While I was out cold for ten days, the world had turned upside down.
Garp filled me in between mouthfuls of crackers. After I passed out, he and Sengoku had clashed with the "Golden Lion" Shiki in a battle so fierce it leveled half of Marineford. Shiki was ultimately subdued and dragged down to the darkest depths of Impel Down.
And then came the big one.
The execution in Loguetown. The Pirate King's final words. The spark that ignited the hearts of every dreamer, criminal, and adventurer on the planet.
I missed it... I groaned inwardly, leaning back against my pillows. The most iconic scene in history, and I was busy taking a forced ten-day nap.
"Shiki was a monster," I muttered, looking at my bandaged arms. My armor was scrap metal, my weapons were splinters, and the doctor said I'd be stuck in this bed for at least a month.
"Don't beat yourself up, Krieg," Garp barked, spraying cracker crumbs over my white sheets. "Taking a leg from the Golden Lion and holding him off alone? That's more than most Vice Admirals could manage. You did well, brat."
"Vice Admiral... please don't get crumbs on the bed..."
"Bwahahaha! Don't be so stiff! Anyway, be happy! Your performance has earned you another promotion.
Since it's a special occasion, is there anything specific you want? Think of it as a promotional gift!"
I paused. The Plan. If I were going to change things, I needed more than just a higher rank. I needed freedom.
"Can I have a night to think about it, sir?"
"Fine by me. Rest up. Let me know when you've decided."
The "Dull Bear's" Ambition
As the nurses changed my bandages, I began to map out the next few years.
I was currently a Commander (Chusa). In the original story, Captains (Taisa) like Smoker or Hina were given their own bases or independent fleets. If I could jump to the rank of Captain now, I'd have the authority to act on my own.
I needed to get away from Marineford. Being at the heart of the Navy was great for training, but it made "independent activities" impossible.
I needed to retrieve that Devil Fruit I buried, find Gin and Pearl (once they were old enough), and recruit a top-tier navigator and doctor.
But more than that, the loss to Shiki rankled.
If my Haki had been stronger... if my weapons had been more durable... if I hadn't let myself be overwhelmed by his aura...
I had been arrogant. I relied too much on my "Prototype Arsenal" and my knowledge of the future. Against a true Legend, toys weren't enough. I needed to sharpen myself—body, mind, and soul.
I picked up a pen and paper and began to draft a proposal for Garp and Sengoku. I didn't just want a promotion; I wanted a mandate.
The New Appointment
A few days later, the response came. Approved by Garp, Sengoku, and even Fleet Admiral Kong himself.
Name: Krieg
New Rank: Special Duty Captain (Tokumu Taisa)
Callsign: "Dull Bear"
Appointment: Commander of the "Marine Independent Company."
This was better than I'd hoped. This wasn't a standard garrison post. My "Independent Company" was granted a unique charter: the authority to engage in "asymmetric suppression and nomadic patrol" across all four blues and the Grand Line.
I was no longer tied to a single base or a single superior's whims. I was the Navy's wandering troubleshooter.
At 20 years old, I had my own ship, my own crew, and permission to hunt wherever the wind blew.
"Well then," I said, standing up and testing my shaky legs. "Time to go see what this 'Great Pirate Era' is all about."
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