After a few words, Aokiji suggested returning to the warship. Since the battle was over, his lazy streak returned, and he didn't want to stay a moment longer. All he wanted now was to lie on the deck and sunbathe.
Knowing Aokiji's personality, Chiga and Zephyr were a bit helpless. Zephyr even sighed. As his teacher, he clearly remembered that Aokiji wasn't always .
When Aokiji first joined the Marines, he was a staunch believer in "Burning Justice," full of passion. But after the Ohara incident, he grew disillusioned with the Marines' concept of justice and gradually shifted to what he now called "Lazy Justice."
Zephyr had tried to guide him, but in hindsight, his own "Justice of Not Killing" wasn't without flaws either. After much thought, he could only place his hopes on Chiga now.
Seeing Aokiji eager to return, Chiga didn't object. Since Zephyr still had injuries on his back, Chiga used the Deva Path's ability to lift him slightly and slowed down their pace as they made their way back.
Aokiji glanced over and gave a subtle nod. He admired Chiga's actions, though he didn't show it outright.
As soon as they returned to Aokiji's warship, a soft body threw itself into Chiga's arms—it was Ain.
God knew how worried she had been. Seeing Chiga return safely, she couldn't hold back the emotions that surged in her heart.
Gently patting Ain's back, Chiga said nothing. He knew it was best to let her calm down on her own.
After hugging him for a while, Ain slowly stepped back and handed him a package—it was the unknown Devil Fruit she had received during the assessment.
Chiga accepted it silently, opened the Door-Door Space, and stored it inside.
Seeing him take the fruit, a soft smile appeared on Ain's lips—like a girl next door, pure and serene.
She looked at Chiga closely. Faint scars were still visible on his upper body.
After all, Weevil's Haki was not to be underestimated. When trained to a high level, Haki-infused attacks could cause severe internal injuries. Even if they didn't look too serious outwardly, the body often suffered much worse internally.
Chiga's recovery speed was already remarkable. During the Marineford War, even Marco—despite his Phoenix Fruit—needed multiple episodes to recover after being punched by Garp.
Ain reached out slightly, wanting to touch the scars, but hesitated. Instead, she asked softly,
"Don't you have a healing ability? Why don't you use it?"
Chiga smiled, leaned closer to her ear, and whispered,
"Idiot. That ability can't be used endlessly. But if it's for you... I don't mind."
Ain froze. She had forgotten—an ability that powerful must have limits. Yet Chiga had used it for her... Was she really worth that much?
Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't want him to see her cry, so she turned around and quickly wiped them away.
Girls could be easily moved. What Chiga saw as nothing, hit Ain like a tidal wave.
Rubbing his temples, Chiga gently placed his hands on Ain's shoulders and turned her around. He wiped her tears carefully with his fingers.
"Alright, relax. We'll probably attend the graduation ceremony once we return. With your performance, you'll at least be a Colonel. What do you say, Colonel Ain?"
Hearing "Colonel Ain" from his mouth, she couldn't help but laugh. She raised a tiny fist and lightly punched Chiga's chest.
Chiga instantly put on an exaggerated expression of pain, pretending she had hit him hard. Despite his mediocre acting, it managed to fool her.
Ain quickly leaned closer, examining where she hit him. She even blew on it gently, looking adorably serious.
Chiga couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her smooth forehead.
Ain, startled by the sudden kiss, jumped back like a bunny and stared at Chiga with wide eyes.
Chiga's face flushed slightly but remained composed, as if nothing had happened.
Seeing this calm and cheeky side of him, Ain puffed out her cheeks in frustration—looking even cuter.
Chiga felt he might lose control if this kept up.
With a sharp flick of his Justice coat, he turned around and walked away, leaving only one line behind:
"Come find me after graduation. You—I want you."
Ain wanted to retort, "You want me just like that?" but the words got stuck in her throat. What she ended up saying was:
"Then you better keep your word!"
Back at headquarters, Zephyr was quickly surrounded by the medical team. The stretcher had been waiting for a while.
Zephyr felt a bit embarrassed. He was once a Marine Admiral, and now he was being hauled off on a stretcher? How humiliating.
But the people helping him were small nurses, and he couldn't exactly resist, so he reluctantly climbed onto it. Then several strong Marines rushed forward, hoisted him up, and dashed off, vanishing from sight in seconds.
With Zephyr taken care of, the remaining stretcher team turned to stare at Chiga.
Chiga pouted, then took off into the sky and disappeared in an instant.
He headed straight to Sengoku's office. As soon as he entered, Sengoku asked anxiously,
"How is it? Are Zephyr and the cadets alright?"
"Teacher Zephyr is injured, and about a third of the cadets were casualties. The attacker was Edward Weevil—Whitebeard Jr."
Sengoku slammed his fist down on the desk. Veins bulged on his forehead as he roared,
Chiga said nothing. His intervention had saved many lives, but it wasn't enough. This incident reminded him that his presence was changing the course of events.
Sengoku took a deep breath and slowly calmed himself. He pushed a document across the desk toward Chiga.
Chiga didn't take it and asked with a puzzled look,
"Your promotion to Vice Admiral. No one can overlook what you did this time. You saved the future of the Marines. The training camp's graduation ceremony is tomorrow. Your rank will be conferred then. Go prepare."
Good heavens. Chiga had only been promoted to Rear Admiral yesterday—and now, Vice Admiral?
In an era before Marineford and global conscription, this promotion speed was unheard of.
__________________________________
I'm going to need to reduce the bonus Chapters I'd drop after every 100 Powerstones,
Seriously 10 is alot to drop at once.
It'd be 5 henceforth.
____________________________________
If we get another 100 Powerstones, I'd drop 5 bonus Chapters.