Dragon's Doubts

After morning training ended, the training grounds quickly emptied.

The recruits left in twos and threes. Some quietly discussed the details of the training they had just completed, while others dragged their still-exhausted bodies slowly toward the dormitories.

Only one figure, as always, walked alone.

He packed up his simple gear, tightened his sweat-soaked wristguards, and headed down the stone path leading to the Marine dormitories.

His pace was not fast, but it was steady.

The morning mist had not yet fully dispersed. Sunlight streamed through the gaps between buildings, sliced into patches that fell across his shoulders, back, and shadow.

Just as he was about to turn into the dormitory area—

A faint set of footsteps suddenly sounded behind him.

Dragon stopped instantly.

The next second, he spun around, his body instinctively shifting into a guarded stance.

His center of gravity lowered, the muscles in his arms tensed, like a blade ready to leave its sheath at any moment.

"Who—"

The moment the words left his mouth, he saw who it was.

The tension around him loosened in an instant.

"...Brother Rock?"

The person standing some distance away was Rock.

He stood casually in the morning light, looking relaxed.

He raised a hand in greeting and smiled naturally. "Yo~"

Only then did Dragon fully relax, letting out a soft breath. "Why did you suddenly come over?"

Rock did not answer right away. Instead, he quietly examined him.

He had grown quite a bit taller than two years ago, his shoulders broader too. The outline of a warrior had begun to show across his whole body.

But those eyes were steadier than Rock remembered, and sharper too.

Two years earlier, before Dragon had joined the Marines.

Rock had accompanied Garp on a trip back to the East Blue, where