One Piece : Admiral Falcon is Pissed off again today!

"Well now, everyone. I don't think introductions are necessary between you all, are they?"

Michael, wearing his Revolutionary Army uniform, folded his wings upon entering.

Truth be told, Shakky's tavern was rather cramped.

"Though some might not know me. Let me introduce myself - I'm Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral Michael, concurrently serving as Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army."

"I'd appreciate if you could keep my identity confidential... though it's fine if you don't. Pirates, after all, can just have their words dismissed as malicious slander against upstanding Marines."

After speaking, Michael stepped aside to reveal Rayleigh and Gaban behind him.

The two men hadn't yet decided where to settle after retirement, idling their days away in a small South Blue village.

This time, Michael had contacted them specifically through Morgans.

They'd thought their only meeting with this young Marine would be on Baterilla Island in South Blue.

They never expected Michael would reach out to them first.

Initially, they suspected it might be some Marine trap to capture them.

But then they realized - if their location was known, why not just send troops?

Moreover, the meeting was set at Sabaody Archipelago.

Not exactly ideal terrain for an ambush.

Driven by curiosity and post-retirement boredom, they accepted Michael's invitation.

Little did they expect to encounter old acquaintances here...

Or more accurately, former enemies.

But with Rocks missing and his crew disbanded, and their own crew having dissolved after losing their captain, there was no hostility between them now.

Rocks had lost, then disappeared.

Roger had won, then died.

That battle left neither victors nor losers unscathed.

"Gloriosa, why are you in Shakky's bar?" Rayleigh was more curious about why this woman was involved.

He and Shakky went way back - he'd known the tavern owner and super informant since his first visit to Sabaody.

"Hmph. As the former Empress of Amazon Lily, is it so strange to temporarily stay at a junior's place when I've nowhere else to go?"

Gloriosa snorted coldly.

While she held no particular affection for Rocks, losing a fight... Some resentment was only natural.

"Amazon Lily Empress? Junior?" Gaban counted on his fingers.

"So that means Shakky here is Empress after you?"

Rayleigh also turned to Shakky, who simply smoked her cigarette calmly, offering no comment.

The questions would have to be shelved for now.

"Have you all finished your pleasantries?" Michael flashed a perfectly heartwarming smile and lightly tapped the table.

The knocking sound echoed through the small tavern.

"If so, let's begin our strategy meeting."

"Strategy meeting?!" Gaban nearly fell off his chair at the phrase.

"Lil bro, are you out of your mind? You're a Marine officer on the surface and a Revolutionary Army member in secret, yet now you want to hold a strategy meeting with us former pirates?"

Though Gaban was grumbling to himself, his words reflected the sentiments of everyone present except Morgans.

No one understood what this young Marine officer was trying to accomplish.

Meanwhile, Michael turned his gaze towards the Celestial Dragon officials who had long since collapsed in terror nearby.

He shot Morgans a look, but the latter just rolled his eyes and ignored him.

Only when Michael made a gripping motion with his hand did Morgans rise from the bar counter, hauling the two Celestial Dragon officials up and plopping them onto the table surrounded by these formidable figures.

The atmosphere...

It felt like they were about to devour the two alive.

Of course, no such scenario unfolded.

Michael rested his chin on his hands, smiling amiably at the two officials before him.

"You two are here to scout and plan the route for the Celestial Dragons' outing, correct?"

"...Y-yes" one of the officials stammered.

"D-don't kill us, or the Celestial Dragons will never forgive you."

"Don't be ridiculous. Would the Celestial Dragons really get angry over two incompetent dogs? Of course they would—but that anger would be directed at you."

Michael was smiling, but the warmth didn't reach his eyes.

That icy gaze sent a shiver down Morgans' spine.

"Thank goodness I'm on this guy's side" Morgans muttered before returning to his beer.

"The Celestial Dragons want to buy new slaves but failed to acquire any. Do you think they might make you their new slaves instead for your incompetence?"

"As their officials, you must understand better than I do what it means to become a Celestial Dragon's slave, don't you?"

The two officials trembled violently, the horror they'd long suppressed surging forth under Michael's questioning.

They dont want to become slaves!

"M-Michael sir, what do you want to know? We'll do anything—just don't let us become slaves!"

"Anything!"

Michael nodded in satisfaction.

It had to be said—the terror of the Celestial Dragons' rule was so famous that even their own subordinates lived in constant fear.

"Simple. Report this planned route for the Celestial Dragons' outing as the official one."

"If you succeed, I guarantee you'll never become slaves."

With that, Michael actually stood up, shook their hands and let them leave.

"Aren't you afraid they'll report this directly to the World Government?" Morgans asked quietly.

"Two minor scouts were cornered in a small tavern by a Rear Admiral who's also the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff, two former Amazon Lily's empresses and the Pirate King's right and left hand, Rayleigh and Gaban?"

Michael curled his lips disdainfully.

"If you were with the World Government, would you believe such ridiculous nonsense?"

"Alright. They've made a good start. Now it's our turn."

Michael turned back to look at the four stunned faces.

"What's with those looks? Seen a ghost?"

"You're actually planning to move against the Celestial Dragons!?" Rayleigh asked gravely.

"Aren't you a Marine?"

"But I'm also a Revolutionary."

Michael shrugged nonchalantly. "Besides, it's not me who'll be acting against the Celestial Dragons."

"It'll be you terrifying~ pirates."

"I'm the pure and innocent Marine, after all."

-------------

Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.

patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator