BOOOOM—
Suddenly, an ear-splitting thunderclap roared across the sky.
Then, raindrops as large as beans began pouring down.
Before Gion could react, Morgans—standing beside Orion—seemed to have anticipated the downpour.
He opened the black umbrella he'd been holding all along, shielding Orion just as the rain was about to drench him.
Witnessing this, Aramaki standing behind Gion immediately shot Morgans a look of admiration.
No wonder he's the Fleet Admiral's personal guard—this level of awareness is exactly why Morgans enjoys such favor.
Orion showed little reaction to Morgans' action.
After silently putting away the letter and photos, he lifted his gaze slightly to the torrential rain that had formed an immense curtain enveloping the world within mere seconds.
Unbothered, his thoughts drifted to six years ago.
It had been a similarly rain-soaked day.
*******
-Flashback
Marine Headquarters, new recruits' barracks.
"Ahahaha! Payday's finally here again!"
A burly young man in his twenties rushed into the dormitory in the heavy rain and excitedly asked his two roommates.
"Come on, tell me how much you got?"
The muscular guy already sitting on his dorm bed counting money couldn't help but retort.
"Are you stupid, Brian? The trainee class salary is the same for everyone!"
Brian lifted his leg and kicked the muscular man, "Rogers? Looking for another fight, huh? Since we all know our pay is the same, why bother counting it?"
"I just love the feeling of counting money, hahaha!" Rogers grinned widely.
"Me too~" Brian joined in with a silly laugh, then turned his gaze to the bed by the window.
"Orion, don't go giving away your salary again this month. Save some for yourself, or you might end up too broke to get a wife!"
Orion, who was lying on the bed with a pillow under his head while reading a book, tilted his head and replied seriously.
"Why bother with a wife? Until we're strong enough, every mission we go on is like dancing on the edge of a blade. One wrong move, and we're dead at sea. Better to stay single than leave a widow behind."
"Fair point!" Brian nodded, then chuckled again. "But I joined the Marines to give my wife and kids a better future! Anyway, I'm off to send my pay home—no more chit-chat!"
"Wait!"
Orion quickly stopped Brian, then pulled out his entire salary from under his pillow and tossed it to him.
"Send this to your wife too!"
Brian caught the money Orion threw at him.
"No, no, no! You already gave me your pay last month. I can't take it again!"
With that, Brian walked over to Orion's bed and tucked the money back under his pillow.
"Didn't you say your wife's about to give birth?" Orion shoved the Belly back into Brian's hand
. "I'm looking forward to hearing the little one call me Uncle! Take it—if you refuse, I'll be pissed!"
"Uh…" Brian blinked, wanting to refuse but getting silenced by Orion's glare.
Seeing this, Brian finally accepted the money.
"Uncle won't do. When the kid grows up, he'll call you Dad too, hahaha! How great—my son's not even born yet and already has two dads!"
"How do you know it's a son?" Rogers suddenly stood up, grumbling. "And why just two dads? What about the rest of us?"
Before anyone could react, Rogers handed over the Belly he'd just finished counting.
"Even though we seriously doubt you've actually got a wife, for the sake of brotherhood, we'll take your word for it! But if I ever find out you've been lying—that you don't have a wife or a baby on the way—I'll chop you into pieces!"
Stunned that Rogers had also given him his freshly earned pay, Brian's eyes instantly reddened.
"Rogers, you—"
Rogers waved him off grandly. "No more talk. Just go send the money already!"
With that, he shoved Brian out of the room.
"Wait, wait!"
Brian turned back and slapped his own bed, grabbing a photo taped to the headboard.
He turned to Orion, who had picked up his book again and was engrossed in reading.
"Hey, shorty, got a pen?"
"What for?" Orion looked up.
"Never mind!" Brian snatched the pen from behind Orion's ear and started scribbling furiously on the back of the photo.
"Done!"
After returning the pen, Brian smiled in satisfaction.
"I'll send this photo first. That way, the little one will remember all of you as soon as they're born!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Brian grabbed the umbrella in the corner and dashed out.
"Childish!"
Watching Brian sprint out of the dormitory, Orion shook his head with a chuckle.
"And he calls me 'Shorty'?"
"Well, you are Shorty!"
Rogers chimed in, laughing. "In our rookie squad, not only are you the youngest, but you're also the shortest by a mile. The nickname fits you perfectly, hahaha!"
....
Half an hour later.
Brian returned, shouting at Orion and Rogers, "Emergency mission! Quick, assemble at the plaza!"
"What kind of emergency mission?" Rogers grumbled loudly. "In this pouring rain? Can't they let us rest for once? They pay us peanuts but expect us to do life-threatening work—where's the justice in that?"
"Enough complaining!" Brian swiftly changed into his Marine uniform, his expression grave.
"Let's hope it's just a patrol."
At this, Brian suddenly turned to Orion, who was also changing.
"Shorty, if this turns out to be a pirate hunt instead of a patrol, don't charge ahead like last time when the fighting starts! Got it?"
"Got it!" Orion nodded firmly. "Let's move!"
By the time the trio rushed out of the dormitory and reached Marineford Plaza, their fellow rookie recruits had already boarded the battleship ahead of them.
They stood in formation on the deck under the torrential rain, waiting for the three to join.
"Commander, what's the mission this time? Why the rush?"
No sooner had Rogers boarded the ship and taken his place in formation than he called out to the commander at the front.
"Can't it wait until the rain lets up?"
"Enough out of you!"
The commander glared at Rogers before sweeping his gaze over the assembled soldiers.
"Listen up! Today marks your final patrol during your probation period. This mission will determine whether you stay at headquarters or get assigned to a branch. If you want to remain here, prove it with your actions!"
After a brief pause, the commander raised his Den Den Mushi and raised his voice.
"All probationary personnel accounted for. Move out!"
-----------------------------
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