True Self

Eat meat in big bites; walk the road one step at a time.

Although Long Yi's system held limitless potential, for now he was merely a Marine nobody whom any strong person could erase with a casual gesture—the sort who did not even deserve to show his face in a manga.

After exiting the system, Long Yi steadied his turbulent emotions. Stroking the katana he had just received, he began considering his future path.

"First, I need to improve my strength. I'm still far too weak; I can't survive in this world with strength like this. Second, I need to choose my camp. I've always aimed to rise through the Marine ranks, but now that I have a chance to become a Celestial Dragon, that doesn't seem bad either."

Clearly, the bald elder's words had greatly shaken Long Yi's heart.

Although Long Yi himself looked down on those useless people who bullied others with borrowed power, and even wanted to stab those damned Celestial Dragons a few times to vent his anger, the privileges that came with becoming a Celestial Dragon still tempted him.

There was no right or wrong in it. Long Yi was not a saint, and in the face of temptation, he found it difficult to control himself.

"Hey! Kid! Time to eat!"

Just as Long Yi lay in bed tossing and turning, Karp's voice came from outside the room, interrupting his thoughts.

Hearing that, Long Yi gave a bitter smile and silently blamed himself.

Seriously? I'm actually being tempted by the privileges of the Celestial Dragons. I swore not long ago that I would stand at the top of the world, yet I'm about to be defeated by sugar-coated bullets before I've even set out? That won't do, Long Yi. You have to withstand the test.

After forcefully slapping his own face, Long Yi gave up on thinking any further. He pushed open the door and happened to see Karp's energetic square face.

"Kid! What are you spacing out for? Time to eat!"

Karp called out to Long Yi. Before Long Yi could react, the absent-minded old man had already taken a seat at the table at lightning speed and, under Long Yi's gaze, began stuffing food into his mouth with extraordinary gusto.

"Mmm, delicious! This is delicious too!"

In the brief moment Long Yi lost focus, Karp had already swept away more than half the food on the table like a whirlwind. Long Yi began to panic.

It had to be said that this was the most hurried meal Long Yi had eaten since arriving in this world. Having always eaten in the Marine cafeteria, he had never imagined that one day he would have to fight for food just to fill his stomach.

"I'm full, I'm full."

A blissful smile appeared on Karp's satisfied face. Clutching his visibly swollen belly, this Marine hero actually began lecturing Long Yi.

"I'm telling you, you eat way too slowly. Remember this, kid: the dining table is a battlefield! To become an outstanding Marine, you have to eat when you can and sleep when you can. Hoo..."

As he spoke, Karp went silent. Long Yi stared speechlessly at Karp, who had a snot bubble inflating from his nose, and had to admit that the bloodline of the D Clan was indeed formidable. Falling asleep while talking and eating was truly not something an ordinary person could do.

"Vice Admiral Karp? Vice Admiral Karp!"

With no other choice, Long Yi gently shook Karp's body and woke the tough old man.

Karp still seemed somewhat dazed after waking up, but when he saw Long Yi's face covered in black lines, he suddenly remembered what he had not finished saying.

"Oh, right! Sleep when you can. Hoo..."

Watching Karp fall asleep again, Long Yi covered his forehead, his eyes filled with indescribable helplessness.

He even began considering whether he should agree to the bald elder's request and join the Yatogami Family. After all, the thought of following such a teacher in the future was simply too taxing on his nerves.

"Mmm, sorry, sorry. I fell asleep again."

This time, Long Yi did not have to do anything. The sound of the snot bubble popping startled Karp awake. Seeing Long Yi's expression, Karp burst into hearty laughter without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

"Vice Admiral Karp, I'm a little tired. May I go back first?"

Listening to Karp's cheerful laughter, Long Yi gave a dry laugh and made as if to stand. As he spoke, he started toward his room.

"Wait, Long Yi."

Unexpectedly, just as Long Yi was about to turn and leave, Karp's tone suddenly became serious, stopping him.

"Vice Admiral Karp?"

The absent-minded old man had suddenly become serious, and Long Yi found the change difficult to adjust to. He asked in confusion, then saw the seriousness in Karp's eyes.

"You're thinking about what that bald old man said, aren't you, Long Yi? Tell me, do you want to join the Yatogami Family?"

Hearing Karp's question, Long Yi stiffened. He gave up on leaving, sat back down in his chair, and fell into thought.

Seeing Long Yi's reaction, Karp did not press him. He merely watched Long Yi struggle inwardly before speaking softly.

"It's all right. You don't need to have any reservations. Let me hear what you truly think."

At that moment, Karp was like an experienced life mentor. There was an indescribable sense of reassurance in his steady voice. Although Long Yi kept reminding himself that it was only an illusion, after letting out a soft sigh, he still told Karp the truth.

