[Feigning illness to avoid work. Slacking Points +500]
Hearing the system's notification, Raleigh comfortably turned over and adjusted his pillow.
This was the infirmary at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
After the great battle ended, since they had defeated the Golden Lion and Kuzan had brought back the frozen head of the legendary pirate, Headquarters immediately ordered Garp, Raleigh, and Kuzan to return with their warships.
The impact of this event was immense, serving as a massive morale boost for Marine personnel holding the front lines worldwide.
Over the past few days, Headquarters had redecorated the Marineford Plaza and once again summoned the heads of news agencies from around the world, demanding coverage of this historic incident.
While Kuzan's injuries hadn't fully healed, leading him to stay in the Headquarters infirmary, Raleigh shamelessly refused to leave.
When the attending doctor removed Raleigh's bandages and stared in disbelief at his nearly healed wounds, Raleigh still brazenly argued without blushing or flustering:
"You'd better give me a thorough check-up. Even though my external wounds have healed, I still feel very uncomfortable inside."
"Check my organs, bones, or muscles!"
After a meticulous and comprehensive examination, the doctor found no issues with Raleigh whatsoever, aside from potential early signs of hemorrhoids.
Regarding this, the doctor advised Raleigh not to sit or lie down all the time and to get up and move around more often.
Hearing this, Raleigh felt as if his heart had been shattered.
But in the end, relying on his shameless persistence, he successfully stayed in the Headquarters infirmary to recuperate.
"Raleigh, you're perfectly fine—why don't you go out?" Kuzan asked, engrossed in a book, after hearing Raleigh toss and turn on his bed.
Rustle.
Raleigh pulled aside the curtain separating him from Kuzan and said leisurely, "Why should I go out? Don't you know what's happening outside? Because of Golden Lion's death, Marineford is packed with big shots."
"I heard the Celestial Dragons and many high-ranking World Government officials have come to Marineford. Vice Admiral Garp has to spend every day with them. I'm not going out to take the heat for him."
Raleigh voiced his disdain; reputation meant nothing to him, especially at this stage.
Laying low and developing quietly was the best course of action.
Kuzan silently picked up his book again, hiding his face behind it.
Earlier that morning, Garp had called him on the Den Den Mushi, asking if he could be discharged.
Kuzan had said he was fine and planned to leave the next day.
He never expected there was such a reason behind it.
Now, even Kuzan didn't want to face the inquiries from those World Nobles and World Government officials.
"Raleigh, I think my injuries are still pretty serious. Maybe I should rest a few more days," Kuzan said anxiously, not wanting to be put on display like a circus animal.
Raleigh sat up on his bed, grabbed two apples from the bedside, and tossed one to Kuzan.
Crunch.
A crisp sound echoed in the ward.
Raleigh bit into the juicy, sweet apple and mumbled, "It depends on your principles. I don't like the spotlight, but that doesn't mean nobody does."
"If you want to rise quickly in the Marines, this is just as good as the worldwide exposure I got when I was promoted to Vice Admiral."
"I don't want to be the center of the world's attention. After all, people haven't forgotten the last incident I caused."
The world had only just gotten familiar with Raleigh's face, and he didn't want the Golden Lion incident to be pinned on him again.
Raleigh knew exactly how Headquarters would handle this.
Only three people were involved in the fight against Golden Lion.
Aside from Garp, that left just Raleigh and Kuzan.
Headquarters would definitely favor Raleigh, given his higher rank and greater worldwide fame.
If Raleigh guessed correctly, Headquarters wanted to mold him into a pillar of the Marines, like Garp.
But a life under the spotlight wasn't what Raleigh wanted.
He glanced at Kuzan beside him.
'Hmm, tall and imposing, incredibly talented—perfect for taking the fall.'
Raleigh couldn't help but scheme about how to make Kuzan the hero.
Before he could come up with a plan, voices echoed from the hallway outside.
"That brat Raleigh has been fine for ages but just refuses to be discharged."
"Sengoku, maybe we should beat him up again."
The voices arrived before the people—undoubtedly, Garp and Sengoku were on their way.
Raleigh hurriedly scrambled off the bed, pushed open the window, and turned to Kuzan.
"Kuzan, I just remembered there's a group of pirates that needs capturing. I'm heading out first."
With that, his body transformed into elemental form, dissipating like a gust of wind.
Only a dumbfounded Kuzan remained in the hospital room.
"Hey, wait! Aren't you just throwing me to the wolves here?"
Kuzan watched Raleigh rush off and exclaimed with great agitation.
Hearing the commotion, Garp and Sengoku pushed open the hospital room door and shouted.
"Raleigh, you bastard, it's time you came with us to face the music!"
But when they opened the door, all they saw was Kuzan who had just reached the window—about to jump out.
The room was empty, with only two creased hospital beds remaining.
With just one glance, Sengoku knew exactly what had happened—that little rascal Raleigh had simply bolted faster than a rabbit.
Somehow getting wind of the information, he had made a quick escape, leaving only Kuzan behind.
"Kuzan, where do you think you're going?"
Garp cracked his knuckles audibly, his words dripping with menace.
Hearing the voice behind him, Kuzan turned around with a grimace, forcing a strained smile as he addressed Garp and Sengoku.
"Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp... I just felt the room was a bit stuffy and wanted to open the window for some fresh air."
Listening to Kuzan's insincere excuse, Garp's face broke into a mischievous expression.
"Stuffy, huh? Well, I know just the place that won't be stuffy—the outdoor training grounds. Perfect for soaking up some sun and replenishing your energy."
Kuzan wanted to refuse, but seeing Sengoku and Garp's knowing smirks, he could only nod with a pained expression.
"Actually, Raleigh was quite interested in this too. He said he'd go home to change clothes and then come find you."
Though Kuzan had fallen into the fire pit himself, as a good brother, how could he let Raleigh enjoy himself outside alone?
After exchanging a glance, Sengoku and Garp shook their heads and teased:
"That little rascal Raleigh would never do such a thing."
"I'd guess he left just minutes ago, otherwise you wouldn't be hovering by the window."
"Let's put it this way—we all know Raleigh's lazy nature. He already made quite a name for himself during his last promotion to Vice Admiral, so this time he'd prefer not to steal the spotlight on the world stage again."
I