Rorschach walked nonchalantly through the streets of Flameheart City. The conversation that took place in the branch prison with Prince Elia had deeply affected him.
That person, whom he initially saw as nothing more than an utterly evil madman, Elia, had once been a hero who had saved several small nations and tens of thousands of civilians with his own hands. Elia's final words, like thunderous roars, made Rorschach clearly realize that this world was not devoid of wise men.
It wasn't that people didn't understand the current state of the world; rather, it was about whether they were willing to change it.
As Elia had said: Do you choose to engage in corruption and continue being a tool for the world government? Or do you choose to stir the seas, create greater chaos, and use that chaos to direct change? Or perhaps, you decide to stand bravely, declare your stance, and find yourself facing the entire world.
"A tool for the government, is he talking about the Navy? It seems he's really not holding back any punches."
As he looked at the town, still bustling with life and unaffected by the kingdom's great catastrophe, and as he eyed the barbecue stand at the street corner, Rorschach slowly shook his head.
The cost of burning the world is high, too high. This world needs change, but such a decision cannot be made recklessly on behalf of the entire world's inhabitants.
In a world full of individual powers, if you wish to guide the world toward a better future, you must first possess power at the pinnacle level.
Once the Revolutionary Army has such power, they might not be able to challenge the World Government; they might even struggle to face one of the Yonko crews.
After speaking with his brother Gross, Elia died in the cell of branch 177. But he kept his promise and told them where the vast treasure was buried.
It was a place no one would ever expect. The location was less than a hundred miles from Flameheart Island, where branch 177 was situated. Yes, Elia had buried that immense fortune in the Pirate Cemetery, Paya Island, a place no one would ever think of.
Given the massive amount involved, Kuzan decided to personally go to Paya Island on a warship. Before leaving, Kuzan told Lucia to prepare to head to the Navy Headquarters. If everything went as planned, he would return with the Sharp Sword Unit to Marineford within two days, and Rorschach would be with him.
Kuzan was not comfortable leaving this promising marine soldier in the North Sea, especially after Rorschach had killed one of Doflamingo's top officers, Gladius, and indirectly led to the death of Trebol, one of the top officers of the Donquixote Family.
For Doflamingo, who considers his officers as family members, the death of these two is a permanent enmity that cannot be overcome. If Rorschach stayed in the North Sea, he would undoubtedly become a target for the Donquixote Family's revenge.
So Rorschach would go to the Navy Headquarters to participate in this year's new recruit training. The new recruit training at headquarters starts every year in spring, but since it was now July, Rorschach would be joining mid-course, along with a group of elite marines from all over the world, selected to partake in the collective training.
It is worth mentioning that Prince Gross's request to join the Navy had finally been accepted after he tearfully pleaded with Kuzan.
As for the fate of Prince's Kingdom after losing its king, that would be something the World Government and Sengoku would have to consider.
Given Prince Gross's heroic performance in the battle at the royal palace, he had been promoted to the rank of first-class marine and would join Rorschach on the journey to Marineford to participate in the new recruit training.
As Rorschach walked, his thoughts were interrupted by a distant voice calling out to him.
"Hey! Rorschach! Over here!"
Rorschach looked up and saw Drake, holding a pile of items in his arms, standing in front of an old tavern, calling out to him.
Before getting closer, Rorschach noticed Drake's flushed face.
"You, instead of helping Lieutenant Jennifer deal with the kingdom's crisis, come here to drink. No wonder we haven't seen you all day."
"How dare you speak to your superior like that? Where's your respect? Come on, three drinks as punishment."
Drake's mouth was full of the smell of alcohol as he laughed, grabbing Rorschach by the arm and pulling him into the small tavern.
There weren't many tables in the tavern, and there weren't many customers either.
In the middle of the day, those with time to drink heavily were either pirates who didn't need to work or wealthy individuals who had no shortage of money.
And in the corner of the tavern, a group of these individuals sat.
Law sat near the wall, devouring a white rice cake, his cheeks stuffed with food.
Hawkins sat quietly, playing cards as usual.
Kujaku, on the other hand, was pressing her mature, alluring face against Beppo's furry head, causing the fur on the white bear's face to turn red. He seemed intoxicated, surrendering to Kujaku's embrace.
Law's companions, Bepo and Shachi, sat in the corner, looking at them with envy, their eyes watering.
"Look who I brought!"
Drake threw the items he was holding onto the table in front of the group.
Those items were a bunch of snacks he had bought from the street.
Everyone looked up, and Rorschach greeted them with a smile.
Hawkins nodded, Law continued chewing on his rice cake, but when he saw that the newcomer was Rorschach, he turned his head away and made a sound of discontent with his nose.
Rorschach knew exactly why Law was upset, so he smiled somewhat awkwardly and was about to sit down to explain things to him.
But he didn't expect that as soon as he sat down, Kujaku would push the white bear aside and place a large part of her body on Rorschach's shoulder, freezing him in place out of shock.
Rorschach was much taller than Kujaku, so even when seated, Kujaku had to stand to barely reach his shoulder.
Feeling the softness against his skin and the breeze of alcohol near his ear, Rorschach's face instantly turned red.
Kujaku leaned close to his ear and said in a soft, gentle voice, "Hah, has our little hero finally decided to leave the battlefield?"
"Lieutenant... Lieutenant Kujaku." Rorschach swallowed nervously, not daring to move.
"Don't worry, I just…"
Then suddenly, Kujaku leaned in closer, kissed him on the cheek, and laughed softly while stroking his long silver hair that draped over his shoulder.
"I just wanted to give our little hero a small reward."
Rorschach's eyes widened, and he felt a surge of heat rush to his head. Before even starting to drink, his young face turned entirely red, even up to his ears.
The group, including Bepo, watched the scene with their mouths agape, their gazes towards Rorschach filled with intense jealousy.
(End of Chapter)
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