Inside the office of the 133rd Main Branch in West Blue, sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
Gern sat on the sofa, his teacup long empty, with only a few tea leaves clinging to the bottom.
“Hehe!” Asahi leaned against the desk, a satisfied smile on his face.
“So, Headquarters has approved it. I can retire as a Branch Colonel after another five or six years.”
He stroked the sparse stubble on his chin, “By then, I’ll open a small bar behind the Branch, specifically to tell stories and sell alcohol to those new recruits.”
“Sounds good.” Gern chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping over the Branch’s annual group photos hanging on the wall.
Then, his fingertips tapped lightly on the rim of his teacup, “Asahi, my warship might be docked here for a while...”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Asahi, who was well-versed in social niceties, instantly understood Gern’s meaning.
So he interrupted directly, a hint of slyness flashing in his eyes, “Don’t worry, for the next two weeks, the 133rd Main Branch will hold a grand welcoming ceremony, letting all of West Blue know that ‘Heaven Quake’ is back! And that he is right here at the 133rd Main Branch in West Blue.”
Looking at Asahi, Gern raised an eyebrow. It was truly comfortable talking to smart people!
“You can rest assured! The 133rd Main Branch in West Blue...” Asahi suddenly lowered his voice.
“If you talk about backing, you are our backing. If you want comrades, we are your comrades.
West Blue 133rd only recognizes the justice of Natural Disaster! Our faction is very clear.
Coupled with Admiral Zefa’s mentor-disciple connections and his network of students, the position of Fleet Admiral is only a matter of time!
However, Gern, you still need to develop your own direct combat forces for your justice system...”
Looking at Asahi’s expression, which seemed to say, “It’s getting cold, put on a yellow robe,” Gern pursed his lips and smiled helplessly.
........
After their casual chat, Asahi prepared to arrange matters, so he raised his voice and called out towards the door.
Then, the office door opened, and a tall female Marine walked in.
Her dark Red Hair was tied into a neat ponytail, but the hair on both sides of her temples was shaved very short, making her look exceptionally sharp.
Her uniform was impeccably ironed, and a standard-issue saber hung at her waist.
“Belle-Mere, go arrange it. Tell them we’re going to hold a grand... for Rear Admiral Gern...”
Asahi was still giving orders, but Gern’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Belle-Mere? This name was too familiar to him—Nami and Nojiko’s adoptive mother in the future.
But why would she appear in West Blue?
“Oh, right, Gern, this is Sergeant Belle-Mere.” Asahi introduced, “She’s also one of the best soldiers in our Branch over the past year or two.”
Gern stood up and walked over to Belle-Mere.
She was younger than he imagined, probably just twenty, completely a young girl.
“Your hometown should be Cocoyasi Village in East Blue, right?” Gern suddenly asked.
“Huh? Rear Admiral Gern.” Belle-Mere was visibly startled, her eyes widening slightly: “You... how did you know?”
Asahi also showed a surprised expression: “Gern, you know Belle-Mere?”
Nonsense! Not only did he know her, he also knew her ending!
Of course, the above was an internal thought, but in reality, Gern smiled vaguely, “When I passed through Cocoyasi Village with Vice Admiral Garp in East Blue, I heard someone mention a topic about ‘a woman needs courage’.”
As he spoke, Gern’s gaze swept over Belle-Mere’s distinctive hairstyle, “After all, your hairstyle really does require courage.”
Hearing this, Belle-Mere’s face immediately turned red, and her fingers unconsciously touched her temples: “This, this is for convenience in combat...”
“Although I don’t know why you’re serving in West Blue.” Gern patted her shoulder.
“But since you’re a Marine of the 133rd Branch, you can contact me here if you need anything in the future.” Gern’s tone was casual, but it made Belle-Mere’s eyes light up.
“Yes! Rear Admiral Gern!” She straightened her back and saluted, her voice filled with unconcealed excitement.
Seeing this, Asahi looked at the two of them and suddenly clapped his hands: “Alright, in that case, Belle-Mere, take the Rear Admiral to tour the newly renovated training ground first.
I’ve already had the mess hall prepare a special menu for dinner.”
Belle-Mere nodded and stepped aside to let Gern go first.
As they walked out of the office one after another, the soldiers in the corridor cast curious glances.
The whispers behind them made Belle-Mere’s back straighten even further.
On the training ground, new recruits were undergoing combat training.
Seeing Gern appear, the entire area instantly fell silent, and everyone’s movements froze.
“Continue training!” Belle-Mere shouted sternly, and only then did the new recruits, as if waking from a dream, start moving again, but their eyes still couldn’t help but glance over.
Gern looked around. The newly expanded training ground was more than three times larger than before, with all kinds of facilities available.
On the distant firing range, rows of soldiers were practicing shooting.
“Such a big change.” Gern said softly.
“After you left, the Branch received strong support from Headquarters and became the West Blue Main Branch.” Belle-Mere followed him half a step to his side.
“This is a story that Lieutenant Colonel Asahi tells every new recruit.”
“This Asahi...” Gern shook his head with a smile, then paused, “Tell me about yourself. How did someone from East Blue end up in West Blue?”
Belle-Mere’s expression suddenly became complex: “Four years ago, I couldn’t stand pirates bullying villagers, so I signed up to join the Marine.
As a result, one time our warship in West Blue was attacked by pirates and destroyed, and the entire crew was wiped out.
And I just happened to be rescued by Lieutenant Colonel Asahi, who arrived as reinforcement.” She touched a scar on her left arm, “Later, I stayed at the 133rd Main Branch and became a Marine.”
Gern noticed her obvious flicker of expression when she mentioned the Marine and chuckled softly.
It seemed that the current Belle-Mere had not yet experienced the sea battle that would change her fate, nor had she adopted those two little girls.
“Want to go back and see?” Gern suddenly asked.
Belle-Mere suddenly looked up: “What?”
“I can have Asahi arrange a warship to take you back to East Blue for a trip.” Gern’s tone was casual, “After all, you haven’t been back in a few years, have you?”
“Rear Admiral Gern, I am a Marine now, and I have my duties here. You also only returned to the 133rd Branch after nine years.”
Gern glanced at her and said nothing more.
He understood Belle-Mere’s character—stubborn, independent, and unwilling to accept charity.
As the sun set in the west, the shadows on the training ground stretched long.
Gern stood at the place where he first demonstrated his abilities back then; the stone slab beneath his feet still bore that faint crack.
“Rear Admiral Gern.” Belle-Mere suddenly spoke, her voice somewhat hesitant, “Can I ask you a question?”
“Speak.”
“You... why are you helping me?” She looked directly into Gern’s eyes, “We are strangers, yet you know so much about me...”
Gern looked towards the distant horizon, where a merchant ship was slowly sailing by.
“Some people are destined to meet.” He said softly, “Just like the orange trees in Cocoyasi Village, they will naturally blossom and bear fruit when the season comes.”
“Is that so?” Belle-Mere frowned, nodding as if she understood but didn’t quite.
The sea breeze ruffled her Red Hair, which looked like burning flames in the setting sun.