Chun Jun

"Mo Xingchen! After the meeting, hand in a ten-thousand-word self-criticism to me!"

Watching Mo Xingchen leisurely stroll around behind him and sit down beside Tsuru, Sengoku was so furious that he nearly ascended to Buddhahood as he rebuked him.

"Yes, Admiral Sengoku."

Mo Xingchen replied lazily, as though he had not been the one who had just attacked.

Those with sharp eyes had seen the bead of blood between Sakazuki's brows evaporate under his Devil Fruit ability. However, the slashes in the sleeves around his forearms could not be evaporated away, so Sengoku consoled him as well.

"Sakazuki, why do you insist on targeting Mo Xingchen? His strength and achievements have long qualified him for promotion to Vice Admiral. He simply does not want it, and it is not as though you do not know that. All right, sit down. The meeting will continue!"

Sakazuki sat down stiffly, staring blankly at the wounds on his arms. Ever since his previous fight with Mo Xingchen, he had spent the past year working hard on his physical skills, no longer arrogantly relying on his Devil Fruit. Yet he had still been easily suppressed this time. It seemed he had not pushed himself hard enough!

As the meeting drew to a close, Admiral Sengoku finalized the list of Vice Admirals for the Buster Call: Vice Admiral Sakazuki, Vice Admiral Kuzan, Vice Admiral Gion, Vice Admiral Sauron, and Vice Admiral Garp—whose place would be carried out by Colonel Mo Xingchen.

After the meeting ended, the Vice Admirals began leaving one after another. Mo Xingchen also wanted to slip away, but Vice Admiral Tsuru beside him grabbed him. Borsalino pulled a series of faces at Mo Xingchen before leaving, while Kuzan told Mo Xingchen they should have a drink together later.

After seeing that everyone had left and only Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru remained, Mo Xingchen asked with a puzzled expression.

"Sister Tsuru, why are you holding me back? I still need to prepare to set sail and carry out the Buster Call."

"Little Mo, do you know where that old bastard Garp has gone?"

"Why is everyone asking me? Fleet Admiral Kong asked me too, but I really do not know. Uncle Garp never told me anything. I only found out after returning today that he had snuck off."

Mo Xingchen spread his hands and shook his head helplessly. After Vice Admiral Tsuru exchanged a glance with Sengoku, Sengoku sighed.

"If you remember where he might have gone, make sure to inform us. That bastard never gives anyone peace of mind. Little Tsuru and I are afraid he might do something foolish."

"Come on, Uncle Garp is shrewd. What could possibly happen to him? Maybe he is hiding somewhere, trying to break his record for eating donuts without sleeping."

Vice Admiral Tsuru burst out laughing and tapped Mo Xingchen on the forehead with one finger.

"You, honestly. All right, enough about him. You spent a year and a half at sea and forged a sword to your liking. It looks like you have made quite a bit of progress."

Shing!

Mo Xingchen drew his sword and flicked it with a finger. "Ding~~" The sword rang without end as a radiant glow blossomed forth. It was as graceful and clear as a lotus rising from the water. The carvings on its hilt gleamed with profound light like circling stars. The blade and sunlight seemed to merge as one, like clear water spreading across a pond—calm and gentle—while its edge resembled a sheer cliff a thousand fathoms high, lofty and majestic... It seemed delighted by its interaction with its master.

"This sword is named Chun Jun. It is four chi and one cun long, two cun wide, and weighs two hundred and sixteen jin." (These are Spring and Autumn period measurements.)

Vice Admiral Tsuru had originally wanted to reach out and take it, but upon hearing how heavy the sword was, she gave up. After carefully examining it for a while, she said.

"It truly is a treasured sword. You did not waste all those materials forging it. It appears to be no less impressive than Kinpira of Dih Yuan. It can be considered a weapon of the Great Grade Swords. The name is pleasant, the sword is beautiful, and it suits you quite well."

"Judging by the level of swordsmanship you displayed against Sakazuki just now, you clearly did not slack off after going to sea. All right, hurry up and prepare for your mission."

Sengoku also waved at Mo Xingchen with a smile. This was the future of the Marines—the soldier who would serve under him someday.

"Alright, I'll be going first, then. You two take your time chatting."

The moment Mo Xingchen stepped out of the headquarters building, he saw Kuzan walking toward him.

"I did not expect you to get stronger again after just one year. Want to have a drink?"

Mo Xingchen rolled his eyes and curled his lip.

"Quit showing off, Monster Vice Admiral. You make it sound like you have been standing still."

"Ara ara, if you wanted to, you would have become a Vice Admiral long ago too. I had planned to spar with you this time and avenge that kick from last time, but it looks like there is no chance now."

"Heh, you little rookie, you want to beat me up? Train for another hundred years first."

The two joked as they headed toward town. To their surprise, they found Dragon drinking alone in their usual tavern.

Mo Xingchen and Kuzan exchanged a glance, then walked over to Dragon. Mo Xingchen plopped down beside him, slung an arm around Dragon's shoulders, and teased him.

"What's wrong, little brother? Did you get dumped?"

Dragon looked at them and realized they were Mo Xingchen and Kuzan. His eyes seemed to regain a little focus. After downing another drink, he said dejectedly.

"Brother, you're back. It's not heartbreak. I'm just... very lost right now."

"Oh? You usually seem like a sharp kid. What has you so hung up? Tell me about it. Let your big brother give you some advice."

"It started when I began my patrols..."

To put Dragon's account simply: he had encountered pirates massacring civilians, scum within the Marines oppressing civilians, civilians turning into pirates and then coming back to oppress other civilians, nobles exploiting civilians, and the Celestial Dragons treating people as less than human.

Perhaps he had only heard about such things before, but now he had experienced them firsthand. Dragon's state of mind had collapsed somewhat. He began to doubt the justice in his heart and the righteousness of the Marines. He had believed that the Marines existed to protect civilians, only to discover that the truth was that they protected the so-called World Nobles—the Celestial Dragons.

Seeing Kuzan fall into thought as well, Mo Xingchen patted Dragon on the shoulder in comfort and spoke softly.

"This is actually simple. There are only two possible solutions."

Hearing this, both Dragon and Kuzan looked up at him, waiting for his answer.

"First: compromise, then work hard to grow stronger. When you become a Marine Hero like your father, and the World Government—or rather, the Gorosei—believes that you are indispensable to the Marines, you can stop concerning yourself with the Celestial Dragons and realize the justice in your heart as much as possible. Of course, you will still face many restrictions. This path is difficult."

"Second: become the one who holds power over this world. Build it and change it according to the beautiful vision in your heart. This path is even more arduous."

"You have had quite a lot to drink now, so I hope you will not make a hasty decision. Once you sober up, spend the next few days thinking it over slowly and understanding your own heart. What is it that you truly want?"

"Tomorrow, I am leaving to carry out the Buster Call. The round trip will probably take around ten days. Treat this time as a vacation, calm down, and think things through properly. When I return, we can discuss what to do next. How does that sound?"