Elliot was strong.
As for exactly how strong…
He didn’t even know himself.
In his previous world, he had simply worked out regularly and lived a highly disciplined life.
Then, suddenly, one day.
Elliot realized he had become incredibly powerful.
From that moment on, he could clearly feel that he was no longer an ordinary human.
But he had absolutely no desire to become a hero or save the world.
Ever since he was a child…
He had always envied the retirement lives of old men and women who lived comfortably on their pensions.
He had always strived for that goal, and even after suddenly transmigrating, he fully intended to live that exact same way.
However…
While he had joined the Marines for the sake of stability and various other practical reasons…
Still…
A peaceful, comfortable life.
That was Elliot’s attitude toward life.
And no one was going to get in his way.
…
The East Blue’s Branch 76 Base was renowned even within the Grand Line.
It was the strongest Marine base in the entire East Blue.
It could also be considered the central command leading all East Blue Marines against the local pirates.
“We’re finally here.” Andrew gripped a mop, watching Branch 76 draw closer and closer.
After saying that, he glanced over at Elliot.
Unlike Andrew…
Even though Elliot wore the same apprentice Marine uniform and held a mop just like him…
After witnessing Elliot effortlessly defeat the Krieg Pirates single-handedly—including Don Krieg himself…
Everyone aboard the warship now held a deep sense of respect for the mild-mannered young man.
In a world where the strong preyed on the weak.
It was only natural to revere the strong.
Such was human nature.
So Elliot didn’t really mind it.
“Aren’t you excited?
The Base Commander wants to see you personally.
You might even get promoted straight to a commissioned officer,” Andrew asked, looking at Elliot’s indifferent expression.
Elliot checked the pocket watch in his hand.
“No, there’s nothing to be excited about.
Besides, recruit training is about to start.”
“Yeah, recruit training.” Andrew clenched his fists, his gaze fixed resolutely on the approaching harbor, though he cast a sidelong glance at Elliot.
It was as if he had made some sort of firm resolution.
A moment later, however, Andrew chuckled.
“Though, I have a feeling you probably won’t be joining the recruit training.”
He quickly added, “I mean, they won’t *let* you participate in the training.”
Hearing this, Elliot pushed up his glasses.
“Yeah, Captain Morton already told me.
I was just letting *you* know that you’ll be participating in it.”
“…” Andrew shot him an exasperated look.
But he couldn’t really be mad.
After spending actual time with him these past few days…
He had realized that Elliot was a genuinely good guy.
At the very least, despite possessing such overwhelming strength, he was still willing to talk to him like a normal person.
And he was even willing to do the menial chores of an apprentice Marine.
Just then…
With the heavy thud of the hull bumping against the pier, the warship docked.
And the very moment it did!
As if they had been waiting for a long time.
Numerous Marines gathered at the harbor, all staring intently at their ship.
Most notably, standing right at the edge of the port, the Commander of Branch 76, Hood, had come to wait in person.
“Which recruit is it?”
“Probably not the one with glasses.
Look at the guy next to him, he looks really strong.”
“I heard it was the scrawny-looking recruit with glasses.”
“He single-handedly took down the entire Krieg Pirates.
Since when would someone like that be content as an ordinary recruit?”
…
The story of Elliot single-handedly defeating the Krieg Pirates had already spread throughout the entire base.
After all, the capture of the Krieg Pirates was a monumental event for the entire East Blue.
And it wasn’t just Branch 76; rumors of an apprentice recruit single-handedly capturing the entire Krieg Pirates had already become a legend across other Marine bases as well.
Andrew, who had only recently left his small island, looked rather uncomfortable under the intense scrutiny and whispering.
Elliot, on the other hand, simply pulled out his pocket watch to check the time again, completely indifferent to the stares of the crowd.
*Rustle~*
Just as Morton and the rest of the Marines disembarked…
Base Commander Hood walked over.
“Vice Admiral Hood!”
Morton immediately saluted, and the Marines behind him quickly followed suit.
Andrew scrambled to salute as he looked at Hood, while Elliot simply mimicked the gesture.
After returning the salute, Hood stared fixedly at Elliot.
Having already learned all about Elliot from Andrew, he naturally recognized him at a glance.
“Morton wasn’t wrong.
You do look like a Marine clerk,” Hood said, looking at Elliot.
“Take the recruits to the barracks, then proceed to recruit training.
Elliot, you come with me.”
At the command, Morton immediately acknowledged the order.
Andrew naturally hurried over to Morton’s side.
However…
Elliot looked at Hood, then glanced down at the pocket watch in his hand.
Checking the time, he said, “I know you have business with me, Commander, but could we discuss it tomorrow morning at nine?
It’s five o’clock now.
I’m off the clock.”
With that, Elliot turned to Captain Morton.
“Captain, could you tell me where the barracks are?”
“…”
Hearing Elliot’s words, and especially seeing his current demeanor…
Everyone, including Base Commander Hood, froze in stunned silence.
It wasn’t that they were frightened or anything…
They were simply dumbfounded, rooted to the spot.
*What is this guy talking about?*
Everyone stared at Elliot, their faces full of confusion, a single bewildered thought echoing in their minds: *’Off the clock?
On the clock?
He’s off the clock now and wants to talk tomorrow at nine?!’*
The Marines were completely baffled, looking at Elliot as if he were some sort of freak.
Morton and the Marines who had disembarked from the same ship, however, looked the most normal.
Because over the past few days, they had already grown accustomed to Elliot’s bizarre way of speaking.
“Is this the quirk you mentioned?” Hood wasn’t angry; he merely smiled and looked at Morton.
“I’ve told him many times that the Marines don’t have any rules about clocking in and out,” Morton quickly replied.
“If it’s only to this extent, it’s nothing major.” Hood turned his attention back to Elliot.
“There are plenty of people far stranger than this at Headquarters.”
But right at that moment, an incredibly boisterous voice rang out.
“Bwahahahaha!
Don’t go giving these brats the impression that Headquarters is just a place crawling with weirdos, Hood!”
As the voice spoke…
The Marines quickly parted, creating a clear path.
Walking down the middle was a Marine holding a rice cracker.
Because this Marine officer was wearing a dog-head hood, his face couldn’t be seen clearly, but his voice gave him away as an old man.
The instant this old man appeared!
All the Marines snapped to attention and saluted in unison.
Even though many didn’t know his true identity, they recognized the Headquarters Vice Admiral epaulets on the Justice coat draped over his shoulders.
“You’re the biggest weirdo of them all,” Hood said, rolling his eyes at the old man.
Meanwhile, Morton stared at the burly Headquarters Vice Admiral, his expression freezing…
His mind instantly recalled the living legend of the Marines.
Not daring to even breathe too loudly, he saluted the old man with a face full of absolute reverence.
“Don’t be so mean, Hood.” The old man stopped when he reached Elliot.
Standing face-to-face with Elliot, the old man chewed on his rice cracker and looked down at the young man, while speaking to Hood.
“Still, you should know I’ve been lingering around here for a while now.
Sengoku is starting to nag me to get back.”
Hearing this, Hood frowned.
He knew exactly what this old geezer was planning to do.
Even though he was a hundred times reluctant, there was nothing he could do about it now.
So he said, “Do whatever you want.
But if you wreck the base, you’re paying for the damages in full!”
“Bwahahahaha!
Give me a break, I’m just a poor old man!”
Still laughing, the old man tossed his rice cracker aside and stared intently at Elliot.
“But I suppose that depends on the strength of the young man in front of me.”
The moment those words left his mouth…
The old man yanked off his dog-head hood, tossed it aside, and crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at Elliot.
“So, you’re the brat named Elliot?
How about you come at me with everything you’ve got!?”
*Silence~*
Every single Marine on the harbor fell into a dead silence.
It wasn’t because of what the old man had said.
It was because they recognized him!!
The Marine Hero, Garp!!
The Marine who had forged countless legends, the man who had personally captured the Pirate King Gol D.
Roger, and the one who had repeatedly refused promotion to Admiral!!
Calling him a living legend was no exaggeration at all!!
And now…
Such a legend was standing right in front of them!
And he was actually telling that recruit to attack him…
*Silence~*
Everyone was completely speechless.
But…
That silence didn’t last long before Elliot broke it.
Elliot reached up and pushed his glasses up his nose.
“I refuse.
I’m off the clock right now, and what you look like you want to do to me seems strictly work-related.”