The Marines approaching were from the 153rd Division of the East Blue, led by a sergeant.
The field where Mosen lay was riddled with craters and gashes, looking like it had been bombarded. The grass was torn up, dirt and grass clumps scattered everywhere. A massive slash extended almost to the shore.
At the start of this gash lay Mosen, looking battered and bruised, evidence of the severe thrashing he had taken.
“Captain, was this… caused by a battle?” a young Marine stuttered, his hands trembling on his gun, clearly shaken by the sight of the battlefield.
The equally serious captain had followed the sounds of battle and was also taken aback by the scene. “Rookie, you must know that this world has monsters.”
Mosen, lying on the ground, was exasperated. Could you help me first before we talk?
The Marines surrounded Mosen, guns pointed at him.
“Hey, who are you? Are you with the pirates at the port?”
“No, I’m Lieutenant Mosen of the 77th Division, East Blue,” Mosen replied.
This statement would have some impact if not for his swollen, pig-like face.
“A Navy lieutenant?”
“You idiots! Take me back to the base for treatment, and you’ll find out if I’m telling the truth. Morons!” Mosen barked.
Couldn’t they see the wound on his chest? These guys had no observational skills.
Though Shanks had held back at the end, Mosen’s injuries were still severe. Without his Devil Fruit’s regenerative abilities, he would have been in real trouble just from the blood loss. After all, he wasn’t a creature that could bleed for seven days every month and be fine.
“Yes, sir.”
“Fool, be gentle. You’re hurting my wound.”
“Sorry, sir.”
“Damn it, you hit it again. Can you give my sword to someone else to carry?”
……
In the medical room of the 153rd Navy Base, Mosen’s wounds had been treated and stitched. Lying in bed, he reflected on his battle with Shanks.
Undoubtedly, this fight had opened new doors for him. Not only had it corrected some mistakes he’d been making, but it also enhanced his understanding of attack timing.
His combat senses and intuition had been further sharpened. The guidance of a top-tier fighter was incomparable to years of solitary training.
But these weren’t the most significant gains. The most important benefit was experiencing the overwhelming power of Shanks’ final strike. It was a level far beyond simply cutting iron.
That sense of cutting through anything illuminated his path forward, showing him a clear direction instead of unthinkingly fumbling on his own, saving enormous time and effort.
Moreover, the understanding from that final strike wasn’t just limited to this…
Suddenly, the medical room door burst open, and the colonel of the 153rd Base walked in with his men.
Although bandaged and no longer bedridden, Mosen stood up to salute.
“Lieutenant Mosen, the rising star of the East Blue Navy. I know you. Six months ago, you chased Garush, encountered a storm, and disappeared. I didn’t expect you to turn up here.”
The colonel looked at Mosen with some respect. After all, the young man had taken down many notorious pirates in the East Blue, something other bases had failed to do.
However, duty called. “Can you explain why you were with such a fearsome pirate and ended up fighting on this island?”
What? Doubting me? I thought you called me a rising star. I thought you were my fan. Didn’t expect such a twist.
Couldn’t he show some concern for my injuries first, even superficially? It’s annoying when you don’t.
“Well, it’s a long story. I was chasing Garush, had him heavily injured. If I hadn’t treated him in time, he would have died. Alas, I wasn’t strong enough. If it were you, Colonel, Garush wouldn’t have even had a chance to escape.”
Ignoring the colonel’s awkward smile, Mosen continued his act. “But then, unpredictable weather hit. As someone as handsome as me, I’m naturally prone to jealousy from the heavens.”
The colonel’s face darkened. This kid is so selfish. But with your pig-like face, where does your confidence come from?
Who gave you the courage to say that?
“Lieutenant, get to the point.”
“I thought you were just impatient-looking, but you’re actually impatient, huh? Where was I… oh, right, handsome people are exhausted. A storm suddenly hit, dark clouds, thunder, lightning—terrifying, you know? I was badly injured, but I remembered my duty. Navy justice demanded I couldn’t let a pirate escape. I kept my eyes on Garush, thinking of capturing him. Suddenly, a wave hit… and he was gone!”
The colonel’s face darkened further. Who’s stopping me from beating this guy? Get out of my way!
Mosen felt satisfied. Suspecting my noble character is unforgivable.
But considering it was his duty to explain being with pirates, he stopped teasing the colonel, who looked prematurely aged like a fifty-year-old man.
“A few hours later, we drifted to an uncharted island. There, I killed Garush and lived alone for six months until a pirate ship came by. I challenged them in the name of Navy justice, and you saw the result!”
After much back-and-forth questioning about details, the colonel prepared to leave, having gathered the necessary information.
“I’ll report your situation to headquarters, Lieutenant. You can rest now.”
The colonel, eager to leave before Mosen could spin another yarn, halted as Mosen called out.
“Colonel, I’d like to borrow your Den Den Mushi to notify the 77th Division.”
Mosen intended to inform his base of his situation and also wanted to let Vinsmoke and Kino know he was alive, likely having worried them greatly these past six months.
“No problem, follow me, Lieutenant.”
In the office of the 153rd Navy Base colonel.
“Buru buru, buru buru…”
“Moshi moshi, Navy 77th Division, this is Franca.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Mosen’s eyes grew slightly moist.
Besides his late adoptive parents, Franca had been the best to him in these five years—a mentor and friend, like an older brother, even though this brother was over thirty and still single.
“Colonel, Alpha Mosen reporting back!”
“Click… beep beep beep…”
Mosen stared at the disconnected Den Den Mushi, bewildered.
I take back what I said. What the hell, this bastard probably forgot about me over these six months!
On the other side, at the 77th Base.
Suddenly, the intercom blared, Franca’s voice fluctuating with excitement: “Everyone, our base’s hero Mosen has been found!”
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