Tokikake thought Mosen was exceptionally gifted, so he started paying even closer attention to him.
Over the next two days, Tokikake showed Mosen how to combine Haki and the Six Powers more skillfully.
As an old hand in the Navy, Tokikake had his own unique understanding of both the Six Powers and Haki. A few simple words and some little tips on using the Six Powers gave Mosen a great deal of insight.
If they hadn't reached Reverse Mountain and had different destinations, Mosen really wouldn't have wanted to part ways with Chaton just yet.
"Mosen! Have you ever considered returning to Marine Headquarters?" Tokikake suddenly asked just before Mosen disembarked.
Tokikake's question caught Mosen off guard.
"Mosen, you have tremendous talent. You shouldn't waste it in a place like Impel Down. If you return to Marine Headquarters, you'll be able to study both types of Haki more thoroughly, and you'll have a chance to obtain a Devil Fruit. That would be a great help to your future growth," Tokikake urged.
Hearing this, Mosen understood. Tokikake genuinely believed his talent deserved better cultivation.
To be honest, Mosen hadn't considered returning to Marine Headquarters, because he still had things to do in Impel Down.
Ever since Mosen had awakened the memories of his previous life, he had been planning for this. Taking control of Extreme Cold Hell and learning both types of Haki were all preparations for it.
Whether he succeeded or not would determine Mosen's future, so he absolutely wouldn't go to Marine Headquarters at a time like this.
So Mosen put on a resolute expression and said, "Mr. Tokikake, I'm truly grateful for your regard. But during my time in Impel Down, I've realized that Extreme Cold Hell really needs me.
"Because of the cold weather here, Den Den Mushi can't be used, making it difficult for Impel Down to keep track of the prisoners.
"The prisoners in Extreme Cold Hell are all ruthless criminals with bounties exceeding a hundred million. From what I've seen, they've banded together to survive. Working together, they're capable of killing Military Wolves for food.
"If they're allowed to establish a foothold in Extreme Cold Hell, it'll be a disaster for Impel Down.
"As a Marine, I can't let that happen. I'll protect Impel Down. I absolutely won't let these prisoners return to the sea and threaten the safety of ordinary people.
"So I won't leave until the crisis lurking in Extreme Cold Hell is completely resolved. Please understand, Mr. Tokikake."
Mosen's words deeply moved Tokikake. What a virtuous young man! But the more admirable Mosen was, the less Tokikake could bear to watch him waste the most important years of his life.
Tokikake said earnestly, "Mosen, you should think it over. If you stay in Impel Down, no one will be there to guide you in learning Haki or teach you swordsmanship. You'll also have no chance to obtain a Devil Fruit.
"Spending several years in Impel Down could very well limit how much you grow in the future!"
"Mr. Tokikake, I've already thought this through. But I'll say it again: if I can't resolve the hidden crisis in Extreme Cold Hell, I won't leave."
Tokikake fell silent. He hadn't expected a fifteen-year-old boy to be willing to sacrifice his future for the safety of Impel Down and the public.
The resources available at Impel Down and Marine Headquarters were worlds apart.
Even knowing that, Mosen had still resolutely chosen to stay in Impel Down.
Putting himself in Mosen's shoes, Tokikake felt he wouldn't have chosen to stay in Impel Down.
But Tokikake also understood that Mosen was so firm in his stance that there was no talking him around. So he stopped trying to persuade him and simply patted Mosen on the shoulder. "Mosen, if you change your mind, you can contact me anytime. I'll help you."
"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Tokikake."
Tokikake nodded and ordered the warship to depart from Reverse Mountain.
After watching Tokikake leave, Mosen breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, he hadn't expected Tokikake to suddenly suggest that he go to Marine Headquarters. If he really left Impel Down early, his entire plan would be thrown into disarray, and all his efforts over the past months would go to waste.
Meanwhile, aboard Tokikake's warship, one of his trusted subordinates came over and asked, "Mr. Tokikake, have you really given up on getting that boy to return to Marine Headquarters?"
"He's made up his mind. I couldn't persuade him, but that doesn't mean no one else can," Tokikake said with a smile.
"Are you talking about Mr. Sengoku?"
"That's right. Once I've picked up Mr. Garp, I'll report the boy's situation to Mr. Sengoku.
"I don't think Mr. Sengoku would stand by and watch such a talented young man waste the years ahead of him."
Back with Mosen, he had originally planned to wait at Reverse Mountain and see if a ship came along.
But after waiting for more than two hours without seeing a single ship, and with nightfall approaching, Mosen had no choice but to cross Reverse Mountain on his own.
Mosen dipped his hand into the seawater and froze some of it, forming a small boat made of ice.
He piloted the boat over Reverse Mountain and entered the West Blue.
As it happened, the former Roger Pirates' ship doctor, Crocus, witnessed the whole thing.
The old man spent every day by the lighthouse at Twin Cape, leisurely reading the newspaper while keeping Laboon the whale company and waiting for the Rumba Pirates.
Tokikake's warship had caught Crocus's attention when it first arrived.
After all, Crocus had once sailed with Roger, so he was somewhat wary of the Navy. Whenever a Marine warship came by, he paid close attention to it. This time was no exception.
Mosen disembarking from the warship naturally caught Crocus's eye. Watching Mosen stand there alone like a fool for over two hours, he guessed that Mosen was waiting for a ship to carry him over Reverse Mountain.
Crocus figured that Mosen and the warship had different destinations, and were headed for different seas, which was why they had parted ways along the journey.
As the sky grew darker, Crocus decided Mosen probably wouldn't find a ship headed his way that day. He was debating whether to go say hello when he saw Mosen dip his hand into the sea. The next second, a little boat of ice rose from the water.
"Is this guy a Devil Fruit user? His ability to freeze seawater looks a bit like that kid Kuzan, who used to hang around Garp. Is it a Logia Snow-Snow Fruit, or a Paramecia Temperature-Temperature Fruit?" Crocus muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, Mosen had just crossed Reverse Mountain. He hadn't gone far when he came upon a group of pirates robbing a merchant ship.
There was no way Mosen could stand by and do nothing, but he didn't rush into action recklessly, either.
For one thing, when parting with Chaton, Mosen had said he was going to the North Blue. If anyone noticed him in the West Blue now, it would cause trouble.
For another, Mosen needed to figure out how many pirates there were and get a rough idea of their strength. There was no point trying to save people unless he could beat them. Otherwise, he'd just be walking into a death trap.
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