The marines under Markus were gathered together in their short mess hall, still feeling the effects of yesterday's impromptu training session.
" Oh man, I'm still sore."
" Yeah, that was brutal yesterday."
" I get that he's vice admiral Garp's son, but did he really have to beat us like that?"
" I don't know how I feel about a kid ten years younger than me, beating me up. I have to admit, I'm actually quite embarrassed."
As he was passing by, Lieutenant Hakoda, couldn't help but overhear the group of men sitting at the table. His own personal ego had taken quite a blow, and he could understand their feelings. But he was also experienced in dealing with the upper echelon of the Marines, as such seeing a freak younger than him wasn't uncommon, as he had come up behind others who were currently vice admirals.
" You'll get used to it. Captain Markus comes from Vice Admiral Dalmatians crew; those guys were heavy hitters in the North blue. " Hakoda told the men.
Immediately, the men all stood and saluted the senior officer.
" Lieutenant Hakoda, sir, sorry we didn't notice you come."
" At ease. You get a pass for today; I understand some of you are feeling the effects much more than others. " Hakoda said.
" Lieutenant. This captain, he's crazy. How is it that a kid at only sixteen is made captain in just under a year, when some of us haven't even been promoted in three or four?"
" Well, the Captain is... Special. He comes from marine royalty, practically everyone on the planet knows who Vice Admiral Garp is. And frankly he's a monster. You guys have surely heard of his exploits in the North. He's seen just as much action as you all have, in less time. Now, I know yesterday's training was rough, but some of you new guys need to get used to how things are gonna go, because Captain has taken over your training regimens while on the ship. You guys are gonna be learning Haki." Hakoda explained. " Now, eat, and get back to work. We've still got some time before we get to the New World."
" Yes, sir." They all shouted.
Hakoda gave them a nod and started walking towards the mess line himself. As he was walking he was holding his stomach carefully.
" What a punch." He muttered.
......
On the main deck, Markus was currently leaning over the side of the ship, next to one of the main cannons, while Garis was working on it.
" So, tell me something, Captain...."
" Hm?"
" What made you join the Marines, huh?" Garis asked.
" Ah, it runs in the family. Well, kinda... But really, I just wanted a chance to save lives and help people like my pops. Didn't think I'd get to be a captain so soon, though, figured It'd be a few years before I got here. But hey." Markus spoke. " What about you, my man? What drove you join up?"
" Ah, my mama made me get off the island, she was afraid I'd bring the whole down, Hehehehehehe!" Garis snickered.
" Oh really? Where ya from?"
" I came from Water seven actually. The island of engineers." Garis explained.
" Oh really?! The Island of Shipwrights?! That's pretty cool. I heard some of the best ships of the world came from that island. Even the Oro Jackson."
" Yup, the pirate ship of the king of the pirates came from my hometown. It's probably not something to be proud of, but I'll be damned if I ain't proud of it."
" I hear that. I mean regardless of how you feel about him, Roger was an amazing man, that did amazing things. I mean, look at what his death did. Everyday there are new pirates emerging on the seas and it's because of him. He's become more than just a man. He's become a legend!"
" Careful, captain. You keep talking like that and people might start to think, you worship the guy." Garis chuckled.
" He makes a good point."
" Hm?"
"Hm?"
Both Markus and Garis looked up to see the quartermaster approaching.
" Oh, what's Russ." Garis spoke nonchalantly.
" That's Commander.... Never mind, I forgot who I'm talking to." Russ groaned.
" Hehehehe!"
" Oh, so you're a lieutenant, too Russ?" Markus asked.
" Pretty much. Hakoda and I share the role."
" Neat!" Markus exclaimed. " So, tell me Russ, what are your feelings about Roger?" Markus asked whimsically.
" I think he was a great man, charismatic, unreal. An enigma. But he was also dangerous. That one man with only his words, managed to stir the seas up even more than ever before." Russ explained.
" Yup. There's a storm approaching. And it's going to be chaotic. Which is why we all need to get stronger. Even me." Markus stated. " I could hear some of the crew complaining about yesterday."
" You want me to line them up?" Russ asked.
" Nah. Let them complain, it's their right."
" Complaining shows disobedience."
" But it also shows freedom. And I want my people to be free, Russ." Markus told the man.
" This is a job. A job in which I'm asking men and women to put their lives on the line. I can't force these people want to run towards danger, I have to want them to. But I also need to make sure they're ready for what's coming. If at any point, they wanna get off, they can. But those who stick around, I'm gonna make sure they're ready."
" That can be pretty dangerous." Russ stated.
" Yeah, Russ. But is it entirely wrong?"
" No... I guess not. The veteran members of the crew are used to the New World. but the rookies, they'll catch on. Or like you said, they'll get off."
" Damn, right. Speaking of getting on, Find Hakoda and line the troops up. We've got time. We're going to make something of these soldiers yet."
Markus clapped his hands together and smirked.
Garis and Russ both took a glance at one another and felt a tinge of fear up their backs.
...........
It took some time get the soldiers rallied together. There were some who were eating, and some who were resting. Each ship was composed of a fifty to hundred men and women each, so there were quite a handful of men and women to go around.
" Alright, listen up! I know some of you are still feeling sore. And I know some of you are upset about that. I get it. But let me tell you something, some of you guys who haven't been around very long don't understand the caliber of pirates you're going to face in the New World." Markus spoke. " How many of you can use haki?"
Very few hands went up. Less than half the crew could use the basic forms of haki. Among those hands Hakoda, and Russ were among them.
" I don't know who your last captain was, but the fact only half of you raised your hand is disheartening. But that's something we're going to remedy." Markus explained. " Over the course of our journey, I'm going to teach each of you how to use haki. For those of you who already know how, I'm going to count on you to help your comrades out. Today, we're going to take our time seeing who can do what, and how. Got it!"
" Yes, Sir!"
" Good! Let's get to work!"
For the rest of the day, Markus and his band of Men practiced, for their destination was the New World.
* DOOM!
* To Be Continued in the NEW WORLD!
....................