Chapter 4: Evaluation
Name: Eiger
Age: 27
Devil Fruit: None
Weapon: One-Handed Axe
Service Record: 15 years
Assessment:
Possesses commendable natural talent and an exceptional work ethic. With continued training, he was expected to become one of the Marine Corps' key pillars in maintaining peace across the seas.
However, he chose to retire due to personal reasons—an unfortunate loss for the Navy.
---
West Blue, Marine Branch 315 Headquarters.
Inside the office, a tall man with messy dark hair and a long moss-green coat lounged in his chair, casually flipping through a personnel file. His lazy voice broke the silence.
"Eiger… huh."
Vice Admiral Kuzan—better known as Admiral Aokiji—raised an eyebrow in mild curiosity at the photo of a young man with neat black hair and a calm, confident gaze.
"Admiral Kuzan!" boomed a deep, rumbling voice beside him.
It belonged to Colonel Enchi, the burly, broad-shouldered base commander of the 315th Branch. His face lit up with excitement.
"Don't tell me Headquarters has finally noticed Eiger's talent? I knew it! I told everyone—there's no way someone like him could stay buried forever! And to think, the Navy actually sent a full admiral to look into him! Unbelievable!"
He slapped his massive palm against his thigh. "I'll go tell Eiger right away! That boy has to come back!"
"Whoa, hold on there." Kuzan sighed, rubbing his forehead as if nursing a headache. "Talent, huh? That's funny… I heard he retired because his talent was average. You're not pulling my leg, are you, Colonel?"
Enchi nearly jumped out of his seat.
"No, sir! I'd never lie to you, Admiral Kuzan! I swear, Eiger's talent is real!"
"Talent, huh…" Kuzan muttered, eyes still on the file. "Then why did he think he was average? Fifteen years of service and only a lieutenant? Has the West Blue lowered its standards for 'genius' that much?"
"..."
Enchi's face twisted—black, white, then red all over. He let out a long sigh and leaned forward.
"Actually… Eiger was qualified to transfer to Headquarters. He just never got the recommendation. The last base commander lied to him—told him his strength wasn't enough yet. Kept him cleaning up pirates on the outskirts while stealing his achievements and reporting them as his own."
He hesitated before adding, "And, well, the kid… he's got a few screws loose, to be honest."
Kuzan looked up, intrigued. "Oh?"
Enchi grimaced. "He used to say ridiculous things—like wanting to catch up to Crocodile and Doflamingo after only a few years of training! Or complaining that two and a half years had gone by and he still couldn't 'chop Kaido in half with one swing!'"
Kuzan blinked. "Kaido? Seriously?"
"Yeah! You think that's bad? He once looked at Moria—the same Moria who fought Kaido in his prime—and said, 'That fat shut-in? I could probably take him now.'"
"I didn't even know who the 'fat shut-in' was at first," Enchi admitted, exasperated. "Then I found out and nearly fainted."
Kuzan's lips twitched.
"And that's not even the worst," Enchi continued, throwing up his hands. "He even said, 'When can I finally one-shot Sakazuki with my axe?'"
"Pfff—!"
Kuzan burst out laughing mid-sip, spraying tea across his desk. His expression turned downright amused.
"He wants to kill Sakazuki? A Marine trying to take out another Marine—that's new!"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Now I've really got to meet this kid."
"So you are here to assess him, then?" Enchi asked hopefully. "Should I call him back right away?"
Kuzan stood up lazily, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. "Nah. I'm not here for an inspection."
He turned toward the door, whistling lightly. "Just passing through. Saw an interesting name on the roster and got curious, that's all."
"Passing through? Then what brought you here, Admiral?"
Kuzan's mouth curled into a half-smile.
"Just happened to stumble upon the kid's wedding."
"…What?"
Enchi froze.
By the time the admiral had left the room, the colonel was still staring blankly at the door—until realization hit him like a cannonball.
"That brat got married and didn't even tell me?!"
He slammed a fist on the table, half furious, half bewildered.
But then, after a moment, his anger melted into relief.
"Well, at least that means he'll stop bothering my daughter," he muttered, scratching his head with a grin. "He's finally settled down."
Then he frowned thoughtfully.
"Though… I never did tell Kuzan about Eiger's strange habits. The kid's always talking about how he's still 'locked' or that he hasn't 'activated yet.' Whatever that means."
He snorted, chuckling.
"Still, didn't take long for him to get married after going home. Wonder what kind of woman managed to snag him?"
---
Meanwhile — Sibia Village
"What a beautiful lady!"
Nico turned, startled by the small voice at the window.
