Joining the Marines

Marine warship on its return voyage · Medical room

The Medical Bay smelled of disinfectant. Its walls were snow-white, and the instruments blinked with faint lights.

Wrapped in bandages from head to toe, Rosinante lay quietly in his hospital bed, his breathing faint but steady.

Beside the bed, young Law lay sprawled across the sheet, his little hand gripping a corner of the blanket tightly. Tear tracks still marked his face, but he was already fast asleep, his long eyelashes trembling slightly, making him look especially fragile.

At the doorway, Roy stood watching the scene in silence. His gaze was gentle, but a flicker of complicated emotion passed through his eyes.

He adjusted his cape, ultimately deciding not to go in and disturb them. Instead, he gently closed the door, moving as carefully as if afraid of disturbing the peace inside.

He turned and walked toward the bow, the sea breeze howling toward him with a faint salty tang.

Morning light shone through the thin clouds onto the deck, as though draping the cold steel in a layer of warmth.

Roy stood at the bow, gazing thoughtfully at the horizon as it was gradually lit by the rising sun, as if pondering something.

"What a touching scene~"

A lazy voice suddenly sounded behind him, carrying a hint of teasing.

Kizaru had appeared beside him at some point, his hands in his pockets and his shoulders slightly hunched, looking utterly carefree.

Roy didn't turn around. "Law has already eaten the Op-Op Fruit."

Kizaru raised an eyebrow, a suggestion of a smile on his lips. "What a nuisance~ That kid's a walking five billion Beli now. He'll have to watch himself when he goes out~"

"So," Roy said, his voice low and firm, "he has to come back to the Marines with us."

Kizaru shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. "Well, you can explain that to Admiral Sengoku yourself. I don't want to get involved~"

As soon as he finished speaking, his entire body turned into countless golden particles of light that drifted away on the morning breeze.

Clearly, he had gone off to slack off again.

Roy watched the light fade at the far end of the deck. He couldn't help shaking his head and sighing helplessly.

Just then—"Bulu bulu bulu—"

The Den Den Mushi in his coat suddenly rang, its eyes half open as it let out a rhythmic "bulu bulu."

Roy looked down and took the Den Den Mushi into his palm, his eyes flickering.

"Hello."

"Roy..."

Sengoku's voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, hoarse and weary, as though he had been busy all night.

Unlike his usual authoritative tone, his voice now carried a hint of... gratitude?

"Admiral Sengoku." Roy's voice was calm, but his tone held sincere respect.

There was silence on the other end for a moment, as though Sengoku were composing himself.

Then Sengoku took a deep breath. His voice was low and sincere. "Thank you... for saving Rosinante."

Roy froze for an instant, his eyes shifting slightly. Then he shook his head, his tone gentle but firm. "You give me too much credit, Admiral Sengoku. I was only doing my duty."

"No..."

Sengoku's voice suddenly trembled slightly, carrying feelings and guilt buried deep in his heart. "That boy... means a great deal to me."

Roy didn't answer immediately. He simply listened in silence, as though he could feel the heartbeat and breathing on the other end of the Den Den Mushi.

After a long while, Sengoku seemed to regain his composure and continued, "I've already heard about the Op-Op Fruit."

"Yes."

Roy nodded, his brow furrowing slightly. "Law ate the Op-Op Fruit... His ability is now of interest to every faction."

The other end of the Den Den Mushi fell silent for a long time. Only the sound of wind passing through the gaps in the Bridge could be heard.

Then came a deep sigh. "Bring him back to Marineford. I'll personally arrange for his protection afterward."

"Understood."

Roy gently closed his eyes, then slowly raised his gaze to the deck bathed in morning light, the faintest hint of a smile appearing on his lips.

The first rays of the morning sun passed through the porthole into the medical room, falling warm and soft upon the hospital bed.

The faint smell of disinfectant lingered in the air, and the quiet made it feel as though time itself had slowed down.

Rosinante slowly opened his eyes and squinted slightly, apparently still adjusting to the light before him.

He felt the soft bed beneath him and the bandages wrapped around his body. He immediately realized he was still alive, and a faint sense of relief welled up in his heart.

He slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the small figure beside the bed—

Young Law was sprawled against the edge of his bed, sleeping soundly.

The boy's little face was buried in the sheet, slightly flushed, his long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. One small hand still clutched the corner of his blanket, as though afraid he would lose him when he woke.

Rosinante paused in surprise, then his lips rose into an involuntary smile, tenderness and affection appearing in his eyes.

"Has this kid... been keeping watch here the whole time?"

As though sensing his gaze, Law's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes.

When he saw the familiar, warm figure before him, his golden eyes widened instantly. Tears surged in them and spilled over at once.

"Mr. Corazon—!"

Law threw himself into Rosinante's arms and locked both hands tightly around his neck. His sobs were full of relief at finding him again and lingering fear. "I thought... I thought you'd never wake up again..."

"Ah! It hurts, it hurts—"

Rosinante drew a sharp breath as Law squeezed him, but he still chuckled and raised a hand to stroke Law's hair, his voice fond and smiling. "You little rascal, go easy... I'm seriously injured right now, you know."

Law hurriedly let go and wiped the tears from his face. His little face was slightly flushed from the fear and joy he had just felt, but he could no longer stop himself from smiling.

Near noon, the door to the medical room opened silently.

Roy stood in the doorway, holding two lunches that were still steaming. Leaning casually against the doorframe, he watched the two chatting happily on the bed, a gentle smile in his eyes.

"Looks like you're recovering well, Rosinante."

Rosinante and Law both turned their heads. Seeing who it was, Rosinante instinctively tried to sit up and salute. "Rear Admiral Roy—"

"Don't trouble yourself."

Roy raised a hand, motioning for him to lie down, and walked into the room, setting the trays on the bedside table. "Your lunch. Eat it while it's hot."

The trays held a generous and carefully prepared Marine meal. The meat soup gave off a tempting aroma that whetted the appetite.

Rosinante looked at the two plates of food and scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. "Thank you... If it weren't for you, we probably..."

Roy pulled up a chair and sat down, his gaze calm yet conveying a reassuring strength. "It was my duty."

The room fell quiet for a moment, but Law kept staring at Roy, a complicated, awed look flashing in his eyes:

This man... is he the one who made even someone as powerful as Doflamingo run away? Mr. Corazon survived because of him.

After a moment of silence, Rosinante finally asked, "I heard... you let Doflamingo go?"

Roy turned to glance at him and nodded lightly. "Yes, in exchange for all his family's resources and intelligence."

Rosinante's lips twitched slightly at that, his expression conflicted. "I understand your reasoning... It's just that man, I'm afraid he'll still..."

Roy raised a hand slightly, cutting him off. His voice was low and calm. "I know, but some things can't be completely resolved right now."

Rosinante stared at him for a moment, then sighed with a bitter smile. "Yes... No matter what, he's still my older brother. However much I hate him, I can't help having complicated feelings..."

Roy was silent for a moment. Then he looked at young Law, his gaze earnest and serious. "Admiral Sengoku has already made arrangements. Law will return to Marineford with us and receive systematic training."

Rosinante smiled faintly and turned to exchange a glance with Law, as though the two had already reached some kind of unspoken understanding.

"I have no objections."

Rosinante's voice was gentle but firm as he looked down at Law. "What about you, kid?"

Law clenched his little fists, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "I'm going to get stronger, strong enough... strong enough that I'll never let anyone important to me get hurt again!"

Roy quietly watched the young but determined boy, a flicker of approval in his eyes. "Good."

That afternoon, the warship continued sailing steadily toward Marineford.

Rosinante leaned against the window beside his hospital bed, gazing at the vast blue ocean outside, a reflective and relieved smile on his face.

Law stood quietly beside him, facing the wind as he looked into the distance.

At the bow, meanwhile, Roy stood in silence. The road ahead... you'll have to walk it yourselves.

Looking out at the endless ocean, he curved his lips into a faint smile—

But as long as I'm here, at least I won't let you get hurt so easily again.

The sea breeze howled and the sun shone brightly as the warship sailed steadily in the direction of hope.