The night breeze was fantastic, the moon was full, and the stars were abundant. The sky was dotted with countless shimmering lights, casting a patchwork of reflections on the deep, tranquil sea.
A Navy escort ship crept on the calm sea, its orange-yellow lights casting a picturesque glow on the water, creating a beautiful scene from a distance.
Under the white sails, the gathered Navy personnel had dispersed, leaving only Syndrian and Mosen in the same spot.
“This time, when you return, Captain Franca will be promoted to the Navy Headquarters. He had been postponing it, waiting for news about you. Now that you’ve reappeared, he has no reason to delay any longer.”
After taking down the Higuma Pirates, Captain Franca was summoned by the headquarters for a promotion. He refused, citing unfinished business as the reason. This was unprecedented in East Blue, where everyone wanted to move to the headquarters. Franca wasn’t like Smoker, who constantly caused trouble in the Navy. Disobeying orders was like drinking water for Smoker, but for Captain Franca, it was a significant risk to his career.
Mosen knew this well. The Navy was a hierarchical force, and even lawless pirates obeyed their captains’ orders, let alone the Navy.
“Yes, his merits have long warranted a promotion to the headquarters. And I will be going with him this time,” Mosen said, smiling at Syndrian. “Congratulations, Major, you’ll soon be in charge of the 77th base!”
“Damn it, Mosen, that’s not what I meant!” The adjutant was exasperated, having no such thoughts at the moment.
“Oops, sorry, sir, just kidding! Don’t be so stingy!”
You can’t even take a joke? How will you manage the base with that intelligence?
Then, in a peculiar tone, Mosen added, “Well then, sir, I leave the base in your hands!”
…
After three days of sailing, they finally reached the Navy Base Town. Unlike Shells Town, the 77th base was not in the island’s center but on the opposite side, at the edge of the town.
The base had its port and dock separate from the regular harbor.
As the ship docked, all the soldiers hurriedly disembarked as if a monster was chasing them.
It was because Mosen had tormented everyone over the past few days. Thanks to Shanks’s final slash, Mosen’s Observation Haki had one foot in the door, almost fully awakened.
Mosen devised a new training method, blindfolding himself and having all the soldiers attack him with full force.
This wasn’t his original idea. In many web novels he read in his previous life, similar methods were used to train hearing, intuition, and combat instincts.
And it proved effective.
However, while Mosen benefited, it was at the expense of many. Due to his Devil Fruit ability, all attacks slid off him. What happened after they slid off? Sorry, the ability didn’t cover that.
In close combat, blades meant to cut or stab him slid aside.
This led to situations in which A’s slash at Mosen would slide toward B, B’s thrust would slide toward C, and C’s swipe would slide back toward A.
Damn it, after all our efforts to hit you, you’re okay, and we’re the ones getting hurt. You aren’t just a tease; you’re a slippery one!
…
In the base captain’s office, Franca patted Mosen’s shoulder. “It’s good to have you back. Let’s report your situation. Your previous merits were enough for a promotion. I held off because of Higuma, but now that he’s gone, we’ll report everything. The next boot camp isn’t far off either.”
“I’m fine. This time, I’m thinking about Vincent. I want to send him to the Navy school for formal education and training, not this haphazard way.” Mosen sighed. He had no problems; his merits were long enough for boot camp. The issue was finding a place for his adopted brother, Vincent.
Mosen always considered finding a powerful Devil Fruit for Vincent if necessary.
But, he still believed that a child needed proper education to develop a sound moral compass. Children raised haphazardly often turned out poorly.
This world’s education system was abysmal.
It was likely due to suppression by the Celestial Dragons and some kingdom aristocrats. Knowledge is power, and once people are educated and aware, they won’t be oppressed by nobles anymore. This was unacceptable to the noble class.
Dragons were called the most dangerous criminals because the Revolutionary Army aimed to overthrow the world’s aristocratic rule, breaking the existing order fundamentally different from pirates.
Most pirates turned to plunder out of desperation; their ingrained subservience often directed their violence toward commoners rather than the high and mighty nobles.
Mosen didn’t share Dragon’s grand ideals. He wasn’t a saint. Coming to this world, he wanted to see beautiful scenery, enjoy good food, and do things he wanted. If he could have a pretty girl to warm his bed, that’d be even better. If not, it didn’t matter.
As for the Celestial Dragons and nobles, he wouldn’t bother with them as long as they didn’t provoke him.
He trained hard to ensure that when he ventured out, he wouldn’t end up dead. Strength wasn’t a pursuit but a guarantee to pursue his desires undisturbed.
But Vincent was different. He was a native with dreams and aspirations. Mosen had promised his foster mother to take care of Vincent, so planning for Vincent’s future was essential.
Franca suddenly laughed a bit smugly. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve already adopted Vincent. There won’t be any issues with the Navy school. He’ll join us when we go to the headquarters.”
Mosen was stunned, his face darkening. Damn, Franca, such a slick move? I see you as a brother, but you want to be my dad?
Have you gotten cocky after not seeing me for half a year?
Cunning Syndrian quickly picked up on the tension. If Mosen didn’t cause some trouble now, he’d change his surname to match Mosen’s.
He quickly gave Franca a sympathetic look and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
“Captain Franca, I’ve always seen you as a brother, but now you want to be my brother’s adoptive father? Let’s see if you’re up to it!”
Mosen’s eyes were dangerous. This was a perfect chance for revenge. Franca had beaten him more than once when he was weaker. Later, when Franca couldn’t beat Mosen, he stopped sparring, and Mosen couldn’t find an opportunity.
Now, the chance was right before him.
“Mosen, you brat, you dare attack your superior officer.”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing, you bastard!”
“Stop, stop! Don’t hit my face. Damn it, you’re still hitting!”
Outside the room, Major Syndrian leaned against the door, lighting a cigarette and exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Through the smoke, he wore a schadenfreude grin.
Become a Patron read up to 40 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
