Leon’s immediate refusal left Caron and the surrounding Marines completely stunned.
They stared at him in confusion, unable to believe what they had just heard.
This was nothing like Caron had expected.
He had assumed Leon would step forward without hesitation and crush the pirates.
Instead, Leon had rejected the idea outright.
And he had done so without the slightest uncertainty.
“Wait…”
“You can’t be serious.”
Caron opened his mouth, but his thoughts were in complete disarray.
They were surrounded by pirates!
Why was Leon talking about working hours?
His salary was too low?
He did not want to risk his life?
He was Admiral Kizaru’s nephew!
Shouldn’t someone raised by a Marine Admiral uphold justice and punish every pirate he encountered?
“Captain…”
One of the Marines hesitantly spoke.
“Mr.
Leon does have a point.”
Caron stopped.
The more he thought about it, the harder it became to argue.
Leon’s reasoning was strange, but not entirely wrong.
“Give me a moment.”
Unable to persuade him himself, Caron immediately took out a Den Den Mushi and called Marine Headquarters.
The connection went through quickly.
“Hello?”
Kizaru’s usual languid voice came from the Den Den Mushi.
“Admiral Kizaru, we encountered two groups conducting a large-scale arms deal while returning to the Mushroom Town Marine Branch.”
“One group belongs to the Vinsmoke family.
The other consists of Donquixote Family members.”
“We initially tried to avoid unnecessary conflict, especially because there are many inexperienced recruits aboard.”
“Even if I wanted to arrest them, I simply don’t have the strength.”
Caron’s voice was filled with urgency.
“The Vinsmoke family and the Donquixote Family?”
Kizaru’s tone grew slightly more serious.
Neither organization meant much to an Admiral like him, but they were far beyond what a branch captain such as Caron could handle.
That was especially true in the North Blue.
Even Kizaru would rather avoid provoking the Vinsmoke family there without good reason.
“They’ve targeted your ship?”
“Yes.”
Caron smiled bitterly.
“Negotiations already failed.
They appear determined to kill everyone aboard and leave no witnesses.”
“I have no other options.”
“That’s why I contacted you for help.”
Kizaru thought briefly before replying.
“What about Leon?”
“If he takes action, he should be able to handle those pirates.”
“I still don’t know exactly how strong that brat is, but anyone capable of controlling Conqueror’s Haki should have no trouble dealing with ordinary criminals in the North Blue.”
Unless he encountered the Vinsmokes’ strongest members personally, a Conqueror’s Haki user should be able to move through most of the North Blue without fear.
Someone who had mastered Conqueror’s Haki could not possibly be weak.
Kizaru was certain of that much.
“That is precisely the problem.”
Caron’s expression became bitter.
He glanced discreetly toward the drowsy Leon before continuing.
“Mr.
Leon refuses to fight them.”
“His reason is…”
“He doesn’t want to work overtime.”
“It’s already late, so he says he is off duty.”
“He also says he only just enlisted and barely earns anything, so he has no intention of risking his life against pirates.”
For once, even Kizaru was rendered speechless.
Leon did not want to work overtime?
What kind of excuse was that?
Then again…
It was certainly inventive.
Refusing additional work because his shift had ended was technically reasonable.
Kizaru rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Perhaps he could borrow that excuse the next time Sengoku tried to send him on an inconvenient mission.
It deserved serious consideration.
“Admiral Kizaru!”
Caron could no longer bear the silence.
With hundreds of pirates surrounding the warship, he was nearly desperate enough to cry.
“That brat…”
Kizaru finally reacted with an amused sigh.
“He certainly knows how to avoid being taken advantage of.”
“Still, his argument isn’t completely unreasonable.”
“He only just joined the Marines.”
“Expecting a brand-new recruit to fight hundreds of vicious pirates is hardly appropriate.”
“And if his salary is that low, I can understand why he doesn’t want to risk his life.”
Caron’s anxiety worsened when he heard the agreement in Kizaru’s voice.
“Admiral, you have to convince Mr. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Leon!”
“Otherwise, everyone aboard this warship may be killed!”
“All right, I understand.”
“Give the Den Den Mushi to Leon.
I’ll speak with him.”
Kizaru might have spent much of his own working time avoiding unnecessary effort, but he at least maintained appearances.
No one could easily accuse him of neglecting his duties.
His nephew, however, was even more shameless.
Leon could not even be bothered to pretend.
A moment later, Leon accepted the Den Den Mushi.
Kizaru’s voice came through.
“I must admit, your excuses for avoiding work are rather impressive.”
“You’ve even given me a few ideas for the next time Fleet Admiral Sengoku tries to assign me something troublesome.”
“However…”
“The situation around your ship is serious.”
“Every Marine aboard is being threatened by hostile pirates.”
“I’m sure you understand what needs to be done.”
“Don’t worry.
Your uncle won’t ask you to work for nothing.”
“You’re my nephew, so naturally I’m on your side.”
“I wouldn’t accept unpaid work either.”
Before Leon could answer, Kizaru continued.
“Here is my offer.”
“Defeat the two pirate groups and confiscate the entire weapons shipment.”
“If you accomplish that, I’ll use the achievement to recommend you for an immediate promotion to Marine captain.”
“Your rank and salary will be far above those of other Marines who enlisted at the same time.”
Kizaru’s voice became more confident.
“If you eliminate those pirates and seize the weapons cleanly, I’m certain I can persuade Sengoku to approve the promotion.”
“This is an excellent opportunity for a raise.”
“You shouldn’t let it pass.”
“With my promise, I assume you’re satisfied?”
“Very few people have ever received the rank of captain immediately after joining the Marines.”
“So don’t complain that the reward is insufficient.”
“Handle the matter properly.”
“If anything goes wrong, I won’t be able to guarantee that Sengoku will approve it.”
“For someone like you, dealing with those small-time criminals shouldn’t be difficult.”
“You already possess Conqueror’s Haki.”
“I still have no idea how you trained or why you kept it hidden from me, but I know your strength cannot be ordinary.”
“In fact…”
“You may be far stronger than I ever imagined.”