Pulling Together

"By the way, I stumbled for a moment at first because among the information given by Captain Adkin was the mention that Longinus might be a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy."

Longinus was surprised for a moment, and soon understood: "Maybe it's because I'm relatively mature, the older kids in town also like to call me nii-san, but Rear Admiral Johnson, how did you confirm my presence? Just because of my name?"

"Of course not, the kind of speed and strength you just displayed is something that even some of our Commanders who are well versed in physical skills wouldn't have achieved. I think it's still unlikely that two strong men with the same name will emerge in such a short time in this area of our sea."

Johnson said in his mind, "Even I couldn't take a bullet with my body rigidly from such a short distance without using Rokushiki Tekkai or Busoshoku Haki. Are we finally going to have a physical monster like Kaido or BIG-MOM in the Marine?"

(Garp also bleeds when attacked by Morgan, which means most physically strong men are not supposed to have the same kind of body as Kaido or BIG-MOM).

"Compared to Vice-Admiral Garp or Admiral Zephyr, I'm not nearly as strong at this point, and must always refine myself with the concept of justice to do so." Longinus showed his desire for the marine at the right time.

Stunned, Johnson loudly laughed as he rounded up, "Hahaha! Are you targeting The Admiral? It's good that young people are supposed to aspire to that vision and ambition. I hope the next time we meet, you are honoring your beliefs and are still fighting to carry out justice."

After that, Rear Admiral Johnson didn't stay but left slowly with the marine unit behind him.

The crowds are dispersing, but the excitement isn't diminishing, and rumors are quietly growing about the two.

Then the little girl moved aside, looked at the two men with shining eyes, and handed T. Bone the near-faded flower that she held to her chest, with a clear and soft voice.

"Bone oji-san, Longinus onii-san, thank you for saving me, and all these flowers for...oops! Already mashed up?"

Seeing the little girl's sad face as she was dripping with tears, T-Bone was at a loss for words and said, "What... what's wrong with you? Did I carelessly pressure you somewhere?"

Longinus bent down, placed his palm on the little girl's head, and said as gently as possible, "I like your gift, it contains gratitude and stories of tears, it is the most valuable gift I have received this year!"

"Really... really?" The little girl stopped crying, her eyes shining brightly with stars.

"Of course it's true, just go home, your family might be worriedly looking for you!"

"Mmm-hmm!" The little girl nodded vigorously, "Longinus onii-san, Bone oji-san, thank you for saving me. You're the kindest people in the world!"

Seeing the little girl leave with laughter as she jumped up and down, Bone had an idiotic smile on his face, which, if it were to be placed in that other world, might have been arrested as a pervert.

Moments later, Bone woke up from his idiotic state, holding the crushed bouquet tightly in his hands, and asked Longinus groggily, " Oh no... I'm sorry, can... can I keep this bouquet? I...I don't have much money, but I'll try to earn money to compensate you."

"Of course you can, no need to be so formal, it would have been a gift from the little one, but it would not have lasted the moment when I came on to the stage." Longinus spilled out with a smile.

"Longinus-san, thank you, you are such a great man!" Bone cherished the bouquet and carefully put it away, saying with satisfaction, "Third, I've finally received the third gift of my life!"

Listening to T. Bone's sad words, Longinus somewhat understood why he must aspire to become a Marine.

Someone like Bone with the face of an evil man, or even an evil spirit, would hardly erase the disgust that arose from most people's instincts even if he did all the good he could.

Judging from what he had done today, there were quite a few people he had helped, however... the people who had given him gifts to show their gratitude, along with the little girl today were only three, so it was hard to imagine what kind of pain he usually endured.

That's why he was desperate to become a marine and didn't dare to fight back even when those trashy characters beat him. He was hoping that the moment he put on his coat of justice, he would gain more acceptance and admiration from the public.

Longinus learned early that the world is never fair, as proven by the fact that people like T. Bone work ten times as hard as others, but can barely have a tenth of what others get.

"Let's just re-introduce ourselves, my name is Longinus, I'm twelve years old, and I'm from the Fallen Leaves on the Grand Line." Longinus had a gentle smile on his face and lightness in his heart, but his heart was clear. A person with low self-esteem and kind as T. Bone would have a pure heart if given some light.

"I...my name is T. Bone, I'm 19 years old now, and I'm from Momochi City in the South Blue." Penn appeared to be honest and timid, someone as powerfully confident and shining as Longinus should be in the world's spotlight by default. Someone as unpopular as he was supposed to be in a different world.

Longinus was astonished, this guy looks...old, even if he says he's 39, he's not surprised!

It was a good thing that Longinus, with his control over his heart, hadn't shown any rudeness and was soon warmly calling out.

"The South Blue? It's the fantastic sea, and many rumors are circulating about the strange light, and I've heard that even legendary creatures like griffins have appeared in your place?"

Hearing Longinus mention his hometown, T. Bone immediately felt that the other party has become much closer. The illusory barrier of superiority has been broken, and he also responded with warm and friendly.

"Do you also know the legend of the Griffin? The Griffin appeared near my hometown at that time, and I even saw it with my own eyes once, only to be captured later by a group of mighty pirates, and I heard that it became their private collection."

"Let's not talk about this jinx." Longinus shook his head and asked, "Bone, are you going to register in two days as well?"

"Yes, but I don't have the ambitious ideals that you do, Longinus, I just want to be able to be in the Marine, to be able to guard the smiles on everyone's faces, to be accepted and respected by everyone!" Bone said with a shy but firm expression.

"In that case, let's go together in two days, we don't know each other here, so it's a good idea for two of us to be together."

"Is it really... okay?"

"Of course, if you've fought side by side, you're considered my friend!"

"Friends..." muttered Bone. For him, it was never more than wishful thinking.

Bone, who looked to be thirty or forty years old, actually broke into tears like a small child, "Longinus-san, thank you!"

Published in Qidian, February 18, 2019