On the small Dark Bird Ship, Gawain and his group stood in neat rows beside the ship's side.
As for the dock, Shepherd of the Navy's G-8 branch was leading all the naval soldiers in a welcoming procession, complete with gongs and drums.
Jonathan arrived slightly late and stood at the very front of the welcoming line.
Upon seeing Jonathan, who had just arrived, Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd, a sleazy man with a ponytail, pointed directly at Jonathan's face.
"Commander, this is a welcoming ceremony for the Celestial Dragon, the World Nobles, and you dare to be late for such a ceremony!"
I see you have absolutely no respect for the Celestial Dragon!
"You wait, I'll report this to my superiors right now, and your commander title will definitely be revoked!!!"
Huh?
Hearing Shepherd's enormous shouts, which even the sound of gongs and drums couldn't drown out, Jonathan rolled his dead fish eyes slightly.
"Shepherd, is there any need to report this to your superiors? Your voice is so loud, the Celestial Dragon on the ship must have heard you already, right?"
After saying this, he rolled his Byakugan at Shepherd, then looked solemnly at Gawain and his group as they disembarked.
At the same time, Gawain also led the cadres out.
The moment Gawain stepped onto the dock, the lieutenant colonel named Shepherd abruptly raised his right hand.
"Salute!"
As soon as he finished speaking, countless marines knelt down before Gawain, while Shepherd himself knelt even more readily.
Compared to this, Jonathan, who was still kneeling, seemed much slower...
Seeing this, Rayleigh couldn't help but purse his lips.
"Tsk tsk, although this scene looks really cool, after all, Jonathan was one of the young Wise General who competed with us in our time."
However, looking at the officer beside him, I couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.
Does the existence of a martial arts world depend on the presence of people?
At this point, Rayleigh looked at Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd kneeling on the ground with disgust!
Rayleigh's voice made no attempt to conceal anything, and his words immediately froze Shepherd. Shepherd stared blankly at Rayleigh, his face filled with panic.
He didn't even dare to look at Gawain!
In the distance, the marines who had heard everything couldn't help but look at Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd with concern.
At that very moment, Jonathan was kneeling on one knee, suddenly spoke.
"Gawain, your demeanor far surpasses the image Admiral Sakazuki described to me; such charisma has truly amazed us!"
Just like Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd, he was so amazed by you that he was speechless!
Let me introduce you to my most important right-hand man, Shepherd.
As for the little bickering between him and me, that's just the tacit understanding we've developed over more than a decade.
Shepherd is an excellent officer who is very happy to fight pirates.
Saint Gawain!
At this point, Jonathan smiled and looked at Gawain, awaiting Gawain instructions.
On the ground, everyone, from Shepherd to the kneeling marines, showed expressions of gratitude towards Jonathan.
Seeing this, Gawain gently raised his hand.
"Get up, Jonathan, Shepherd, and who is this...?"
Gawain gently pointed to the man with military rank beside him.
Faced with Gawain's question, the major answered very nervously.
"Saint Gawain, I am Drake, and I hold the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the G-8 Branch of the Navy!"
"Oh?"
Gawain was taken aback. Drake? Wasn't that the Supernova Dinosaur Spy?
Setting aside his reverie, Gawain revealed a gentle smile.
"It's Major Drake, please rise!"
At this point, Gawain turned his gaze to all the navy personnel kneeling in the distance, and raised his voice to shout to them.
"Seamen, thank you all for your hard work in coming here."
To make up for the trouble I've caused everyone, I'd like to treat you all to a concert!
As for the star of the concert, it's none other than Uta, the newest musician in my Dark Bird Group and the world's number one diva!
As soon as he finished speaking, Uta was standing next to him, immediately adjusted his headset.
Accompanied by its own built-in lighting effects, Uta made a dazzling entrance!
"Hello everyone, I'm Uta, and I'm very happy to bring you this enthusiastic performance."
I hope everyone can respond to me with enthusiasm, okay?
Uta spoke to the sailors as she always did, then she made a gesture of listening attentively, waiting for their reply.
She thought she should hear a cheer, because she always heard cheers, even on Long Ring Long Land!
But she waited and waited, and waited and waited...
There was no sound at all.
The marines didn't dare to speak at all. They looked at each other, then nervously turned to Gawain.
Seeing this, Gawain clapped his hands lightly, and the moment he clapped, cheers resounded throughout the entire G-8 branch!
"Unbelievable, we actually had the chance to hear Uta sing!!!"
"That's the hottest songstress in the New World and the whole world for the past three years!"
"My God, I can actually hear a live version of heavenly music!"
"Long live Uta! Saint Gawain! Can we request a song? I want to hear 'Eighteen'..."
Snap!
"Get out of here! If you dare to be indecent here, drag him out and shoot him!"
