Chapter 55

As Smoker gazed out the window from his hospital room, he happened to see Tina walking with Luo En.

His eyes involuntarily narrowed.

"That Tina… why is she walking with him?"

"Could she already know?"

Smoker's eyes widened.

If Tina knew.

Then the entire Marineford might know already!

Smoker, the Marine, was hospitalized after being severely injured by an eleven-year-old child!

In truth, Tina had no idea about this at all!

She simply intended to take this boy she liked very much out shopping, as there was a shop she'd long wanted to try that was launching a new dessert.

Only a few people knew about Smoker's match with Luo En.

Admiral Warring States and the others wouldn't expose Smoker's humiliation.

As long as Smoker and Luo En said nothing, no one else would know—and once Smoker recovered, the incident would vanish as if it never happened.

But now Smoker had misunderstood, thinking everyone already knew…

Lying in bed, smoking a cigar, Smoker stared blankly out the window.

After a long silence,

he made a decision.

"After I recover, I'll leave Marineford—no, leave the Grand Line. Find a place to settle."

On an island near Marineford, Tina and Luo En wandered, eating and drinking.

Luo En temporarily abandoned his cultivation, embracing the role of a traveler to enjoy all manner of delicacies and specialty drinks.

The two had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

Unaware that Smoker had already decided to leave the Grand Line.

Back on the Marine ship, carrying various snacks, desserts, and clothes, Tina bent down and smiled at Luo En:

"I really like you, little Luo En. Come join my ship."

Though they'd only spent half a day together, she genuinely liked Luo En, treating him almost like a younger brother.

If any of her fellow Marine cadets saw this, they'd be stunned—Tina, the proud, cold, supremely confident woman, was being so gentle and close to someone.

Luo En shook his head.

"Tina, I'm not yet a Marine. I can't become your subordinate."

"Is that so? I'm disappointed."

Tina felt a pang of regret but still respected Luo En's choice.

Luo En nodded and smiled at her: "If we have another chance, I'll sail with you."

Taller than one meter eighty, Tina bent down and gently patted his head with a smile.

"Alright."

…

At dusk, after the ship docked, they parted ways.

Standing on the deck, Tina in her justice coat watched the small figure fade into the distance, a smile appearing on her beautiful face.

Tina was currently a Lieutenant, still assigned many missions to hunt pirates; today was a rare day off.

She'd heard Smoker was injured and originally came to visit him.

Instead, she unexpectedly met the rumored special recruit—and found him so interesting and adorable, utterly unlike the stern, gloomy Marine Headquarters.

Like a splash of vibrant green against a dull gray wall, brimming with life, he naturally drew in Tina, who was independent and fiercely individualistic.

"Lieutenant Tina, shouldn't we set sail?"

An aide asked behind her.

"Set sail."

Tina turned and said.

Until we meet again, little Luo En.

…………

47, Zephyr's Plan (5/5)

Luo En was naturally unaware of Tina's thoughts.

On his way back to his quarters, he encountered another familiar face.

Mokey the Weasel, Vice Admiral.

Mokey saw him too, but merely glanced at him before passing by with the Marines behind him.

No mistake.

Luo En turned to glance at the tall, slender back.

This man's swordsmanship had surely reached the Sword Saint level Master Keng described.

Add to that Armament Haki and Observation Haki…

"I'm absolutely no match for him."

Luo En thought to himself as he walked.

…

In the following period,

Tina was busy with missions, and after Smoker's injuries improved, he immediately requested a transfer.

On normal days, Luo En would either walk barefoot along the walls to train his perception, or wander around Marine Headquarters or the Marine Academy; as long as he didn't go to any restricted areas, no one stopped him.

Marine officers and soldiers were fairly warm and friendly toward him, though some gave him cold, indifferent looks.

Luo En didn't care about this at all.

After he discovered that the Marine Academy had a large amount of mechanical equipment for training, and that he could occasionally see Marine cadets practicing the Six Powers of the Marines.

The time Luo En spent inside the Marine Academy increased.

……

Very soon.

One month passed.

This day.

Marine Headquarters building.

"Just leave it like this?"

Huang Yuan sat in his seat, toying with his fingers.

"What?"

Zhan Guo sat behind the desk handling documents, not even looking up.

"That kid Mr. Garp brought back."

"You mean Luo En, hasn't he been getting along quite well in Marineford lately?"

"He is staying comfortably, sure, but just letting him stay in Marineford like that — will that let him see our Marines' justice?" Huang Yuan said without looking up. "Making him an intern was meant as a goal to get him to join the Marines, right? Or is it fine as long as he just keeps his intern status?"

"Borsalino, what are you trying to say?"

Zhan Guo looked up at him.

Huang Yuan stood up, hands in his pockets, and beneath his sunglasses his eyes slanted toward Zhan Guo with a smile: "I just think… we have to let him see the evil of the pirates."

Zhan Guo's eyes narrowed slightly: "Go on, in detail."

…………

Huang Yuan walked out of Zhan Guo's office.

He hadn't gone far.

When he stopped.

"Is that enough? Teacher Zephyr."

Zephyr, standing against the wall with his arms crossed, gave a grunt of acknowledgment.

"Thanks for your trouble."

"This kind of thing — couldn't you, Teacher Zephyr, have gone to talk to the Fleet Admiral yourself? Why did you specifically come find me?"