Grand Line Calendar Year 1517.
Word spread like wildfire through the East Blue. The new self-proclaimed Overlord of these seas had put out a call to arms, rallying pirates for a single, brutal purpose: to wipe the Marine 16th Branch off the map and send a bloody message to Marine Headquarters.
Pirates from every corner of the East Blue answered, flocking towards the branch for what promised to be a grand spectacle of violence.
Caught in the teeth of this massive pirate onslaught, the Marines of the 16th Branch fought bravely, but numbers eventually told. The pirates smashed through their defenses, swarming into the base itself.
Losses mounted quickly. Buildings crumbled. Shouts of pain and fear echoed through the smoke-filled air. Wreckage littered the grounds. Yet, even amidst the terror, the Marines held fast to their duty. They wouldn't break, wouldn't surrender.
But courage alone wasn't enough. The sheer force led by both the former and the new East Blue Overlords was overwhelming the 16th Branch.
Just when it seemed hopeless, reinforcements arrived. Captain Smoker from the Loguetown Branch stormed onto the scene...
"That's right, write it just like that." Dante watched Nota scribble notes on the battle, nodding with satisfaction. "Make sure you emphasize how helpless the 16th Branch was against that terrifying pirate attack. Really play up the losses. We can use this to squeeze some more funding out of HQ for repairs."
He paused, tapping his chin as another thought struck him. He ignored Nota, who was glancing around the remarkably intact Marine base with a skeptical look. "Oh, and really drive home how crucial the Loguetown Branch was," Dante added seriously. "Captain Smoker's forces arriving under his leadership, that's what turned the tide and let us finally push the pirates back. Got it?"
Before Nota, standing slightly behind him and clearly wanting to object, could even open her mouth-
"Marine Captain Dante Ashford!"
The voice that cut through the air was cold, tight with barely suppressed fury.
Dante spun around. Captain Smoker stood there, eyes wide, glaring as if he'd never witnessed such brazen audacity before. Dante didn't know how long he'd been standing there.
Dante offered a strained chuckle. "Hahaha, Captain Smoker! Back already?" Without waiting for a reply, and pointedly ignoring Smoker's thunderous expression, he snapped into a formal, solemn posture.
"Thank you for Loguetown's invaluable support in this operation!"
Smoker was speechless.
"..."
Smoker's eyebrow twitched. Hearing Dante spout such nonsense to his face was clearly testing his limits. He looked ready to explode-
"Kuina, you're back too?" Dante quickly pivoted, changing the subject as smoothly as he could. He beamed at Kuina, who was watching him with clear resentment. "How did it go? Everything taken care of? Hungry? Need a rest?"
"Dante-senpai, you said there'd be strong opponents there!" Kuina puffed out her cheeks, ignoring his concerned fussing. "I was really looking forward to it! Senpai, you lied! You're a big liar!"
'Ah, right,' Dante thought. 'Almost forgot.' To get Kuina motivated for leading the training exercise, he'd embellished things a bit, promising her a challenge against powerful swordsmen.
He raised an eyebrow, ready to smoothly praise her, tell her she'd simply gotten so skilled that of course those pirates felt weak in comparison-
"You absolute bastard!"
Another furious voice erupted nearby.
"You just left me there! You actually ran off and left me!"
Dante turned again just as a figure stormed up to him, hands planted firmly on her hips, glaring just as indignantly as Kuina.
"If Tashigi hadn't shown up, I would've thought the pirates had grabbed me! You scared me half to death, damn it!"
Nami, apparently awake now, had returned. After venting at Dante, her eyes landed on Kuina. "Eh? Tashigi, you're here already?"
Before Kuina could respond-
"Officer Nami, please slow down," Tashigi's slightly exasperated voice came from just behind Nami. "I'm right here. Captain Dante didn't abandon you, I assure you. He had urgent matters to attend to and specifically entrusted your safety to me."
Tashigi stepped up beside Nami, whose cheeks were flushing red with embarrassment after her outburst. Tashigi's tone turned curious.
"You still haven't told me who this Kuina person is!"
"Kuina?" Nami gestured vaguely with her chin. "She's right over there. See for yourself!"
"Here?" Tashigi stopped and followed Nami's gesture. Her eyes fell on Dante, and she immediately snapped to attention, offering a crisp Marine salute. "Captain Dante!"
