Marine Hospital.
Three or four dozen Marine Soldiers lay in the simple ward; most of them were severely injured or even disabled.
At this moment, they gathered in small groups, their gazes sweeping toward the corner, their eyes filled with disgust.
"I remember that bastard's name is... Koby, right?!"
"That damned degenerate, people like him should be court-martialed. Why is he here?"
—Why did they join the Marine?
Besides having a heart full of passion and wanting to achieve great things, the vast majority joined the Marine after being massacred by pirates, bringing deep hatred with them. They yearned for revenge and were also instilled with the justice of protecting civilians.
—But what did Koby do?
Even when the Marine had achieved a great victory, he could righteously declare something like, "You are trampling on life."
This was undoubtedly an insult to the justice of the Marine.
If this kind of thing got out, what a terrible impact would it have on the reputation of the Marine!?
In the eyes of the Marine Soldiers, Koby was even worse than a deserter!!
They didn't understand why such a disgusting bastard was allowed to share a room with them.
He clearly didn't have a single scratch on him, yet he was occupying a precious bed?!
"You didn't know this, did you? That Koby seems to be Vice Admiral Garp's apprentice!"
A Marine Soldier said with a look of derision.
"What? Is he the apprentice of that [marine hero], Vice Admiral Garp?!"
"Why? Does he... even deserve it?!"
"Vice Admiral Garp is truly... confused!"
The soldiers discussed heatedly; it was clear that Garp was about to lose a large group of devoted fans... Meanwhile, Koby, deep within the ward, slowly opened his eyes.
"Where... is this?!"
Koby supported his forehead with his hand; his head wouldn't stop throbbing.
"Koby, you're finally awake!"
Beside him, the yellow-haired Helmeppo showed a joyful smile.
Heaven knew how long he had been standing guard here; he even thought Koby had died for a moment.
Most importantly, when that group of Marine Soldiers saw that Koby hadn't woken up, they turned their aggression toward him. No matter how he "explained," it was useless, driving him almost to isolation.
"Oh, you're awake?!"
A plump, blonde doctor with wavy hair walked up to Koby's bed, holding a medical chart, her eyes unreadable.
In an instant, Koby's face flushed crimson, and his voice became hesitant and stuttering.
"Th-that... I'm sorry. Thank you so much for your trouble!"
"No trouble at all, but since you're already awake—!"
The female doctor narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Then please move out of this spot. Don't occupy this valuable bed, okay?!"
Koby was still immersed in the doctor's beauty and nodded involuntarily.
However, the next second,
—Bang!
Koby was directly thrown out the door by a burly Marine.
"W-why?"
Koby knelt on the hard stone slab, clutching his head, his eyes full of confusion.
Helmeppo, standing nearby, comforted him,
"Don't be afraid, this isn't your fault. Those people are just bastards... Let's go find Vice Admiral Garp and ask him to set things straight!"
...Inside the ward, there was joyous laughter.
"Hahaha, that bastard finally scrammed. Just seeing his face makes me lose my appetite."
"Doctor Natsume is amazing! I've really fallen for her!"
"Doctor Natsume is truly... too cool!!"
The Marine Soldiers gave thumbs up, highly praising Doctor Natsume's actions.
Hearing everyone's praise, Doctor Natsume couldn't help but blush slightly.
"It's nothing. I despise people who act like deserters the most. Keeping people like that in the Marine is just a waste of resources..."
Doctor Natsume pouted her mouth. The more excited she got, the more the turbulent waves on her chest swayed.
This couldn't help but give everyone an eyeful. They stared blankly at the ceiling,
"This wall is so big—bah, so white!!"
"You people?!"
Seeing their devilish expressions, Doctor Natsume bit her silver teeth, her cheeks flushed red, and she fiercely stomped her black high heels as she left the ward.
She was a young woman under thirty, yet she encountered a bunch of "perverts"!
Watching her beautiful figure, everyone burst into laughter... Meanwhile, at the Fleet Admiral's Office.
Sengoku was having a fit of rage, slamming a newspaper onto his desk.
"Come on, look at this! Garp, it's your grandson again! Can't you bastard give this old man a break?!"
"Hahaha."
Garp was eating senbei, laughing so hard that tears were almost falling out.
"As expected of my grandson, he's getting more and more amazing!!"
"Damn you, Garp!!"
Sengoku slammed his palm heavily onto the conference table, his eyes bloodshot. He gasped roughly, and astonishing light burst forth from his eyes.
He swiftly lunged forward,
"Watch me beat you black and blue!"
"You bastard Sengoku, can this old man no longer swing his fists? Watch me smash your glasses, roast your goat, and eat all your senbei.
"How dare you!!"
Tsuru, standing nearby, watched the wrestling Sengoku and Garp with a speechless expression, rubbing her temples with a headache.
One should know that due to the heavy workload of the staff office and the strain on her mind and body, her long hair had already turned gray.
Her originally supple skin had become wrinkled.
It could be said that without her, the entire office would be turned upside down.
"Alright, stop it! How old are you two, acting like children!"
Hearing this, the two glared at each other and reluctantly let go.
They were panting, their old faces flushed red, and their uniforms were torn and messy.
"Alright, don't blame Garp. He's not feeling good about this either... Besides, you know little Luffy's personality better than I do! Don't keep hounding him all the time."
Tsuru said earnestly.
Sengoku looked at Garp, who was winking at him, and grumbled slightly, "I don't think he's suffering at all!"
But ultimately, the two did not continue the topic.
Next, Tsuru pulled out a stack of documents, gently rubbing her temples.
"There is one matter we need to deal with next."
Tsuru looked at Garp, hesitating slightly.
"Regarding your apprentice, Koby, there is a lot of noise coming from the lower ranks of the Marine. Eighty percent hope he will face a military court, and the hardliners, led by Akainu, even suggest immediate execution!!"
"Koby?!"
Garp frowned slightly. He had indeed done something unforgivable.
If he hadn't been protected by Garp's reputation, he might have been sent to the afterlife the moment he spoke.
"Sigh, little Tsuru, do you have any good ideas?"
In the end, Garp still couldn't let it go. After all, even animals develop feelings after spending time together, let alone people.
"Garp, we must give the entire Marine a satisfactory explanation."
Sengoku said definitively, his tone brooking no argument.
"He can be spared a military court, but he will spend the rest of his life as a chore boy at Headquarters!!"
Tsuru spoke slowly. This was already... the biggest concession.
Garp breathed a sigh of relief. "It's fine. That kid made a huge mistake, but as long as he doesn't die... it's enough!"
"Alright, then... let's execute it immediately!"
Tsuru lowered her head and began drafting the document.
Sengoku, however, stared at Garp.
"Remember, don't get involved with that kid again. His reputation is completely ruined."
[King of Deserters] [Coward] [Degenerate] [One who used connections]... All sorts of labels were slapped onto Koby. It could be said that he was currently like a pile of walking filth.
Whoever got close to him would suffer misfortune, even becoming the public enemy of the entire Marine rank and file!!