One Piece: Marine to Warlord to Conqueror

"Of course it's true," Dante said with an air of pure righteousness. "I was just passing by. I never expected to run into something like this."

He let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. "Alas, those vicious Mock Pirates got away. I have failed the very Justice I stand for."

As Dante finished speaking, Garp and Kuzan just stared at him, completely blank-faced.

'Is he really going to keep this act up while we're standing right here?' Kuzan thought.

But before either of them could speak, the degenerate Marine Captain smiled at Garp. "Surely Vice Admiral Garp doesn't think otherwise? After all, those were some vicious pirates who slipped right under your nose."

"Hm?" Garp's face went blank for a second before he scratched his head, a wide grin spreading across his face. "That's right, I'd almost forgotten! The Mocks... those guys got away from me! They really are a vicious and ruthless bunch!"

At Garp's performance had Kuzan burying his face in his hands, utterly exasperated. 'He's playing along, too?'

"You really didn't make a move?" Kuzan asked, his gaze still fixed suspiciously on Dante. He dangled the bait. "Saving a Member Nation... that's a huge accomplishment, you know. You could probably get promoted straight to Commodore. Maybe even a Rear Admiral at HQ."

"No," Dante said, unmoved. He puffed out his chest with righteous dignity. "I am not that kind of Marine. I have my own Justice, and I would never claim another's achievements for myself, not even a pirate's. That would be an insult to my honor."

He smiled at Kuzan again. "Honestly, I just came here for some tourism. See? I didn't bring anything with me, not even a warship. How could I have possibly done something like that?" He added, "You're not thinking of reporting me for being AWOL (absent without leave), are you, Admiral Kuzan? Don't worry, I already requested leave. It's all completely legitimate."

'Since when did he request leave?' A flicker of surprise crossed Kuzan's face, but his voice remained lazy. "It's fine. As long as you were in Alabasta, that's enough. This whole incident is a serious mess. A government-backed Warlord tries to usurp a throne but gets stopped by pirates? The whole world would laugh at us. So, Marine HQ won't be acknowledging that version of events. It just so happens you were passing by. Congratulations."

A faint smile touched his lips. "Looks like you get to pick up a major achievement for free, Captain Dante."

But Dante remained completely unfazed by the attempt to force the credit onto him. "Oh, I haven't been to Alabasta," he said with a serene smile. "Admiral Kuzan, you must be mistaken. I was clearly on vacation in the Goa Kingdom. I even ran into Garp-san. Under his guidance, I visited the Gray Terminal and even ate some of that famous local focaccia. How could I have been in Alabasta? If you don't believe me, just ask Garp-san."

"Ah, the Goa Kingdom? Right, right! We met in the Goa Kingdom." Garp, who had been enjoying the show, blinked as if he'd just caught on. His eyes darted around before he grinned. "And let me tell you, that focaccia was delicious!"

Kuzan's frowned as he looked at the two of them.

'Just now he was passing through Alabasta, and now he was touring the Goa Kingdom? Are they really going to lie through their teeth right in front of me?'

And Garp...

He'd traveled all the way from the Goa Kingdom with the old man, and there wasn't any damn focaccia there!

Kuzan sighed, looking at Garp. "Garp-san..."

"Ahahaha, I almost forgot, I've still got things to do! You two carry on, you two carry on!" Garp chuckled, turning and heading for the door. "I'll get out of your hair!"

As he walked out, munching on rice crackers with a foolish grin, Kuzan could only watch him go, completely helpless.

Finally, only Dante and Kuzan were left in the room.

"Honestly, Garp-san..." Kuzan shook his head with another long sigh, then stretched lazily. He gave Dante a leisurely look. "I never would have guessed. Dante, you even managed to bribe a Vice Admiral."

"You wound me, Admiral Kuzan. Garp-san just happened to be in the area, same as you. He accidentally wandered into my jurisdiction, that's all," Dante said, his smile never wavering. "You shouldn't insult my Justice."

'Does your Justice even have any honor left to insult?' Kuzan thought, rubbing his temples. He didn't press the point, instead sinking into a chair. "I thought you'd make your move this time," he said lazily. "But I didn't expect it to be resolved before you even had to act. Pirates saving a Member Nation... ah, whatever. Let the higher-ups worry about it."

