Read More, Sleep Less

"Let me introduce myself properly, Mo Xingchen."

In the living room, Mo Xingchen smiled at Kuzan and held out the small gift he had brought for his visit.

As the old saying went, you didn't slap a smiling face. Kuzan accepted the fruit Mo Xingchen offered him.

"Thanks. Have a seat."

Kuzan sat down first and began boiling water for tea. With a slightly awkward expression, he said,

"Ara~ You're strong! And thank you for holding back at the end. Otherwise, I might've had to spend a few more days in the hospital."

"Hahahaha, we don't have any deep grudge between us. It was just a spar, so of course I wouldn't go too hard. Besides, by rank, you're my superior."

Mo Xingchen had been looking around the room when he heard Kuzan say that and quickly replied. But when he looked at Kuzan's hairstyle, he nearly burst out laughing.

Since Kuzan was resting at home without his hat, Mo Xingchen had always assumed he had the kind of afro a hippie would wear. Who would have thought the top was cut short, while only the hair on both sides was long? If you didn't look carefully, you might think he was wearing headphones.

"Don't call me your superior. With your strength, I'd say you're about on par with Sakazuki and Borsalino. By the time you graduate from the Training Camp, you might even be my equal in rank. Besides, Mr. Garp is my idol. Before I entered the Training Camp, I was his adjutant. So don't be so formal with me. Just call me Kuzan from now on."

"Hahahaha, I guess we really got acquainted through a fight. But I'm not planning to enter the Training Camp. Like Uncle Garp, I'm not that interested in promotions, so... I probably won't be catching up to your rank anytime soon."

"But if you become an Admiral, or even a Fleet Admiral, wouldn't you be able to spread the justice in your heart more effectively?"

Kuzan looked at him in confusion. He truly couldn't understand why people like Mr. Garp and Mo Xingchen, who were clearly so powerful, had no desire to advance.

Mo Xingchen looked conflicted, unsure how to explain it. People in the One Piece world were basically illiterate! How was he supposed to clearly explain the relationship between the World Government and its allied nations, the relationship between the Marines and the World Government, or the conflict between civilians and their countries' ruling classes? At this rate, before Dragon became Dragon, he himself would be assembling the Revolutionary Army's core leadership.

As for Garp, don't underestimate him just because he seemed like a fool in the anime. Through their interactions over this period, Mo Xingchen had realized that Garp only appeared foolish because he was truly wise and saw everything clearly.

Because once someone became an Admiral, unless it was a war against the Four Emperors, they were basically carrying out missions related to the Celestial Dragons. Garp knew exactly what kind of trash those Celestial Dragons were. To keep the justice in his heart from being tainted, he simply chose to stay out of sight and remain a Vice Admiral.

After all, there were Fleet Admirals and Admirals above him to shoulder the burden. Nothing would come looking for him, and since the people in power would surely be his old comrades, he could act even more freely.

"Being a Fleet Admiral or an Admiral isn't that simple. I'm not talking about strength or military achievements. There's no way for me to explain these things to you directly. But I can give you one piece of advice: read more books. Any kind of book will do. What matters most is learning how to think through the knowledge in them."

Seeing Kuzan's deeply furrowed brow, Mo Xingchen patted his shoulder.

"All right, stop thinking about it. Are you busy later? If not, come take a walk around town with me. Be my guide, and I'll buy you a few books as thanks. How about it?"

"All right, then wait a moment. I'll go change clothes, and we can set out."

"OK!" Mo Xingchen made a gesture and began enjoying the tea and snacks.

The two wandered through town. Seeing the clean, orderly streets, the dazzling array of goods and shops, and the relaxed smiles on people's faces, Mo Xingchen couldn't help feeling moved. As expected of an island under Marine Headquarters' jurisdiction. The people's sense of safety and happiness was through the roof.

Still, most men in this world looked downright bizarre, but the young ladies were truly gorgeous, with great figures too. Mo Xingchen's eyes nearly went straight. What? You're saying I'm a lecher? Bullshit! I just had eyes that were good at recognizing beauty. I was merely appreciating beautiful things.

After wandering around for half the day, Mo Xingchen bought himself a black suit and a pair of leather shoes. He couldn't keep wearing beach shorts and flip-flops all day, could he? He had the air of an expert, sure, but he wasn't imposing enough.

Then he bought Garp a dog-head hat to thank him for his care over the past while, and picked up some small gifts for Dragon as well. Naturally, he also selected a few decent books on history and philosophy for Kuzan at the bookstore. He really had the art of social etiquette down!

As evening approached, Kuzan led Mo Xingchen to a restaurant that looked quite stylish.

"The food here is pretty good, and it's popular with Marine officers. You've spent a lot today, so let me treat you to dinner."

Kuzan enthusiastically pulled Mo Xingchen over to an empty table and sat down.

"Well, if it isn't our famous Marine Monster Kuzan, defeated by a rookie?"

The moment they sat down, they heard a sarcastic taunt. Turning toward the voice, they saw a tall, long-legged young woman with a sword at her waist approaching them, followed by a middle-aged man.

Kuzan looked helplessly at Mo Xingchen, rubbed his forehead, and introduced them.

"This is Marine Headquarters Major Gion, Vice Admiral Tsuru's younger sister. As for the sarcastic guy behind her, that's Marine Headquarters Major Kake. Um... he's a hopeless womanizer." Hearing Kake's jab, Kuzan showed no mercy as he exposed him, then pointed at Mo Xingchen. "Captain Mo Xingchen, Vice Admiral Garp's communications officer."

"You're the rookie who defeated Kuzan? Fight me when you have time. Let me see how strong you are." Upon hearing Kuzan's introduction, Gion's eyes immediately lit up as she stared at him.

Mo Xingchen froze. He hadn't expected it. The future flower of the Marines had been a battle maniac in her youth too. Smiling, he waved his hand.

"Luck, just luck. Hahaha... Maybe another time. Another time."

"Have you two eaten? If not, sit down and have something with us." Kuzan was merely being polite, but the two of them were far from polite. They sat down and began ordering food. His mouth twitched as he started worrying whether his wallet would be enough; this place wasn't cheap.

But the words had already left his mouth, and they were all young people anyway. Over food and drink, they spoke of the justice in their hearts, gossiped about their superiors, and teased one another. They got along wonderfully, and their budding friendship slowly grew warmer.

The dinner ended after Gion rejected Kake's confession yet again. The group staggered home together, agreeing to meet again before each returned to their own place.