Under Xayuki's watchful gaze, two warships slowly docked at the shore.
On the lead warship stood an elderly woman, her eyes blind but her posture dignified.
This was the mother of Stoke, the fallen officer. Years ago, when Stoke was transferred to Marine Headquarters under Xayuki's orders, he had brought his ailing mother along. Xayuki personally arranged for her to stay in the Headquarters' family housing and provided her with the best medical care available.
Though her health improved, the delay in treatment had left her permanently blind.
As the elderly woman, accompanied by two female Marines, carefully disembarked and approached him, Xayuki's mind flashed back to the day Stoke had called him for help from the West Blue.
At the time, Stoke was stationed at a branch in the West Blue. Desperate and out of options due to his mother's critical illness, he had reached out to Xayuki through a mutual acquaintance at Headquarters.
Xayuki hadn't hesitated to assist. Not only did he transfer Stoke to Headquarters, but he also personally paid off the medical debts Stoke had accumulated.
After seeing his mother recover under the care of the Headquarters' medical team, Stoke had broken down in tears before Xayuki, like a child, and vowed to dedicate his loyalty and life to him.
But Xayuki never wanted Stoke—or anyone else—to sacrifice their life for him.
Over the years at Marine Headquarters, Xayuki had gained much but lost even more.
Especially during his early days as a recruit, when he had formed close bonds with his fellow trainees. Most of them had perished in the line of duty, many sacrificing themselves to protect him. Of the dozen or so comrades he was closest to, seven or eight had died at the hands of pirates.
Time had flown by, and six years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Now, Xayuki stood as the Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters, but none of the friends who had entered the Marines with him remained by his side.
The second warship docked shortly after.
From it, a group of soldiers disembarked, carrying the bodies of Stoke, his adjutant, and two other fallen Marines who had been recovered by Jinbe. They reached Xayuki before the elderly woman did.
Despite believing himself to have developed a heart of stone after losing so many comrades, Xayuki felt a crushing weight in his chest the moment he saw Stoke's lifeless form. The sudden heaviness nearly caused him to falter.
"Xayuki~"
"Xayuki~"
The elderly woman, guided by the two female Marines, also arrived.
Perhaps it was the bond between mother and son that gave her a sense of direction. She raised her hands, groping forward as she repeatedly called Xayuki's name.
Xayuki gestured for the two female Marines to step back. He approached her silently and said softly, "I'm here, ma'am."
Hearing his voice, the elderly woman reached out, her hands searching for his. Xayuki quickly placed his hands in hers.
Holding his hands, she first felt them carefully, then suddenly reached up to touch his face.
Her unexpected action prompted Gion and Ain to instinctively move closer, but they stopped when Xayuki gave them a subtle glance.
After touching his face, the elderly woman nodded gently. "Stoke was right. You are indeed very young."
She paused briefly, her voice turning hoarse. Gently patting the back of Xayuki's hand, she continued, "Child, I know everything about Stoke's sacrifice."
"Don't let guilt weigh on you because of his death. You've done right by him, and by us."
"Stoke spoke of you countless times. He said you were the best superior officer in the world. If he could, he said he would give his life for you."
"Because of you, Stoke believed that the Marines' Justice still existed."
Her voice cracked as she went on, tears welling in her blind eyes. "If Stoke's body couldn't be found, I wouldn't blame you for not searching further."
Hearing these words, Gion, Ain, and the other officers standing behind Xayuki couldn't hold back their emotions. Their eyes reddened, and they turned away, unable to bear the sight.
Even at such a moment, the elderly woman did not mourn her loss with tears but instead comforted their young commander.
Her words resonated deeply with Ain, for she, along with Binz and Zephyr, also believed that it was because of Xayuki that the Marines' Justice still endured.
Gripping Xayuki's hands, the elderly woman's words brought tears to his eyes. He spoke softly, "Ma'am, we found Stoke's body. Let me take you to him."
He led her to Stoke's body and then stepped aside, unwilling to intrude on the heart-wrenching scene of a mother bidding farewell to her son. Instead, he turned his gaze to the sea, standing silently.
The elderly woman didn't break down in grief upon touching Stoke's body. Instead, she sat down beside him, trembling as she reached out. Each time her hand neared Stoke, she pulled it back, unable to bring herself to touch him.
After several attempts, she finally composed herself. Tilting her head slightly, she tried to face Xayuki but, overwhelmed by sorrow, ended up looking in the wrong direction. Her voice quivered as she called out, "Fleet Admiral!"
Before Xayuki could respond, she spoke again, louder this time.
"When Stoke fought the pirates, was he brave!?"
!!!
The sudden question struck Xayuki like lightning, leaving him frozen in place.
For several seconds, he stood there, stunned. Then, as if jolted awake, he turned to face the elderly woman, his expression one of disbelief.
To hear such a soul-piercing question in this world...
After a long pause, Xayuki straightened his posture, his expression solemn. "He was a hero among heroes."
Hearing this, the elderly woman could no longer hold back her tears. They flowed freely as she wept.
Xayuki didn't step forward to comfort her. Instead, he took a step back, raised his head, and commanded:
"All hands!"
"To Captain Stoke and all the fallen Marines—"
"Salute!"
East Blue, a certain sea region.
The deafening roar of cannon fire echoed across the waters.
Shells shot through the air with a furious whistling, raining down on a pirate ship. Explosions erupted, shrouding the ship in mist and spray.
The targeted ship bore a swan-shaped figurehead and heart-shaped decorations on its sails. Its flag displayed a skull with a heart symbol.
This was the Alvida Pirates, a crew notorious in the East Blue, frequently seen near Foosha Village, Shells Town, and Syrup Village. Their captain, Alvida, was an obese and hideous woman with a bounty of five million Belly.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!"
"Even after hiding here, they still won't let me go!"
On the deck, Alvida, wielding a massive iron club, roared in frustration as shells continued to rain down. Two crew members, scrambling to take cover, were sent flying by a single swing of her club.
"Useless trash! All of you are useless!"
As she sent her crew flying, Alvida looked toward the approaching Marine warship through the rising mist. Her voice was shrill with desperation.
"Marines! I'll fight you to the death—"
BOOM!
Before she could finish, a shell struck the deck beneath her feet, sending her flying into the sea with a scream.
When she surfaced, the Marine warship had already closed in.
Standing on its deck was none other than Morgan, his axe gleaming as he commanded his soldiers.
The Marines of the 153rd Branch boarded the pirate ship, mercilessly eliminating the remaining crew.
"Wait! I surrender!"
"I surrender, damn it! Pull me up, you stupid Marines!"
Floating in the water, Alvida abandoned her earlier bravado, shouting desperately for mercy.
"Now you want to surrender? Too late!"
Morgan sneered, his voice cold. "By the order of the Supreme Fleet Admiral, no pirate surrenders will be accepted during the Fleet Admiral's Eastern Tour!"
"All pirates—eliminated on sight!"
At his command, a row of soldiers stepped forward, their rifles aimed at the floundering Alvida.
To Be Continued...
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!
Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!
��patreon.com/GoldenLong