Gelric takes over. "Kangawa is one of three small islets just a half-days sail away from the entrance to Reverse Mountain. What Master Chief Mori is saying is that it's likely Eustass Kid has already departed for the Grand Line. He's not South Blue's problem anymore."
Each of the knuckles in my hand pop as my fists squeeze impossibly tight. An array of conflicting emotions play across my face and my jaw clenches down with enough force to bite a tongue off. "I..I missed him. I'm finally ready for my rematch and I missed him.'
Gelric snaps his fingers in my face. "You alright Parker? Not gonna run off after him are you?"
Short angry breaths puff from my nostrils. "No. I like to think I'm pretty tough, scratch that, I know I am...but that doesn't mean I'm going to haphazardly jump into the deep end." 'Not to mention I have some major concerns about Kiwi's ability to navigate that sea. Migratory birds use the planets magnetic field to know north from south and remember where things are. In the Grand Line though everything gets screwy..compasses spin wildly...logic goes out the window..and the storms are more wild and unpredictable than anything here in the Blue's..all in all it sounds like a fantastic way to get the two of us totally lost.' "Besides, I've still got work here to do in South Blue. I'm just starting to make an impact. I can't run off just because the pirate I hate the most has temporarily moved out of reach."
"Speaking of work," Gelric raises a hand, clearly forcing a subject change. "That reminds me. Before you barged in so rudely, Master Chief was telling me about how when you two first met he offered to have you join our intrepid little band here at the 4-6-8. Even talked about skipping the 'Recruit' and 'Apprentice' ranks." My eyes narrow as I see the pitch coming from a mile away. "Yeah?"
"Would I be correct in assuming that the idea has even less appeal to you now? As amusing as it might be for you to have the title of world's strongest 'Seaman', I imagine it wouldn't mesh well with your current goals."
I do my best to reign in the snark. "Be a pretty safe bet that one."
Gelric cupped his chin in thought. "Alright then.. how about at his rank?" The Captain asks with a backwards thumb jab towards Mori. "We can even talk about you continuing to act as an independent agent with that bird of yours."
Mori openly sputters at the suggestion and my immediate response gets put on hold as my eyes get drawn to the forming text screen.
New Quest Alert! Quest: You've been given the chance to join the Marines! Now at the high-tier enlisted position of Master Chief! Join the world's largest organization and forge a name for yourself under the indomitable banner of 'Justice'. Garp the Hero, Sengoku the Buddha, Great Staff Tsuru and so many others. They all started at the bottom. But with time, strength, and the will to push forward...they became Legends. Wouldn't you like your shot at joining them?
Reward: +30 STR, +30 VIT, +30 DEX, +18 INT, + 18 WIS, +4 LUK, 9,750 Exp, 120,000 Beri a month salary, Lv. 2 [Skill Disk], and [Skillbook]: Rally.
Note: This is the sum total of all [Rewards] that you would have been granted had you joined at the lowest rank of Seaman Recruit and then been slowly pro moted up to Master Chief. Additional [Rewards] will be granted upon each subsequent promotion henceforth.
Note 2: As an official member of the Marines you will become ineligible to collect bounties on pirates you capture thus making it difficult to complete your remaining bounty related [Quest]'s.
Note 3: Accepting this [Quest] and then abandoning the Marines will result in a forfeiture of all [Rewards] as well as you being branded a traitor and enemy of the World Government.
[ACCEPT/DECLINE]
I scan over the words and then head for the [DECLINE] button. It's not a terrible offer, but still not one that interests me and definitely not one I'm willing to entertain in my current mood. It's neat to know that the [Game] offers increasing [Rewards] with each promotion. And I'm sure employing a little deception would allow me to circumnavigate the problem in 'Note 2' rather easily. However once you get to the bottom line, there's still too many negatives in play to even consider accepting.
I open my mouth to tell the Captain my decision but it seems he's already read it off my face.
"Not good enough eh?" he says with a knowing smirk. "Thought as much. A smart man knows not to take the first offer." Gelric pauses to take a drag from his cigarette. "Unfortunately it's the best I can give at the moment." he exhales a cloud of smoke. "I'll have to phone Rear Admiral Aquino and see if we can sweeten the pot a little. Get you a deal worth taking."
The Captain moves to my side and pats my shoulder on his way out. "Cheer up Parker. Bit of bad news isn't the end of the world. Eustass will get what's coming to him." His head dips forward a little and whispers the rest faintly in my ear. "..and if you're hoping the higher ups won't recognize two of the rokushiki from little Yuriko's report then you are sorely mistaken."
Gelric smirks at the subtle tensing in my posture and claps me on the back once more. "Well I best get moving. I've lingered too long already. Mori, meeting 1730, don't be late, and Mr. Parker..you have a great rest of your day."
Master Chief stands for his CO as he leaves and when the door clicks shut it's just the two us standing silently in the office.
"Jack..." My friend starts warily. "You okay?"
"Not particularly." I growled beneath my breath.
The marine reaches for a drawer by his leg. "...you want a drink?"
"Just tell me who the next target is."
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