The moment Dante tossed out his first question, the entire office went silent.
Nami, who'd stopped by to discuss the Conomi Archipelago's future development, exchanged a puzzled frown with Robin. Why was Dante asking this?
Even Smoker, standing off to the side, seemed caught off guard, visibly considering how he might answer.
Koby, though confused by the interview's strange turn, took a moment to gather his thoughts. He found his answer. Taking a deep breath, he met Dante's gaze directly.
"I'd stop the war," he said, voice firm despite the tremor he felt. "The goal would be met. Even if pirates were still out there, my comrades come first."
He clenched his fists, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple, his eyes locked on Dante, waiting.
Dante didn't hesitate. A smile touched his lips. "Good. Very good answer."
Dante didn't hesitate. A smile touched his lips. "Good. Very good answer."
Koby started to speak, relief washing over him, "I-"
"Next question," Dante cut in smoothly. "Imagine you're captured by pirates. To save you, your instructor defies orders, breaks into their hideout, and gets you out. Right then, as he's telling you to run, you hear cries for help nearby. Dangerous situation. What do you do?"
"I... I'd be terrified," Koby admitted," but as a Marine, I'd have to try to save them!"
"Excellent!" Dante declared, clearly pleased. Nami and Robin exchanged approving nods.
Even Smoker cracked a faint smile. 'That's the heart of a Marine,' he thought, glancing at Koby, then back at Dante with a grudging sort of respect. Maybe this guy did understand the lines he himself sometimes crossed.
Dante leaned forward again. "Alright. What if your superior is working with pirates? Skimming funds, dealing with shady figures higher up... but it's all to protect the civilians on his island. Is he right?"
As Dante finished speaking, the room seemed to hold its breath. Smoker's face expression hardened again. 'What's this guy playing at, asking a raw recruit these things?'
"I, I..." Koby stammered, clearly thrown, but he found his footing. "Even if there are reasons... it's wrong. I'd confront my superior, tell him he needs to stop. Maybe the island needs help, but not like this. There have to be other ways. We could find them together."
"Good! Very, very good!"
Surprisingly, Dante seemed genuinely impressed by the earnest reply.
Nami and Robin shared another look. They didn't know Dante's game, but years of working together told them something wasn't quite right.
Smoker, however... his expression softened slightly at Dante's approval. He gave Dante a long, searching look. 'So, he is aware,' Smoker thought. 'Maybe he feels cornered, doing what he does for the island...'
But Dante wasn't finished.
"Scenario four: Your superior uses pirates to kidnap people. Not for slavery, just... to force them to work on a project. Is that acceptable?"
"No, definitely not!" Koby insisted. "People have a right to choose! You tell them about the work, let them decide. And working with pirates to kidnap anyone is wrong."
"What if the king of the allied nation objects?"
"You convince the King! Get his approval properly!"
"Good! Very good!"
Nami and Robin just watched. Smoker frowned deeper.
Dante pressed on, seemingly oblivious. "Okay, what if your superior ignores HQ orders, recruits extra soldiers, modifies captured pirate ships for Marine use, maybe even thumbs his nose at the higher-ups alongside some pirate contacts? What do you do?"
"I... I'd stop my superior" Koby said reluctantly. " and tell him it's wrong."
"Good! Very good!"
"Last one. You have a friend. He's a pirate, but a good person, lives for adventure, helps people, maybe even saved your life once. Do you condemn him?"
"I... No. I couldn't," Koby admitted.
"Excellent!"
That last answer finally broke Smoker's restraint. "What the hell are you doing, Dante?" he growled, cigar clamped tight in his teeth.
"Easy there, Smoker," Dante, seeing Smoker's expression, laughed quickly, his face suddenly serious. "Just a little assessment for the 16th Branch."
"Assessment?" Smoker scoffed. 'Sounded more like you listing your own damn crimes! Befriending pirates now? Trying to mold him in your image?' He took a drag from his cigar, exhaling slowly. "Fine. So? How did he do?"
"This kid..." Dante began, drawing out the suspense.
Koby held his breath, fists still clenched. Did he pass?
"He's exceptional!" Dante didn't drag it out, took a sip of his black tea, and said seriously, "He's truly outstanding. I felt the justice in his heart with every answer. Before even becoming a Marine, he already has the mindset of a marine hero. I think he has the potential to become fleet admiral!"
Smoker's eyebrow twitched. 'Fleet Admiral potential? Give me a break.' He ignored the hyperbole. "Spare me the theatrics. So, you're taking him?"
