As a famously talented Marine Captain, known especially for his swordsmanship, Dande Chacher graduated after only two and a half years of training — a true prodigy.
So of course, he had already noticed Kuina's little movements.
In that instant, Chacher swiftly drew his own sword — the Sandai Kitetsu.
He had picked it up on his way through Loguetown after arriving in the East Blue, and had been using it ever since.
Although the Sandai Kitetsu isn't one of the "50 Skillful Grade Blades," just a regular Grade Sword, its unique traits and solid quality had already made Chacher quite satisfied with it.
He had kept using it up to now.
As for why he didn't use a Skillful Grade Blade like Yubashiri?
Simple — he didn't have the money!
Back then, it was less of a reassignment and more like exile. Unlike Smoker, who sailed into the East Blue on a grand Navy warship with his subordinates, Chacher had nothing but a small boat and himself.
If he hadn't run into Robin at sea, he probably would've gotten completely lost.
And unlike Smoker, who was assigned to a bustling town in the East Blue, Chacher was banished to the remote Branch 315.
If he hadn't teamed up with Captain Sean later on, he'd probably still be stuck in that nearly empty outpost.
As for the so-called curse of the Sandai Kitetsu… Chacher just laughed it off. He hadn't even been afraid of being poor — why would he fear some little curse?
Back then, he had been dead broke!
So for someone like Kuina to think she could defeat him with just this little trick — it was pure fantasy.
Everything she knew, he knew. And what he knew, she didn't necessarily know.
In the end, after he lightly bonked her on the head with the back of his blade, Kuina puffed up her cheeks and surrendered with a pout, holding her head in defeat.
She kept pouting and grumbling, bitterly complaining that Brother Chacher had hit her on the head.
After the training ended, Chacher took Nami and Robin along to treat Kuina to a welcome feast, officially celebrating the arrival of the new swordsmanship instructor of the Marine's 16th Branch.
...
The next day.
Because of the arrival of the new swordsmanship instructor, Chacher specially held an impromptu meeting to welcome the new instructor and arrange the upcoming tasks for the Marine 16th Branch.
Of course~
It was just the weakest branch in the East Blue, so naturally, not many people were available to attend.
Robin, needless to say, didn't have to join.
As the Staff Commander of the Marine 16th Branch and the Head of Finance—Nami definitely had to attend.
The newly appointed swordsmanship instructor—Kuina—was also present.
And as both a Staff Commander and the Chief Administrator of the Marine 16th Branch, Udo certainly had to be there too.
As for the rest… just a few members of the management from the Marine 16th Branch.
Looking at the handful of people in the 16th Branch—most of them clearly not strong—Chacher couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
If Mok weren't still out on duty, he would've had a seat at the table too.
Of course~
The only comforting thing was that even though there were few people, most of them were trained by him personally, so their loyalty to him was absolute.
After a brief introduction of Kuina, and a round of enthusiastic applause, she stood up and assured everyone that she would do her best to train the swordsmanship of the 16th Branch Marines, and contribute to the growth and strength of the branch.
Then came…
"A brief message came from Marine Headquarters this morning."
Miss Robin, sitting nearby, opened the notebook in her hands. As his secretary, she had already organized today's work schedule and jotted it down in her notes.
She adjusted her decorative flat glasses and said with a strange expression, "The military budget we applied for the day before yesterday—Marine Headquarters will allocate it as soon as possible. Also, they specifically approved a 10% increase."
As soon as she finished—
Aside from the newly arrived and still-confused Kuina, and Chacher who frowned slightly, the rest of the people around the meeting table froze for a moment. Then, all at once, cheers erupted from everyone.
"Not only was it approved so fast, but they even increased it by 10%?"
"That's way too generous!"
"Not only are they being generous this time, but they didn't even delay it—sending the funds so quickly. It's almost unbelievable."
Everyone was thrilled, especially Nami, who had been worrying about money just a moment ago. Her eyes lit up instantly.
She even felt a rare moment of gratitude toward the Marines—whom she usually only cursed in her heart.
However—
"Quiet," Chacher ordered, silencing the room. Only after everyone settled down did he turn to look at Robin. "Did Marine Headquarters give any conditions?"
"They did!" Robin nodded, her expression still somewhat strange.
Before the others, who were starting to frown, could ask questions, Robin went on directly, "Marine Headquarters wants us to intercept—or even capture—the Mok Pirate Crew. No matter what, we absolutely cannot let them enter the Grand Line."
"..."
Everyone fell silent, their expressions turning equally strange.
As the management of the 16th Marine Branch, of course they knew all about the Mok Pirate Crew~
Was the Marine Headquarters really just handing them money this time?
"Ahem, ahem~" Chacher gave a couple of fake coughs to draw everyone's attention back.
He gave Robin a similarly odd look, then spoke righteously, "Let someone send a response to Marine Headquarters later. The 16th Branch will give its full effort to block and stop the Mok Pirate Crew. We absolutely will not allow such a vicious and dangerous crew to enter the Grand Line."
He had never planned on letting the Mok Pirates enter the Grand Line anyway.
Wouldn't it be better for them to just stay in the East Blue and develop slowly, occasionally sneaking into the Grand Line to recruit some talent?
What good would it do them to be constantly hiding and running around in the Grand Line?
If the Mok Pirates really did enter the Grand Line, how would the 16th Marine Branch ever apply for more funding?
"Understood." A small smile appeared on Robin's face.
Hearing that the World Government had been tricked by them, she—someone who had been hunted by the World Government since childhood—couldn't help but feel delighted.
Next…
Expansion of the Conomi Islands.
During this period, the Conomi Islands had been organizing people to cut down trees in preparation for expanding the town and uniting all the villages.
Now that more and more refugees had been recruited, it was almost time to begin.
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