Rosha walked aimlessly through the streets of Senrock Town.
The conversation he had in the prison with Prince Ilya had significantly impacted him.
Ilya, whom Rosha had thought of as a completely irredeemable madman, had once been a hero who saved several small countries and tens of thousands of civilians.
Ilya’s final, resounding words made Rosha realize that there were indeed wise individuals in this world. It wasn’t that people couldn’t see the reality of the world, but whether they were willing to change it.
As Ilya had said, one could choose to collude with the World Government and continue to be its accomplice.
Or they could stir up the seas, creating greater chaos and using the turmoil to bring about change.
Alternatively, one could bravely stand up, declare their stance, and oppose the entire world.
“An accomplice, huh? Is he talking about the Navy? He’s really not holding back,” Rosha thought.
Looking at the bustling town, seemingly unaffected by the kingdom’s great disaster and the barbeque stall just ahead, Rosha shook his head slowly.
Burning the world directly would come at too high a price.
This world indeed needed change, but one couldn’t make such a drastic decision for the entire population lightly.
In a world where individual power could run rampant, guiding it toward a better future required having top-tier strength oneself.
With the current strength of the Revolutionary Army, it would struggle to overthrow the World Government, let alone take down one of the Four Emperors.
After speaking with his brother Grus, Ilya had died in the prison of Base 177.
But he had kept his promise, revealing the location of the vast fortune he had hidden.
It was a place no one would ever think of.
This location was less than a hundred miles from Senrock Island, where Base 177 was located.
That’s right, Ilya had hidden the enormous fortune on Paya Island, the Pirate Cemetery.
A place where no one would ever think to look.
Due to the immense sum involved, Kuzan personally took a warship to Paya Island.
Before leaving, Kuzan told Rosha to prepare for a trip to Navy Headquarters.
If all went well, in two days, Kuzan would take the Sword Unit back to Marineford.
And Rosha would go along.
Kuzan didn’t want to leave such a promising naval talent like Rosha in the North Blue any longer.
After all, Rosha had killed high-ranking officers under Doflamingo, like Gladius, and directly caused the death of Trebol, one of the top officers of the Donquixote Family.
The deaths of these two were bound to create an unresolvable enmity with Doflamingo, who saw his officers as family.
Staying in the North Blue would undoubtedly expose Rosha to the Donquixote Family’s revenge.
He would head to Navy Headquarters this time to join the current year’s recruit training.
Each year’s recruit training at the headquarters began in early spring.
It was already July, so Rosha would be joining mid-term, training with elite naval soldiers selected from around the world who had already been in training for six months.
Interestingly, Prince Grus’s application to join the Navy was finally accepted by Kuzan after Grus’s tearful plea.
As for the future of the Prince’s Kingdom without a king, that was now for the World Government and Sengoku to figure out.
Due to his bravery in the Prince’s Castle, Prince Grus was directly promoted to First Class Soldier in the Navy. In a few days, he would join Rosha to go to Marineford for recruit training.
As Rosha walked, a shout from afar interrupted his thoughts.
“Hey! Rosha! Over here!”
Rosha looked up to see Drake standing at the entrance of an old tavern, holding a pile of things and waving at him.
As he approached, Rosha noticed Drake’s flushed face.
“You rascal, instead of helping Lieutenant Commander Jennifer with the kingdom’s affairs, you’re here drinking? No wonder you were nowhere to be seen all day.”
“How dare you talk to a superior like that? Where’s your manners? Come, three penalty drinks.”
Drake, reeking of alcohol, pulled Rosha by the arm and dragged him into the small tavern.
The tavern had few tables and even fewer customers.
After all, those who could afford to drink heavily in the middle of the day were either pirates or wealthy individuals.
In a corner of the tavern sat a group fitting these descriptions.
Law sat inside, stuffing a white rice ball into his mouth, his cheeks puffed out.
Hawkins sat quietly, playing with cards as usual.
With her mature, charming face, Peacock leaned against Bepo’s fluffy head, making the bear’s fur red. Bepo looked dazed, as if he were drunk, allowing Peacock to hold him.
Law’s two subordinates, Penguin and Shachi, sat in a corner, looking envious. Tears streamed down their faces as they drew circles on the ground.
“Look who I brought!”
Drake dumped the pile of snacks he had bought on the table in front of everyone.
Everyone looked up, and Rosha smiled and greeted them one by one.
Hawkins nodded at him while Law, still chewing his rice ball, turned his head away with a snort, looking displeased.
Rosha knew why Law was unhappy and gave a dry laugh, intending to sit down and explain.
But before he could, Peacock, who was hugging Bepo, suddenly pushed the bear aside. She leaned over, resting her flushed face on Rosha’s shoulder, startling him into stiffness.
With his height towering over Peacock, even seated, she had to stand up to reach his shoulder.
Feeling the soft touch on his right arm and the alcohol-laden breath near his ear, Rosha’s face turned red.
Peacock leaned into his ear and laughed softly in her sweet voice, “Well, our little hero finally made it off the battlefield?”
“Pea…Peacock, Lieutenant,” Rosha swallowed, frozen in place.
“Don’t be nervous, I’m just…”
Peacock suddenly moved closer and kissed Rosha on the right cheek, her soft hand caressing his silver hair, which rested on his shoulder.
“…giving our little hero a small reward.”
Rosha’s eyes widened as he felt a rush of heat to his head. He hadn’t even started drinking, yet his young face turned crimson to his ears.
Bepo and the others watched in stunned silence, their gazes at Rosha filled with envy.
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