"Long live the concert!!!"
In an instant, the G-8 branch was in an uproar, and the entire navy was plunged into a frenzy.
This scene brought a happy smile to Uta; that's how it should be.
So, as planned, Uta raised her hands, leaned slightly against her hips, and continued shouting to the marines.
"But if we want to attend a concert, we need to prepare a stage that is big enough!"
Can everyone help me prepare this?
"Sure!"
Where is the stage?
"On Saint Gawain's ship!"
"I'll move the head!"
In an instant, the enthusiastic marines were all poised and ready to begin the transport.
So, Gawain smiled and waved his hand, leading everyone, along with Jonathan and the other three garrison officers, away from the bustling dock area.
Of course, there's Uta, Shirahoshi, and Lucci.
The three of them stayed at the pier to prepare for the concert.
After leaving the dock, Gawain, led by Jonathan, arrived at the G-8 branch's canteen.
Although it's called a cafeteria, the moment Gawain stepped inside, he realized it was practically a giant auditorium!
At least before he transmigrated, when Gawain was engaged in diplomacy, the state banquet halls of most small countries were no more beautiful than this so-called canteen in front of him.
Upon seeing this, Gawain couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Jonathan Vice Admiral Jonathan, it seems you are a general who cherishes your soldiers. Your soldiers must be very happy to be able to eat in a mess hall like this, right?"
"Haha, you flatter me, sir. These were all decisions made by the chefs of the G-8 branch. We have the best chefs in this whole region!"
Jonathan replied with a smile.
Hearing Jonathan's words, Gawain nodded slightly and said.
"I can't wait!"
Please rest assured, we will definitely not let you down!
Please be seated, sir. The banquet can begin at any time; your ship's musicians are still preparing.
Once your musicians are ready, we will begin the banquet, and after the banquet, I will also have the privilege of appreciating the voice of a world-class singer thanks to you."
After saying that, Jonathan pulled out a chair and gestured for Gawain to join him.
Gawain down without hesitation, and the Dark Bird cadres also habitually sat to his Gawain and right.
Seeing this, Jonathan nodded; it was a very harmonious atmosphere on the ship.
In addition, there was the incident at the dock where I deliberately arrived a little late.
This is enough to reveal a part of Gawain's personality.
Jonathan felt a little relieved and then cautiously sat down opposite Gawain.
Behind him, Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd and Major Drake seemed hesitant to sit down.
Seeing their expressions, Gawain gently pressed the air, and the two of them could only nervously sit down on either side of Jonathan.
At the same time, Gion also greeted Jonathan.
"Long time no see, Lieutenant Vice Admiral Jonathan. I never expected we'd meet under these circumstances."
"Yes, Gion Vice Admiral, there are always many unexpected things."
But my beloved will be so happy to see you. She always talks to me about your friendship back in headquarters!
While responding to Gion with a smile, Jonathan greeted everyone one by one.
"Welcome, former Deputy Shiryu of Impel Down, and former CP9 elite, Ms. Kalifa."
There are also the Shichibukai Knight of the Sea of the Sea, Jinbe, Bartholomew Kuma, and the infamous Pirate Empress!
At this point, Jonathan took off his hat and placed the general's cap on his chest.
"Having met you in person, I must admit that your beauty truly lives up to the title of the most beautiful in the world!"
"Hmph, that's always been my way!"
Hancock responded proudly to Jonathan's praise.
After praising Hancock, Jonathan turned and smiled, saying...
"And you, Mr. Issho, who was able to easily restrain and defeat nine of Whitebeard's captains all by yourself, are truly the strongest ronin I have ever seen in my life!"
Navarone Fortress welcomes you!
You're too kind!
Yi Xiao nodded solemnly to Jonathan.
"I am merely a wanderer who has rediscovered his direction, and I believe that every wanderer who has set his mind on his path has the opportunity to reach my level!"
After saying that, he smiled and turned to Gawain with emotion; that was the direction he had been searching for!
Then, while Rayleigh and Shakky awaited Jonathan's greeting, Jonathan surprisingly fell silent...
The atmosphere suddenly turned a bit cold...
Looking at Jonathan, who had turned back to face Gawain, Rayleigh thoughtfully rubbed his beard.
"Jonathan!"
Rayleigh suddenly spoke.
"What, can't you even tolerate an old rival like me anymore?"
Upon hearing this, Jonathan pretended to have just seen Rayleigh and Dawu.
"Oh, so the famous Dark King and Peony, the chief of staff from the Rocks era, are here too, haha!"
Look at me, the longer I sit in the position of branch chief, the harder it is for me to spot the pirates. I hope you can all forgive me and be understanding.
If I could spot pirates so easily, I would have been promoted long ago, haha!
