One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 75 will be replaced.

Kuzan: "..."

His expression was stiff, or rather, he didn't know what expression to make.

He was all ready to hear Roman's grand plans, but the final twist was completely unexpected.

Being a lackey? That sounds like such a pathetic thing to do.

That doesn't seem quite right, because he seems to have done it before, and he seemed to enjoy it.

"Is there a problem?" Roman asked softly.

There's a problem, a big problem. Oh, no, I can't say that. If I say this ambition is too small, it seems like I'm belittling myself, since she just said she wanted to be my lackey.

"Nothing... is a problem." In the end, Kuzan could only reply with this dry sentence.

Well, they're just kids after all. Even if they're smart, their horizons can't be too high. That's normal, isn't it?

He was probably not as mature as she was when he was 22.

Before the Ohara incident, I was just an overly enthusiastic fool.

But Kuzan was a little curious, "Why is this your goal?"

Does she idolize herself?

Kuzan, who wore his question on his face, received a look from Roman that seemed to say, "Are you an idiot?"

Okay, that reason can be rejected.

"Of course it's because you're a renowned monster general, how could people not admire you?"

Hmm ╮(╯▽╰)╭, are your eyes and mouth saying different things? And you don't even try to hide it.

Of course, the intentions in one's eyes seem more genuine, which is actually quite easy to discern.

"Hahaha, Lieutenant General Kuzan, well then I'll just tell the truth." Sure enough, it's quite satisfying to tease a good-natured person. Roman felt his mischievous side acting up again, and he hoped he wouldn't get beaten up for it in the future.

Aokiji made a gesture as if he was all ears.

"Because I am someone who finds it difficult to betray interests, and since you have already chosen me and I have agreed, then regardless of the reason, I will be automatically considered to be on your side. So I am already on board. And objectively speaking, you are indeed a very prestigious commander, and I do not object to this choice. Since it has been decided, then naturally the greater your prestige in the navy, the better it will be for me." Roman spoke very sincerely this time.

"After all, I was specially invited to join the Navy. Although I want to try my best to integrate into this environment, there will still be a considerable number of marines who will not accept me. But you don't have this problem. So it seems more reasonable to use your influence to enhance my prestige. Besides, it is my duty as a subordinate."

It's so real that it's almost astonishing.

"Oh my, I thought I was really that charming." After hearing this, Kuzan lay down again.

I feel a bit frustrated.

“Of course, part of the reason is that I think you are a gentle and charismatic person, and that’s the truth. And I think if you were just a person with ability, you wouldn’t have the support of the grassroots.” As soon as Roman said this, he felt that Kuzan seemed a little more energetic.

Clearly, praising someone's personal charm has a powerful effect on a man who remains a boy until death.

"Oh dear, what you said makes me feel embarrassed, little girl?" Kuzan touched his messy seaweed hair, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.

Being recognized is something to be proud of. Even though Kuzan has suffered harsh realities, he is still, at heart, a passionate young man.

Just as Kuzan was about to say something, the two of them sensed an unfathomable resentment beside them.

"Lieutenant General Kuzan, now that you're back, you should take care of these documents, right? You've chatted long enough, can we get down to business now?"

Such deep resentment! In Roman's eyes, a terrifying black demon had already appeared behind that adjutant.

"Oh, well, I was planning to deal with this later, but..." Because Borsalino suddenly went out on a cruise, and Sakazuki also had his scheduled departure time, Kuzan, who could have wandered around for a while, was urgently recalled. He didn't want to come back so soon to face the resentment of his subordinates.

It's strange, really. Borsalino actually went out on his own initiative, seemingly influenced by some rumor. It's hard to imagine what kind of rumor could make him run to the New World. After all, as influential figures, rumors about them almost never stop. (Roman smiles and remains silent.)

"In that case, are you comfortable handling this with me?" Roman volunteered.

Huh? Kuzan was a little surprised. It wasn't that he couldn't do it, after all, his rank was only lieutenant general. In fact, these documents weren't very confidential. The truly top-secret documents were in the hands of Sora and Sengoku. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to leave so easily.

Moreover, he believed in trusting those he employed and not employing those he didn't trust. He wasn't such a rigid person, and he didn't hold a prejudice against Roman just because she hadn't entered the navy through conventional means.

But can she understand it?

While it's true that she shouldn't be compared to ordinary girls, but...

But seeing his adjutant's resentment, he felt that what she said made sense.

So, the three of them eventually began a pleasant working relationship.

Something beyond Kuzan and his adjutant's expectations happened: Roman processed the documents with extraordinary speed, recorded the more important details, and prioritized the tasks.

In short, it can be described in four words: effortless and skillful.

The adjutant's resentment instantly vanished, and he shed tears of gratitude.

The thing he regretted most in his life was becoming Kuzan's adjutant. From then on, his wonderful vacations were gone forever, and he became an adjutant who did things for his superiors all day long, and had to face countless problems in the Warring States period. Where did that guy Kuzan go?

But things seem to have improved a little now.

Previously, it was because of her files piling up in a mountain of documents that Lieutenant General Kuzan finally started reviewing the documents. Now, it is because of her that his heavy workload has finally been reduced. Miss Roman, you are truly an angel.

Please graduate soon, I can't wait to work with you.

Kuzan was clearly taken aback. Are kids these days really this good? That can't be right.

But then Kuzan thought about it again and realized it wasn't impossible. For example, Nicole Robin was a scholar at the age of eight and could read historical texts. So it seemed quite normal that Sylvie Roman could handle these tedious tasks with ease.

From this perspective, they are both very smart.

Hmm, it seems like she's stronger than me.

After accepting this cruel reality, Kuzan couldn't help but start to take his work more seriously, and for some reason, he felt a sense of crisis.

The sense of crisis that I might be replaced by lackeys.