One piece: Black Cat

The Joker's expression darkened at the sound of the Den Den Mushi, a communication device that wasn't supposed to be used right now.

"Thank goodness, so this one connected...! Hey, you must be the 'Joker'! Help me!" The voice crackling through was panicked, which only irritated the man known as "Joker" even more.

"The marine slave operation has been exposed! All the guards watching the hostages have vanished, and the marines have started mobilizing, what should we do?!"

These words made the Joker's frown deepen. For the first time, he spoke into the Den Den Mushi receiver.

"Hey."

"Ah, Joker! Joker?! What should we do—"

"Garp, whose movements are unpredictable, has remained on the Grand Line with Vice Admiral Tsuru to pursue the trail of Shiki, the 'Golden Lion,' who recently escaped from Impel Down. Sengoku is reliable, he shouldn't make any rash moves until the Ohara incident is resolved. So who made the move?"

The Joker asked, mentally cataloging the Marines he considered threats.

"It's not a Marine!"

"Then some sheriff?"

"No, it's a brat! A pirate brat!!"

The irritation vanished from the Joker's face, replaced by stunned silence.

"Of all people, it was some kid playing at being a pirate who broke into the district headquarters and exposed everything!! I had the evidence disposed of bit by bit so we wouldn't be discovered, but Sengoku caught onto it too! It's all because of that brat—"

A low chuckle escaped the Joker's lips. "Heh... heh, heh... hahahaha...!"

"Jo-Joker? Hey—"

"'Playing'? Are you an idiot? A bounty is a bounty. No matter the reason someone becomes a pirate, the weight of that bounty doesn't change. And that's exactly why... hehe, hehehe!!"

His laughter grew more unhinged. "Reporting yourself to the Navy?! Cooperating with them?! Hehehe! What kind of lunatic becomes a pirate like that?!"

"Hey, Joker..."

"Oh, what should you do? That's right—"

"Give up. Bad luck."

Ignoring the voice still shouting through the receiver, the Joker hung up and continued his quiet, sinister laughter.

"Hehehehehehe..."

A large man approached the still-chuckling figure.

"Hey, Doffy, what's wrong? You seem really worked up. What happened?"

"Nothing much, just listening to some insane pirate story... Hey, Trebol."

"What, what, what?"

"Gather information on 'Hundred Plans' Kuro immediately. Then arrange for that information to spread as rumors throughout West Blue."

"Hundred Plans? The pirate who ruined that deal?"

"Yeah. I thought he was just a slightly clever rookie, but—"

The Joker's grin widened dangerously. "How interesting. What a fascinating and insane pirate. Hehehehe—"

"I hate him... but at the same time, I'm intrigued."

"'Hundred Plans' Kuro, huh?"

•°•

"Captain Kuro! Course alignment complete!"

"Excellent! Maintain maximum possible speed. Anyone not currently on duty, help explain our voyage to the crew."

I felt terrible about what I'd put not only Daz and the others through, but the Marines as well.

If you suddenly returned to find orders to set sail immediately for an unknown destination, you'd probably assume negotiations had failed and we were fleeing. The Marines were understandably on edge, which made them move with incredible efficiency.

When we gathered in the cabin, all the marines and officers were present except for those currently manning the ship.

Finally, I could explain everything.

"I'll start with the conclusion. I've spoken with Fleet Admiral Sengoku at headquarters. We're currently devising a plan to protect your families."

I expected cries of relief, but instead, the Marines began murmuring amongst themselves with strange expressions.

"C-Captain Kuro?"

"What is it?"

"You spoke with Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"

"Ah, Vice Admirals Sakazuki and Kuzan were there too."

"With Vice Admiral Sakazuki?!"

Ah, right. I suppose that's the reputation Sakazuki has even among ordinary marines. Well, there's nothing I can do about that perception...

There was no point dwelling on the Marines' pale faces.

"Thanks to the handwriting samples and uniform you provided in advance, the conversation progressed quickly. I was able to make inquiries immediately, but during that process, we discovered the marine who had been disposing of your documents... Well, it turns out they were involved in the operation."

