Chapter 12: Decision to Join the Navy

Chapter 12: The Decision to Join the Navy

To be personally recruited by an Admiral of the Navy—even for Wood, a transmigrator, it was hard not to feel a bit overwhelmed by the honor.

In the world of One Piece, the primary powers were split between the Navy, pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and bounty hunters.

After witnessing the true nature of most pirates in this world, Wood had already given up any thoughts of becoming one himself. Pirates like Luffy and his crew were the rare exception, not the rule.

The Revolutionary Army had yet to rise to prominence, and its leader, Monkey D. Dragon, might still be serving within the Navy at this point in the timeline.

Wood had originally considered becoming a bounty hunter—but then, he remembered his previous life simulation and the harrowing experience of sailing alone…

Watching the anime, most people naturally viewed the Navy as antagonists, since the main characters were pirates. But in truth, was that really the case?

Clearly not.

Only by living through it himself did Wood realize just how rare pirates like Luffy's crew truly were. Most pirates were exactly what the name implied—brutal, greedy, and utterly ruthless. Maybe the World Government and the Celestial Dragons weren't good people either, but it was undeniable: without the Navy's restraint, the seas would have long descended into utter chaos.

Now, after completing his first life simulation—and with his second mission set to conclude within a few days—Wood had been weighing his options for the future. He had narrowed it down to two paths:

One: stay on the island for a few more years, train in secret, and only set sail once his strength was overwhelming.

Two: wait for the Navy fleet that, according to the simulation, would arrive shortly after his departure, and join them.

He had already planned to join the Navy, and now an Admiral had personally extended the offer. Wood would be an idiot not to accept. So after a brief hesitation, he nodded and agreed to join under Zephyr.

Both were genuinely pleased with the decision.

Wood was happy because this was far better than him showing up and begging to enlist. Being handpicked by a Navy Admiral guaranteed a vastly different treatment.

No matter the world, connections mattered. Just look at a certain straw-hatted man determined to become Pirate King—half the sea was practically filled with his relatives and allies.

He could recklessly charge around and not die, not just because of plot armor, but because the guy had backing.

As for Zephyr, he was thrilled to have finally found a recruit who truly met his standards. He'd thought it might take a lot more effort to persuade Wood, given the deep bond the boy had with Red Maple Island and its people.

But now that Wood had agreed so readily, Zephyr realized that the justice this boy clung to… might be even stronger than he had imagined.

Of course, the Navy couldn't stay on Red Maple Island forever—especially not someone like Zephyr, a full-fledged Admiral. He couldn't waste time at a small outpost like this.

And after his battle with Iron Arm Cook, even with the ridiculous healing factor of people in this world, Wood would need to stay bedridden for at least ten days to half a month.

"Mr. Zephyr, must you leave so soon?" Stia asked with visible worry, watching her bandaged son being hoisted roughly onto the Navy ship. "Wood's injuries are so serious—can he really handle the rocking of a ship? Why not let him recover here, and then send someone back to escort him later? That would also give him time to say goodbye."

To her, the ship was filled with rugged men—not exactly ideal caretakers for an injured teen. She truly wasn't at ease letting him go just yet.

"Ma'am, please don't worry," said Vice Admiral Kadaru, who was standing nearby. Though his expression twitched at her words, he still answered kindly. "We have one of the Navy's finest medics aboard. Your son will receive the best care possible on our ship."

Send another warship later? Kadaru muttered internally. Does this woman think Navy ships grow on trees? Or that her kid is some kind of prince?

Even he, a Vice Admiral, would struggle to get a ship sent just for himself. Wood wasn't even officially enlisted yet. There was no way he'd get such special treatment.

Of course, Kadaru didn't say any of that out loud. Because he knew that Zephyr—their top commander—was very fond of this boy from Red Maple Island. Zephyr had even personally instructed them to take special care of him.

And so, sometimes having powerful connections really was everything.

On a Navy warship, rooms were limited. Only high-ranking officers had private quarters. Most sailors had to cram into shared barracks, often ten to a room.

But because Wood was injured—and because Zephyr deliberately made arrangements—he was given his own room, just like the senior officers.

Naturally, this drew attention.

As was the case everywhere, people hated special treatment—unless they were the ones receiving it. And Wood, quite unfortunately, was now widely seen as a privileged insider.

To make matters worse, when Kadaru and the others had arrived on Red Maple Island, the remaining pirates had already been wiped out by Zephyr.

So, of course, everyone assumed that the credit belonged to the Admiral. Including Kadaru himself.

Zephyr never corrected that assumption. And why should he? He was the commanding officer—he had no obligation to explain anything.

More importantly, he worried that too much praise might inflate the boy's ego. After all, Wood was still a teenager. It would be normal for someone that age to get carried away with too much attention.

So Zephyr remained silent. And with the combination of silence and special treatment, the rest of the crew became convinced that Wood was nothing more than a connected upstart.

Veteran Marines who had served under Zephyr knew better. They understood what kind of man he was.

But the newly recruited sailors—many of whom had just been enlisted from other islands—weren't so understanding.

We're all new recruits. So why are ten of us squeezed into one room, while that half-crippled kid gets his own?

Back when they were drafting us, Zephyr was so strict and hard to please—so why is this brat being treated like royalty?

Their resentment only grew.

And so, the boy who had nearly died protecting an entire island… was now widely regarded aboard the ship as a spoiled, backdoor-having freeloader.