Raising Legends in Roger's Shadow

Chapter 362: Garlus Endures

Ritter immediately raised both hands in surrender, putting on an exaggeratedly innocent expression."Whoa, whoa, Admiral, take it easy. I'm just looking out for my vice-captain. She's too pure, might get tricked. Purely good intentions, really."

As he spoke, he even winked at Buffon.

Garlus was so angry he almost drew his blade on the spot. In the end, he forced himself to hold back, letting out a heavy snort as he turned away from Ritter and refocused on Buffon, his gaze once again filled with expectation.

Buffon looked at Garlus, at the sincerity and determination in his eyes, then glanced at the red-eyed man beside him who seemed unreliable yet somehow brutally honest. A conflicted struggle surfaced on his young face.

The hesitation deepened. He lifted his head and asked the one question that mattered most to him.

"If I join the Marines… can I personally avenge my father? Can I catch the Marine who led them, and those pirates?"

His voice carried both a desperate hunger for revenge and a cautious test of the promise being offered.

Garlus took a deep breath, ready to give a firm and responsible answer.

"Hey, hey, kid."

Ritter's voice cut in again.

No matter the time, no matter the place, he just had to stir things up. At some point, he had pulled out an apple and was casually taking a bite.

"Before you ask questions, use your brain a little. Don't forget, the root of what destroyed your home… who was it?"

He took another bite.

"It was the Marines leading the charge."

That sentence hit like a bucket of cold water, instantly cooling the hope in Buffon's eyes. Garlus's expression darkened to the point it looked like thunderclouds were about to break.

"Ritter!" Garlus ground out through clenched teeth, killing intent leaking from his body. "Do you have to interfere right now? Don't forget, pirates were part of this too!"

"Yeah, yeah, sure," Ritter replied lazily, nodding with that infuriating calm. "Pirates are the blade. Marines are the hand holding it. Now the hand tells you, 'Come with me, I'll give you a chance to break the blade,' but conveniently forgets the hand might already be stained with blood. Interesting. Very interesting."

"You!"

Garlus nearly lost control, his hawk-like features threatening to manifest, but he forced himself to suppress the anger. Arguing with Ritter would only drag things out endlessly.

He turned back to Buffon, his gaze sharp and unwavering, speaking each word with deliberate weight.

"I, Black Hawk Garlus, swear on my honor as a Marine Admiral and on justice itself. I will hunt down every corrupt Marine and every pirate involved in this. No matter who they are or where they hide, I will bring them to justice. I will give you, and every victim, a true answer."

His voice rang with absolute conviction. In that moment, he truly looked dependable. Strong. Resolute.

Ritter silently noted that Garlus had sworn quite a few oaths in just a couple of chapters. Still, he understood. This was probably the heaviest promise Garlus could offer the boy.

Garlus, meanwhile, shot him a brief glare, as if to say that he would not need to repeat himself so many times if someone was not constantly undermining him.

After finishing, Garlus turned sharply and issued orders to his adjutant.

"Send word immediately. Investigate all Marine officers who recently left the branch and have suspicious movements. Focus especially on units matching that insignia. Use every resource available. Dig out every traitor and every pirate they colluded with."

"Yes, Admiral!"

The adjutant responded at once and began relaying orders through the Den Den Mushi.

With the command given, Garlus took a steadying breath, preparing to return to headquarters to personally oversee the operation. This matter required his direct attention.

But just as he stepped forward, Ritter's deliberately loud and carefree voice rang out behind him.

"Hey, Joy Boy. This island's pretty nice. Good scenery, fun beasts. Why don't we stay here for a vacation? Hang around for a bit."

Joy Boy did not think twice. His rubbery grin spread wide.

"Sounds great, Ritter! This place is interesting. We can help Buffon rebuild his home. Hahaha!"

Garlus froze mid-step. Veins bulged on his forehead.

He turned slowly, almost hearing his own neck crack. His eyes locked onto Ritter's infuriating grin, then shifted to Joy Boy, who looked completely innocent and oblivious to the fact he had just become an accomplice. Finally, his gaze settled on Buffon, whose expression had once again become uncertain and conflicted.

Garlus was willing to bet everything he had.

The moment he left, Ritter would twist that boy, full of talent and hatred, onto the path of piracy. And Joy Boy would probably cheer him on.

One Joy Boy was not a real threat.

But Ritter was trouble.

The thought of facing, in the future, a Marine enemy who could command an army of beasts and had been influenced by Ritter made Garlus feel a headache coming on.

No. Absolutely not. They could not stay here.

He forced a smile onto his face, one he believed was gentle but looked slightly strained.

"Ahem. Since the investigation will take time, and for your safety, as well as to keep you informed of progress…"

Ritter leaned in, grinning. "Oh, our safety. How thoughtful."

Garlus ignored him with sheer willpower and continued, almost grinding his teeth.

"Why not… accompany my warship for the time being? I can better ensure your protection."

As he said this, his sharp gaze locked onto Ritter, silently declaring that if Ritter wanted to stay, then he would be watched the entire time.

Ritter paused for a moment, then broke into a wider grin, clearly amused.

"Well, since the Admiral is so generous, we won't refuse. Our ship's wrecked anyway. Might as well hitch a ride. Food and lodging included, right?"

He casually draped an arm over the girl beside him.

And just like that, the situation turned absurd.

A Marine Admiral's warship now carried not only the mission of hunting down internal corruption and pirate forces, but also a group of wanted criminals, mainly two major ones, along with a group of victimized villagers and their exotic beasts.

As this bizarre voyage began, Garlus looked at the ridiculous lineup and felt both deep regret and a strange sense of calculated satisfaction.

For the sake of a future Marine Admiral, he endured.

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