The ship was brightly lit, filled with clinking glasses and joyous laughter.
“Everyone, let’s… burp… toast to young Rougishu Hyuga… burp…!” shouted Louis, who was quite drunk, with his arm around Rougishu’s shoulder. This was a stark contrast to his usual dignified and authoritative demeanor. Meanwhile, Tina stood beside them, embarrassed, covering her face as if she didn’t know her father.
“Hahaha! Cheers… to young Rougishu Hyuga… to General Louis… to Captain Jacks…”
“Today… was such a great day. Not only did we thwart the enemy’s plans, but we also met young Rougishu Hyuga, the future of the Marines!”
Everyone around was similarly drunk, some collapsing to the floor, only to raise their glasses again in a zombie-like manner, giggling as they poured their drinks over their faces.
Rougishu Hyuga couldn’t help but twitch his mouth in exasperation. He had never been a fan of alcohol, as he disliked the loss of control it brought, which could endanger himself and those around him.
Fortunately, his youthful appearance provided an excellent disguise, preventing these drunkards from pressing him too hard. Rougishu also knew they were just looking for an excuse to drink heartily and not insist on his participation.
…
“I… I’m not drunk, give me another bottle…” Louis, looking like a zombie, was tossed onto his bed by Rougishu, still trying to escape the covers’ confinement. But the covers, with their powerful sealing properties, were not easily escaped from, and soon Louis’s voice faded into a deep sleep.
“Tina feels so ashamed to trouble you, Rougishu Hyuga big brother!” Tina said, standing cutely to the side, her cheeks flushed as her fingers nervously twisted the hem of her clothes.
Hearing this familiar catchphrase, Rougishu instantly recognized that the ten-year-old Loli before him was the future beautiful and heroic Marine officer.
“It’s nothing,” Rougishu said with a smile, shaking his head as he walked out.
Tina trotted after him, asking curiously, “Rougishu Hyuga big brother, I really want to know, how did you manage to tame that Sea King?”
“Submission to a stronger power is a natural instinct for all creatures, including Sea Kings,” Rougishu replied, solemnly spouting nonsense.
“Oh! Tina understands, it’s your great strength that makes them afraid to resist.” Tina’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “But Rougishu Hyuga big brother is really strong. I’ve heard my dad say that Sea Kings are extremely ferocious creatures, even the Fish-Men avoid provoking them.”
“Of course, only powerful strength can maintain peace. It’s for this reason that I decided to become a Marine who upholds the ideals of justice!” In his kind-hearted persona, Rougishu gently patted Tina’s head like a warm older brother. “Tina, have you thought about your future plans?”
Being only ten, Tina didn’t have many thoughts about the future. She found Rougishu’s hand warmly and responded in her sweet, clear voice, “Tina also wants to become a Marine like you, big brother Rougishu Hyuga. If I become a Marine, I won’t be limited to one country or island. I can travel this beautiful sea freely.”
“The Marines may not be as wonderful as you imagine. It’s both a constraint and a responsibility. Once you bear that name, you often have no control over your own actions.”
“Then why do you still want to become a Marine, big brother Rougishu Hyuga?” Tina tilted her head, not fully understanding Rougishu’s words but feeling they made sense.
“Killing someone may need a reason, but helping someone doesn’t require any reason,” Rougishu said with a smile. In this persona, every word he spoke was filled with genuine goodwill.
…
The next morning, Louis, acting as if nothing had happened, laughed heartily when he saw Rougishu. “Young Rougishu Hyuga, I heard from Tina that you plan to join the Marine G2 branch?”
Rougishu gave a kind smile. “Yes, I hope I can succeed!”
“Young Rougishu Hyuga, excessive humility can be seen as arrogance. With your strength, it wouldn’t be surprising if you were promoted directly to the rank of captain.” Louis said sincerely.
Rougishu shook his head. He knew that while the Marines valued strength, like Fujitora and Ryokugyu were promoted directly to Admirals without any accolades or military achievements, that was due to their monstrous strength and the Marines’ dire need for leadership.
Rougishu knew his strength was far from breaking such rules, especially when three monstrous talents were rising within the Marines. In this favorable situation, he could only start from the ground up.
Of course, the Marine’s high command wasn’t foolish. They knew the negative impact of Roger’s last words before his execution, which was why they started a new round of global recruitment. They urgently needed more mid-to-high-level forces to fill the gaps.
Given this situation, anyone with talent and strength could rise faster than usual. Rougishu chose to join the Marines at this time because it offered more promotion opportunities.
To quickly use Marine resources to find Dami, he needed to showcase his value better, possibly even becoming a model figure within the Marines.
Rougishu knew that while standing out could attract challenges, he would never achieve great things without the courage to face such risks.
“Just a joke, but if you’re ever dissatisfied with the Marines, the gates of the Kingdom of Hisca are always open for you. While we may not be as influential as superpowers like Alabasta on Sainting Island, we are still a significant member of the World Government in the first half of the Grand Line.”
Rougishu just listened to these words without taking them seriously. Unless it was a top-ranked country like Elbaf or Wano, the power of a single nation was nothing compared to the Marines and the World Government.
Even a slightly powerful pirate could overthrow a royal family. The guardian deity of a superpower like Alabasta was only worth a few million in bounties. Given this, Rougishu would never join a national power.
“Dad,” Tina dragged out her words in dissatisfaction. Rougishu Hyuga’s big brother is going to be an Admiral. Who would want to be a guardian deity of your kingdom?”
“Ahem…” Louis coughed violently, murmuring, “My little princess, give your dad some face in front of others!”
“No way! You couldn’t even beat a pirate with a bounty of 24 million Beli. Dad, you’re so embarrassing!”
“A strategic retreat doesn’t count as losing,” Louis retorted, red-faced. “In war… does that count as losing?”
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