Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Recruitment
"Coward!"
"Chicken!"
"A disgrace to men!"
Mr. 9's abusive voice grew louder and angrier. He was infuriated and his insults became increasingly offensive.
Seeing that the hot-blooded young man was about to swing his bat and attack, Vivi quickly pulled him away. Was he kidding? This Dadi had sharp, hawk-like eyes that gave her a sense of considerable threat. Besides, he was armed with guns, and without Haki to defend herself at this distance against a gunslinger with over thirty handguns, Vivi couldn't guarantee her safety.
All that talk about not daring to go to the Grand Line and being timid was just an excuse, and only Mr. 9, with his hot-blooded nature, failed to see through it.
The other party didn't want any trouble, and since Vivi and Mr. 9 were not pirates with bounties on their heads, Dadi, who wanted to live quietly in Loguetown and take care of his young daughter, naturally couldn't brandish his guns recklessly at his doorstep. Thus, he had no choice but to patiently exchange words with them.
Vivi held back the grumbling Mr. 9 and said, "Forget it, let's go recruit the next person. Let's go, let's go."
She dragged and pulled the still-angry Mr. 9 as they walked away.
As they reached the corner of the alley, Vivi suddenly acted as if she had a realization. She clenched her right fist and pounded her left palm, with a look of surprise on her face. "Oh no, I forgot to buy some fish crackers for Karoo! Oh dear, oh dear, you go ahead, and I'll catch up with you later!"
If it were someone else or a different situation, they would have easily detected her insincere words. But Mr. 9 was too hot-blooded to notice the problem. Carrying his two metal bats, he left alone, taking broad steps.
After waiting for a while and making sure Mr. 9 had gone far enough, Vivi turned around and entered the small alley. She then called out to Dadi, who was about to open the door of his home.
The middle-aged man was cautious and didn't underestimate Vivi just because she was a woman. He didn't bother with polite phrases like "enter and take a sit" or anything of the sort.
Vivi asked, "Mr. Dadi, I heard that you and Smoker the White Hunter were classmates during your service in the Marines?"
As the Marine Captain guarding Loguetown, the name of Smoker the White Hunter was well known throughout the town. So, Dadi wasn't surprised when Vivi mentioned the name; his past could easily be found out by asking around.
He snorted, "Yes, I was once in the Marines. Is there a problem with that?"
Vivi continued, "Then, are you also a disciple of Admiral Zephyr? Can you help me get in touch with him?"
Dadi looked at her strangely. It was normal for her to mention Smoker's name, but for someone her age to bring up Zephyr's name was quite odd.
Just like when Vivi was selling ropes and umbrellas, young pirates had never heard of names like Golden Lion or Red Count. Was it because they were naturally unintelligent? No, it was because they didn't have the means to learn about such things.
During a dinner gathering at Red Port, Rear Admiral Hina subtly pointed out the relationship between Kaidou, Big Mom, and the Rocks Pirates. For that, she was praised by Luffy's grandfather, the Marine hero Garp, who said, "You really know quite a bit." But mind you, that was an event from over 30 years ago. Were Kaidou and Big Mom just insignificant characters to the Marines? Of course not! They were enemies of the Marines, sworn enemies! If they didn't even know their enemies' past, what the hell were they doing?
When it came to historical knowledge, pirates were clueless, the Marines weren't much better, and ordinary civilians were even worse.
Going beyond the norm? That didn't exist!
In the entire world, knowledge transfer was severely lacking. Starting from the World Government controlled by the Five Elders, the official ruling approach had always been to keep the populace ignorant. They actively discouraged people from learning and imposed strict controls on books and knowledge.
Over thirty years ago, Admiral Zephyr retired from active duty and transitioned into an instructor role. In theory, it would have been impossible for a young bounty hunter like Vivi to know his name.
Dadi couldn't help but let out a cold laugh and said, "Heh, interesting. I wonder if I'm misunderstanding something. Does your Baroque Works really think of recruiting Instructor Zephyr?"
Even the Kamabakka Kingdom could easily make Nico Robin issue the order to lie low. If they were to recruit a former Marine Admiral, there was a significant chance that Admiral Aokiji would storm in, and upon seeing the situation, he might exclaim, "Huh? Nico Robin, you're hiding here? Arrest them all!" and Baroque Works would disband in a matter of minutes without any discussion.
Vivi didn't even mention Baroque Works. She calmly said, "I've heard that Admiral Zephyr has exceptional teaching abilities. I would like to invite him to become the Chief Instructor for the entire kingdom on behalf of the Nefertari Family."
Dadi had always maintained a respectful distance from the nobles of various countries, so he didn't immediately recognize the Nefertari Family name.
To make a deeper impression on him, Vivi continued in a solemn tone, "800 years ago, 20 kings formed an alliance and established the World Government. Afterward, 19 families settled in the Holy Land Mary Geoise and became the Celestial Dragons we know today. Only the Nefertari Family chose not to leave their own Kingdom."
Although Dadi hadn't learned much at the Marine Academy, the things Vivi mentioned vaguely sparked his memory.
"... Is it Arabasta, the Desert Kingdom? Then, you are..."
"I am Nefertari Vivi."
Dadi took some time to sort out the logical connections and pondered for a while before asking, "Why would a princess of a nation become a bounty hunter?"
"Because there is a group of people lurking within Baroque Works, plotting to overthrow my Kingdom and seize my father's throne through conspiracy. I don't know who they are exactly or what their plans entail, but for the sake of my people, I had no choice but to conceal my identity and join Baroque Works to gather intelligence. Mr. Dadi, by revealing my true identity, I hope it demonstrates my sincerity."
The middle-aged man nodded slowly. These matters didn't seem like they were made up on the spot.
Vivi's tone turned serious, "I've heard that Admiral Zephyr is very dissatisfied with the current state of the Marines and seems to have intentions of leaving. Meanwhile, internal conflicts in Arabasta are escalating, and we need to carry out military reforms to protect our homeland and resolve internal conflicts."
"Admiral Zephyr needs our vast population and national strength to help him rebuild his dreams, and we need his personal abilities and prestige to implement military reforms. Mr. Dadi. Arabasta and Admiral Zephyr have a strong basis for cooperation."
Zephyr's personal combat strength was unquestionable as a former Marine Admiral. Even though he was no longer in his prime, he remained formidable. However, what Vivi valued the most was the old man's teaching ability. He had trained the likes of Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru - the three Admirals - along with many Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals. The old man's teaching ability was undoubtedly the best in the world of One Piece.
Bringing the old man to Arabasta as the instructor of 600,000 Standing Army would be more than sufficient. Vivi remembered that the old man still had some subordinates who had left the Marines. Bringing all of them over as core members could even lead to the establishment of Arabasta's own Marines. After all, even the Desert Kingdom could have dreams of having a navy!
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Kisshot
Kisshot Like it ? Add to library！
Support this story and enjoy up to 30 advanced chapters!
www.pâtreon.com/kisshot
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone