"Don't understand why they're thanking you?"
As Rosinante looked bewildered, Z's voice suddenly came from behind him.
Rosinante turned and saw Z. "Master-Z."
"Is it that you don't understand why they're thanking you?" Z asked, looking at him knowingly. Rosinante nodded. Z's expression grew more serious.
"These cadets, most of them lack talent. I had the headquarters recruit them from the four seas, so they've always been far behind the ones from our main division. They've always been at the bottom in every assessment and have been doubting themselves with every failure."
"This time, after failing the Power Level test, they were sure they'd never be able to learn the Six Powers. Their inner resolve was shaken, and they started thinking they'd never amount to anything—that their lives were meaningless. From there, it's a straight path to self-destruction."
"And then, you said those few words. Simple, but full of guidance. You told them that no matter the rank, their job is to serve the people, to maintain peace on the seas. Even if you're just a Major, the work is the same as an Admiral's, and the people will still support you. You gave them a new purpose—a goal. You reignited their fighting spirit. From now on, the Navy will have more exceptional individuals."
"I have to say, Blue Eagle, you've done something incredible today."
Z looked at Rosinante, who was completely stunned.
Did I really do something so amazing? He thought.
You're talking about me, right? I only said some typical bureaucratic lines from the past… How did it have such an impact?
In reality, Rosinante had greatly underestimated the power of these bureaucratic lines in a world where people's minds hadn't been exposed to modern concepts. These locals never had any exposure to the ideas of serving the people or the greatness of communal welfare.
The Navy in this world was rather ignorant. They had no real understanding of who they were serving. They shouted "justice" without realizing that it meant different things to different people. To these indigenous Marines, serving the World Government seemed like the only truth—they received food from the World Government, so they subconsciously thought that they represented its justice. If they weren't strong enough to serve the World Government, they would feel worthless and lost.
It wasn't until Rosinante stepped up and reminded them: Don't focus so much on the World Government. Even if they don't need you, the people need you. You can find value in life through the people's respect.
With that, these lost sheep found their fight again. And the one who gave them this constructive advice, Rosinante, became their philosophical mentor.
"Uhh… Hehe, Master-Z, I didn't know I was that impressive until you said it~"
Rosinante chuckled awkwardly. Z gave him a side-eye.
"Kid, you've got a good head on your shoulders, but it won't please the aristocrats of the World Government. Be careful with what you say; you don't want to get yourself into trouble."
"Get into trouble?" Rosinante frowned, confused.
Z gave him a serious look. "The Navy represents the face of the World Government. We must serve them, not the common people of the seas. Sometimes, to protect the interests of the World Government's aristocracy, the Navy must do things that harm the civilians."
"Ah~ So we hurt civilians for the nobles? Is this the justice the Navy defends?" Rosinante's eyes widened in shock.
"This is not the Navy's justice." Z corrected. "But it is the justice the World Government demands of the Navy."
Z looked up at the sky, a somber expression crossing his face. "It's getting late. Go get some rest."
"No, Master-Z! I want to learn the Six Powers!" Rosinante insisted, his resolve firm.
Z looked at him, then shook his head. "There's no shortcut here. If you want to learn the Six Powers, first get your Power Level up to 500."
"Alright, Master-Z! I'll train right now!" Rosinante said enthusiastically, running toward the training grounds, ready to push himself alongside the cadets who had rekindled their hope.
Watching Rosinante dash off, Z's eyes softened for a moment. The future of the Navy lies with these young cadets. Rosinante is the best representative of that future.
Training: 1000 weighted push-ups, followed by 1000 weighted frog leaps, then 1000 weighted pull-ups, and 2000 barbell presses...
"Yo, yo, Woaah~ How diligent! This kid's practically a monster!"
Borsalino, holding a cup of tea, lazily strolled over to Rosinante, teasing him with a smirk.
"A monster? Don't kid yourself. Compared to you, I'm still far behind!"
Rosinante continued his exercises, barely breaking a sweat, as he shot back without hesitation.
"A monster? Don't joke around, kid. I'm not as diligent as you!" Borsalino chuckled.
"Diligent? Monsters don't need to be diligent. Honestly, old man, even if I ate the Glint Glint Fruit, I wouldn't train this hard. Lucky ones have their reasons to be so proud!"
"Oi, oi~ Kid, your mouth is too sharp! 'Lucky ones?' And I'm only 26! I'm not that old!"
Borsalino puffed his cheeks, feigning irritation.
Rosinante raised an eyebrow, holding a barbell up. "I'm 8 years old, and you're almost 20 years older than me. If you're not an 'old man,' then what are you?"
"8 years old? Woah~ You're 8 and already this strong? And what's up with your growth? You're built like a 14 or 15-year-old kid. Truly early bloomer!"
Borsalino seemed a bit miffed at being called "old man," so he retorted with a jab at Rosinante's early growth.
"Oi, oi~ Enough of that! So, I saw you were with Admiral Sengoku this morning. Are you close with him?"
Borsalino took a sip from his tea and asked casually.
"Hmm, kinda. I call him Dad." Rosinante replied offhandedly.
"Woah~ So you're the young master of an Admiral's family? I've been mocking the Admiral's kid... Will I get killed now?" Borsalino joked with mock fear.
"Cut it out, Borsalino. You're scared of an Admiral's kid? Don't joke around. Got anything else, or should I get back to training?" Rosinante shot him a glance.
"Ah, ah, such a cold kid! By the way, I came to tell everyone that dinner is ready in the cafeteria. Let's go eat the meat while Akainu's group is still training!"
Borsalino shouted to the unqualified cadets who were still at the training grounds.
The cadets immediately stopped lifting, and the leader of the group, a muscular man, stood up and thanked Borsalino. "Thanks, Borsalino."
"No problem, go eat!" Borsalino replied.
"Blue Eagle, aren't you coming?" The big guy, who was called Water Buffalo, asked Rosinante.
Rosinante smiled and replied, "You guys go ahead. I've got 200 more to go."
"Alright, we'll go first!" Water Buffalo said, waving and heading to the cafeteria with his group.
Rosinante looked at Borsalino, grinning.
"Oh~ I didn't know old man Borsalino had such a good heart, actually calling these underperforming cadets to eat!"
"Heh~ Kid, don't go calling me 'good-hearted.' I just feel sorry for them. Being a Marine is just about getting a meal. If you don't have the talent, just lay low. No need to kill yourself with training!"
(End of Chapter)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to access and read the advance chapters of the story, please visit: patreon.com / PMadz_23