"Then hold on tight!"
Oimo and Kashii, carrying the heavy Sea Train, stepped into the water.
Palmel immediately extended his hands, stabilizing the middle section of the train.
The waters in front of Enies Lobby were deep—even with their towering height of over ten meters, the giants couldn't touch the seabed.
Yet, the Sea Train didn't sink. Instead, it was carried on the shoulders of three swimming giants, making their way toward the tracks 300 meters away.
The three of them moved forward together, breaking through the waves like sea kings, creating a visually stunning scene for the shipwrights and navy soldiers watching.
Seeing Oimo and the others making steady progress, firmly supporting the heavy train without letting it sink, Rorschach finally relaxed.
"I really underestimated the strength of giants."
To be honest, he had been a bit concerned about entrusting the heavy Sea Train to Oimo and Kashii.
Even though they were giants, Rorschach felt their combat power might not even match that of the young Palmel.
The 300-meter journey took nearly ten minutes, but the three of them successfully transported the hundred-meter-long Sea Train back to the tracks.
Under the guidance of the shipwrights, Palmel and the other two carefully placed the train back onto the tracks.
As it landed smoothly, smiles spread across everyone's faces.
"Well done, giants!" Barry couldn't help but praise them.
"Wuuu, damn it, this is such a touching moment! Everyone working together to protect Tom's precious creation… Damn it, I can't stop my tears!"
Franky pouted as tears streamed down his face like waterfalls, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Seriously? You get emotional over everything. Is it really that dramatic?" Iceburg chuckled, shaking his head.
"Mind your own business! Wuuu!" Franky sniffled.
Suddenly, his ears twitched, and through his tear-filled vision, he looked toward the distant shores of Enies Lobby.
There, a terrifying, skull-faced figure—Penn—was carrying a massive golden chest. He walked over to Rorschach.
"Commodore Rorschach! Inside this chest is the 800 million bounty you requested. Additionally, CP9 has provided you with 200 million Berries in military funding. That's a total of one billion Berries."
"Good, thanks for your trouble, Lieutenant Commander Penn," Rorschach said with a smile.
Just as he was about to say more, the middle-aged train conductor walked over nervously, forcing a smile as he pointed toward the train floating on the water.
"Sir, could you take me to the Sea Train? I still have a job to do today."
Rorschach blinked, feeling a bit embarrassed.
He quickly apologized, then grabbed the conductor and the young female attendant standing beside him. With a light step, he soared into the air like a bird, heading toward the Sea Train.
In just a few moments, the conductor and the attendant were back at their posts.
The conductor now looked at Rorschach with deep reverence.
As for the young female attendant, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes shimmering as she watched Rorschach's figure disappear.
"Alright, Anna, stop staring. That navy officer is way out of our league. We're just ordinary folk—he's not someone we can even dream of being with. Maybe you should consider one of the shipwrights from the Galley-La Company as your husband instead."
The conductor grumbled as he started operating the train again.
"No! I don't want to marry those rough shipwrights!"
"What's wrong with shipwrights? The Galley-La Company pays them well. If you don't want to marry a shipwright, don't tell me you want to marry Mr. Iceburg?"
"Of course not! …What's that navy officer's name?"
"I already told you, he's out of your league. Give it up."
—
On the battleship, Rorschach watched as the shipwrights boarded their vessel one by one.
Iceburg stood on the opposite deck, smiling as he called out, "Commodore Rorschach, come visit Water 7 when you have time. We need to head back now—Aqua Laguna is approaching, and we're short on time."
"No problem, I really miss Water 7's grilled seafood," Rorschach replied with a smile. Then he asked curiously, "Mr. Iceburg, what exactly is this Aqua Laguna you mentioned?"
"It's a massive tsunami that arrives like clockwork every year. Hundred-meter-high waves crash against Water 7—it's quite the spectacle," Barry explained.
Rorschach frowned. "That sounds dangerous. Isn't Water 7 at risk?"
