After their emotions stabilized, Hera and Kuina felt an unprecedented awkwardness, and it took them two days to finally muster the courage to face the other crew members.
It was at this time that Reiju found Hera: "All the poisonous gas on the island has been cleared. Now we just wait for the thunderstorm, and this island should be reborn."
Hera nodded: "Well done. You've worked hard these past few days. I'll report your contributions when we return to headquarters."
Reiju licked her lips: "Then did you prepare any special reward just for me?"
Hera crossed her arms in front of her, her eyes revealing vigilance.
Reiju chuckled and said: "So stingy. Back in the Germa Kingdom, you said 'I want you,' but it's completely different after getting on the ship, isn't it?"
Hera's face instantly flushed: "At that time, at that time, we weren't on the ship yet, right?"
Reiju laughed, then continued: "Alright, although your domineering self left a deep impression on me back then, you're even cuter now."
Hera puffed out her chest and said: "I am the Captain of the argo. It's only right for me to be dignified."
Reiju patted Hera's head: "Yes, yes, the Captain is the most dignified."
Hera felt even more exhausted after realizing she had to look up to meet Reiju's gaze. She swatted Reiju's hand away: "Seriously, it's because you always pat my head that I can't grow taller."
After a period of growth, Hera's height stabilized at 157cm and never grew again. Hera remembered a certain data point about Tokisaki Kurumi and suddenly felt a dark future ahead.
Hera muttered to herself: "I won't really stop growing, will I? Damn Koushi Tachibana, why did you set it so short?"
She then decided to try drinking a glass of milk every day after showering.
Nami piloted the argo down from the sky. With the Rumble-Rumble Fruit combined with Ain's Float-Float Fruit, the argo's maneuverability had reached a new level. Except for a very few flying powerhouses, Hera was already invincible in the sea.
Nami got off the ship and said: "Quick, retrieve the argo. The thunderstorm is coming."
After the City of Devouring Time retrieved the argo, Hera suddenly reacted: "Don't you charge the argo with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit every day? Why put it away?"
Nami rolled her eyes at Hera: "It's all your fault! You always want to fully charge the argo. What if it gets overloaded by the thunderstorm?"
Hera chuckled awkwardly, having forgotten about that.
Under the effect of Ain's Float-Float Fruit, mounds of earth rose from the ground, forming a rain-shelter room. Hera and the others walked in.
As the heavy rain fell, the small island, cleared of its poisonous gas, regained its vitality. Perhaps before long, it would once again be vibrant.
After resolving the poisonous gas on Punk Hazard Island, the group boarded the argo and returned to Marineford.
The argo docked at Marineford, where Garp, who had already returned from the East Blue, was waiting for Hera.
Seeing Hera and the others arrive safely, Garp was relieved and greeted Hera with a laugh: "You're back! Are you hurt?"
Hera first hugged Garp and said: "How could I be? I just went to hunt down a guy with a bounty of 300 million. How could I get hurt? He was defeated in one move by me."
Then she looked at the Slime eating leaves in Reiju's hand and asked: "What is this thing? I feel like this guy is also a Devil Fruit user."
Hera explained: "This is a product of the poisonous gas combined with the Axolotl-Axolotl Fruit, Salamander Form. But the poisonous gas was absorbed by Reiju, which is why it's so small. It's Reiju's pet."
Garp nodded and reminded: "Be careful when you're in Marineford. Just make sure not to poison anyone else."
Sengoku next to them said: "I told you there wouldn't be a problem. You still insisted on dragging me over to watch. Hera can definitely handle it."
Garp huffed and glared: "She's only 16 and you're assigning her tasks? That's child labor! What's wrong with me being concerned?"
Sengoku couldn't help but retort: "Dragon also joined the Marine at around that age, and he wasn't as strong as Hera is now, but I didn't see you worrying so much then."
Garp said: "That's not the same."
Seeing the two people at loggerheads, Hera felt a headache coming on and quickly stepped in to mediate: "Grandpa Garp, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I'm fine, aren't I? Is it really necessary to be so dramatic?"
Sengoku said: "Alright, alright. Where's Caesar Clown?"
Hera spread her hands, saying with a helpless expression: "I didn't expect him to be so fragile. He died in one hit."
Sengoku looked into Hera's eyes, as if trying to discern something different, but Hera didn't flinch, looking back at Sengoku with an innocent gaze.
Sengoku laughed and said: "If he's dead, he's dead. As long as his deal with Doflamingo is stopped."
Sengoku continued: "You've been hunting pirates ever since you left the training camp. Now you've even found and defeated Golden Lion Shiki."
"Based on your merits, you could already be promoted to Vice Admiral. However, after this, it won't be possible. The World Government controls the number of Admirals, and as things stand, there are unlikely to be any vacancies for Admiral."
"Moreover, your current position is no longer suitable. You were previously under Momousagi's name, but now your rank is almost the same as hers, so it's not appropriate to remain under her. What position are you interested in?"
Hera nodded and said: "That doesn't matter, but is there a position with high freedom for me?"
Sengoku nodded at Hera's words, knowing she would say that, and had already prepared: "Then how about this? Didn't you previously have Smoker supervise the Marines in the Four Seas?"
"After several supervisions in the Four Seas, the effect has been quite good, and many people have joined the New Navy in the Four Seas. I'll create this position here at headquarters as well; it should also match the status of a Vice Admiral."
Hera nodded, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. This identity perfectly matched Hera's expectations. Since it was an inspection role, she could naturally go wherever she wanted.
Sengoku said: "This position was originally what I planned to do after retirement, so I'll entrust it to you for now. I hope you can do well."
Hera excitedly said: "Don't worry, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I will do a good job. When I take over the position of Fleet Admiral, I'll give this position back to you."
Sengoku laughed upon hearing this and said: "Become Fleet Admiral first. As for your subordinates, just arrange for your crew members to join."
Garp and Sengoku linked arms again, saying: "That's more like it."
Garp then asked Hera: "What are you doing next? Do you have any plans?"
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!