When *The Rock* slowly sailed back into Marineford's military port, Levi was almost the first person to shuffle off the ship. It wasn't out of any particular longing for Marineford itself, but rather a deep, soul-crushing yearning for a soft, large bed and an unlimited cafeteria. Vice Admiral Ghoumil watched his retreating back, which moved with an impatience that defied his slow speed, and shook his head helplessly before proceeding to the Fleet Admiral's Office for a detailed report.
Just as Levi shuffled back to his dormitory door, Vice Admiral Tsuru, seeming to have calculated the time perfectly, happened to be passing by.
"You're back?" Tsuru's tone was as calm as ever.
"...Mm..." Levi responded weakly, his fingers already on the doorknob.
"The mission was completed well," Tsuru said with a smile. "The Fleet Admiral is very satisfied. As a reward, effective immediately, the 'secret menu' of the officers' mess hall is permanently open to you, with unlimited supply. This is the special permit." She handed over a special card stamped with the Fleet Admiral's seal.
The lazy aura that usually enveloped Levi subtly fluctuated. His eyes, which were always half-closed, uncharacteristically opened a slit, focusing intently on the card.
"...Really?" His voice carried a faint, but definite, emotional tremor.
"Of course. Including air-freighted marbled wagyu beef, king crab legs from the deep sea, salads made from rare fruits of the South Blue, and even special desserts only offered when that famous chef from the East Blue is a guest..." Tsuru rattled off the dish names like a treasure list, and with each one, Levi's eyes brightened a bit more.
When he heard the words "special desserts," Levi almost lightning-fast (by his standards) reached out and took the card, carefully tucking it into his pocket as if it were a key to paradise itself.
"...Thank you..." he said dryly, then unhesitatingly pushed open his door and threw himself into the embrace of his bed. He needed to replenish his energy before conquering those delicacies.
From that day on, a peculiar sight became common in the Marineford officers' mess hall. Either Levi himself would wander in slowly during off-peak hours, like a sleepwalker, heading directly to the head chef's station to present his privilege card and order in the lowest possible voice, "...Today... I want... that... crab meat..." Or, his orderly, Potts, would rush in looking nervous, holding a small notebook filled with Levi's designated menu for the day, then quickly run back carrying a mountain of stacked food containers.
Levi's taste buds were enjoying an unprecedented feast, and his sense of happiness visibly increased. His complexion even became a bit rosier. Proportionally, of course, his laziness also entered a new era. Now, let alone sending him on a mission, even moving him from the bed to the sofa required a fierce internal struggle.
As his time at Marineford lengthened, his unconsciously emanating Absolute Sloth Domain began to spread slowly, like a drop of ink in clear water, subtly influencing the surrounding environment and people.
The corridor on Levi's floor became the most "troublesome" place for clerical officers. Walking through it would inexplicably bring a feeling of "losing all motivation." Footsteps would slow, and urgent documents would seem less pressing.
Levi occasionally (and extremely rarely) went to the edge of the training ground to sunbathe. Over time, the area he frequented was privately dubbed the "Fatigue Zone" by the soldiers. Training there felt like physical exertion was doubled, and the instructors were baffled, attributing it to "psychological effects" or "some strange property of the area."
He also discovered the library was a good place to sleep. The result was that the bookshelves in the corner he occupied became unusually "unpopular," as nine out of ten people who went there to find books would find their eyelids growing heavy, eventually falling asleep on top of their books.
Even the potted plants on the corridor windowsills were not spared. The plants near Levi's room looked less vibrant than others, with drooping leaves, as if they were "too lazy to photosynthesize," baffling the gardeners.
These bizarre phenomena gradually attracted the attention of observant individuals, especially officers known for their iron will and efficiency. A burly colonel from Akainu's faction finally couldn't hold back when he saw Levi slowly cut in line again (his invisible domain causing those in front to automatically move aside) to take a large portion of limited roasted steak.
He strode forward, blocking Levi's path, his voice loud and accusatory: "Captain Levi! You do nothing all day but enjoy privileges, and you even affect others' work and training! Is this your attitude as a Marine?! Are you worthy of that uniform?!"
His voice attracted the attention of many in the restaurant. Levi, who had been intently staring at the sizzling steak on his plate, was interrupted. He very slowly raised his head, looked at the agitated colonel, and frowned.
"...You're too noisy..." Levi's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the other man's ears. "...And you're blocking me from eating... So troublesome..."
He did nothing else; he merely expressed his annoyance. However, the next second, the burly colonel suddenly felt an unprecedented wave of drowsiness, like a mountain collapsing upon him. The feeling was more exhausting than training continuously for three days and three nights. His impassioned speech caught in his throat, replaced by an enormous yawn.
"Haa—ah—choo—!"
Tears instantly welled in his eyes. He tried hard to keep them wide to maintain his dignity, but his eyelids kept falling as if welded shut.
"I... I..." He swayed twice, trying to grab a nearby table to steady himself, but failed. "...Why... am I so sleepy..."
Before he could finish, under the astonished gaze of all the officers, the colonel, who had just been full of vigor, actually stood there, swaying slightly, emitting soft snores, and simply... fell asleep on his feet.
Levi seemed to see and hear nothing. He just carefully carried his steak, slowly walked around the standing, sleeping "obstacle," found the quietest corner, and went to enjoy his lunch. The restaurant fell into a dead silence, everyone stunned by the surreal scene.
From then on, another rumor was added about the "god of laziness" Levi: not only was he lazy himself, but he could also make those who disliked him become "lazy" to the point of falling asleep on the spot. No one dared to easily cause him trouble again.
The news quickly reached Sengoku's ears. He listened to his adjutant's report, looked at the somewhat wilted green plants outside his window, and thought about the slight decrease in efficiency reported by various departments, feeling his temples begin to throb again.