Iceburg, however, simply waved his hand with a reassuring smile. "No need to worry, we're used to it. We have plenty of experience handling Aqua Laguna. As long as we're well-prepared, the worst that happens is some property damage—there won't be any casualties."
Rorschach still felt uneasy.
He glanced at the departing Sea Train and asked, "If a tsunami is coming, why is the Sea Train still running? Isn't that dangerous?"
Iceburg chuckled. "This is the last trip. Once it returns to the Water 7 port, it won't be going out again."
"When will it return? If needed, the navy can assist in defending Water 7 against Aqua Laguna."
"That would be greatly appreciated. The Sea Train is headed to the Spring Queen City. The return trip will take about four hours."
"Alright then, see you later, Mr. Iceburg."
Rorschach waved goodbye.
Iceburg also waved as he ordered his crew to turn the ship around.
As his gaze swept across the deck, he suddenly paused, his expression changing.
"Wait… where's Franky?"
"Who knows? That guy vanished after his crying fit," Barry said, shrugging. "Honestly, Iceburg, I don't know why you brought him along—he's just a thug who only knows how to tear ships apart."
"Don't be so harsh. Franky does have some skills."
Iceburg shook his head, scanning the sea with a frown. Still, there was no sign of Franky.
—
At the shore of Enies Lobby—
After hours at sea, the navy warship finally docked.
Hibari and the others disembarked, following Penn as they curiously examined the island.
"Palmel, take Ro to the medical ward and have his wounds treated. Keeping them covered like that might cause an infection."
"Hibari, go with Lieutenant Commander Penn and explore the island. Also, lead the soldiers to the cafeteria for a meal. We need to be light and ready when we take the Sea Train to Water 7."
"I have something to take care of."
After giving his orders, Rorschach motioned for Oimo and Kashii to follow him to a secluded spot by the shore.
"Commodore Rorschach, do you need something from us?"
Oimo and Kashii exchanged glances, curious about why Rorschach had called them over.
Rorschach stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before getting straight to the point.
He looked up at the two massive giants and said, "I want to invite you both to join the navy."
"Join the navy?"
Oimo sat down, scratching his head with a goofy smile. "Haha, Commodore Rorschach, I really appreciate the offer, but you know we can't accept…"
"Don't be so quick to refuse."
Rorschach smiled. "I know your concerns—you two agreed to guard Enies Lobby for a hundred years in exchange for the World Government releasing your captains."
Oimo and Kashii nodded.
"But what if I told you… your captains were never captured by the World Government in the first place?"
Rorschach's words hit them like a thunderclap, leaving them stunned and dazed.
"W-What? Captain Dorry and Captain Brogy weren't captured? But… they told us they were! They said that if we guarded Enies Lobby for a hundred years…"
Oimo stammered, struggling to process the revelation.
"You were deceived," Rorschach said flatly. "Those officials took advantage of your desperation and lied to you. In reality, the two captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates are not imprisoned in Impel Down."
"What?! Then… where are they now? Why haven't they returned home? Are they even alive?!"
Oimo was too anxious to be angry—his face was filled with worry.
"They're still on the island where they last disembarked."
Rorschach chuckled. "According to our Navy's intelligence, your two captains are still in that place, dueling for over a hundred years without stopping."
"What?! You mean... Captain Brogy and Captain Dorry are still on Little Garden?"
Oimo and Kashii widened their eyes in disbelief.
"Think carefully about their personalities, and you'll figure out the answer."
Oimo was momentarily stunned as he recalled why their captains had originally disembarked and disbanded the Giant Warrior Pirates.
It all started with a simple question from a little girl—who had caught the bigger Sea King?
No one understood their captains' stubbornness better than their own crew.
Given their personalities, it was entirely possible they had been dueling on Little Garden for all these years.
But still, nearly a hundred years had passed…
"I know this is hard for you to believe, but if you're willing to join the Navy, I can arrange for you to visit Little Garden first. Once there, you can decide whether to persuade your captains to return home or not. Of course, if you can convince them to join the Navy, I can guarantee they will immediately be promoted to Vice Admirals."
