Back Again

More than a month later, Sabaody Archipelago, Island 44.

Inside a tall watchtower on the island, a chubby young Marine held up a pair of binoculars, seriously watching every movement on the distant sea.

Beside him was a tall man lying on a sofa, yawning with a look of contentment.

The sea was utterly calm. There wasn't a single ship in sight.

"What a bore!"

The chubby Marine unhappily lowered his binoculars, sat down in a nearby chair, and said listlessly.

The tall Marine beside him glanced at his subordinate and spoke.

"Ah... You really don't know how lucky you are."

The chubby Marine froze and scratched his head, unable to understand.

"Boss, what do you mean?"

"You really are an idiot."

The tall Marine spoke with an expression of exasperation.

"This job is so easy. We get paid, and we don't have to risk our lives fighting pirates. How many people would love to have it as good as we do?"

The chubby Marine heard this and said unhappily,

"But we're Marines! Our mission is to fight pirates!"

"You really are naïve."

The tall Marine impatiently glanced at the chubby Marine and tugged at the word "Justice" emblazoned across the Marine uniform covering him.

"You actually believe in those two words?"

The chubby Marine firmly nodded.

"Yes. My hometown was destroyed by pirates. Vice Admiral Tsuru led people to rescue us, so I believe in it."

That made the tall Marine pause, but he soon looked disdainful again and spoke like a seasoned veteran.

"Tch, you're still too young. There's far too little you know about this world."

The chubby Marine fell silent, but after thinking it over, he still spoke with a resolute gaze.

"No matter what, I believe that at least Vice Admiral Tsuru and the others