Chapter 3: No Family? How About Joining the Navy?
"Where… am I?"
Slowly opening her eyes, Stella found herself lying on a soft bed, far from the cold, damp cargo hold she had been imprisoned in. Panic flashed through her mind. Was she sold while unconscious? Had the buyer already brought her here?
Struggling to sit up, she looked around for anything she could use to defend herself. She found nothing. Instead, she noticed her surroundings—and a young man with platinum-blonde hair sitting on a nearby sofa, calmly observing her.
With soft light illuminating his face, he looked almost like a god in repose. The memories of her captivity returned in a rush.
"Allow me to introduce myself," he said with a light cough. "I'm Lieutenant Commander Michael of Navy Headquarters. We found you on a smuggling ship."
"Yes! I was kidnapped and taken aboard a smuggling ship!" Stella nodded, panic rising as she asked urgently, "What happened to the other girls? Are they safe?"
"I've verified their identities, and they're all unharmed. When we return to the Sabaody Archipelago, I'll arrange for them to be safely escorted back home."
"Oh, thank goodness." Stella visibly relaxed, relief replacing her fear.
Michael watched her with growing interest. She hadn't once asked about her own safety, only about the other captives.
"So, what about you?" he asked. "Where's your family? I can make sure you get home safely as well."
"I don't have a home," she replied, her expression calm, with no hint of sadness. "I've been an orphan since childhood, and now I'm a wandering singer, moving from place to place, singing in taverns to earn a living."
Michael fell silent.
An orphan, a singer with beauty and talent yet no means of protection… In these waters, that was a perfect target. No wonder Jerome, the slave trader, had referred to her as "top-quality."
If Michael hadn't intervened, Stella would likely have met a tragic end like in the original story. Her background resonated with his own, reminding him of his own early years as an orphan drifting through life.
After a moment's thought, he gave her a sincere look. "If that's the case… would you be interested in joining the Navy?"
"Joining the Navy?" Stella looked puzzled. "Are you joking?"
"No, not at all," he replied, gazing earnestly into her clear green eyes. "The world is about to undergo enormous change. Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, has turned himself in. From now on, the seas will be even more dangerous. Going it alone is too risky."
Stella studied Michael's face, and something in his conviction struck a chord. Before she knew it, she had nodded in agreement.
"Joining the Navy… doesn't sound so bad."
"I was ready to make a case to convince you…" Michael started, surprised. "Wait, you're serious?"
"Of course," she replied with a slight smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Safety is the most important thing at sea. I'm not foolish enough to turn that down."
Michael blinked, swallowing all the arguments he'd prepared to persuade her. With a resigned shrug, he turned his gaze to the sea outside the window. Beneath the calm surface, he could sense the gathering storm.
---
"Where are the traffickers?" asked Michael's superior later.
"Turned to ash and scattered into the sea," he replied with a smirk.
"And the smuggling ship?"
"It's also been reduced to ashes."
As a Navy officer, reporting back to one's superior after completing a mission was a matter of protocol, and Michael was no exception.
As Vice-Admiral Gion's (Momousagi's) adjutant, he presented her with the report on the mission, a mischievous smile on his face. Even his platinum-blonde hair seemed to carry a faint, roguish glint.
"Here's the full report of the incident," he said.
Momousagi (Vice-Admiral Gion) glanced at the report, her expression turning serious. "This situation involved the Celestial Dragons?"
Michael had highlighted the Celestial Dragon connection in his report. Noticing her growing concern, he added, "The leader of the traffickers admitted the slaves were pre-ordered by the Celestial Dragons. From his confidence and the open bribery attempt, it's probably true."
"Damn it, these bloated pigs disregard the laws against slavery entirely," she muttered. "And if he mentioned 'pre-orders'… "
"Yes, it likely means that certain nobles and organizations, like the CP (Cipher Pol), are involved in trafficking operations to meet the Celestial Dragons' demands," Michael concluded.
Momousagi nodded, her eyes narrowing. "We should revisit our strategy. Perhaps… a thorough cleansing of Sabaody Archipelago is in order?"
Michael took advantage of her moment of resolve. "Are you referring to the 'Sabaody Purge' plan?"
Momousagi nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly. We've been instructed to turn a blind eye to certain pirates entering the New World. But that doesn't mean we can't target other criminal elements. Sabaody is overrun with gangsters and traffickers."
Two years ago, when Michael had been transferred under her command, he'd proposed the idea of purging the criminal elements in Sabaody. But with the Navy's attention focused on capturing Gol D. Roger, the plan had been shelved. Now, with Roger in custody, the opportunity was finally within reach.
Momousagi gave him a determined look. "I believe it's time. But we'll start after Roger's execution."
Michael grinned. He had waited two years; a few more weeks wouldn't hurt.
"About the Celestial Dragon connection in this case," she continued, "you'll need to go to Marineford and report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku directly."
Michael nodded, understanding. It was critical to address internal corruption at the highest levels.
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