Finally Seeing My Father Again

Walking through the base, the soldiers and personnel who saw Jon and Peberton all saluted respectfully and made way for them.

"Jon, your home base isn't bad at all. It's much bigger than ours," Peberton remarked as he curiously glanced around, taking in the surroundings. The 47th Branch Base couldn't compare to Marine Headquarters, but among the other Marine branch bases, it was quite impressive.

Jon replied, "It has expanded quite a bit compared to a few years ago. Looks like a lot of construction has been done while I was away."

That was understandable. Most Marine branch bases were commanded by colonels, but Jon's father had already been promoted to brigadier general. While that was still below Headquarters standards, it made the 47th Branch one of the more notable Marine bases in the South Blue.

"Come on, let's go see my father."

Despite the changes, the overall layout remained familiar to Jon, and he still remembered the way.

Inside his office, Woolson was busy handling official duties. Now in his fifties, he was still in his prime by the standards of this world.

He had been the commander of the 47th Branch for over twenty years. When he first took over, it was a small and insignificant base. But after two decades of growth under his leadership, it had become one of the more renowned Marine branches in the South Blue.

Woolson had long since stopped worrying about his career advancement. He was content serving the Marines as long as his body allowed it.

He was proud of his accomplishments—protecting a vast sea region, having a loving wife, a capable son, and an adorable daughter.

Especially his son. Every time Woolson thought about Jon, he was filled with immense pride.

After all, how many people in the entire South Blue could boast of having a son as accomplished as his?

The last time he received a telegram update, he learned that Jon had been promoted to captain, and he celebrated by drinking for an entire day.

His son's success made him incredibly happy. But after so many years apart, he deeply missed him.

Still, he understood that as a Marine, Jon had responsibilities. As long as his son was doing well, that was enough for him.

Sighing, Woolson picked up his tea. But just as he was about to take a sip, his office door suddenly swung open.

His face immediately darkened.

Who would dare enter without knocking?!

But before he could reprimand the intruder, he saw the two men who had stepped in.

His eyes widened in shock as he locked onto the younger man standing in front.

"Jon?"

Woolson couldn't believe his eyes.

He had just been thinking about his son, and now, Jon was standing right before him. Was this a dream?

Jon had changed a lot in the past eight years. When he left home, he was around 1.8 meters tall, but now he stood at a towering 2.8 meters. His height and physique had undergone a drastic transformation.

However, Woolson had kept in touch with Jon through telegrams, and Gion had even brought back a photo of him on her last visit.

So despite the years apart, he immediately recognized his son.

"Old man."

Jon quickly walked forward and pulled his father into a tight hug.

"It's been a long time, Dad."

Once Woolson snapped out of his daze, he embraced Jon just as tightly, patting his back firmly.

"You brat! You still remember how to come home? I thought you'd forgotten all about us!"

Jon let go and chuckled, his eyes misty.

"How could I? No matter what, I could never forget you and Mom. I've always wanted to come back, but I just never had the time."

Woolson took a deep breath, calming himself down. But as he looked his son up and down, he couldn't help but be astonished.

"Damn, kid. You've gotten taller than me. And looking at your rank insignia… a rear admiral already?!"

The pride in his voice was unmistakable.

He had spent decades climbing the ranks just to reach brigadier general in the branch. But Jon had only been in Marine Headquarters for eight years and had already outranked him.

He always knew his son would accomplish great things, but seeing it firsthand still left him shaken.

"Uncle, I'm telling you, it won't be long before Jon is promoted to vice admiral," Peberton chimed in with a grin.

Woolson finally noticed Jon's companion.

"Jon, who is this?"

Jon introduced him.

"Dad, this is my comrade, Captain Peberton."

Woolson's expression changed, and he immediately became more respectful.

"Captain Peberton, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Although Woolson was a brigadier general, that was only in the branch hierarchy. A Headquarters captain technically outranked him.

Peberton quickly waved his hands.

"Uncle, please, no need to be so formal! I'm just following Jon's lead. I'll be counting on him in the future, so don't treat me like an outsider."

Jon laughed.

"Yeah, Dad, you don't have to be polite to him. Feel free to order him around."

"Watch your mouth, brat," Woolson scolded before smiling warmly at Peberton.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he finally asked, "By the way, Jon, what brings you back now? You never mentioned it in your last telegram."

"We're here on a mission," Jon explained. "Admiral Sengoku is leading the operation, and we're just following orders. That's why I didn't tell you in advance."

Woolson's expression grew serious.

"Admiral Sengoku himself? What kind of mission requires an admiral to personally take charge? I haven't heard of anything major happening in the South Blue. Is it classified?"

As a branch commander, he should have at least heard rumors of any significant events.

Jon responded truthfully.

"It's about the bloodline of the Pirate King, Roger. Intelligence suggests that he left behind a child here in the South Blue. That's why Admiral Sengoku is personally overseeing the search—to eliminate the threat."

Woolson's face turned pale.

"Roger's bloodline? Are you serious?!"

That was huge news. No wonder it required an admiral's direct involvement.

Still, he was skeptical about the intelligence's accuracy.

Jon nodded.

"There's an 80-90% chance it's true. But you don't have to worry about it. It's not your problem. I'll be staying here for a few days, but after that, I have orders to bring some of the 47th Branch's troops to join Admiral Sengoku."

"Since it's an order from Admiral Sengoku, there's no problem. I'll make the necessary arrangements," Woolson assured him.

Then he looked at Jon with a mixture of excitement and sentimentality.

"Jon, since you're staying for a few days, let's go see your mother. She's been thinking about you every day. If it weren't for Natasha keeping her company, she'd have worried herself sick."

Jon smiled warmly.

"Of course. Let's go."

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