Peeking in was a little girl with bright red braided hair and a face dotted with freckles, her big eyes full of innocent curiosity.
Nico blinked, then smiled warmly. "And you're very cute yourself. Did you need something, sweetheart?"
The girl flushed red, embarrassed to have been caught staring. She stammered a bit before blurting out, "I'm Della! Grandpa asked me to bring you some vegetables!"
She set down a large wicker basket overflowing with fresh greens.
"Where should I put them?"
"I can take care of it, thank you." Nico's smile softened. "You're such a sweet little girl."
She took the basket, neatly arranged the vegetables on the table, and handed the basket back.
But Della didn't leave.
The little girl fidgeted, glancing between Nico and the floor, lips parting as if she wanted to speak—but then hesitating, unsure whether she should.
Something was clearly on her mind.
Nico tilted her head slightly, her soft voice breaking the silence.
"What's wrong, Della?"
Outside, the sunlight filtered gently through the window, catching on Nico's long dark hair—
and for the briefest moment, a shadow of unease flickered behind her kind smile.
Nico blinked, tilting her head curiously at the little red-haired girl who stood fidgeting in front of her. She crouched down and asked softly, "What's the matter? Is there something else?"
The girl hesitated for a moment, cheeks puffing slightly as if trying to summon courage. Then, with a deep breath, she clenched her tiny fists and blurted out,
"Um… Brother Eiger said he's going to marry me! So even if you've already married him, I won't give up!"
"...???"
Before Nico could even process the words, the little girl—Della—had already spun around, grabbed her basket, and skipped away, her red braids bouncing with each step.
Nico stood frozen, then slowly exhaled, a bemused smile tugging at her lips.
"Was that… a declaration of war?" she murmured, placing a hand under her chin as her eyes followed the child's retreating figure. "A love rival, maybe? Hmm… what should I do?"
Her voice unconsciously softened, her tone playful and oddly sultry. The gentle aura she usually carried shifted into something more teasing, alluring—almost dangerous.
But she didn't seem to notice. She just kept smiling faintly, watching until the little girl disappeared down the path.
What a strange feeling, she thought.
And yet… I think I like it.
She wasn't sure how long she stayed lost in that thought until a familiar voice brought her back.
"...Nico."
She turned instinctively—and froze again.
Eiger was walking up the path, carrying the enormous carcass of a beast on his shoulder, its massive fangs glinting in the light.
For a moment, her instincts flared—danger, power, blood—
but strangely, she didn't feel fear.
Instead, her lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Welcome back, darling."
Eiger grinned, dropping the creature onto the ground with a thud.
"Yeah, I'm back."
He glanced at her, then at the spot she'd been staring at earlier.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Oh, nothing much." Nico's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Just that a little girl declared war on me. Seems my dear husband is quite the heartbreaker."
"Girl?" Eiger blinked, then chuckled as realization dawned. "Ah… Della, huh?"
"So you do know her." Nico nodded knowingly, folding her arms with mock seriousness. "Well, I've accepted her challenge. I won't give up that easily."
Eiger just stared at her for a moment, caught between laughter and exasperation.
He sighed and shook his head, choosing not to argue.
As he began skinning and cleaning the beast, Nico quietly joined in to help—rolling up her sleeves without hesitation.
But then he caught a glimpse of her face, faintly splattered with streaks of crimson.
Her black hair fell slightly over her cheek, her eyes calm yet strangely bright.
And for a moment, Eiger found himself thinking—
Maybe… this isn't so bad.
"Something wrong, darling?" she asked, noticing his gaze.
"Nothing," he replied quickly, hiding a faint smile. "Oh, right. The merchant ship's docking today. We should go buy the seasonings and that wooden tub. Maybe you can pick out a few new outfits too."
"Merchant ship?" Nico repeated, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.
She rinsed her hands quickly, tidied her hair, and fetched a small pouch of coins.
Then, before Eiger could even react, she grabbed his hand, her smile bright and genuine.
"Let's go, darling!"
Eiger blinked, slightly startled by the sudden warmth of her touch. Her hand was soft, delicate—yet her grip was firm, full of life.
For just a heartbeat, something stirred in his chest—something that felt strangely peaceful, yet uncomfortably pleasant.
He looked at her again, at the gentle excitement in her eyes, and couldn't help smiling.
"Alright," he said quietly.
And so, hand in hand like a real couple, they made their way down the winding path toward the docks—
the faint sound of waves blending with the laughter of the villagers,
as the sea breeze carried the scent of salt, sunlight…
and the beginning of something neither of them yet understood.