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Rei saw old man Carl arguing about something with the man with marine uniform on the pier, as they were getting louder and louder the rest of the marines looks like getting restless as they reached out the rifle from their shoulders.
holding his chest, Carl yelled with red face, "I TOLD YOU! WE DON'T KNOW ANY JACKSHIT ABOUT WHOEVER REI IS!!!"
the marine who's talking with Carl seemed unfazed with it as he said coldly, "Mr Carl, do you know the consequence of obstructing marine business is?"
"you can, GO TO HELL!!! GO AW...."
unable to see it any further, Rei interupted Carl to calm him down.
"what's it Carl? calm down will you?"
really, yelling around at those age he could only hope Carl didn't get any heart attack. Carl was surprised as Rei came, his face was painted with regretful expression.
Carl said slowly, "why did you come?"
Rei ignored him, smiling as he faced the marine and he asked, "Mr, marine, anything we can help you with?"
the man in charge was a brown, tall and lanky with serious expression, he has black horseshoe mustache on his face, the hat of marine and epaulets on his shoulder shows he has some rank within the marine.
the tall man was still somewhat calm as he saw Rei's appearance, however his crew grew ever restless, some of them even readying the rifles and pointing at Rei.
"you, are Rei?" said the man slowly.
Rei smiled as he answered, "yes? anything i can help you with?"
"i am Lt. Commander Hardy from the East Blue 8th branch marine base, you have the right to remain silent as your word can be and will be used against you in court! now men!" he said in one breath as Rei marveled how he could hear the recitation of the famous 'Miranda's Right' in this world and that too towards him to boot!
as Hardy gave a signal, the rest of the marines began to aim at Rei with their rifles! seeing this, the townfolks around began to take their own 'weapon' too! both of the side were in stand off now.
Rei smiled and asked, "on what charges Lt.Commander?"
"destroying town, hurting civilans and also obstructing the marines business in its jurisdiction!" Hardy answered keeping his serious face.
"tha...thats bullshit!!"
"how can you do this marines!"
"Mr. Rei is our savior! where were you when we got attacked by the pirates!"
hearing the commotions the rest of townfolks began to gathers.
"GO AWAY MARINES! WE WON'T LET YOU TAKE MR. REI AWAY!"
the situation turns chaotic as the townfolks started to curse. suddenly the towns children shows up from nowhere, they began to threw the marines with rotten egg, stone anything they could find.
"ENOUGH! if you guys don't stop, i will judged this as rebellion and you guys will be executed on the spot!" Hardy shouted as the rotten egg managed to land on his face.
hearing this, not only the townfolks began to cursed louder, they also looks like ready to charge against those marines!
Rei couldn't stand it anymore as he said in loud voice, "everyone! stop!"
suddenly the chaotic situation turned silent, the townfolks has deep respect for Rei and right now they were ready to throw their lives if Rei ever give them the order. actualy they were still under the impressions that marines would not dare to attack them as civilian, however Rei knew it will not be the case.
Rei knew how corrupted marines could be, so he decided to settle things peacefully or at least he doesn't want to implicate the Happy townsfolk. it couldn't be helped, they were after all the first people in this world Rei had relations for the first time, and Rei were really touched by the townfolks gesture of protecting him.
Rei turned towards Hardy with a smile, "Lt.Commander, if i follow you willingly, nothing would happen to the towns right?"
Hardy stared left and right as he nodded, "yes, after all the order was to capture you."
"then please..." Rei said as he stick his hands out.
"NO! MR. REI!!!"
"Mr. Rei, why should you...!"
"sniff* sniff* brother Rei don't you want to live here with us?"
"that's right! brother Rei! please don't leave us!"
most of the unwilling voice were children as they ran towards Rei while holding their tears, some of them even began to cried loudly.
Rei turns toward the children in the back, slightly unwilling, he still decided to stick to his decision, he gave them his warmest smile just like a spring breeze.
"everyone, children. if there's a meeting, then there will be parting, don't be sad as it was all due to the fate. i thank you for your hospitality in these past few days." he said while bowing towards the townfolks.
Hardy had already given his men the order to return as he wait for Rei along with the other two officers. Rei said to follow him willingly and peacefully, Hardy was the man with principle he keep his promise.
"cough*, sniff*. bro...brother Rei, why?"
Rei saw the boy with snot and tears all over his face, his name was Mono, he was the one who gave him the wanted poster and also the one who stopped the townfolks on the pirates ship before.
Rei stroke his head gently and said, "Mono, you are the bravest boy i've ever known, you'll be a wonderful man in future. so don't be sad as we will have a chance to meet in the future."
"realy...?" said Mono while wiping his snot snd tears. Rei nodded as answer.
Rei nodded once again towards the other children and townfolks, "everyone, be happy and always stay healthy, if fate wills it, we will meet again in the future."
"i'm off Carl.." Rei smiled at old man Carl.
"be careful Mr.Rei..." carl answered while still holding his sadness.
Rei follows Hardy back to the small boat, as their warship was mooring on the coastline. Hardy handcuffed Rei before they board the boat, and suddenly,
"MR. REEEIIIII!!! I PROMISE TO BECOME A GREAT MAN IN THE FUTURE, WHEN THAT TIMES COME I WILL FIND YOU! WILL YOU STILL COME TO MEET MEE?!!!" Mono yelled on top of his lung! he tried to hold back his tears but he couldn't.
as the marines started rowing away, Rei didn't look back, he just pointing both of his hands towards the sky.
Hardy couldn't help but assess Rei once again, he wasn't as naive and corrupt as the townfolks thought, Hardy was loyal to the marines with absolute justice as its motto.
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