Chapter 8: Lieutenant Commander's Diary
"June 7, 1518, Marine Circle Calendar."
"I officially joined the Marines. It's a happy day. According to my father, I should start as a clerk, then a private, private first class, corporal, and then a petty officer, lieutenant, and major. It's a long road."
"July 2."
"Today I met a Marine who has been doing household chores at the base for three years. This worried me a little."
"August."
"The weather is very good today and my father came to see me at the base. That afternoon, the base commander announced that he would promote me to private first class. Others look at me strangely, especially the one who has been doing household chores for three years. Is it really a good thing? After all, I haven't done anything yet?"
"September."
"It seems pretty good to me. After all, I've worked very hard. Also, today I was promoted to sergeant. When I talked to my father on the phone tonight, he told me I was still a bit slow. I didn't answer him. What an unpleasant day."
"That errand boy was finally promoted to private, but he dared to point at me and scold me! He said that I only relied on my nobility and my connections! Damn it, it's obviously his fault for not trying hard enough! Have a nice day."
"The private who scolded me is dead, hahaha, he actually went after pirates. My father said I'd be promoted to lieutenant in a while, I wonder how this will go. I'll have to urge him on later."
"How fast, it's almost a year since I joined the Marines. But there's not much to do at the base. Luckily, my father said I'd be transferred to Judicial Island in a while, it's a good place!"
"September 3, 1519, Marine Circle Calendar."
"I was promoted to captain, but things seem to be a little different. My father started asking me to transport pirate captains arrested by the Marines to the Sabaody Archipelago in warships."
"My God, how is this possible! I'm just a captain, not an admiral! The judges of Judicial Island won't allow it, and neither will my colleagues and superiors!"
"But I couldn't refuse... Damn it!"
"...They agreed. Plus, I'm already a major."
The diary closed softly, with the blue seagull printed on the cover a little mottled.
"'What an interesting story, right?' said the one reading the diary slowly, and a piece of charred wood fell beside him with a metallic clatter."
"Buggy clumsily took out a relatively intact mirror. Looking at the reflected face, he continued working on it. With a sharp fruit knife, he shaved the skin and tendons from his face, then reassembled and adjusted it, making sure it looked like the young major he had just met."
"If it were just for him, Buggy would undoubtedly be the best plastic surgeon in the world. Perhaps Trafalgar Law, with his Ope Ope Fruit, could rival him. The similarity between the two was that Law could stab anyone without killing them, while Buggy aimed at himself."
"And where had that major named Yaro gone? With such a serious explosion on the warship, it was no wonder that several Marines died. Especially in such a chaotic situation, not to mention a major, even Brigadier General Brownie was worried about his own safety. He didn't even have time to consider Buggy's departure, except for some flatterers."
"With a clang, the iron door of Yaro's room, already weakened by the explosion, finally collapsed under the weight."
"Sergeant Jacques stood stunned at the door. His raised right hand confirmed that he had given the final push. His expression reflected a little panic, with his face and head stained with dust from the explosion."
"'Yaro-sama, are you okay?' Jacques asked."
"Jacques paused, but quickly recovered. His questioning tone was not overly humble, but rather the anxious voice of someone who is hurriedly counting survivors after the chaos. His narrowed eyes flickered, trying not to focus on the half-peeled piece of flesh, the thickness of a band-aid, that had detached from Buggy's face, or on what he saw as Major Yaro. Major Yaro worked for the Celestial Dragons; some peculiarities were to be expected."
"He quickly found an explanation for Buggy."
"'Don't worry, it's just a few scratches,' Buggy explained, following his gaze. 'What's the situation on the ship?'"
"'Very bad.' Sergeant Jacques put on a long face, but seeing Buggy's displeasure, he quickly said: 'But not that bad!'"
"'There was a big explosion in the hold, and then the boiler room exploded. Only here, the deckhouse, is okay, but water is coming in below. Oh, and Mr. Brownie, he's still in the hold! We...'"
"He didn't say anything else, looking like he was following Buggy's lead."
"'Where are the people from headquarters?' Buggy asked with a wave of his hand."
"'They have also noticed the explosion and are coming toward us at full speed. They are led by Vice Admiral Ghost Spider!'"
"'Ghost Spider,' Buggy murmured, not bothering to fix the smear on his face. Instead, he bandaged it with a white cloth with indifference. Then he picked up his rifle."
"He smiled: 'Let's go down and rescue them.'"
"'Rescue them?' Jacques was stunned. He had gone to look for Yaro on his own initiative, not because this gentleman had connections, but because he never took risks. Why was he heading to the hold now? If there was a second explosion, they would both be trapped! Besides, it doesn't look like you're trying to save anyone!"
"Jacques's opinion didn't matter."
"After escaping from danger, Buggy dragged him down the stairs. Like many criminals, they always like to remember the scene of their crimes. Buggy's mindset was similar."
"His leather boots echoed against the charred iron. Just two steps away, he felt a noticeable tilt in the stern. It seemed that the water was taking in quite a bit."
"In the crew compartment, oil lamps fell, causing another fire that burned in the hallway leading down."
"'Yaro-sama, should we go down?' Jacques asked. 'I'm afraid that Brownie-sama is too...'"
"'Shh, don't worry,' Buggy interrupted him, looking down with anticipation. At the same time, he raised his rifle and aimed."
"A gust of footsteps echoed behind the fire."
"Snap!"
"Arne stumbled and crawled out of the sea of fire. Before he could savor the relief of escaping, he suddenly saw the dark barrel of a gun."
"Under the barrel, a smile unconsciously reassured him."
- - - - -
Hello everyone!
Great news! Starting today, Thursday, October 23rd, and running through Friday, October 31st, all subscription tiers on my P@tre0n will be 50% off.
Use the code 26DEA at checkout to activate the promotion and get access to hundreds of advanced chapters!
P@tre0n/ iLikeeMikee