area.
The people's support was heartfelt because they truly felt the improvement in their quality of life and the return of a sense of security.
Inside the newly built Tenshukaku,
Patrick Redfield elegantly sipped his black tea, but his blood-Red eyes always held a probing look as they fell upon Charlotte Linlin, who was lying lazily opposite him.
"Linlin," he finally couldn't help but speak, his voice carrying a hint of confusion and curiosity.
"A question has troubled me for a long time. My Observation Haki can hear the voices of all things and peer into the thoughts deep within people's hearts. However, only with you, all I hear is a bottomless silence. Why? Why is your heart unreachable to me?"
Charlotte Linlin opened one eye, glanced at him, and the corner of her mouth curled into a lazy arc: "Ma~ Red, the voices of people's hearts are too noisy. If you listen too much, you'll lose yourself instead."
She extended a massive index finger and lightly tapped her chest.
"I have cultivated my heart to the 'pinnacle'—the pinnacle of purity, the pinnacle of steadfastness, or perhaps... the pinnacle of emptiness? When the heart is strong enough, or'special' enough, it naturally shields itself from external prying."
These words of hers were half-true. The real reason largely stemmed from the tachi "musou isshin," which was bound to her soul and originated from another world.
This blade itself contained the power and laws of the "heart," invisibly constructing an absolute barrier for her that blocked the prying of her heart's voice.
But in a way, she wasn't entirely lying; after all, the existence of this blade was indeed closely related to the realm of the "heart."
Redfield was lost in thought. He couldn't judge the exact truth of Charlotte Linlin's words, but he truly felt that undeniable strength and uniqueness.
He gently swirled the black tea in his cup and said softly, "The pinnacle of the heart... truly an enviable yet fearsome state."
Charlotte Linlin said no more and closed her eyes again, enjoying a moment of tranquility.
Being unable to have her mind read was, in her view, the best thing possible. After all, the secrets buried deep in her soul were far more numerous than Redfield could ever imagine.
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