With Clover Benson's current swimming ability, he entered the water like a Fish-Man, moving swiftly beneath the dragon boat.
Momousagi struck the sea with over a dozen consecutive slashes, yet no blood appeared on the surface.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi, I'll pursue him!" A nearby Rear Admiral moved to jump into the sea but was halted by Momousagi.
"You go with Vice Admiral Onigumo and surround the island. Leave this to me. I'll handle it shortly." Momousagi glanced at him, adding, "If you can't handle a pirate worth less than 30 million, there's no need for you to be here adding to the mess."
"Yes, ma'am." The Rear Admiral nodded and left with the others.
Momousagi removed her cloak, took a deep breath, and dove into the sea.
She searched the surrounding waters but couldn't find any trace of Benson. However, he had already spotted her and had a change of plans. Now that she was alone, the opportunity was perfect.
As Momousagi reached the back of the lead boat, Clover suddenly emerged from behind her and struck with a swift blow. Although Momousagi's Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) alerted her, allowing her to dodge without even looking back, Clover's Observation Haki was sharper. He quickly pivoted and struck her on the head with the scabbard of his sword, Ryū no Ha.
"A rare catch," Clover muttered with a smirk, hoisting the unconscious Momousagi.
He carried her as he swam back to his ship. With immense force, he launched himself out of the water, landing on the deck with a heavy thud.
His first order of business on board was to find some rope, tie Momousagi securely to the mast, and stow her sword in his storage. With that, he set sail from the port.
The island was now in utter chaos. Marines and the Royal Guard were everywhere, encircling the entire area. The island's inhabitants were terrified, hiding in their homes and digging underground to avoid any involvement.
"Another Celestial Dragon has been killed!? Has the world gone mad?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku shouted, slamming his fist onto his desk in Marineford.
"Hahaha, seems more people are getting gutsy these days," Vice Admiral Garp laughed from the side.
"Garp! This isn't a laughing matter!" Sengoku barked at him.
"Why are you so worked up? Sakazuki has already gone after him, right?" Garp said, lazily picking his nose.
"At best speed, we won't reach Matea Island until tomorrow night. By then, the culprit will be long gone! We don't even have an identity on the murderer yet!"
"Buru buru buru..."
"Speak!" Sengoku answered his Den Den Mushi, shouting.
"This is Onigumo. The murderer was seen wearing a black cloak and pure black mask during the attack. After the act, he blended into the crowd, discarded his disguise, and left calmly. I believe…"
"You're saying this was a premeditated plan to assassinate a Celestial Dragon?" Sengoku replied.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral. The auction house's backroom was emptied, and witnesses confirmed the same description of his attire."
"I understand. Admiral Akainu will arrive shortly. Hold the island, and don't let anyone slip by!"
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, Clover, having chosen a route diverging from Marine Headquarters' direct line, aimed to avoid passing through the Gate of Justice near Enies Lobby. He had plotted a different path, and over the past two days, the Log Pose had recorded the course.
"Sailing such a large ship alone… I'll need more crew," Clover sighed, steering the vessel.
At that moment, Momousagi began to regain consciousness, humming softly as she awoke.
"Oh, you're awake, Vice Admiral Momousagi," Clover said, glancing back at her.
"This... you..." Momousagi's eyes widened in alarm as she realized her situation, struggling against her bindings.
"Stop struggling. I used a mix of fishing line and hemp rope, reinforced with my Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki). If you resist, the line will cut into your skin—it'd be a shame," Clovet remarked with a smirk.
With his mastery of Haki, Clover could infuse it into nearly anything, even a fishing line, allowing him to bind opponents more effectively. Looking at Momousagi's long legs, he couldn't resist reaching out.
"Don't touch me!" Momousagi protested, a shiver running through her body. She attempted to kick him, though her legs were restrained.
"Such a beautiful woman should be gentle, yet you've got quite the temper. Are you trying to give me a lesson in contrast?" Clover teased as he continued to taunt her.
"What exactly do you intend to do with me?" Momousagi demanded.
"Well, the journey is long, and it's a bit dull traveling alone. I could use some company," Clover replied with a sly grin.
"How dare you! I'm a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters! Are you insane?" Momousagi retorted sharply.
"Oh, now you're just on my ship," Clover said, tilting her chin up with his hand. "From now on, your allegiance to the Marines doesn't matter here."
[Mission Prompt: Successfully capture Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Momousagi, Reward: Modification Point x1, Lottery x1. Current Favorability: -100%]
Seeing the -100% favorability score, Clover couldn't help but feel amused. It was no wonder she held such disdain for him after being struck, tied up, and effectively kidnapped by a pirate.
"Ridiculous! I'd never associate with a pirate like you!" Momousagi shouted.
"People need time to adjust, you know?" Clover said, as if reflecting on a newfound insight.
Suddenly, he remembered something and began searching Momousagi, which caused her to blush. Though embarrassed and furious, she recognized the futility of resistance, knowing she was in the hands of a pirate.
Eventually, Clover found a Den Den Mushi on her person.
"Let me ask you, does Marine Headquarters have your Vivre Card?" Clover pocketed the snail and looked at her with an expectant smile.
"Hmph," she scoffed, refusing to answer.
"Answer me," he said, pulling her sword from his storage space and holding it at her neck.
"Go ahead, kill me," Momousagi replied defiantly, her curiosity piqued about how he retrieved her sword so mysteriously, though this wasn't the moment to question it. "I'll never tell you."
"I see," Clover mused. "So, how would one prevent a Vivre Card from revealing their location?"