Kurumi could only let Garp drag her along, so embarrassed that she could have dug out a four-bedroom apartment with her toes in her shoes.
Beside them, Admiral Aokiji recalled that afternoon when Garp suddenly burst into his room and said, 'Kuzan, my grandson wants to be a pirate, but my granddaughter wants to be a Marine. Come drink with me.'
Looking at the happy Garp and the somewhat embarrassed Kurumi, he smiled. 'This is how it should be.'
Although Kurumi felt a bit awkward and undignified being introduced by Garp, the entire Marine force knew after this New Year that Garp had a granddaughter who defeated the Shichibukai Moriah at the age of 15.
'Sigh.' Kurumi, who had been taken for another round of introductions, collapsed on the bed. Beside her, Kuina laughed at the sight of the completely burnt-out Kurumi.
'Isn't this our Marine rising star, the one who defeated a Shichibukai at 15, Kurumi? The big star is back.'
Hearing this, Kurumi, slumped on the bed, rolled around embarrassedly while clutching her pillow. She lifted her head from the pillow, revealing only her eyes. 'You all know.'
Kuina nodded. 'I reckon everyone at Marineford knows. Once they return to their branches, everyone will probably know.'
At this moment, Kurumi felt as if the world was about to end. She stared blankly at the ceiling.'Sigh, my heart is tired. Just let the world be destroyed.'
Kuina sat down next to Kurumi, placed Kurumi's head on her lap, and began tidying her messy hair.
'This is a good thing. Didn't you say before that no one knew of your prestige? Now your fame is spreading across the seas. Isn't that good?'
Kurumi let out a comfortable hum, her head rubbing around restlessly. She only settled down after Kuina, feeling ticklish, patted her twice.
'I know it's a good thing, but this is completely different from what I imagined.'
In Kurumi's mind, she should have defeated a powerful enemy, with newspapers filled with her deeds, and her fame spreading across the four seas through that challenging battle.
The pirates wouldn't be afraid of her at first, but then someone would recognize her and point at her, saying, 'Could it be that you are the Kurumi who defeated so-and-so in the papers?'
The whole place would be shocked, and then Kurumi would say, 'Heh heh heh, that's right, it's me.'
It wasn't supposed to be like this—being dragged around the streets by Garp like a display. It had the same awkwardness as a parent forcing you to perform a talent for their friends during the New Year.
Kuina didn't care much about that. She just stroked Kurumi's hair, watching her curl up comfortably like a little kitten.
Soon, Kurumi grew drowsy under Kuina's massage. Just as she was about to fall asleep, the door was pushed open.
Nami rushed in excitedly. 'Kurumi, did you see the bulletin board? You've been specially promoted to Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral! Kuina and Ain were promoted to Commander, and even Perona and I are Lieutenant Commanders!'
Then she saw Kuina holding Kurumi, preparing to lay her on the bed. In her panic, she even used her unskilled elementalization, turning into a bolt of lightning to flee the scene.
'Sorry, I didn't realize you were both here during the day. I'm leaving now.' Only her voice echoed in the room, and Nami even thoughtfully closed the door.
Woken up by the noise, Kurumi was now wide awake. She hurriedly jumped out of Kuina's arms and chased after her. 'It's not like that, Nami! Listen to my sophistry—no, listen to my explanation!'
Kuina looked at her empty hands, feeling a slight sense of loss, but she quickly shook it off.'She got away, but it's okay. There will be a next time.'
Since the New Year was coming to an end and the rank promotions were finished, Kurumi couldn't suppress her desire for adventure. She found her companions and decided to set sail.
After that incident, Nami's gaze toward Kurumi and Kuina became very strange. Especially when looking at Kurumi, Kuina's actions seemed to have opened a new door for her.
Facing Kurumi, who had saved her, helped her realize her dream, and given her a powerful devil fruit, Nami found her exceptionally cute, and a different kind of emotion began to grow in her heart.
Kurumi didn't notice Nami's abnormality. Setting sail again after many days, she was very excited. Standing at the bow, she shouted, 'Let's go, Argo! Target: Koushirous Dojo!'
Hearing Kurumi's goal, Kuina was somewhat surprised. 'Weren't we talking about solving the problem of how to supplement the Marines in the four seas? Why go to my home?'
Kurumi said, 'To be precise, it's to find Dragon. I've already contacted him, and he'll be waiting for us there.'
Perona, who had joined recently, was shocked. She asked, 'Isn't Dragon the most dangerous criminal? Won't us Marines looking for him be like sheep entering a tiger's den? Or is an Admiral coming with us?'
After speaking, she looked around as if trying to find a hidden powerhouse.
Kurumi explained, 'Don't worry. Besides being the most dangerous war criminal and the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Mr. Dragon is also Garp's son. We're going to cooperate with him.'
Then Kurumi added, 'There's no fundamental conflict of interest between the Marines and the Revolutionary Army. In terms of maintaining order, we are the same kind of people.'
Then, Kurumi pressed her finger against Perona's lips and said playfully, 'This is a secret, don't go blabbing.'
Perona nodded, shocked by her Captain's terrifying connections.
The Argo, which had undergone many improvements, soon arrived at Koushirous Dojo. Genzo still had that smiling face as he welcomed Kurumi and the others.
'That gentleman has arrived. He's waiting for you inside.'
Kurumi nodded. Kuina impatiently took the others to tour her home, while Kurumi followed Genzo to a secret room.
Dragon got straight to the point.'Speak, what do you want with me? I'm quite busy on my end.'
Looking at the dark environment, Kurumi first took out a Lamp Dial to brighten the place up a bit.
'I have serious business. I know your goal is to liberate the whole world, but right now, you're short on manpower and funds, aren't you?'
Hearing Kurumi's words, Dragon nodded.
Kurumi continued, 'As it stands, your goal is too large. Moreover, if you liberate a region, the World Government will notice and take it back.'
Dragon also knew the problems with his organization, but he had no solution and could only keep trying in small areas.
Kurumi continued, 'Currently, the Revolutionary Army can only operate in the four seas. I have a proposal: let your people join the Marines.'
Hearing Kurumi's words, Dragon instinctively retorted, 'Impossible. I won't let them join the Marines. Our justice cannot be realized there. If that's what you wanted to say, then please leave.'
Kurumi didn't give up upon hearing Dragon's refusal. She continued, 'I don't mean joining the Headquarters, but joining the branches. And it's not a real enlistment; it's just acting under the name of the Marines.'
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