As he spoke, Jonathan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Rayleigh and Shakky.
Seeing Jonathan's meaningful look, Shakky chuckled and pulled out her cigarette case.
Shakky took out two cigarettes and casually tossed one to Gawain.
Gawain smiled as he took the tobacco, then lit it naturally and took a deep drag.
When this scene came into Jonathan's view, Jonathan a growing sense of apprehension without showing any outward sign.
The momentum he risked to create against Rayleigh and Shakky was so easily thwarted by Shakky with a single move!
Jonathan then gave Shakky a meaningful smile.
As expected of Rocks's chief of staff!
Shakky took a meaningful drag on her cigarette and looked at Jonathan.
Although it was done in a slightly dangerous way, it made the issue of their identities as well as Rayleigh's incredibly clear.
Indeed, on the entire ship, only he and Rayleigh were true pirates!
And Jonathan...
Jonathan truly deserves his reputation as a renowned Wise General in the Navy, ranking among the top three alongside Tsuru and Kongming!
Knock knock!
Gawain suddenly tapped on the table.
After drawing Shakky and Jonathan's attention, Gawain smiled and said softly.
"Everyone's past is always so interesting, guys. Those past experiences have shaped who we are today."
But what if our future and present are as unchangeable as our past?
Why should we distinguish between the beginning, middle, and end of fate?
At this point, Gawain reached into the ashtray that Kalifa had handed him and gently flicked the ash from his cigarette.
Then he looked at Jonathan and smiled.
"Jonathan Vice Admiral Jonathan, Aunt Xia, and Uncle Lei are all very good elders."
Moreover, regardless of whether the past was right or wrong, if a young person like me wants to move forward, I will inevitably have to listen to the experience and advice of some seniors.
And the senior colleagues who were willing to give me guidance, regardless of what circumstances they had been in in the past.
Now, they're just seniors who have high expectations of me!
What do you think?
At this point, Gawain lowered his eyelids slightly and silently looked at Jonathan.
Jonathan pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"Insightful, sir. If I had heard your words when I was young, I might have worked harder and had a better future!"
It's truly one of the luckiest things in Jonathan in recent years to have the opportunity to host you all today!
As Jonathan answered, he stood up and bowed to Gawain, then turned to Rayleigh and Shakky and bowed to them just as solemnly.
"I'm sorry, Rayleigh, Shakky, please forgive my previous prejudice against you."
Alas, prejudice is like a mountain, even though I know that what you are doing now has long since transcended the realm of pirates.
But my narrow-mindedness, which is far inferior to Saint Gawain's, still trapped me in the cage of prejudice!
At this point, Jonathan took a deep breath and continued speaking apologetically to Shakky and Rayleigh.
"It's laughable that I'm called Wise General. How can someone who can't even see through such a small prejudice be qualified to bear such a high honor!"
Fortunately, I haven't made any major mistakes yet. Luckily, I haven't doubted you and Saint Gawain's entire team because of your past as pirates!
As for me, please rest assured, I will definitely learn from today's mistakes and will no longer view the word "pirate," which is associated with evil, with a one-sided perspective!
At this point, Jonathan took a deep breath. "Sakazuki, I've almost done what you wanted me to do!"
As for the more dangerous things, I'm sorry, Sakazuki...
My wife is still in Navarone Fortress, so there's no need for me to take any more risks!
Meanwhile, on the Jonathan.
Rayleigh frowned, seemingly lost in thought.
His identity as a legendary pirate had long been ingrained in the minds of many, and even Jonathan, the Wise General, couldn't shake it off for a while.
Will my existence cause more people to have a special impression and prejudice against the future Dark Bird Group because of me?
Shakky took a deep drag of her cigarette, then looked thoughtfully at Kuma and the other two.
Even though they're all pirates, why are only he and Rayleigh receiving special treatment?
So, Jonathan means is... the Shichibukai!
Thinking of this, Shakky looked at Rayleigh, and with just one glance, she knew what that old devil was thinking.
Having lived together for so many years, no one understands Rayleigh better than Shakky. In Shakky's eyes, Rayleigh has made up his mind about something!
However... Shakky has a feeling that Rayleigh's decision might have nothing to do with the Shichibukai at all!
And Gawain...
Shakky looked at Gawain, wanting to see how he viewed Gawain 'Jonathan meaningful words!
Unfortunately, she couldn't help but turn her head away after just one glance.
Come on, just like before, she has absolutely no idea Gawain is thinking.
Seeing Gawain's completely unchanging expression, Shakky breathed a sigh of admiration.
Because Gawain's ability to cultivate his inner strength not only surpasses that of most people in this vast ocean, but also surpasses his own self from a month ago!
This is a captain who is constantly improving!