Rhett and his crew returned to Skypiea. They docked the Ark Maxim and went back to their own ship, the Bruma Jackson. Then time flew by. The agreed time arrived.
Whoosh!! Splash!!
As the Bruma Jackson slowly sailed into the harbor of Marineford, the entire Navy Headquarters was bustling with activity.
Cannon salutes boomed. Ribbons flew. Sengoku stood at the front, a smile so bright it was almost twisted on his face.
Of course it was twisted. From his teacher's generation, he had been chasing Rhett. When he became Fleet Admiral, Rhett was one of his most focused targets. That kid had even destroyed half of Marineford when he was young.
Behind Sengoku, the three Admirals stood in a line.
Aokiji yawned. Kizaru picked his teeth. Akainu's fists crackled.
Only Akainu was suffering. Sigh. You're just earning a fixed salary. Why are you risking your life?
"Welcome, Your Majesty Rhett, for your inspection!" The officer's voice was loud. Of course.
Sengoku was the Fleet Admiral. He couldn't possibly say that.
Rhett stood at the bow. His blood mist cloak billowed. He looked around. Then he clutched his chest. "Oh dear, so scary So many elite Navy soldiers. I, a humble member nation king, am truly overwhelmed by the honor"
Enel picked his ear. "Tch. This god could destroy this broken harbor with one lightning strike."
Tesoro pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. "Watch your image. We are now a 'law-abiding' member nation delegation."
Just then—
"SMACK!"
Sengoku's smile suddenly froze. Rhett had somehow teleported in front of him. A small hand of blood mist was patting his shoulder warmly.
"Little Sengoku~" Rhett patted Sengoku's shoulder repeatedly, grinning. "My country is so stable because of you. Thank you for your hard work. I am truly relieved."
"Hahahaha." The little blood mist hand didn't stop. It was patting so fast it left afterimages.
"Not at all. The Navy guards the safety of member nations. That is our duty." Sengoku looked at Rhett. (Without you damn pirates, the seas would be much more stable.)
"I am in Marineford, the so-called 'Justice of the Seas.' I won't be in any danger, will I?"
"Of course not!" Sengoku forced a laugh. The more he listened, the stranger it sounded.
Sengoku suddenly turned and shouted, "Logistics Department! His Majesty Rhett is here to inspect our work. Prepare the best food!"
Rhett nodded with satisfaction. "Ah, it seems the money is well spent~"
What else could Sengoku do? The Navy really had no other way to increase revenue.
Was it that Sengoku couldn't find a way? Of course the strategic master Sengoku could. But the World Government wouldn't allow it.
"So... who will be my bodyguard?"
Akainu's magma fist exploded. "I—"
"I'll do it" Kizaru instantly appeared next to Rhett. "I'll do it" The only time Kizaru had been in life-threatening danger was when he faced Rhett. But because of that, he had gotten a very long vacation.
Rhett~ Kizaru's number one choice for slacking off!
Sengoku stepped forward and glared at Kizaru and Akainu. "Because His Majesty Rhett is of distinguished status, we will all do our best. Nothing has been decided yet. Let Admiral Kizaru show you around Marineford first. Let you know that your money has been put to good use."
Rhett: Fellow time travelers, which of you is on my level? The Fleet Admiral greeting you with a smile. Admiral Kizaru personally escorting you around Marineford. If nothing goes wrong, you're probably still sneaking around in secret. Rhett had long forgotten what "humble" meant.
......
Rhett strolled around Marineford with Kizaru. The little blood mist hand occasionally poked here and there. When they passed the training ground, a robust voice rang out.
"Justice is not a slogan! It is a belief to be defended with your life!" Zephyr stood on the platform. His purple hair fluttered in the wind. "Remember! The fists in your hands—"
He punched a training dummy. The shockwave of his Armament Haki blew off the hats of the students in the front row.
"—exist to protect the innocent!"
The recruits were fired up. "Yes, Teacher Zephyr!"
"Too quiet!"
Kizaru followed lazily behind, occasionally pulling out a nail file to groom his nails. "Ah what a nostalgic scene"
The recruits shouted passionately, "Yes, Teacher Zephyr!"
Rhett stood at a distance, watching with interest. The corners of his mouth curled up.
Rhett glanced at Kizaru. "Yeah~ want to go say hello?"
"No need~" Kizaru waved his hand. "He's busy educating the next generation."
Just then, Zephyr's gaze swept across the training ground and met Rhett's. The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Zephyr's eyes turned cold. But soon, as if he hadn't seen Rhett, he turned back to the recruits. "Remember! Pirates are pirates. No matter what disguise they wear, no matter where they stand—" His right hand clenched. "They cannot change the fact that they trample on justice!"
The recruits looked at each other. Some of the bolder ones secretly glanced in Rhett's direction. The World Government's ideological work was very good. Look at how quickly Rhett's reputation improved after he became a member nation king.
Dragon, you really need to learn from the World Government when it comes to controlling public opinion.
Rhett chuckled. He wasn't angry. He even applauded. "Well said, Mr. Zephyr."
Zephyr didn't turn around. His voice was cold. "Pirates are not welcome here."
Kizaru scratched his head. "Yeah how awkward"
"Oh dear" Rhett finally walked out slowly. The blood mist formed a red carpet beneath his feet. "As expected of 'Black Arm' Zephyr. Your Observation Haki is still so sharp"
The entire training ground erupted.
"Th-The Mist Lord Emperor?!"
"Why is he here?!"
Zephyr raised his hand to silence the students. His fist was already coated in Armament Haki. "Rhett... are you here to provoke me?"
"Of course not" Rhett spread his hands. "I am a legitimate member nation king, here to attend the World Conference." He pointed at Kizaru behind him. "This is my 'bodyguard'"
Kizaru raised his hand cooperatively. "Ah what a troublesome mission"
Zephyr's face grew even darker.
The atmosphere was instantly tense.
But Rhett didn't care. He turned to Kizaru and said, "Let's go, Borsalino. Let's check out the cafeteria. I hear the Navy's food is pretty good?"
Kizaru shrugged. "Well it's not coming out of my pocket"
After they left, the atmosphere on the training ground relaxed slightly. A recruit asked cautiously, "Teacher Zephyr... was that really..."
Zephyr was silent for a moment. Finally, he just said, "Focus on your training."