About a month after Tashigi became Rengoku's personal aide,
Rengoku received orders from Navy Headquarters to embark on a patrol tour of the East Blue.
...
Marineford, Navy Headquarters.
"Come~ in~," a languid, almost lifeless voice called out from inside the office.
Rengoku opened the door, stepped in, and immediately saluted with fervor.
"Justice! Vice Admiral Rengoku reporting! I am here under the orders of Admiral Kuzan!"
Despite Rengoku's passionate demeanor, Kuzan appeared as indifferent and unmotivated as ever.
He looked entirely devoid of motivation.
"Once you're a Vice Admiral, you don't need to announce your full name and rank anymore..."
"Is that so!"
"Yeah... sigh, whatever. You really take after Garp."
"Well, he is my grandfather!"
Kuzan, embodying laziness and indifference, was the polar opposite of Rengoku in every way. Their personalities clashed from the start, but because of Garp, Rengoku often found himself interacting with Kuzan.
"Anyway... Headquarters has ordered Vice Admirals to patrol beyond the Grand Line. The mission is to evaluate branch bases while also taking care of pirates along the way. You've been assigned to the East Blue. Departure is tomorrow morning at 06:00."
Although Rengoku's expression didn't change, there was a hint of dissatisfaction in his demeanor.
"Is there a problem?" Kuzan asked.
"East Blue is the weakest sea! I wish to be assigned to a stronger sea!"
This wasn't because Rengoku was a battle-hungry hothead or someone who simply sought out the strongest opponents.
It was because this assignment didn't align with his sense of justice.
"Justice means fulfilling both your abilities and responsibilities."
This was Rengoku's motto.
He wasn't modest about his skills—he knew his capabilities well. That's why he wanted to be assigned somewhere with a higher likelihood of encountering stronger and more dangerous pirates.
"If it were anyone else, I'd have smacked them for whining," Kuzan muttered, scratching his head. "But since it's you... fine. I'll see what I can do."
"Where will I be reassigned to?" Rengoku asked eagerly.
"East Blue. All preparations for departure are already complete. Just obey the orders."
"Could you repeat that, sir?"
"East Blue. If you don't go, Garp will have to go instead. Do you really want Garp, with his rank and experience, to handle a patrol in the East Blue?"
"...Understood!"
...
Obeying and following orders—that is the Navy way.
Though disappointed, Rengoku had no choice but to comply.
"Vice Admiral! I've been promoted!"
Tashigi came running over with quick steps, her excitement clear.
"Ah, congratulations, Lieutenant Tashigi!"
Rengoku offered his congratulations as he noticed her new rank insignia.
"It's all thanks to your guidance, Vice Admiral!"
Since Tashigi was a swordswoman, Rengoku had taken the opportunity to mentor her in swordsmanship during their time together.
Although his primary focus was on Flame Breathing, he had also mastered various sword styles from this world.
His enhanced physical strength in this world allowed him to handle multiple techniques without strain, something that wouldn't have been possible back on Earth.
Thanks to this training, Tashigi's skills had improved dramatically within just a month, culminating in her promotion today.
"Tomorrow morning at 06:00, we depart for the East Blue on patrol. Be ready!"
"Understood! Justice!"
Tashigi saluted sharply before turning away.
Thud!
"Ow, ow..."
"It's impressive how you manage to trip over nothing!"
"Please don't tease me, Vice Admiral!" Tashigi replied, her face flushing with embarrassment.
"...Huh?"
In front of her was Rengoku's outstretched hand. His intense red eyes gazed down at her steadily.
"What are you waiting for? Take my hand."
"Oh, uh! T-Thank you, sir!"
With Rengoku's assistance, Tashigi stood back up.
"Be more careful next time!"
"Yes, sir!"
Leaving her behind, Rengoku headed straight back to his office. He had preparations to make for their departure.
Even though they would resupply at the branch bases, it was best to have things ready in advance.
He checked his essentials:
Garp's Vivre Card,
A permanent log pose for Marineford,
Enrin Kitetsu and sword maintenance tools,
A video transponder snail loaded with plays to stave off boredom, and more.
It was his first trip to the East Blue, but given its reputation as the weakest sea, there wasn't much to worry about.
"Now that I think about it..."
Rengoku, struck by a thought, picked up a transponder snail and sent a communication.
"Justice! Sergeant Tashigi!"
"...You're still a Sergeant?"
"Ah, Vice Admiral! I'm a Lieutenant now!"
"Alright, bring me the bounty posters for all wanted criminals currently in the East Blue."
"Understood!"
Though the East Blue was considered the weakest sea, even weak regions were subject to the rules of the strong.
Someone insignificant in the New World could very well reign as a king in the East Blue.
Before long, a knock echoed through the office.
"Come in!"
"Justice!"
"Lieutenant Tashigi, have you brought the bounty posters?"
"Yes, sir! Here are the bounty posters for criminals in the East Blue with bounties of 1 million berries or more!"
The stack of posters handed over by Tashigi was relatively thin.
The fact that there were so few criminals with bounties exceeding 1 million berries underscored just how weak this sea was.
Even so, Rengoku meticulously went through each poster, carefully examining the faces, bounty amounts, and whether they were to be captured alive or dead.
"Hmm..."
The highest bounty belonged to a Fish-Man, set at only 20 million berries.
There were only four criminals with bounties exceeding 10 million berries:
Arlong: 20 million berries
Don Krieg: 17 million berries
Buggy: 15 million berries
Gin: 12 million berries
Additionally, Captain Kuro was listed with a bounty of 16 million berries, but he was already marked as deceased.
Most others with bounties close to 10 million berries appeared to be subordinates of Arlong, likely his officer-level crew members.
In the Grand Line, pirates with bounties exceeding 20 million berries were considered mid-tier and caught regularly. Yet in the East Blue, 20 million seemed to be the ceiling.
"Lieutenant Tashigi, what do you think?"
"The bounty amounts are certainly lower compared to other seas."
"But don't let your guard down. You never know—there could be someone hiding their true strength."
"Understood, sir!"
...
The next day at dawn, Rengoku and Tashigi boarded the warship bound for the East Blue.
As it was a sort of expedition, a number of fellow Marines gathered to see them off.
The anchor was raised, and the ship set sail.
By the time Marineford had faded into the distance, becoming just a dot on the horizon, Rengoku addressed the entire ship through a broadcast.
"Though the sea we are heading to, the East Blue, is often scornfully called the 'weakest sea,' exceptions always exist!"
"In the unlikely event that we encounter pirates of unexpected or extraordinary power, I order all personnel to avoid any hostile actions and report to me immediately!"
"The priority for every soldier on this ship is to ensure their own safety and return home from this voyage unharmed. That is an order!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
The Marines' resounding voices echoed throughout the warship, loud enough to be heard even deep inside Rengoku's private office.
The unified response filled the entire ship with a sense of determination.
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