Noah's Surprise

"More and more familiar events are cropping up."

Noah rolled up the newspaper and glanced at the clock tower that had rung in the new year last night. "The Great Pirate Era is gathering momentum, and the Sea Circle Calendar waits for no one. I'm feeling pressed for time. Better step it up."

Still, the rank of Admiral was a little out of reach for now.

All right. A small goal first: become a Vice Admiral within two years.

Back in his office after a long absence, Noah planned to put in a token appearance, handle a few routine matters, then slip off to the training grounds.

He was the deputy base commander, after all. He had to at least look the part.

But then his adjutant knocked and respectfully delivered two letters.

Noah took a look. One was from Shiya. The other, to his surprise, was from Kizaru.

"..."

What does that sleazy old man want? Feeling a little guilty, Noah opened Kizaru's letter first.

I miss you so much, Noah.

That was the very first line.

"?"

Noah turned the letter over in confusion. Once he confirmed it really was Kizaru's, not Shiya's, his eye twitched.

The rest of the letter kept the same tone. Every line practically dripped with wounded grievance.

Like a lonely old man in an empty house, Kizaru lamented how much he missed Noah. Why hadn't Noah kept his promise to come work under him and share the load? Did Noah have any idea how much pressure he was under, or how hard he worked every day?

Noah shuddered. He practically had to hold his nose to keep reading.

Fortunately, after a few more complaints, Kizaru finally got serious and explained why he had written.

This Reverie would be the first since the Great