Inside the Office of West Blue Marine Branch 133
Sunlight filtered through the venetian blinds, casting mottled bands of light and shadow across the wooden floor.
Gern sat on the sofa, the teacup in his hand long since drained—only a few damp tea leaves clung to the bottom.
"Heh heh!"Asahi leaned against his desk, a look of deep satisfaction on his face."So Headquarters finally approved it. If I stick around another five or six years, I can retire as a branch colonel."
He rubbed the sparse stubble on his chin."When that time comes, I'll open a small tavern behind the base—sell booze and tell war stories to those fresh-faced recruits."
"Sounds nice."Gern chuckled softly, his gaze drifting over the wall where photographs from different years of the branch hung in neat rows.
Then his fingertip lightly tapped the rim of the teacup."Asahi… my warship might be staying here for a while…"
The moment those words left his mouth, Asahi—well-versed in the unspoken rules of favors and alliances—understood instantly.
He cut in without hesitation, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes."Don't worry. For the next two weeks,Marine Branch 133 will hold a grand welcome ceremony—make sure the entire West Blue knows that 'Heavenquake' has returned!And that he's right here, at West Blue Branch 133."
Gern raised an eyebrow at him.
Talking to smart people really was comfortable.
"Relax," Asahi continued, lowering his voice."As far as backing goes—you are our backing.If you have a faction, we're your faction.Branch 133 recognizes only Cataclysm Justice. Our stance is very clear."
He leaned in even closer, voice barely above a whisper."With Admiral Zephyr's mentorship ties and his network of former students…the Fleet Admiral's seat is only a matter of time."
Then, with a meaningful look:"But Gern, you still need to cultivate your own core forces—your personal, unquestionable arm of justice…"
Staring at Asahi's expression—one that practically screamed 'the weather's cold, why not put on the imperial robe?'—Gern pressed his lips together and let out a helpless smile.
...
After their idle chatter wound down, Asahi prepared to arrange official matters. He raised his voice toward the door.
A moment later, the office door opened, and a tall female Marine stepped inside.
Her deep-red hair was tied into a sharp, practical ponytail, while the sides near her temples were cut short, giving her a strikingly crisp look.Her uniform was pressed without a single wrinkle, and a standard-issue Marine sword hung at her waist.
"Bellemere, go make arrangements. We're preparing a grand welcome for Vice Admiral G—"
Asahi was still giving instructions when Gern's brow furrowed ever so slightly.
Bellemere?
That name was far too familiar—the future adoptive mother of Nami and Nojiko.
But… why was she in the West Blue?
"Oh, right."Asahi turned back with a smile."Gern, this is Staff Sergeant Bellemere. She's also one of the most outstanding soldiers our branch has produced in the past year or two."
Gern stood up and walked toward her.
She was younger than he had imagined—around twenty at most.By all accounts, she was still just a young woman.
"Your hometown should be Cocoyasi Village in the East Blue, right?"Gern asked casually.
"Huh?"Bellemere froze, her eyes widening in clear shock."V-Vice Admiral Gern… how did you know that?"
Asahi looked equally stunned."Gern, you know Bellemere?"
Of course I do.I even know how her story ends.
That thought remained firmly internal.
On the surface, Gern simply smiled vaguely."I passed through Cocoyasi Village once while accompanying Vice Admiral Garp in the East Blue.Heard someone mention a saying—something about 'a woman needing courage.'"
As he spoke, his gaze flicked to Bellemere's unconventional hairstyle."After all, that haircut of yours does take a fair bit of courage."
At that, Bellemere's face instantly flushed red. She unconsciously touched the short hair at her temples."T-This… this is for convenience in combat…"
"Not sure why you ended up serving in the West Blue,"Gern said, giving her shoulder a light pat,"but as long as you're a soldier of Branch 133, this place has your back. If anything happens, you can always come here."
His tone was casual—almost offhand.
Yet Bellemere's eyes lit up unmistakably.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Gern!"She snapped to attention and saluted, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.
Watching the two of them, Asahi suddenly clapped his hands."Alright then. Bellemere, take the Vice Admiral to have a look at the newly renovated training grounds.I've already told the mess hall to prepare a special dinner menu."
Bellemere nodded and stepped aside, letting Gern go first.
As they exited the office one after the other, soldiers in the corridor cast curious glances their way.The whispered murmurs behind her only made Bellemere straighten her back even more.
On the training grounds, new recruits were in the middle of hand-to-hand combat drills.
The instant Gern appeared, the entire field went silent. Every movement froze mid-action.
"Keep training!"Bellemere barked sharply.
The recruits snapped out of it and resumed their drills, though their eyes kept sneaking glances in Gern's direction.
Gern surveyed the surroundings.
The newly expanded training grounds were more than three times the size of what he remembered, packed with every kind of facility imaginable.In the distance, rows of soldiers practiced marksmanship at the firing range.
"Things really have changed," Gern murmured.
"After you left, the branch received major support from Headquarters and was promoted to West Blue Headquarters Branch,"Bellemere said, walking half a step behind him."That's a story Colonel Asahi tells every new recruit."
"That Asahi…"Gern laughed and shook his head, then paused."But what about you? How does someone from the East Blue end up stationed in the West Blue?"
Bellemere's expression turned complicated.
"Four years ago, I couldn't stand watching pirates bully civilians, so I enlisted in the Marines.Later, during a mission, our warship was attacked by pirates in the West Blue.The ship was destroyed… the entire crew wiped out."
She touched a scar on her left arm."I just happened to be rescued by Colonel Asahi, who was rushing in as reinforcement.After that… I stayed here, at Branch 133."
Gern noticed the faint flicker in her eyes when she spoke of the Marines and let out a soft chuckle.
So this was still the Bellemere from before that fateful sea battle—before her life was forever changed, before she took in those two little girls.
"Do you want to go back and take a look?"Gern asked suddenly.
Bellemere jerked her head up."What?"
"I can have Asahi arrange a warship to send you back to the East Blue for a visit,"Gern said lightly."You haven't been back in years, have you?"
"Vice Admiral Gern, I'm a Marine now."Her voice was firm."My duty is here. Besides—you yourself only returned to Branch 133 after nine years."
Gern glanced at her and said nothing more.
He understood Bellemere's nature well—stubborn, independent, unwilling to accept charity.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the shadows on the training ground stretched long.
Gern stood at the very spot where he had first displayed his power all those years ago.The stone beneath his feet still bore a faint crack.
"Vice Admiral Gern…"Bellemere suddenly spoke, hesitation in her voice."May I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Why… did you help me?"She looked straight into his eyes."We barely know each other, yet you know so much about me…"
Gern gazed toward the distant sea, where a merchant ship was slowly sailing across the horizon.
"Some people are destined to cross paths," he said quietly."Like the orange trees of Cocoyasi Village—when the season comes, they bloom and bear fruit naturally."
"…Is that so?"Bellemere frowned slightly, nodding as if she half understood.
The sea breeze stirred her red hair, making it blaze like fire beneath the setting sun.