Five minutes later, Mosen felt refreshed. He finally got his revenge. Franca had beaten him up quite a bit during their practice sessions, and everyone knew Mosen had a reputation for holding grudges.
Franca sat in his chair, feeling despondent. Over the past six months, he had devoted all his energy to improving his strength, even starting to practice one of the Six Powers. Yet the gap between him and Mosen grew ever more comprehensive, especially now that Mosen had eaten a Devil Fruit.
“Hey, Mosen, I need to report your situation to the headquarters. The summer boot camp recruitment is about to start.”
After a brief moment of sadness, Franca decided not to bicker with Mosen. After all, it was pointless since he couldn’t beat him anyway.
“I haven’t asked you yet, Captain. Where will you be assigned after this promotion?”
“Where else? The Grand Line. I’ll probably be a junior officer at some base.”
“Junior officer? Shouldn’t it be a promotion? Why a demotion?”
Mosen didn’t quite understand this. He knew the naval ranks in the four seas were one level lower in actual strength than the headquarters. Even Franca, once on the Grand Line, would probably only be equivalent to a lieutenant in the headquarters, not a total commander.
“You brat, do you know what the Grand Line is? It’s a place filled with monsters. I’m lucky to be a junior officer there.”
Franca looked at Mosen with exasperation. He knew that Mosen was ignorant about these matters, considering all his time was spent training. How could he expect muscles to produce intelligence?
“My strength isn’t enough to be a junior officer in the Grand Line. It’s thanks to the list you found earlier, which helped the Navy take down many underground forces, that I got this promotion.”
“Oh, I see. Well, it doesn’t matter. With me covering you in the future, you don’t need to worry.”
Franca stared at Mosen in disbelief. He was a captain, about to become a lieutenant, yet this little ensign dared to speak like this. You’d think he was an admiral.
Franca picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed the Navy Headquarters.
It wasn’t long before a call connected to a burly, kindly-looking man with a thick beard.
“Vice Admiral Onigumo, this is Franca from the 77th base in the East Blue.”
“Oh, it’s Franca. No need to be so formal. What’s the situation?”
The Den Den Mushi perfectly mirrored Onigumo’s expression—his thick beard, squinting eyes, and a warm, deep voice.
“Yes, sir. The missing ensign, Mosen, who pursued the pirate Higuma and was caught in a storm, has returned. He also defeated Higuma.”
“Oh, what a lucky kid. I’ll update his file to reflect that he’s no longer missing. The boot camp has been running for half a year already, so he’ll need to catch up.”
Franca’s expression turned strange. He knew how firm the recruits at the boot camp were, and he doubted anyone there could threaten Mosen now.
“Franca, you should also get ready to report to headquarters soon. The Grand Line isn’t like the East Blue.”
“Yes, sir!”
“The headquarters will send someone to pick you up. Hand over the base properly; the officers from headquarters will bring your appointment letter.”
After hanging up, Onigumo asked for Mosen’s file to be updated and planned to coordinate with the boot camp instructors.
“Hmm? It’s already updated?”
“Smooth-Smooth Fruit user! An iron-cutting swordsman… and fought against Shanks? This kid is really something.”
“Looks like we need to keep an eye on him. Recently, only Smoker, Tashigi, and Vergo have shown promise at boot camp. Hopefully, this Mosen will also excel.”
…
At the 77th base town, Mosen was ready to leave the base. He hadn’t been home in six months and wondered how Vincent and Kino were doing.
At the base gate, Mosen noticed a fleeting figure in the distance.
Mosen’s lips curled into a smile. That proud little brat!
As Mosen walked through the town, the entire place erupted in excitement. People flooded the streets to welcome him back. He took a long time to make his way through the crowd, taking a deep breath.
Damn, a kid clutching his sword was one thing, but two young ladies kissing him was something else. But a fifty-year-old woman trying to grope him? What’s going on?
And a creepy older man trying to slip his hand into Mosen’s shirt? If not for their being neighbors, he would have broken the man’s hand and stripped him naked in the street.
Adjusting his clothes and straightening his justice cloak, Mosen felt a bit awkward. He hated the hat that covered half his face, hiding his good looks. Once he became an officer, he swore never to wear it again. No way would he jinx himself with that.
The door to his house was ajar, but no one was inside.
Sounds came from the small woods behind the house. It had to be his overly proud and cold younger brother.
Thinking momentarily, Mosen threw his hat onto a hook, grabbed his katana with its snow-white scabbard and plum blossom patterns, and headed toward the woods.
“Well, look at that. Kino’s here too. Good kid.”
Even before reaching the clearing, Mosen sensed something was off, a testament to his growing strength and heightened senses. He was close to awakening his Observation Haki.
In the clearing, a cold-faced young boy practiced his swordsmanship with a wooden sword. Beside him was an adorably cute Kino.
Kino tried to turn when she saw Mosen, but the cold-faced boy glared at her, making her freeze.
The two pretended not to see Mosen, continuing their training.
Silly brother, don’t you know a naughty child needs love to change? And how dare you corrupt sweet Kino? Unforgivable.
“My dear brother, your swordsmanship is terrible. Come accept your big brother’s loving guidance!”
Mosen stepped towards Vincent, holding his katana, and said, “Hit me, and this fine katana, one of the 50 Skillful Grade swords, will be yours.”
Vincent’s cold face lit up. Without a word, he thrust his wooden sword at Mosen, startling Kino.
But it was futile. Just as Mosen couldn’t touch Shanks, Vincent was leagues behind Mosen.
Mosen sidestepped, lightly tapping Vincent with the sheathed sword. It didn’t hurt much, but it was pretty painful.
Vincent gritted his teeth, maintaining his cold expression, and slashed again, only to be easily blocked by Mosen. A slight push sent Vincent stumbling back.
“Stamina, kid. Did you ignore your big brother’s words? Without strong stamina, everything else is pointless!”
Vincent bit his lip and attacked again, but Mosen deflected him easily each time, striking him lightly. Soon, Vincent was covered in bruises, and even his face was swollen in spots.
Kino was almost in tears but didn’t dare intervene.
With a thud, Vincent finally collapsed, and Kino rushed to help him.
Mosen stood aside, satisfied with Vincent’s progress in swordsmanship but disappointed in his stamina. He couldn’t even sustain one intense battle.
“Without stamina, your swordsmanship is useless, you brat.”
“I don’t need stamina, damn it! I want to get stronger. I don’t want to be your burden!”
Vincent’s cold facade crumbled as he burst into tears.
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