Chapter 11: The Boy Favored by the Navy Admiral

When Wood opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the familiar ceiling. As he tried to sit up, pain erupted from the entire left side of his body, stopping him in his tracks.

The room was still his. The bed he lay in was the same one he'd always used. But now, both his left arm and left leg were wrapped in thick layers of bandages, so tightly that they resembled giant white radishes.

Sensing movement, Ain—who had been dozing at his bedside—suddenly woke up. When she saw that Wood had opened his eyes, her face lit up with joy.

"Thank goodness, Wood-oniichan, you're finally awake! You've been sleeping for a whole day and night!"

"Don't try to get up yet—I'll go tell Mom and the others. I'll bring some food too!"

Wood had intended to ask her what had happened after he passed out, but Ain, still giddy with excitement, had already darted out of the room before he could say a word.

"…Well, judging from Ain's expression, things probably turned out okay. I've been lying down for a whole day—I really am starving. I can ask about the rest after I've eaten."

Not long after Ain ran off, her mother, Stiya, entered the room with a tray of steaming hot food. She looked just as relieved and overjoyed.

But they weren't alone.

Trailing behind them was a tall, powerfully built man with spiky purple hair. He wore a sleek violet suit, and over his shoulders hung a long white coat with the kanji for Justice emblazoned across the back.

Just from the uniform alone, it was clear he was a Navy officer—and not a low-ranking one either. The Navy's "Justice Cloak" was only issued to those who had attained at least a senior officer rank. Grunts, corporals, and even some lower-ranking officers didn't qualify.

There were far too many characters in the Navy, and since this timeline was over a decade earlier than the one Wood was familiar with, he didn't immediately recognize the man.

But judging by the lack of any animal-themed codenames, he was pretty sure this wasn't one of the infamous color-coded "beasts."

"Do you know what happened after you beat up that big guy, Wood-oniichan?" Ain chimed excitedly. "The Navy showed up right after that! This Navy uncle punched those bad guys one by one and sent them flying!"

"And he said the Navy is going to set up a branch here on Red Maple Island! With them protecting us, those bad guys won't dare come back!"

Ain was proud to have such a powerful older brother, but seeing him badly hurt had genuinely frightened her. After already losing her father, she couldn't bear to lose the brother who always protected and spoiled her too.

But once she learned from this "Navy uncle" that they'd be stationed here to guard the island, Ain had been ecstatic. With them around, her brother wouldn't have to get hurt just to keep everyone safe anymore.

Wood smiled and patted Ain on the head, then turned to the purple-haired Navy officer—now beginning to suspect the man's identity—and recalled the result from his previous life simulation.

In that simulation, the system had told him that shortly after he left Red Maple Island, the Navy would dispatch ships to investigate the island's strategic value.

But this time, unlike in the simulation, Wood hadn't left the island. Instead, he'd run into them head-on.

The man finally spoke.

"Kid, according to the islanders, it was you who protected everyone before the Navy arrived, right? With your strength—you managed to kill a pirate worth 20 million beli—leaving this place should've been easy. So why didn't you?"

Zephyr looked at the black-haired teen with sincere eyes. Although he already respected what the boy had done, he still wanted to hear the answer for himself.

Wood met Zephyr's eyes. For a second, he wanted to lie—say something noble like, I've always dreamed of being a hero of justice.

But as the words reached his lips, he couldn't say them. Not with this man in front of him.

Zephyr didn't feel like someone easy to fool. A clumsy lie could be seen through in an instant. More than that… Wood couldn't bring himself to say something fake in front of the townspeople—those who had stood by him, and who had stood up to fight even when it meant dying.

Before Wood could reply, Stiya stepped in, her tone sharp and protective—an unusual change for someone normally so gentle.

"Admiral Zephyr, with all due respect, your question just now was far too presumptuous."

"Wood is still just a child. Of course he stayed to protect his home—his people. If you think he had some ulterior motive, then don't blame us Red Maple Islanders for refusing to welcome you!"

Ain, though she didn't fully understand what Zephyr had said, still noticed her mother's expression. Puffing out her cheeks in defiance, she stomped over to stand in front of Wood and shouted, "Hmph! If you bully Wood-oniichan, Ain and the whole island won't welcome you either!"

Zephyr blinked. Then, smiling wryly, he raised his hands in surrender.

"My apologies. You're right. That was thoughtless of me."

"It's just… this kid is far too exceptional. The determination in his eyes during that final moment—it moved even me. I forgot he's still just a boy, barely into his teens."

But what made Wood freeze was something else entirely.

Admiral Zephyr…? That Zephyr?

Black Arm Zephyr?

Zephyr gave a small nod, then shifted topics.

"Let me ask you another question, then—would you be willing to join us? To become a Navy officer?"

"I see immense potential in you. Not just in terms of strength, but in character. You're one of the most promising youths I've ever met."

"But more importantly, you have the heart to uphold true justice."

"With training—my training—you could one day become a pillar of the Navy."

Looking at the battered, bedridden boy, Zephyr's expression was full of admiration.

He'd trained countless young soldiers over the years. Strength and talent were important, yes—but what moved him most was conviction.

In his eyes, Wood's heart shone brighter than almost any soldier he'd ever taught. That single act—trying to stand again on a broken leg, dragging a broken body toward danger to protect others—proved it beyond doubt.

Zephyr had seen himself in that boy.

And in that moment, he saw not just a survivor… but a true embodiment of justice.