Robin's face was covered by Hana Hana no Mi-created muscle, making her look like a pretty young woman. Even with the disguise, her feminine instincts prevented her from making herself appear ugly. They both wore cloaks, not because of bounties, but to hide their faces from ordinary people.
Given the existence of the Mane Mane no Mi user Bon Kurei, who could perfectly mimic someone's appearance and physique just by touching them, it was only natural to assume other Devil Fruits might reveal someone's physical characteristics with a simple glance. For safety, Alistair wore a cloak.
He was here for Smoker. This cynical middle-aged man, a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, was a Navy Captain in his thirties, almost at Drake's level, needing only Armament Haki to become a Commander. Why was Smoker, in a position of power, relegated to Loguetown, guarding the weakest pirates in the East Blue?
The reason was simple: disagreement with Navy Headquarters' ideology. He was friends with Aokiji, who was friends with Saul from Ohara; their ideologies were similar—one betrayed the Navy and ended up in Ohara; one was "exiled" to a small town; Aokiji would later leave the Navy and become a free man. Their ideology was misunderstood and unaccepted within the Navy.
What was their ideology? Protecting the innocent. They wanted to protect ordinary people from pirates and Navy oppression. Their ideals were noble and correct; this was the Navy's true purpose.
Unfortunately, as tools of the Celestial Dragons, through the World Government, many Navy members believed that only those who paid tribute to the World Government were people; others were subhuman—they didn't pay, so their deaths were deserved.
"That's early-stage capitalist logic," Alistair murmured.
These just Navy members were his potential allies. Knowing Smoker, Alistair confidently approached him; Robin's Hana Hana no Mi concealed her appearance, and he wasn't wanted; he could approach boldly.
Supported by Hancock, Ace, and Enel, Robin was bolder; she simply nodded at Alistair's suggestion, remaining silent—experience from bounty hunters. Some bounty hunters tracked by scent; others by sight; some by sound. The monsters she encountered weren't strong but had unique skills. Given the existence of Longarm and Longleg tribes, people with exceptional hearing or eyesight weren't unusual.
Reaching the Navy base, they found an argument. Two guards were confronting a girl. Many people avoided them; both Navy and pirates were best avoided.
"Why can't girls be Navy?!" the girl shouted.
"No, and get lost!" the guards said impatiently. They'd been arguing for a while. They were ten years older and knew why women couldn't join; women were naturally weaker; men needed ten times the effort to gain strength; women needed twenty or thirty times. Women were inherently disadvantaged; at sea, pirates wouldn't show mercy; they'd be more enthusiastic.
Logistically, women needed separate quarters, increasing costs. Psychologically, a woman in a crew of hormone-driven men was detrimental to their well-being. East Blue's Navy didn't allow women. Most women joined as officers, rarely as enlisted. East Blue lacked strong women; this girl was clearly weak.
"I can!" the girl insisted. "I've killed pirates! I can share quarters! Please let me join!"
Her voice lacked confidence; she wasn't assertive; she was arguing for her ideals. She lacked precedent.
Tashigi.
Alistair recognized her; the name came to him. He hadn't expected to meet Tashigi here.
Alistair smiled. "Since they won't accept you, join us."
This caught the guards' and Tashigi's attention. They looked over.
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