After the little confrontation with the Foxy Pirates, the Straw Hats went back to Romad's place. They had won the Davy Back fight and got some extra cash too. Now it was simply a matter of helping him find his people again.
"The log pose won't be of any use since they're still on this island," Usopp said as Nami thought of finding them by using an eternal pose.
"Hmmm, then we'll just sail around the island," Luffy suggested.
"Or maybe I could look for them," Lucas offered.
"Right. Sometimes I forget about your powers," Usopp remarked.
"What nice friends you have. Putting this much effort just for me. Tell you what, let me treat you to something nice," Romad said, expressing his gratitude as he turned and headed inside his house. "Ooof," he bumped into someone. The Straw Hats turned, shocked. They hadn't even noticed this person arrive, let alone stand there the whole time and nap no less. Robin fell to the ground, her strength leaving her feet as she was shocked to see this person here of all places.
"Well, would you look at this," the person said, looking at Robin. "You've turned into a fine woman, I see," he added.
The Straw Hats asked Robin if she knew this man, seeing how he talked and her expression of fear. They took combat stances, ready to fight at any moment.
"Ararara. You don't have to be so tense. I'm not here on any orders, so it's fine," the man said.
"Orders?" Zoro remarked. "Who are you, and who do you work for?" he demanded.
"He... He is a Marine. The supreme Admiral of the Marine Headquarters," Robin finally spoke, panting heavily with fear. The other Straw Hats were shocked upon hearing his rank.
"Yes, it's true. As you may know, there are only three people in the entire Marine Navy who bear the title of Supreme Admiral. Akainu, known as The Red Dog; Aokiji, The Blue Pheasant; and Kizaru, The Yellow Monkey. The only one superior to them is Sengoku, the Commander in Chief," Robin explained.
"How is this even fair? The boss should be found at the end of the game, shouldn't he?" Usopp remarked.
"Ooh! What a pretty you are. Say, are you free tonight?" The man turned and looked at Nami. Sanji snapped, yelling at the man for talking to Nami like that.
"I told you guys already, chill for a minute, would ya'? Geez, you kids oughta learn to listen. I'm only here for a walk. There's no need for such hostility. What I'm trying to tell you guys is... Haaa? Nevermind, I forgot," the man said.
"Would you at least take this seriously!" Usopp and Sanji yelled.
"If you're not here for a fight, then why are you here?" Lucas asked.
"Well... I'm tired of standing, let me rest up a bit," the man said as he laid down on his side.
"If your legs hurt, then don't sleep while standing," Usopp and Sanji remarked. They were no longer tense, as the so-called Admiral now seemed like a stretch given how he was acting.
"Can't believe I'm standing in front of Admiral Aokiji," Lucas muttered, drawing the attention of the others as he approached the man. "So, ummm, can I like have your autograph?" Lucas asked, taking out a notebook and opening it.
"What a strange pirate you are," Aokiji replied while signing the notebook.
"This is not the time for that!" Sanji and Usopp chastised Lucas in the background.
"Anyway, I don't intend to arrest you guys, okay? I'm only here to confirm the whereabouts of Nico Robin. After the whole Alabasta incident, I thought she'd be with you," Aokiji explained.
"Then you're not here to capture us?" Usopp asked.
"Nah, I'm just going to report my discovery and all. This way, they'll be able to recalculate your group bounty... Adding one more person will make it... Hmmm, let's see, five hundred and sixty million plus seventy would be... Too hard to count. It's roughly the same anyway," Aokiji said.
"That's way too lazy," Zoro remarked.
"Gum Gum!" Luffy started, but Usopp stopped him.
"Luffy, wait a minute, would ya'? That's a Supreme Admiral for crying out loud!" Usopp said.
"I don't care! I won't let him take away Robin from us!" Luffy yelled, drawing Aokiji's attention.
"I think you're mistaken. I already said I won't do anything," Aokiji said.
"If that's the case, then go somewhere else! You're not welcome here!" Luffy declared.
"Haaa! Fine. Fine. I'll leave. But before that, I heard everything before. You pack up. I'll help you get to your people," Aokiji said, pointing at Romad.
"What, really!" Romad's eyes lit up. "You really mean it?" he asked, tearing up with joy.
"Wait, don't trust..." Luffy began.
"Think about it, Luffy. We're pirates, and he's a Marine," Lucas said, stopping Luffy for a minute to let him think.
"And besides, if it's him, then it's possible," Robin added. The others looked at her with question marks but decided to believe her for now. The Straw Hats helped Romad pack up his things and get to the shore.
"Well, here we are. So what now, are you gonna pull him across the sea or something?" Luffy remarked as they stood at the shore.
"Nothing like that. Just step aside," Aokiji said as he went to the edge and placed his hand in the ocean water.
"What's he doing?" Chopper asked.
"You know there are people who plunge their hands into water when they're fishing and use their fingers as bait," Lucas said.
"Wow, really?" Chopper marveled.
"Stop playing around, would ya?" Sanji said. Suddenly, a Sea King popped out of the water, baring its fangs and driving the others into shock as they panicked.
"So he really is fishing," Chopper remarked. But all of a sudden, the sea froze in an instant, along with the Sea King. Everyone was utterly amazed.
"Ice Age," Aokiji muttered, and the others realized this was most likely a Devil Fruit power.
"So this is the power of an Admiral," Usopp gasped.
"There. It should last for about a week. You can take your time finding your people," Aokiji said as he got up and left the shore.
"Finally, after all those years, I can now meet with my people. Thank you, thank you very much," Romad cried as he got ready to go. He was very grateful for being given this opportunity.
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