This was the first time Wendy and her friends had attended a gathering of this caliber. They were facing high-ranking figures in the Navy, so they were somewhat reserved.
But seeing the Marine Admiral and Hero of the Marines playing and fighting over food like children, they gradually calmed down and started eating and drinking.
Ain, on the other hand, was quite unrestrained. They were just a few old men and women, and they were very kind to her, so she wasn't afraid at all! She stayed in Vic's arms and wouldn't get down.
When Ain saw Vic's appearance, she was stunned. She didn't dare to approach him when she saw the Inazuma striking Vic. Fortunately, Vic stopped his training before the banquet, and then he looked somewhat more like a human.
Ain tentatively approached Vic, only to find that Vic was still the same Vic except for a small circular drum on his back. She then threw herself into Vic's arms and wouldn't get down, infuriating Rebecca. "You're quiet and obedient when Vic isn't around, but when Vic comes back you throw a tantrum and act like a brat. Is this really a child?"
The banquet lasted until very late. The chefs that Sengoku had hired were exhausted. They looked at the guests as if they were wild beasts and vowed that if Sengoku ever hired them again, they would be treated like dogs unless they were paid more. Woof woof woof.
Vic and Rebecca took the sleeping Ain back to the seaside cabin, while Wendy and the others returned to their dormitory in the recruit area. It was still habitable there, but after today they would officially graduate from the Elite Camp and would probably have to live on a warship from now on.
After returning to the cabin, Vic dug up everything he had buried before. He had used the ores and metals when he forged the knife, and now all that was left were some gold and his homemade fruit wine and grain liquor.
Although Smoker dug some of it up, he buried it separately, so it hasn't all been destroyed yet. There's still quite a bit left. This liquor was brewed for Shanks as a way of thanking Shanks for his help to Rebecca.
At the banquet that evening, Zephyr told him about Shanks and apologized. Vic didn't seem to care much about it; as a Marine, Zephyr's actions were naturally justified.
What concerned him was that Shanks ' strength had also increased so much. No wonder he was one of the future Four Emperors; his talent was indeed formidable. These drinks would still have some use.
So Vic decided to pack all these things up and carry them with him. Anyway, no one would notice. If he ran into Shanks later, he could have a good fight, a brawl, and then a drinking contest. He figured that if this future Four Emperors became a Yonko, he could at least give him, a Marine Admiral, some face.
"Let's go see Tashigi tomorrow! Smoker has been away from headquarters for almost half a year now, and he doesn't have anyone he knows around. I wonder how she's doing. Let's bring Ain along tomorrow too, so they can keep each other company, make friends, and have someone to look after them when they live together at headquarters!"
After putting everything into the Dimensional Space, Vic returned to the cabin. Rebecca was still awake and had been waiting for Vic, clearly having a lot to say to him. However, the first thing Vic said when he came in was while looking at Ain, Ain was sleeping soundly in Rebecca's bed, completely unaware of what was happening.
"We really should go see her. I've missed you terribly since I haven't seen you for months. Tashigi is only six years old, all alone. Let's bring her to headquarters for a few days!"
Rebecca's childhood was relatively good; at least her grandmother and Vic were always by her side. Although she never met her parents and could only imagine them through the remaining photos, she was still much happier than Tashigi. However, there are many people in this world who are not as fortunate as Tashigi. At least Tashigi was not in any danger and did not have those dark experiences, so she was lucky.
"Hmm! That's good! Smoker a big, burly guy, and I'm just a lad myself. He can't possibly be that thoughtful. It's too much of a burden for him to take care of a little girl. And since she's not even at headquarters right now, we should help out if we can!"
Vic didn't respond to Rebecca's implied meaning. He knew more than Rebecca; Tashigi's mother was definitely not a simple person, and she had no idea what her purpose was in sending Tashigi to the Navy. But Tashigi herself had done nothing wrong, and Vic wouldn't treat her any differently because of her mother's situation.
Smoker is not currently serving in Loguetown. He is currently a junior officer on a warship, similar to Vic in status. Both are considered trainee captains and need to be approved before they can lead a team independently.
Vic guessed that Smoker might have offended his superior on this warship, not only being given a hard time but also receiving a bad review, which is why Smoker eventually went to Loguetown in the East Sea.
Afterwards Rebecca talked to Vic for a long time, pouring out all the longing she had held back for three months!
Vic laid Rebecca's head on his lap, stroking Rebecca hair as he listened to her story, occasionally chiming in. Outside, only the innocent chirping of insects filled the air. Rebecca eventually fell asleep in Vic's arms with a smile, her face radiating peace and sweetness.
The next morning, Rebecca woke up to find herself back in bed, holding not Vic from her dream, but little Ain in her arms.
Although the little one hadn't woken up yet, her face showed some pain, as if she was dreaming of drowning, and she was pushing her little canteen with all her might.
Rebecca then realized that she was so afraid of leaving Vic that she mistook Ain for Vic and hugged her too tightly, almost suffocating Ain.
Rebecca quickly let go of Ain's arms, looked around, and only got out of bed after making sure no one was watching. When she came outside the cabin, she saw Vic making breakfast.
Breakfast was plentiful and varied, but Vic's appearance while making breakfast today was rather strange. He was wearing a navy cloak, an apron, and had an open drum hanging behind him, which looked odd no matter how you looked at it.
" Vic! You're Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral now, so you shouldn't be cooking anymore. Leave it to us. There will be chefs there once we're on the warship. You're really not suited for cooking; it's too much of a mismatch for you!"
Rebecca approached Vic and said that Vic's current appearance was indeed a bit out of place. She thought the Thunder Drum on Vic's back was impossible to remove, as it just kept floating there. She was worried about how Vic would sleep like this. Would he never sleep? But she wanted to sleep!
"Alright! I also think I shouldn't cook for myself anymore. Ain still not awake?"