When Orion returned to the Holy Land, three days had already passed.
During this ti, Orion had made additional trips to G-5 Branch and the G-1 Branch.
Based on the work reports from G-5 and the G-1 Branch, Orion noticed that the number of known pirate crews entering the New World had significantly decreased compared to before he beca Fleet Admiral—so much so that it could be described as a steep drop.
Of course, this was to be expected.
Recently, the Marines had been extrely active: first killing almost all the pirates in the East Blue, then pressuring the Shichibukai into submission, and imdiately after launching a brutal crackdown on the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates.
Faced with such overwhelming montum, aside from a few reckless and ignorant pirate crews still stirring up trouble, the rest had chosen to lay low.
Under these circumstances, it was only natural that fewer pirate crews would venture into the New World.
However, while the number of pirate crews entering the New World had plumted, the pirates already there showed no signs of restraint despite the fall of Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, the two Yonko's.
Instead, they fought fiercely among themselves, each dreaming of becoming one of the new Yonko.
So pirate captains even hoped to obtain the reborn Devil Fruits of the two fallen Emperors after Kaido and Linlin's executions, aspiring to beco the new Strongest Creature or the inheritor of the Soul-Soul Fruit abilities.
After spending a day each at the two branches, Orion, accompanied by Gion, Gunko, Katakuri, Morgans, and others, finally ascended to the Holy Land on the third day.
"Fleet Admiral, will you be staying in the Holy Land?" Gion was the first to speak as soon as they stepped out of the lift.
She continued, "If you plan to stay for two days, I'll take Katakuri back to Headquarters first to prepare for the World Military Draft with Vice Admiral Tsuru and the others."
"Go ahead," Orion nodded. "Return to Headquarters and put the draft plan into motion. I'll stay here to gather more funds. With the Marines currently numbering over 900,000, expanding to 1.5 million will not only require massive spending during recruitnt but also double the salaries afterward. The money seized from the Marcus and Shepherd families won't last long."
Gunko blurted out, "Isn't there still Imu-sama's treasury?"
Orion raised his hand and lightly tapped Gunko's newsboy cap.
"You don't manage the household, so you don't know the cost of firewood, rice, oil, or salt. Even with Imu's little treasury, it's just a drop in the bucket."
Hearing this, Gunko blinked in confusion, inexplicably feeling that Orion was right.
She said foolishly, "Gunko has saved so pocket money over the years. If Orion-sama needs it—"
"Would that pocket money even be enough to buy music records?" Orion habitually raised his hand to tap her cap again but hesitated and lowered it, realizing it might not be appropriate.
"Orion-sama... you know Gunko likes collecting music records?" Gunko didn't notice his gesture, her wide eyes staring at him in surprise, carrying a trace of anticipation she might not even be aware of.
Noticing Gunko's reaction, Orion suddenly recalled so mysteries about her origins and casually asked.
"Gunko, I have a question for you!"
"What?" Gunko blinked her eyes, her innocent expression easily making people forget her identity as a mber of the God's Knights.
Of course, this side of her was only shown in front of Orion.
If Orion wasn't present, she would instantly revert to her usual cold deanor and the imposing aura befitting a God's Knight.
It wasn't that she had developed special feelings for Orion.
From the mont she beca a mber of the God's Knights, her emotions had been sealed away when she signed the Devil Contract with Imu.
The reason she showed this innocent side to Orion was because his current status and position far surpassed hers—to put it plainly, Orion was now practically a king standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Imu in the Holy Land.
Orion stopped walking and scrutinized Gunko for a mont before tentatively asking.
"Is this outfit of yours because of so promise you made with soone?"
"A promise with soone?"
Gunko blinked in confusion, then looked down at her long legs.
Seeing them, her cheeks flushed slightly as she nervously replied, "I dont know why i like to dress like this. I just like collecting records and slaves, i just feels it's right."
"Is that so?"
Orion blinked thoughtfully.
"Then try to call 'Father'!"
"Nani?"
Gunko's beautiful eyes widened as if she couldn't believe her ears, staring blankly at Orion.
Similarly, Gion, who was walking beside them, didn't expect Orion to suddenly say such a thing.
Caught off guard, she turned her head and widened her eyes just like Gunko, her gaze filled with strange curiosity.
Back in Wano Country, she had noticed Orion treated Gunko differently—especially after Imu suddenly possessed Gunko.
Orion had even sympathized with Gunko and asked if she wanted to store so Conqueror's Haki within her body.
At the ti, Gion thought the Fleet Admiral had finally awakened to sothing, but who would have guessed he wanted Gunko to call him 'Father'?
This sudden father-daughter scenario not only caught Gion off guard but also made Katakuri, who was following behind them, lift his head and look at Orion with a strange expression.
Did Fleet Admiral Orion have such fetish?
As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Katakuri's lips twitched, and he subtly turned his head away, pretending he hadn't seen or heard anything.
"Do I really have to say it?"
Seeing Orion wasn't joking, Gunko inexplicably felt a sense of sha.
If it weren't for Orion's status and position, she would have lost her temper on the spot and used her Devil Fruit powers to bind him into a mummy.
Orion smiled and nodded. "Give it a try."
Hearing this, Gunko steeled herself.
Her lips, hidden beneath bandages, twitched slightly before she stamred with flushed cheeks.
"Fa... Father."
"Did you rember anything?"
Orion's voice carried excitent. "For example, why you like wearing only panties, or why you like collecting music records and slaves?"
Gunko blinked blankly. "No."
"Alright," Orion shrugged slightly, sowhat disappointed. "Maybe the timing isn't right yet."
Before he finished speaking, Orion imdiately turned to Gion and the others.
"You all head back to Marineford first."
Gion gave a slight nod.
"Understood!"
With that, she cast a complicated glance at Gunko before quickly leading Morgans, Katakuri, and the others out of the room.
The mont Gion's group stepped outside, Gunko abruptly steered the conversation back to the topic of private savings, tentatively asking.
"Orion-sama, does a Marine petty officer earn a high annual salary? My private savings amount to over two billion Belly. Including the gold and jewelry stored over the years, it should total around five billion."
(⊙_⊙)?
(ˉ﹃ˉ)
A wealthy woman indeed!
Almost missed out on five billion!
After cycling through several Oscar-worthy expressions, Orion hastily called out.
"Gion, let's head to Gunko's place first."
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