Recruitment

"Come to think of it, I hesitated for a moment at first, because the information Colonel Adkin provided mentioned that Longinus might be a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old youth."

Longinus froze for a moment, then quickly understood. "Perhaps it's because I seem rather mature for my age. Even the older kids in town like to call me big brother. But Major General Jonathan, how did you confirm that I was the one you were looking for? Just because of my name?"

"Of course not. The speed and strength you displayed just now are beyond what even some Marine Headquarters colonels who specialize in Martial Arts could achieve. I don't think it's likely for two powerful people with the same name to appear in our waters within such a short time."

Jonathan thought to himself, Even I couldn't catch bullets with my body at such close range without using Rokushiki: Tekkai or Armament Haki. Could the Marines finally be producing a physical monster like Kaido or Big Mom?

(Garp had bled when Morgan ambushed him, which showed that most Martial Arts experts probably did not possess bodies of steel like Kaido or Big Mom.)

"Compared to Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Zephyr, my strength is still far too lacking. I must constantly temper myself with the ideals of Justice." Longinus appropriately displayed his yearning for the Marines.

Jonathan was startled, then burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha! Are you aiming to become a Marine Admiral? Excellent! Young people should have such lofty ideals and ambitions. I hope that when we meet again, you will still be upholding your beliefs and striving tirelessly to carry out Justice."

Having said that, Major General Jonathan did not linger any longer. He slowly departed with the squad of Marines behind him.

The crowd gradually dispersed as well, but the excitement did not fade. Legends about the two of them quietly began to take shape.

At that moment, the little girl stepped forward and looked at the two with shining eyes. She handed the nearly withered flowers clutched to her chest to T Bone, her crisp and soft voice ringing out.

"Uncle T Bone, Brother Longinus, thank you for saving me. These flowers are for... Ah! They've already been crushed?"

Seeing the pitiful sight of the little girl on the verge of tears, T Bone said helplessly, "Y-you... what's wrong? Did I accidentally press on you somewhere just now?"

Longinus bent down and placed a hand on the little girl's head, speaking with a gentle warmth. "I really like your gift. It carries gratitude and tears. This is the most valuable gift I've received this year!"

"R-really?" The little girl stopped crying, her eyes sparkling like stars.

"Of course. Hurry home now. Your family may be anxiously searching for you."

"Mm-hmm!" The little girl nodded hard. "Brother Longinus, Uncle T Bone, thank you for saving me! You're both the best people in the world!"

As the little girl skipped away laughing happily, T Bone wore a foolish grin on his face. Back in that other world, he might have been arrested as a pervert.

After a long while, T Bone finally snapped out of his lovestruck daze. Cradling the crushed bouquet tightly in his hands, he stammered to Longinus, "S-sorry, but can this bouquet... can I keep it? I-I don't have much money, but I'll work hard to earn enough to compensate you."

"Of course you can. There's no need to be so formal. It was a gift the little one gave you in the first place. If it weren't for you, she never would have held on until I arrived." Longinus smiled freely.

"Brother Longinus, thank you. You're such an incredibly good person!" T Bone carefully put away the bouquet as if it were a treasure, then said with satisfaction, "The third one... I've finally received the third gift of my life!"

Hearing T Bone's heartbreaking words, Longinus somewhat understood why he was so determined to become a Marine.

For someone like T Bone, who wore the face of a villain—or even an evil spirit—no amount of good deeds could easily erase the instinctive disgust most people felt toward him.

Judging from what he had done today, he must have helped quite a few people in the past. Yet... even including today's little girl, only three people had ever given him gifts to express their gratitude. It was hard to imagine how much pain he endured in daily life.

That was precisely why he was so desperate to become a Marine. He did not even dare fight back when those trashy characters beat him up, because he hoped that once he donned the Coat of Justice, more people would accept him.

Longinus had long known that this world had never been fair. People like T Bone, who put in ten times more effort than others yet struggled to gain even a tenth of their rewards, were the best proof of that.

"Let's introduce ourselves properly. My name is Longinus. I'm twelve this year, and I'm from Falling Leaf Town on the Grand Line." Longinus wore a gentle smile, but his mind was clear. For someone as insecure yet kind as T Bone, offering even a little light would earn the loyalty of a pure heart.

"I-I'm T Bone. I'm nineteen this year, from Hundred Leaf City in the South Blue." T Bone seemed somewhat overwhelmed. Someone as powerful, confident, and radiant as Longinus was naturally meant to be the center of everyone's attention. He and someone as unwelcome as himself should have belonged to two entirely different worlds.

Longinus was briefly stunned. This guy really did look... old. Even if he claimed to be thirty-nine, Longinus would not have been surprised.

Fortunately, Longinus had enough control over his emotions not to reveal any impolite expression. He quickly called out warmly.

"The South Blue? That's a dreamlike sea, with all sorts of strange and fantastic rumors. I heard that even legendary creatures like griffins have appeared there?"

When Longinus mentioned his hometown, T Bone immediately felt much closer to him. That illusory barrier between them, which had seemed so lofty and distant, was broken, and he responded with equal warmth and familiarity.

"You know the legend of the griffin too? That griffin appeared near my hometown back then, and I even saw it with my own eyes once. Unfortunately, it was later captured by an extremely powerful group of pirates. I heard it became part of their private collection."

"Let's not talk about such disappointing things." Longinus shook his head and asked, "T Bone, are you planning to register in two days as well?"

"Yes, but I don't have lofty ideals like yours, Longinus. I only want to become a Marine, to protect the smiles on everyone's faces, and to be accepted and respected by everyone!" T Bone said shyly yet firmly.

"In that case, let's go together in two days. We're unfamiliar with this place, so at least we'll have each other for company."

"R-really... is that okay?"

"Of course. We fought side by side, so that makes us friends!"

"Friends..." T Bone murmured to himself. To him, it had always been nothing more than a wish.

T Bone, who looked to be in his thirties or forties, began to cry helplessly like a child. "Brother Longinus, thank you!"