Reputation.
Colonel Hill wanted to maintain his reputation. But if it weren't for repeated failed expeditions, Belle-mère wouldn't have risked angering the colonel. Each failure meant, at best, returning empty-handed and, at worst, losing comrades.
The entire base shouldn't have to risk their lives for the colonel's pride. Belle-mère's rebellious nature resurfaced, and after more than ten unanswered requests for aid, she finally received support from headquarters. She was also prepared to face Colonel Hill's wrath.
Colonel Hill looked displeased as he addressed the lieutenant, "Belle-mère, did you write that request for assistance?"
"Yes, I did!" Belle-mère stood at attention, her military posture perfect, but there was no trace of fear in her voice.
Hill was originally a branch colonel from another East Blue branch. After a significant recruitment drive by headquarters, the previous Loguetown colonel moved to headquarters, and Hill took over the leadership of Loguetown, becoming a headquarters colonel. He lacked the combat power and military accomplishments of an actual headquarters colonel.
Belle-mère wasn't afraid of him. As one of the best fighters in the base, she knew Hill wouldn't dare do much to her. He needed her skills. Moreover, Hill, despite his harsh demeanor, had a soft heart. He was strict but not overly harsh on his subordinates.
She didn't know that since becoming a headquarters colonel, Hill had received the training manual for the "Six Styles." Only Hill himself knew his true strength now.
Hill's face darkened, "Have you thought about what headquarters' reaction would be?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Headquarters sent us only a major! Not even a warship."
"Is this the result you wanted?"
Belle-mère was shocked. How did it turn out like this? Have you had headquarters given up on East Blue?
Hill narrowed his eyes, "Lieutenant Belle-mère, by bypassing me to request aid, you violated military regulations. Are you aware of that?"
"Of course, sir!" Belle-mère replied loudly.
"Very well, today you're punished with running laps around the training field until you drop. No dinner for you. Any objections?"
"Following your orders, sir!" Belle-mère saluted Hill, not uttering a single plea word, accepting her punishment on the spot.
"What are you all looking at? Disperse!" Hill yelled at the soldiers, then turned to leave. Suddenly, Wagner shouted, "Sir, I knew about Lieutenant Belle-mère's actions but didn't stop her or report to you. I'm also responsible."
"You…" Hill glared at Wagner. No wonder he hadn't noticed anything—these two were covering for each other.
"Fine, then you're tasked with cleaning the base. All the janitors have the day off!"
"Uh?"
"What do you mean, 'uh'? Didn't you hear my order?"
"Uh… yes, sir…"
While the two officers were punished, most of the base's attention was drawn elsewhere. Meanwhile, Hill had gone to the back of the base and pulled out a delicate small Den Den Mushi.
Soon, a voice came through, "Hello, this is Kuro."
The voice was young, with a hint of immaturity, but the tone was unusually steady. Even the Den Den Mushi's expression gave off an impression of someone mature beyond their years.
"There's been an unexpected development. Headquarters sent someone. Tell the 'boss' to hold off on any actions for now."
"How serious is it?"
"Hard to say. Not very serious, but also quite serious."
"Stop being cryptic."
"Supposedly, headquarters only sent a major, but this major is the son of a former Navy admiral..."
"I understand."
The voice on the other end fell silent. Hill could see that Kuro's expression hadn't changed through the Den Den Mushi.
After silence, Kuro continued, "It's best not to contact each other for a while."
Hill sighed in relief after hanging up. Now, he just had to figure out how to welcome this pampered young master from headquarters.
Days they were passed without anyone named Hailan reporting to the base. The longer Hill waited, the more anxious he became. Initially just nervous, Hill couldn't even sleep by now.
"Damn it, what's so special about him?" Hill muttered. "Does being appointed by headquarters mean he can toy with people?"
Unable to sleep, Hill dressed and decided to visit Sweet Street to relax his tense nerves. But as soon as he opened the door, he was startled by the sight before him.
"What…"
"Wagner, why are you tied up here?"
Nearly using "Shave" to flee in panic, Hill quickly regained his composure and avoided revealing his technique.
Removing the cloth from Wagner's mouth, he heard Wagner shout, "Bad news, Colonel Hill, the base has been infiltrated by pirates!"
"Pirates?" Hill's mind raced. Could the 'boss' want to silence me after Kuro's report? No, that's not right… the boss doesn't have someone skilled enough to kill silently under my nose. Could it be an assassin hired from the Grand Line?
As Hill pondered, a voice suddenly came from above.
"I heard the soldiers at Loguetown base are a bit lacking in training. Today, I've seen it for myself, and it's quite true!"
"Hello, Colonel Hill!"
"Who are you?"
Hill began to tense, ready to use Iron Body for defense. "Wagner, is this the guy who tied you up?"
"I… I didn't see clearly," Wagner replied honestly. Then, summoning unexpected courage, he demanded, "Where's Lieutenant Belle-mère?"
"Relax, I've tied them all up," Hailan said, jumping down from the roof and landing lightly. "I'm the major sent from headquarters, Hailan."
"To be honest, I haven't even used the Six Styles yet, and I've already taken down everyone. The fact that no one even noticed is the key point."
"Colonel Hill, as the guardian of the 'Town of Beginning and End,' your performance is a bit lacking, isn't it?"
4o