Winning Him Over

"Come to think of it, I was a little conflicted at first, because among the information Colonel Adkin provided, it was mentioned that Longinus might be a boy of seventeen or eighteen."

Longinus was stunned for a moment before quickly understanding. "Perhaps I just have a more mature personality. The older boys in town all like to call me Big Brother. But Major Jonathan, how did you determine that I existed? Just because of my name?"

"Of course not. The speed and strength you displayed just now are beyond the reach of even some Headquarters colonels who specialize in Martial Arts. I don't think it's possible for two Strong individuals with the same name to appear in our waters within such a short period."

Even I couldn't catch a bullet with my body over such a short distance without using Rokushiki: Tekkai or Armament Haki. Could it be that our Navy is finally about to produce a physical monster like Kaido or Big Mom? Jonathan thought to himself.

(The fact that Garp bled when Morgan ambushed him shows that most Martial Arts experts probably don't possess the kind of steel body that Kaido or Big Mom have.)

"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 Navy.

Jonathan was stunned, then burst into loud laughter. "Hahahaha! Are you aiming to become a Marine Admiral? Very good! Young people should have such lofty ideals and ambitions. I hope that when we meet again, you'll still be upholding your convictions and constantly striving and fighting to carry out justice."

After saying that, Major Jonathan did not linger. He slowly left with the squad of Marines behind him.

The crowd gradually dispersed as well, but the excitement did not fade. Legends about the two men were quietly beginning to spread.

At that moment, the little girl stood to one side and looked at the two men with shining eyes. She handed the nearly wilted flowers she had been holding against her chest to T Bone, and her clear, soft voice rang out.

"Uncle T Bone, Big Brother Longinus, thank you for saving me. These flowers are for—oh no! They've already been crushed?"

Seeing the little girl's pitiful appearance as she teetered on the verge of tears, T Bone said helplessly, "Y-You're crying? Did I accidentally press on you somewhere just now?"

Longinus bent down and placed his palm on the little girl's head. In a gentle, soothing voice, he said, "I love your gift. It contains your gratitude and tears, making it the most valuable gift I've received this year!"

"R-Really?" The little girl stopped crying, starlight shining in her eyes.

"Of course. Hurry home. Your family might be anxiously searching for you!"

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

As the little girl hopped away laughing, a foolish grin appeared on T Bone's face. In that other world, he would probably have been arrested as a pervert.

After a long while, T Bone finally woke from his lovestruck state. Clutching the crushed flowers tightly in his hands, he stammered to Longinus, "I-I'm sorry, but could I... could I keep these flowers? I... I don't have much money, but I'll definitely work hard to earn money and make it up to you."

"Of course you can. Don't be so formal. They were a gift from the little one to you in the first place. If it weren't for you, they wouldn't have lasted until I arrived." Longinus smiled carefree.

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

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

Someone like T Bone, who had a face that made him look like a villain—or even an evil spirit—would find it difficult to erase the instinctive disgust most people felt, no matter how many good deeds he performed.

Judging from what he had done today, he had certainly helped many people in his daily life. Yet... including the little girl today, only three people had ever truly given him gifts to express their gratitude. It was impossible to imagine how much pain he usually endured.

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. He hoped that when he put on the Coat of Justice, more people would accept and embrace him.

Longinus had known from an early age that the world had never been fair. Someone like T Bone, who put in ten times more effort than others yet struggled to obtain even a tenth of what they gained, was the best proof.

"Let's get properly acquainted. My name is Longinus. I'm twelve years old, and I'm from Falling Leaf Town on the Grand Line." Longinus wore a gentle smile, but his heart was clear. Someone like T Bone, who was both insecure and kind, would offer a pure heart in return as long as he was given even a little light.

"I... I'm T Bone. I'm nineteen years old, and I'm from Hundred Leaf City in the South Blue." T Bone seemed somewhat overwhelmed. Someone like Longinus, powerful and confident, shining with brilliance, was born to be the focus of the world's attention. He and someone as unwanted as T Bone should have belonged to two entirely different worlds.

Longinus was momentarily stunned. This fellow really looked old for his age... Even if he claimed to be thirty-nine, Longinus would not have found it surprising.

Fortunately, Longinus had enough control over his emotions that no impolite expression showed on his face. He soon called out enthusiastically.

"The South Blue? That's a dreamlike sea, with many bizarre and fantastical rumors. I heard that even legendary creatures like griffins have appeared there?"

When Longinus mentioned his homeland, T Bone immediately felt much closer to him. The illusory barrier separating them, with Longinus high above him, had been broken, and he responded warmly and familiarly.

"You know the legend of the Griffin too? That Griffin appeared near my hometown. I even saw it once with my own eyes. 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 depressing things." Longinus shook his head and asked, "T Bone, are you planning to enlist two days from now as well?"

"Yes. But I don't have an ideal as grand as yours, Longinus. I only want to become a Marine, protect the smiles on everyone's faces, and be accepted and respected by everyone!" T Bone said, bashful yet determined.

"In that case, let's go together two days from now. We don't know anyone here, so at least we can keep each other company."

"R-Really? Is that really all right?"

"Of course. After fighting side by side, we're friends!"

"Friends..." T Bone murmured to himself. To him, that had always been nothing more than a vain hope.

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