Since Doflamingo had called via Den Den Mushi seeking permission for his Donquixote Family members to remain in the Holy Land with Orion's approval, the only former Warlord subordinates arriving in Wano Country were members of Crocodile's former Baroque Works and Moria's subbordinates.

Perona had become Orion's little follower, while Moria himself was now a soldier under Morgans' command.

Thus, only Hogback and Absalom came to Wano Country.

Unlike before, the Baroque Works members who had undergone training at headquarters, along with Hogback and Absalom, were far more disciplined—even their demeanor had noticeably changed.

*****

Wano Country, Flower Capital.

Hogback and Absalom stood before Moria, who was dressed as a Marine soldier, tearfully recounting the 'beatings' they endured during their training at Marine Headquarters.

Their cries grew even more dramatic upon seeing their beloved Moria reduced to a mere soldier, wailing as if the heavens and earth would weep in sympathy.

"Moria-sama, how could you become just a soldier? Fleet Admiral Orion is so unfair! He made Doflamingo the vice leader of the God's Knights, appointed Crocodile as the first mayor of Wano Country, yet relegated you to a soldier! Compared to your suffering, the beatings we took at Headquarters are nothing! Waaah…"

Listening to Absalom's tearful complaints, Moria let out his signature laugh to comfort them.

"Kishishishishi~ Absalom, it's so good to see you. But it wasn't Fleet Admiral Orion who made me a soldier—I chose to start from the bottom. Don't worry, it won't be long before I earn rapid promotions through military achievements. Then I'll file a request to have you both reassigned under my command!"

"What are you two crying for? So uncute!"

Just then, Perona floated over, pointing at Absalom's nose in disdain.

"Grown men bawling like babies—don't tell anyone you're once my crewmate."

The reunion of the three infamous monsters of Thriller Bark quickly drew the attention of staff in the goverment building, many of whom couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Absalom and Hogback sniveling.

Unlike the rowdy trio, the members of Baroque Works gathered quietly outside the temporary goverment building.

At the forefront stood Nico Robin, who had visibly brightened after her training at Marine Headquarters.

Once burdened by fear as the sole survivor of Ohara, she now carried herself with newfound confidence.

During her time at Headquarters, she realized that while the Marines still operated under the World Government, they answered only to Fleet Admiral Orion—completely free from the Holy Land's influence.

Most strikingly, she had encountered former CP9 and CP0 agents twice during her stay.

In the past, the mere sight of these government operatives would have sent her heart racing.

But now, they passed by as if she were invisible, making no move to apprehend her.

Later, she learned that after their leader Spandine was eliminated, CP9 had been absorbed into CP0 by Commander-in-Chief Kong.

Yet neither CP0, CP9, nor the current World Government dared to treat her—the last Oharan who could read Poneglyphs—as a threat.

They wouldn't even dare to boss her around.

All of this was thanks to the man who seized the Fleet Admiral position through a military coup.

Just then, a goverment staff member stepped out and called to the assembled crowd.

"Follow me."

Led inside, the group soon arrived at the conference hall on the third floor.

"Attention!"

"Salute!"

"Loyalty!"

As soon as they entered the conference hall, Nico Robin and the others, who had undergone training at Marine Headquarters, immediately straightened their posture and saluted without hesitation upon seeing Orion seated at the head of the table.

"Take your seats," Orion said with a smile, waving his hand.

Once everyone had settled, he continued, "I summoned you to Wano Country not to subject you to further modifications or involve you in its reconstruction. Instead, I require you to set sail and retrieve the remaining two Road Poneglyphs for me!"

As Orion finished speaking, the conference hall doors swung open again and a group of people filed in.

At the forefront were none other than Mihawk and Jinbei.

Following them were not other Marine officers but Denjiro and Gunko, who had been overseeing the base construction on Onigashima before being recalled by his direct orders.

"Fleet Admiral Orion!"

Denjiro entered the conference room, bowing slightly towards Orion before calmly taking the empty seat to Orion's right.

Mihawk and Jinbei sat opposite him, while Gunko remained standing beside Orion's right.

"Orion, you're not suggesting I should captain the mission to retrieve the remaining two Road Poneglyphs, are you?" Mihawk got straight to the point as soon as he sat down.

"How dare you, Mihawk!"

Before Orion could respond, Perona floated into the office behind Absalom and Hogback, hands on her hips.

"This is work hours! You should address him as Fleet Admiral Orion!"

????

Mihawk turned his head to look at Perona hovering before him, her smug little face suspended mid-air, his lips twitching slightly.

Perona's sudden outburst made everyone present tense up—especially the Baroque Works members newly arrived in Wano Country who weren't aware of Perona's special favor with their Fleet Admiral.

Just as they expected Orion to reprimand Perona, he instead frowned sternly at Mihawk.

"Perona's right. Use official titles during work!"

"Tehe~"

Delighted at having done the right thing again, Perona giggled happily.

Orion didn't hesitate to give the little girl a thumbs-up.

"You'll spoil her rotten," Mihawk said darkly, sighing in resignation. "She'll be ruined by your indulgence."

"Just lightening the mood," Orion chuckled before continuing. "But yes, you'll lead this mission as captain, with Jinbei as vice-captain. You'll take the former Baroque Works members, along with Absalom and Perona to Zou to retrieve the Road Poneglyph hidden in the Whale Forest!"

"Oh, and Denjiro too."

Here, Orion turned his gaze to Denjiro.

"The two rulers of the Mokomo Dukedom on Zou were once retainers of Kozuki Oden. You're joining this mission because I don't want bloodshed during this operation. If you fail to handle this properly and the Mokomo Dukedom's rulers interfere, you know what will happen."

Denjiro, who had been wondering why Orion suddenly summoned him to the Flower Capital, paled slightly.

He hadn't expected Orion to not only know about Zou's situation but also that its rulers were once Oden's retainers.

As Denjiro reeled from Orion's absurd knowledge, Mihawk frowned at the Baroque Works members and Absalom.

"I have no issue going to Zou, but bringing them along will be troublesome."

"No trouble at all!"

Orion waved his hand, dropping a bombshell.

"I'll negotiate with Zunesha to assist your landing."

"!!!!"

Even Mihawk's eyes widened at this outrageous statement.

"Negotiate with Zunesha? You... can command Zunesha?"

--------------------------------

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