"Vice Admiral Karp, I actually want to remain in the Marines and serve them. But Lord Taizo's offer is also very tempting. The demon sword Kitetsu is a famous blade that swordsmen pursue all their lives. Though I was born a commoner, I have heard of the many privileges Celestial Dragons possess. I want to join the Yatogami Family, but I'm struggling inside because I'm afraid others will look down on me."

Long Yi did not hide his inner conflict in the slightest and told Karp everything. Karp was delighted by Long Yi's honesty. He patted Long Yi's shoulder and laughed loudly.

"You're rambling nonsense! This is ridiculous! Kid, you're thinking far too much, aren't you? If you want to become a Celestial Dragon, then don't hesitate. Don't care what others think. As long as you uphold the justice in your heart, you will always be a Marine soldier. Long Yi, tell me: does justice exist in your heart?"

The justice in his heart?

Karp's words rang beside his ears like a great bell, awakening him with a single sentence.

Long Yi cared too much about what others thought. He knew that joining the Yatogami Family would be more beneficial to his development in this world, yet he constantly worried about being scorned and belittled by others, about enduring pointless abuse.

At times, he even feared that he would become intoxicated by the privileges of the Celestial Dragons and forget his original intentions. That was why he had been so wary of joining the Yatogami Family. He called it careful consideration, but in truth, he had become fixated on appearances.

"Reporting to Vice Admiral Karp! Justice exists in my heart!"

Long Yi rose and stood at attention, giving Karp an impeccably standard Marine salute.

Before his eyes flashed the scene from two years ago, when pirates massacred his village. Ever since his memories had fused with those of the original Long Yi, he had inherited Long Yi's hatred for pirates, as well as his resolve to shoulder justice and stand up for innocent commoners.

"Very good. Seaman Third Class Long Yi, tell me, what is the justice in your heart!"

Seeing Long Yi's response, Karp's expression also turned solemn as he shouted his question.

"The justice in my heart is to punish evil and uphold good! It is to protect the weak!"

Long Yi spoke word by word, recalling scene after scene of his relentless sword training through winter and summer alike.

"My justice is drawing my sword when others need me most, standing up for weak commoners! My justice is making evil pirates tremble at the sound of my name and turn to flee! My justice is neither acting on whim nor stubbornly clinging to extremes, recognizing no neutral side and looking only to my true heart!"

"Hahahaha! Good! What a 'recognizing no neutral side and looking only to your true heart'!"

Karp laughed so hard that tears came to his eyes. Long Yi's answer satisfied the Marine hero beyond measure. The more he looked at Long Yi now, the more he liked him—more than he liked his own son.

It would be wonderful if my grandson could be like this kid.

Staring at Long Yi's earnest expression, Karp muttered to himself. Thinking of his own unruly grandson made his anger rise.

He had clearly taught that boy from childhood to become an outstanding Marine, yet the kid always clamored about becoming a pirate, angering Karp to no end. Fortunately, heaven had sent him another excellent prospect, one whose talent and character were both beyond reproach. Only then did Karp's wounded heart find comfort.

"Good! I'll remember your justice! But if you ever betray the words you've spoken, then even if you, Long Yi, become a Celestial Dragon, these iron fists of mine will still beat you without mercy!"

Karp sneered as he cracked his knuckles, his eyes more serious than ever.

"Yes, Vice Admiral Karp!"

Long Yi replied solemnly.

"Call me Master!"

Karp gave Long Yi a hard knock on the head, his face breaking into a delighted smile as he laughed.

"Yes! Master Karp!"

Long Yi endured the pain but did not dare resist Karp's violence. He could only shout in reply.

"Call me Grandpa Karp!"

Another knock landed on his head, and two large bumps visibly rose on Long Yi's scalp.

"Yes! Grandpa Karp!"

Tears began welling in Long Yi's eyes, and his face reddened, but his reply did not weaken in the slightest.

"Call me—"

This time, the moment Karp opened his mouth, Long Yi retreated three steps with lightning speed, quickly escaping the range of Karp's fists as he watched him warily.

"Hahaha! In that case, join the Yatogami Family, Long Yi. But even if you accept that bald old man's favor, remember this: you are the disciple of me, Monkey D. Karp. Once you've gotten all the benefits you can, come aboard my ship. I'll teach you how to carry out the justice in your heart."

"Yes! Grandpa Karp!"

Though his head still ached faintly, Long Yi felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart. He had never felt so relaxed.

So what if he became a Celestial Dragon? So what if he endured the scorn of the world and pointless abuse? As long as he upheld the justice in his heart, he would always be Long Yi, the one who constantly trained himself in order to shoulder justice.

Never forget why you started, and you can see it through to the end.