"So they're destroying evidence. If that's the case, then this ship's destination is—"

Daz seemed to grasp the situation immediately. As expected of my vice-captain.

"They're already pulling out of the marine slave business. When they do, there's little chance they'll leave any remaining marines alive, even low-ranking ones who've seen their members' faces."

At this point, the Marines' expressions grew tense as they finally understood the gravity of what I was saying.

"Look at this." I unfolded a chart across the table. "This nautical chart of the western seas was borrowed from Fleet Admiral Sengoku. It shows the area where accidents were reported, as well as naval patrol routes in the vicinity."

To be precise, he said something like "I'll leave this chart in the room and step out for a while," then... well, it was given to me discreetly. Once I've fulfilled our mission, I'll have to sneak back and return it.

"I've compiled a list of bases that were close to the accident sites yet had fewer search missions than other bases afterward. I don't believe they're holding captives at the bases themselves, but I suspect there's a, and I'm sorry to put it this way, a 'product depot' nearby. Fleet Admiral Sengoku agreed with this assessment."

"So we're heading there now...?"

"Yes. I'm going to rob them. Like a proper pirate would."

The Marines' morale lifted at the prospect of rescuing their comrades from such a dire situation, their complexions returning to normal. Robin, however, wore a troubled expression.

"Captain."

"What is it, Robin?"

"Are you certain about the timing?"

"...That's the problem."

Sengoku and I had many heated discussions, arguments, really, about this afterward. Honestly, I think our chances are fifty-fifty.

"If we find them alive, we rescue them. If necessary, we'll provide food, water, and medicine. And even if we're too late..."

I met each Marine's eyes solemnly. "Whether it's bodies or even just small personal belongings, we will return them to the naval base, and ultimately to their families."

"Gentlemen, show your pride."

•°•

"Sengoku-san, that fool revealed something interesting. It seems even some branch colonels responsible for base management are involved in what they call their 'business.'"

"...I see."

In the same room where an unprecedented event had occurred just days before, a discussion between three naval officers and one pirate, Sengoku listened with an expression like a Noh mask.

It wasn't that he lacked anger; he had moved beyond rage into a realm of pathetic disappointment.

"In West Blue, it's not uncommon for people to form connections with criminal organizations for investigative purposes. Some tolerated it as long as results were achieved... but I had no idea corruption had spread this extensively."

Sengoku placed his hands on his desk and released a heavy sigh. His hands rested on the same spot where he had carelessly "lost" that nautical chart the other day.

"What about Kuzan?"

"I have him operating covertly. This type of work suits his abilities perfectly. He can cross oceans without a ship, and if he uses his powers skillfully, he can do so without attracting attention."

The reports Kuzan sent only intensified Sengoku's headache. They had successfully rescued several captured marines, but simultaneously discovered the bodies of those they couldn't save in time.

"Each group contained around twenty people. Considering what was mentioned about the 'sneak attack,' these were probably marines who had been 'temporarily stored' before shipping."

Although this was only one part of the Four Blues, West Blue was vast. Moreover, this incident wasn't limited to West Blue alone.

"I'm troubled, but I must return to Marineford."

"I understand. In the other seas as well, the navy has more or less disgraced itself with similar foolishness."

"...Fortunately, thanks to 'Hundred Plans'' actions, all their assumptions were shattered."

They hadn't fought pirates or suffered natural disasters. Betrayed by superiors and colleagues who were supposed to be comrades, they were about to spend their lives as slaves, worked to the bone without accomplishing anything meaningful.

How horrifying! He certainly believed they should be saved! So he had to act!

No matter what outcome awaited them, if they didn't stand up now, their "pride" would die!!

Why fight?

When asked why he fought for the Marines, the pirate answered with a single word: "Justice."

Just one word.

The three marines, surely his enemies, were overwhelmed by that declaration and the conviction that followed.

"...Sengoku-san."

"What?"

"I wonder if there's any way we could make that man a marine."

Sengoku turned to Sakazuki in shock.