The salute completed, her gaze shifted to the figure beside Dante. Tashigi's eyes widened. She blinked, then blinked again. "Am I looking in a mirror?" she murmured, bewildered. "No, wait, I'm wearing my glasses!"
Across from her, Kuina had also spotted Tashigi. She'd heard people say they looked alike, but seeing it in person...
'Seriously? This is uncanny!'
The two stared at each other-one with a practical ponytail, the other with short, neat hair-mutual disbelief reflected in their eyes.
Murmurs rippled through the surrounding Marines, their expressions mirroring the girls' surprise. Some probably had wild theories already spinning in their heads. The resemblance was uncanny.
Even Smoker beside Dante frowned, studying the two girls. He admitted to himself he'd nearly mistaken Kuina for his own subordinate earlier almost demanding to know why she was present. He hadn't expected... he really had mistaken her? Could two people really look that identical?
"Kuina!"
"Tashigi!"
Snapping out of their shock simultaneously, they introduced themselves, though their eyes remained locked, wide with incredulity.
'We really are like twins,' both girls thought, a flicker of doubt crossing their minds. 'Did Dad keep something secret?'
Just then, Dante saw that everyone, even Mock, had made it back. He surveyed the assembled group, Smoker still simmering, Nami fuming with her hands on her hips, Kuina and Tashigi now standing side-by-side, clutching their swords identically, both looking at him expectantly, ready with questions.
A headache was definitely brewing. Dante quickly forced a bright smile. "Right! We can sort everything else out tomorrow! For now..."
He threw his hands out wide, his voice booming cheerfully. "Let the feast begin!"
What victory at sea was complete without a party?
As Dante's words echoed, the tense faces of the Marines finally broke into relieved smiles.
"Alright! A feast!"
"Man, facing that many pirates... I thought we were done for!"
"I heard Cocoyasi Town sent over some of their special Tangerine Wine tonight! Can't wait!"
"Unbelievable... we actually caught that many pirates."
Listening to the rising cheers, watching the joy spread through the crowd, even the resentful Nami and Kuina, and the thoroughly scammed Smoker, found faint smiles touching their lips.
Might as well enjoy the feast first.
And so...
The East Blue Fishing Plan!
Complete!
---
Meanwhile, back on the Conomi Archipelago, which had also reaped the benefits of the operation, a massive island-wide banquet was underway, arranged by Dante. Villagers celebrated the newfound peace and security, raising toasts and offering heartfelt thanks to Dante and the 16th Branch. Laughter and cheerful shouts filled the air as the entire island reveled.
At the same time, in Cocoyasi Town...
Inside the former Arlong Park, now rebranded as the Romance Dawn Club, within a private room...
"Sounds lively out there," a lazy voice murmured.
A soft, slightly sweet voice replied immediately. "It's a big celebration today, sir! Marine Captain Dante Ashford arranged this banquet for the whole island to mark the pirates defeat. You're welcome to join in later!"
The cheerful voice continued, "I am Masseuse Number 38 - Kouri, at your service! Shall I begin the Special Sea Bath Scrub you ordered?"
"Yeah," the lazy voice drawled. "Let's begin."
A pair of feet slipped into a specially prepared wooden basin filled with water. The owner of the lazy voice seemed to melt even further into relaxation.
"Is the pressure alright, sir?" Kouri asked.
"Yeah, perfect."
"Oh? Huh, the water's getting cold awfully fast... and your skin feels... very cold, sir. Are you okay? Um... should I fetch some more hot water?"
"Nah, no need. This is fine. Feels nice, actually. Real nice."
"Our Romance Dawn Services are top-notch!" Kouri said proudly. "Our boss learned it from someone who studied under the Pirate King's own ship doctor! It's based on deep understanding of anatomy. The techniques target specific points on the body surface to regulate physiological conditions and promote healing! It's guaranteed to be comfortable!"
"The Pirate King's ship doctor, huh?" The customer, who kept a green eye mask pushed up on his forehead and had his eyes closed in enjoyment, made a sound of vague appreciation. "Impressive."
"Of course! Our boss went to great lengths to acquire this knowledge!" Kouri beamed, pleased by the acknowledgment. Then, her fingers brushed against the client's surprisingly cold feet again. She glanced at his relaxed, eye-masked face, hesitated, then said carefully, "Sir... you seem quite frail. Feeling cold, including your hands and feet... You might have some illness. Would you like me to recommend a doctor?"
"...No," the lazy voice finally replied after a pause. "No need."
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