He waved a hand dismissively and flopped back on the sofa, still looking at Dante. "What about Baroque Works?"

"They ran away! Didn't expect Baroque Works to be so fast!"

"I hear Crocodile saved up a lot of money over the years," Kuzan said, crossing his legs. "In a situation like this, that money is supposed to be turned over to the World Government. But the Marines went to check, and they didn't find a single Berry. I also heard the Seastone prison held there was dismantled and carried off. The place was picked so clean there wasn't even a crocodile left. Who do you think stole it?"

"The Mock Pirates," Dante said instantly, his voice full of conviction. "It must have been the Mock Pirates. They even stole the Banana Gator! It had to be that vicious crew."

'I think it was you,' Kuzan thought, looking at the man who could sell out his own people without batting an eye. 'He's definitely done this before.'

But he let it go. It was just treasure. If they couldn't find it, it's not a big deal. The World Government probably wouldn't care anyway. Thinking about the Celestial Dragons made Kuzan tired, so he just continued his lazy questioning. "I heard the Warlord's plan was just to usurp the throne of Alabasta?"

"I wouldn't know," Dante said with a shrug and a smile. "But that seems to be the story. I heard Crocodile's plan was to establish something called 'The Ideal Nation of Freedom, Happiness, and Bliss.' Don't know if it's true, though."

He gestured toward Vivi, who was standing nearby. "If you don't believe me, you can ask Princess Vivi. As the princess of Alabasta, she would never lie."

As he spoke, Vivi on the side nodded seriously. "That's right, that's exactly how it was! I can testify!"

'The Ideal Nation of Freedom, Happiness, and Bliss? Is that really something a guy like Crocodile would come up with?' Kuzan looked from the nonsensical Dante to the earnest princess. Since she was confirming it, he didn't question it further.

Rubbing his forehead again, he stood and started for the door. He paused as he reached it. "I just hope," he said faintly, "that I don't suddenly get a notice from HQ one day saying you're under arrest."

Just as he finished speaking...

*Purupuru... Purupuru...*

A Den Den Mushi began to ring.

Kuzan rubbed his forehead again as he walked, answering it with a weary, lazy tone. "Ah, yeah... Yeah, he was defeated by the Mock Pirates. Crocodile's conspiracy? It seems he wanted to build some kind of 'Ideal Nation of Freedom, Happiness, and Bliss.' No, I'm not messing with you. I was shocked when I heard it, too. The Mock Pirates have already escaped."

He pulled the receiver away from his ear, scratched his head, and switched to a helpless tone. "Yes, yes... Garp-san and I will return immediately."

After hanging up, he stared at the Den Den Mushi in his hand and let out a long sigh.

"Looks like I'll be busy again after going back. What a headache!"

Only after his figure had disappeared down the hall did Dante allow himself a comfortable stretch. 'Still trying to trick me? Keep dreaming.'

Seeing that the matter was finally settled, Vivi let out a sigh of relief. She looked at Dante, the man who had saved her kingdom. Thinking back on the whole experience, it still felt unbelievable. She had been struggling just to become an agent, planning to slowly uncover the conspiracy all on her own, and suddenly, it was all over.

The weight was finally gone from her shoulders.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at Dante, who seemed lost in thought. "Captain Dante," she said, her voice full of sincere emotion. "Thank you so much for saving the Kingdom of Alabasta."

"You're welcome," Dante said with a casual wave. "After all, you did offer a reward. Oh, right. You haven't given me that reward yet."

Vivi, who had been swelling with gratitude, froze instantly. Her face fell. "I... I... I..."

Before she could finish, another figure appeared in the doorway.

Daz Bonez. Mr. 1. 'He's back?!'

Dante and Vivi stared in surprise. They'd figured he would either have escaped or tried to save Crocodile and gotten himself captured. Why was he here?

Before they could ask, Daz Bonez looked at them, a hint of surprise on his own face. Then, his expression turned cold. "Trainee," he said, his voice low and flat. "Just as the Boss said. You've become a plaything for this degenerate Marine."

Dante and Vivi exchanged looks, their faces going completely blank with disbelief.

'What in the world is he talking about?' they both thought, their faces going slack.

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