Before Koby could explode with excitement...
"Are you kidding?" Dante looked aghast. "Fleet Admiral potential, Smoker! Wasting that in my little branch? Wouldn't that be a waste of talent?"
"Then all that 'excellent' and 'very good' stuff was...?"
"I'm preparing to have you recommend him to HQ. Get him under Vice Admiral Garp. Vice Admiral Garp would love this kid. Hey, wait up!" Dante, seeing Smoker turn on his heel to leave, called after him. "I'm serious, this kid is that good, he's definitely suited for HQ. Hey, wait, wait... If that doesn't work, at least help me get him to Garp!"
Smoker didn't bother responding, striding right out the door.
Dante sighed, turning back to the crestfallen Koby.
"Thank you, Captain Dante," Koby said earnestly, though his shoulders slumped slightly. "You don't have to say those things. I'll just work harder."
"You think I was just saying things?" Dante asked, his gaze sharp. "Koby, I meant every word. You are a rare find. You belong at HQ."
Koby just looked confused, unsure what to believe. He couldn't understand why Captain Dante would keep lying to him even now.
"Don't worry about it," Dante said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I'll talk Smoker around. With his word, you'll get in. If not..." Dante grinned, a hint of something else in his eyes, "...I have ways. I promise, you're going to HQ."
"I... I will definitely work hard!" Seeing that Captain Dante wasn't mocking or comforting him, Koby felt his confidence return. "I won't let you down!"
He saluted, turned excitedly, and headed back. "Captain Smoker, please wait for me!"
Once Koby was gone, Nami turned to Dante, hands on her hips. "Alright, spill it. Was any of that true?"
"He's got talent, alright," Dante confirmed, sipping his tea. "Didn't lie about that."
"Then why pawn him off to HQ?" Nami pressed. "I thought we needed people like that?"
Even Robin glanced up from her book, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. He'd praised the boy so highly, yet sent him away?
"Because," Dante said, his voice quieter now, "he's a good kid, Nami. He's not right for us."
Robin seemed to understand, returning to her reading.
Nami just blinked. "A good kid? What's wrong with that? Isn't that what Marines are supposed to be?"
"Suitable for being a Marine at HQ, but not for our little operation." Dante took another sip of hot tea, glanced at Nami, then looked up at the word "Justice" hanging on the wall. He said leisurely, "After all, we're not good people."
He didn't need to elaborate on the collection of misfits and rule-benders under his command-the Devil Child, the Cat Burglar, the aspiring Warlord, the constant skirting of regulations. An earnest soul like Koby deserved a cleaner start.
*-*-
'Harboring a Devil Child... consorting with pirates... misuse of funds... unauthorized recruitment...' Aokiji mused silently behind the newspaper covering his face.
"Aokiji, Do you need anything else?" Kouri asked politely, kneeling beside him after finishing the massage.
"Ah, no, nothing, Kouri," Aokiji said, lowering the paper with his characteristic laziness. "Just thinking."
"Ah, I see." Hearing the customer's reply, Kouri didn't pry, still offering a polite smile. "Well, let me know if you do. Oh, your foot scrub water..." She glanced down. The basin, recently filled with steaming water, now had a thin layer of ice forming on the surface.
'This man...' she thought, suppressing a shiver despite herself. He'd been coming for massages for days, always polite, generous, complimentary of her work. A dream client, really, apart from the unnerving chill he radiated. "Are you sure you don't need a doctor?" she ventured hesitantly.
"Nah, I'm fine," Aokiji stretched, a picture of relaxation. "Your work is top-notch, very soothing." He glanced out the window at the darkening sky. "Been here long enough. Reckon that fellow should be available by now."
Kouri finished drying his feet. Aokiji stood, rolling his neck comfortably.
"Time to get back to work."
"Is your vacation over?"
"Mmm, busy schedule," he mumbled. "Need to get on with
... official business."
"Well, thank you for your patronage! Please ask for me if you visit again," Kouri said with a professional smile, hiding her slight disappointment. "Will you need anything else?"
"Nope, all good. Oh, wait," Aokiji paused, turning back as he was about to leave. "One thing."
"Yes?"
"Could you please... give a draw up a bill of charges for my expenses these last few days?"
Kouri stared, utterly perplexed. 'Official business? Coming to a place like this on the edge of the East Blue? And needing an bill for massages? What kind of 'work' did an Aokiji do that required expense reports from a spa in Romance Dawn?'
==========
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