Rorschach's words were firm and resolute.
Naturally, he didn't have the authority to promote anyone to a high-ranking naval officer on a whim.
But Brogy and Dorry were no ordinary giants.
They were the captains of the famed Giant Warrior Pirates from a hundred years ago, revered as heroes in Elbaf, the giant village.
Their status was on par with the elders of Elbaf.
Even if their strength didn't fully meet the standards of a Vice Admiral, their presence alone would attract countless giants to enlist in the Navy.
If they truly joined, Sengoku would probably be grinning in his sleep.
This was one of the key reasons Rorschach revealed the truth to Oimo and Kashii.
Elbaf was known as the world's strongest village, not just because it was home to mighty giants, but also because it undoubtedly harbored hidden powerhouse warriors.
Even someone as formidable as Big Mom coveted Elbaf.
That alone spoke volumes about the giants' significance.
If Palmer was Sengoku's first move to strengthen ties with the giants…
Then Oimo and Kashii were Rorschach's second move.
And in the future, giants like Hajrudin could be his third move.
Step by step, he would bring the mighty giants into the Navy's fold as allies.
"We believe you, Rear Admiral Rorschach. A man of your strength wouldn't joke about something like this."
Oimo and Kashii's expressions were complex.
They felt anger at being deceived by the World Government.
They felt relief knowing their captains were safe.
And they felt sorrow for wasting decades of their lives.
It took a long time for their turbulent emotions to settle.
Oimo took a deep breath and hesitated before asking, "Rear Admiral Rorschach… why are you telling us this? Isn't the Navy part of the World Government?"
"The World Government is the World Government. The Navy is the Navy. I don't care what the Navy was like in the past—going forward, we will truly uphold the banner of justice and become the strongest force of righteousness in the world!"
Rorschach grinned, his gradually maturing face exuding unwavering confidence.
To Oimo and Kashii, his confidence was not arrogance but a powerful, resolute belief.
It was a presence that commanded respect.
The two giants exchanged glances before nodding in unison.
"Rear Admiral Rorschach, we're willing to join the Navy."
Oimo glanced back at Enies Lobby, concern flashing across his face. "But… I'm worried the World Government won't let us go so easily…"
"You don't have to worry about that." Rorschach pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket. "Someone will take care of the World Government's side. Just wait a moment—I'll contact headquarters to confirm your Navy enlistment."
With that, he dialed Sengoku's number.
The Den Den Mushi rang only a few times before Sengoku answered.
"Rorschach, what is it?"
"It's like this, old man—I have something to report…"
Rorschach relayed the entire situation with Oimo and Kashii.
"So, my plan is to use them as a bridge to establish contact with Elbaf, gradually building a friendly relationship, and eventually forming an alliance between our two forces."
Before Rorschach could even finish, Sengoku enthusiastically praised him.
"No problem! I'll personally handle the World Government's side. Just proceed as you see fit. I have high hopes for this plan—excellent work! Listen, tell those two giants that the Navy appreciates their service in guarding Enies Lobby for so many years. Effective immediately, they are promoted to the rank of Headquarters Commander. Once they arrive at Marineford, we'll assign them suitable positions."
Rorschach ended the call and turned back to Oimo and Kashii with a smile.
"Congratulations! Fleet Admiral Sengoku has personally ordered that you both be granted the rank of Headquarters Commander."
"From today onward, you're free to set sail for Little Garden whenever you wish. After meeting your captains, head to Marineford. Headquarters will arrange suitable posts for you there."
"C-Commander?"
Oimo's jaw dropped.
"We… we're the same rank as Commander Penn already? I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Kashii was just as stunned.
"Hahaha! We may have been deceived into being gatekeepers for forty years, but that was still a great service! Giants in the Navy usually rise to high ranks—Commander is just the beginning."
Rorschach extended his hand. "Welcome to the family of justice!"
(End of Chapter)
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