"...It would be difficult. He's rebelling against the Celestial Dragons. It's not easy to erase such crimes. If there were a chance, I'd want him to become one of the Seven Warlords—"

"The Seven Warlords are still pirates in the end. I don't think that's appropriate."

"That man... isn't the type who should bear the label of pirate..."

•°•

(...Strange.)

We'd arrived at our destination, but there were no guards in sight. Even though it was broad daylight.

"Captain, look at that..."

"I see it."

Our destination was a deserted island, quite far from the accident site and outside the naval patrol range. Well, if this was a hit, it would be more accurate to say we'd struck it rich rather than missed our mark.

The black-painted ship anchored there appeared to be a smuggling vessel. Though we seemed to have gotten lucky...

"Oh my, it's capsized spectacularly."

"There's a hole straight through the hull... That can't be from cannon fire."

Perona was laughing while Robin wore her usual grim expression.

Perona's overconfident in her abilities. She needs to face some truly strong opponents.

It would be much easier if I could demonstrate Haki and withstand Perona's Negative Ghosts... but I'm not sure if my meditation is having any effect. No, that's not important right now.

"We're going ashore. Perona, Robin, please guard the ship. Five marines will stay aboard and be ready to set sail at any moment. The rest of you, follow me. Don't forget your weapons."

Everyone seemed to favor building secret storage facilities underground. A similar hidden staircase was discovered in one of the buildings in the ghost town on this uninhabited island.

There really isn't a single guard posted. Does this mean... we're too late?

In that case, we'd contact Kuzan using the Den Den Mushi we'd been entrusted with and have him use his abilities to preserve any bodies for transport, but...

Was it the right decision to leave Perona and the others behind?

Daz touched the door in question, checking for the same mechanism as before. While his right hand remained on the surface, his left transformed into a blade.

"Captain, the rock doesn't appear to be booby-trapped."

"Good. Marines, I need a few of you to cover our retreat here. The rest will come with me."

Come to think of it, for most of them, new recruits and office workers, this might be their first real combat situation.

"It'll be fine. Daz and I will handle the front lines. Even if a battle breaks out, I want all of you to prioritize survival over defeating enemies."

One Marine tried to object, but I stopped him with a raised hand.

"I know none of you here have actual combat experience. But if you can hold back even a few enemies heading our way, it'll work to our advantage."

It would be a waste if they died in some reckless charge, a disgrace to Sengoku, and the impact on morale would be devastating.

"Daz, I'm leaving the Marines in your care."

"The Captain... well, I suppose you're stronger when you can rampage as you please."

Even with all this planning, my approach remained fundamentally violent. Basically, crush the enemy's head and win the fight.

"Well, that's how it is. Let's go."

"Please, no!!"

At the far end of the corridor were several disheveled marines, all with their hands bound in similar fashion.

"Please! Close the door!"

Unlike the previous ship, this space was quite expansive, probably because it doubled as a warehouse. There was even a small courtyard area.

The problem was what lay beyond: the corpses of what appeared to be gang members.

"They all disappear when exposed to sunlight..."

That observation made everyone turn to stare at me.

Oh no.

"Kishishishi!"

Damn it!!

"Even if I tried to rebuild my forces, I couldn't obtain any decent corpses or shadows, so I figured the best I could manage was gathering some foot soldiers."

You idiot!! You fool of fate!!

Somehow, this moron's face looked more defined than in the original story!!

"Hey now, what a lively fellow! Hey there!"

Don't just casually place original characters in my path!!

Every single time, they position annoying characters in exactly the right spots! This isn't a tower defense game!!!

"A promising rookie worth 65 million berries! 'Hundred Plans' Kuro!"

"Gecko Moria...!"

Are you trying to give me a stress-induced heart attack every single time?! Namu Amida Butsu!!

"Just what I wanted, a zombie with backbone!!"

"Give me your body, 'Hundred Plans' Kuro!!"

"Shut up, Gecko Moria. I bet you stuffed the shadow of a captured marine into a gangster's corpse..."

"I'll get every single one of them back!!"

Help me... please help me, seriously...

---Sorry, Mr. Clemens is out.

Please, after the beep, turn off your life.