The stars still shone in the sky, but on the horizon, the sea and dawn embraced under the first hint of blue morning light. Gradually, a red sun peeked over the horizon.
A new day was dawning.
The dormitory alarm rang, and Foxy reflexively sat up, grabbing his washbasin, toothbrush, and towel.
The other marines in the dormitory did the same, moving even faster than Foxy.
After spending ten minutes washing up, they ran to the training ground.
Having spent six or seven days without news, Foxy lost much hope. Every night before bed, he cursed Crane to vent his frustration. Otherwise, he would get increasingly angry.
But today was different. When Foxy reached the training ground, he saw Crane there.
His spirits lifted. Crane being there early in the morning likely had something to do with him.
Could it be that his nightly curses were finally working?
Suppressing his excitement, Foxy started to feel nervous.
“Greetings, Vice Admiral!”
All the marines saluted on the training ground.
“Continue your training. Foxy, come with me.”
Crane noticed Foxy’s mixed expression of excitement and anxiety, finding it amusing.
He was still a child but had shown more patience than many others.
“Yes, Vice Admiral.”
Leaving the formation, Foxy followed Crane off the training ground.
Neither spoke, creating a quiet atmosphere.
As Foxy wondered where Crane was taking him, she suddenly spoke.
“Did you think I’d forgotten about you?”
She turned, her face calm and unreadable.
Foxy’s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively wanted to lie, but knowing Crane’s strength, he told the truth.
Who knew if she was using her Kenbunshoku Haki?
“Yes.”
He nodded, admitting it straightforwardly.
Crane was a bit surprised by his honesty.
She didn’t need to use Kenbunshoku Haki; her fifty-plus years of experience were enough to read people, especially a child.
“You’re quite honest.”
Crane smiled, signalling Foxy to speed up, then asked, “Did you curse me in your heart?”
Foxy’s mouth twitched, feeling scared, but still told the truth.
“At first, I did resent you, Vice Admiral. You promised to make me a marine, but after we returned to Marineford, you didn’t check on me or give me any tasks. I asked others, but they didn’t know either.”
Foxy admitted it but phrased it politely.
He didn’t mention the Six Powers or Haki, only the promise of becoming a marine.
Crane was pleased with his words.
She didn’t mind him resenting her and had expected him to lie.
Yet, Foxy was honest, unlike most who would have stammered and lied.
He was sometimes clever but also very straightforward.
“Foxy, I didn’t misjudge you.”
Foxy clenched his fists, relieved that he seemed to have passed her test.
“I found a doctor for you these past few days, and a teacher.”
Crane led Foxy through several streets, heading towards the headquarters building.
“Thank you, Vice Admiral.”
Foxy touched his closed left eye, grateful as he looked at Crane’s slender back.
The doctor didn’t matter much, but the teacher excited him. He trusted Crane wouldn’t deceive him and believed his teacher might be the man who had dedicated his life to the Navy.
Many of the future Navy’s mainstays were trained by this man.
Even Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan would call him a teacher.
Crane didn’t respond, just smiled.
Soon, they arrived at the Navy’s hospital. Crane led Foxy directly to a medical room.
An elderly doctor in a white coat, wearing reading glasses, was treating a marine. Foxy noticed the marine’s rank insignia, indicating he was a rear admiral.
Foxy had learned a lot over the past few days at the training ground, including the Navy’s ranks.
“Oh, Little Crane is here.”
The elderly doctor, at least in his eighties, still appeared vigorous. His eyes, though cloudy, occasionally flashed sharply, making Foxy uneasy.
This older man was no ordinary person.
There were few in the Navy who could address Crane so casually.
“Dr. Porter, could you check Foxy’s eye?”
Crane spoke respectfully, pointing to Foxy.
“Come here, boy. Let me take a look.”
The older man smiled kindly.
Foxy hesitated but walked over.
The older man lifted Foxy’s eyelid, frowning at the damaged eye.
“To fully restore it, aside from certain Devil Fruits, the only option is to replace the eyeball, but the success rate isn’t high. Another option is to fit a cybernetic eye, which the science division should have ready.”
Hearing this, Crane frowned, then looked at Foxy.
“Foxy, do you want to replace your eye?”
After thinking for a while, Foxy shook his head. “Vice Admiral, I’ll find a way myself in the future.”
Foxy felt a bit disappointed but not hopeless.
Though losing his left eye had impaired his vision, he was getting used to it.
More importantly, he had an idea.
“Alright then.”
Seeing that Foxy didn’t want to replace his eye, Crane didn’t insist.
“Um, can I get plastic surgery here?”
Feeling embarrassed, Foxy mustered the courage to ask.
Dr Porter and Crane were slightly taken aback, then looked at Foxy with some amusement.
“Ahem… yes, it’s possible.”
Dr. Porter nodded.
“I want to get plastic surgery.”
Foxy spoke firmly, looking at Dr. Porter with determination.
Dr. Porter didn’t agree immediately but looked at Crane.
“Are you taking this kid to the academy?”
“Yes.” Crane nodded.
“Kid, surgically altering your face will leave some flaws. I don’t recommend it.”
Dr. Porter didn’t look down on Foxy but advised him earnestly.
“You can look for some Devil Fruits in the future. If you join the Navy Academy and strive to get stronger, you’ll change naturally.”
Foxy didn’t quite understand. Change by getting stronger?
Could it be about Life Return?
When mastering the Six Powers and awakening Life Return, one could precisely control every body part, even using hair as a deadly weapon.
Changing his appearance wouldn’t be impossible.
Foxy had no qualms about plastic surgery but preferred to avoid surgery if possible. What if his nose or chin shifted during a fight? That would be embarrassing.
And there were Devil Fruits.
On reflection, surgical alteration seemed the lowest option.
Most importantly, controlling certain functions would also improve. That…
This wasn’t just about looks but about Foxy’s dignity as a man.
“Thank you for the advice, doctor.”
Foxy had thought a lot and decided to change gradually.
“Dr. Porter, we’ll be leaving now.”
“Alright.”
Before leaving, Foxy bowed to the older man and quickly followed Crane.
Curious about the older man, Foxy asked Crane, who revealed Dr. Porter had been in the Navy with Kong.
This guy was like a hidden master.
The Navy, indeed, had hidden talents. Foxy could guess the older man’s significance.
In this world where the rules of reality were different, older men weren’t necessarily easy to deal with. Just look at Kong.
Fighting for ten days and nights would drain even a strong man at over eighty. But Kong was like a bull, unbelievably tough.
Young people wouldn’t stand a chance if this older man got angry.
No wonder he could call Crane so casually.
Foxy also asked if Life Return could change its appearance, and Crane confirmed it. He didn’t dare ask the other question.
This news thrilled Foxy.
He had to learn the Six Powers and awaken Life Return, no matter what.
Natural transformation was the best, and durability was a man’s pride.
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