"Germa Kingdom's combat suit?"
Seeing Sora pull out a high-tech Germa combat suit, Hina's expression changed.
As a Marine Captain who had just returned from the North Blue, she was naturally well-informed about the notorious Germa 66.
Sora chuckled at her reaction.
A second later, his form changed—transforming into the Project: Wind armor configuration under Hina's astonished gaze.
"You cheated!!!" Hina yelled, furious.
With that suit, she had no chance of winning. Not without her Devil Fruit powers.
"Hahaha, Miss Hina, you never said I couldn't use external tools."
"I didn't use swordsmanship, and I'm wearing Sea Prism Stone handcuffs, just like you asked."
"I've gone this far just to show you my sincerity."
Sora stepped in closer, grabbing her hands, still smiling.
"You..."
Hina was speechless.
If Sora had truly wanted to capture her, he never needed to go through all this. He could've just knocked her out and taken her away.
And honestly, she'd tried to stall him by requesting the handcuffs—hoping her subordinates would wake up and catch him off guard.
So really, she was the one playing dirty first. She just lost the game.
"A bet's a bet, Miss Hina."
"If you go back on your word now... well, the people on this ship will suffer for it."
Sora's words carried a dangerous softness as he smiled.
"You're using them to threaten me now?!"
Hina gritted her teeth, glaring daggers at him.
"You left me no choice when you wouldn't behave," Sora said casually with a shrug.
Then he waved toward the Ark Maxim floating above them.
Reiju leapt down and landed smoothly on the deck beside them.
"Princess Reiju of the Germa Kingdom?"
Seeing another person in a Germa combat suit, Hina's expression turned stormy.
She never expected the God-Slayer to have a connection with Germa.
"Hmph."
Reiju gave her a cool glance, then turned and began searching for the key to the Sea Prism Stone cuffs.
"You'll have to call her 'big sister' from now on, alright?"
Sora grinned as he gently turned Hina's face toward his.
"Get lost!"
Hina's face turned bright red from anger.
Click!
Once the cuffs were unlocked, Sora pointed toward the ship.
"Take Miss Hina up to the Ark. I've got something to take care of—I'll be back soon."
Since he had already revealed himself as the God-Slayer, Sora planned to clean up the unstable elements around Iceburg—specifically Lucci and Kaku.
Because of Kalifa, though, he didn't intend to kill them. He just wanted them gone from Water 7.
With that, Sora disappeared in a flash of lightning, streaking toward the Galley-La Company.
"Where's he going now?"
Hina was startled, fearing that his "errand" might involve some horrifying act of revenge.
Reiju glanced at her and could tell that Sora genuinely liked this woman. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered going through so much effort.
She explained gently, "Relax. Sora isn't the kind of person who hurts innocents."
With that, she slung Hina over her shoulder and flew up to the Ark Maxim.
Hina squirmed, watching the battleship grow distant. Gritting her teeth, she muttered,
"He killed Celestial Dragons... slaughtered kings... abducted princesses and women."
"And you call that a good person?"
"Hina doesn't believe it!"
Reiju laughed softly and replied,
"But Sora always acts with a sense of proportion."
"He never shows mercy to pirates."
"But when it comes to the Marines, as long as they're not corrupt, he avoids harming them whenever possible."
"Whether at G8 Fortress or here on your ship—hasn't that always been the case?"
She hoped Hina would let go of her grudge and see Sora's true nature. He had a habit of chasing too many women, yes, but it was also his path to strength.
And though it frustrated her, Reiju was still willing to help him win over more women—and keep them united.
"That bastard threatened me using my subordinates!"
"Hina absolutely refuses to believe it!"
Reiju set her down at the edge of the deck and calmly asked,
"If that's true, then why didn't he threaten you right from the start?"
"Why did he agree to your outrageous demands? Doesn't that seem odd?"
Hina fell silent, unable to come up with an answer.
Reiju continued, her tone gentle but sincere:
"Sora may be a flirt, but he cares deeply for every woman by his side."
"If you don't want him to harm Marines, then stay close to him—and ask him not to."
"You could even..."
She paused.
Hina raised an eyebrow. "Even what?"
Reiju smiled. "Even have him help the Marines in the war that's about to begin."
The whole world knew the Marines had captured Ace, second commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, and a massive war was looming.
Sora, with his ability to claim Devil Fruits from defeated users, had a golden opportunity ahead.
If he could participate under a semi-official capacity, he might claim powerful abilities from Whitebeard's side:
The Tremor-Tremor Fruit from Whitebeard himself...
Marco's Phoenix Fruit...
Jozu's Diamond Fruit...
All top-tier powers from the New World.
But for Sora to be allowed to join the war like a Warlord of the Sea, they needed someone like Hina to make it happen.
That was part of why Reiju was so invested in her.
Hina was visibly tempted.
If Sora was truly like Reiju said, making him a government-aligned force for the coming war could be the best thing for the Navy.
As someone who grew up in the Marines, Hina didn't want to see too many soldiers die.
Still, she wasn't ready to accept Reiju's words without question.
"That's just your opinion. Hina still doesn't believe it."
"Then let's wait and see," Reiju said, flashing a charming smile.
Hina blinked, stunned by the warmth in that smile, and went quiet.
A few minutes later—
Sora returned, carrying two unconscious men over his shoulders.
It was Lucci and Kaku—both taken down by surprise.