Marine Headquarters, Marineford
Familiar scenery, familiar smell, familiar bed.
After more than two years, Finn was admitted to the medical facility again.
However, it was different from last time. Previously, he'd needed connections to qualify for this high-end facility. This time, he resided there legitimately as a Commodore of Marine Headquarters.
Though there was nothing particularly happy about it. After all, being admitted meant being injured.
A Marine doctor, hands emitting blue light, was pressing on the horrific wound across Finn's chest.
After a while, the doctor dissipated his ability and smiled. "Commodore Finn, today's treatment is complete. Same rules as always: no getting out of bed, no getting wet."
"Thank you," Finn nodded. He didn't know what kind of ability this was, but his injuries had genuinely improved significantly under this doctor's treatment.
"You're welcome, Commodore. This is our duty," the doctor said with a smile.
"Thank you regardless. How many days of treatment until I recover?" Finn asked.
"Commodore, your injuries are serious. It'll take at least two weeks to recover," the doctor said.
He was actually slightly surprised. Commodore Finn, when first brought back to Marineford, had still been unconscious.
The injury had been extremely serious, but it had stabilized without worsening further.
After some treatment, he'd discovered Commodore Finn was in excellent physical condition. He'd originally estimated this injury would require at least two or three months to heal.
But after several treatments, he could tell that maintaining this pace, it might be cured in two weeks.
At that moment, the ward door opened. Momonga and Onigumo walked in carrying fruit baskets. Seeing the doctor, they paused. "Excuse me?"
"It's fine, today's treatment is over," Finn said with a smile.
Momonga and Onigumo finally relaxed, smiling and nodding at the doctor. Seeing visitors had arrived, the doctor gave Finn a few more words of advice before leaving.
Only then did Momonga smile. "That's quite impressive, Finn! We heard you played a very important role this time!"
"Who do you think I am? The Chief!" Finn said with a hint of arrogance.
A smile crossed his face. Before he knew it, he'd made some good friends at Marineford.
Onigumo placed the fruit basket on the table and whispered, "I heard you beat up the Fleet Admiral. Is that true?"
Finn's expression darkened. He quickly said, "Shhh…Don't you dare spread that. I was just following orders!"
Though it was true, and Fleet Admiral Kong seemed quite magnanimous, this matter couldn't be boasted about. Otherwise, the Fleet Admiral would lose reputation.
Therefore, Finn hadn't told anyone about this. The only people who knew were Admiral Sengoku and a few others.
Kuzan had been the only one present at the time, and the Fleet Admiral certainly wouldn't say it himself.
So obviously, Kuzan had probably let it slip.
"You didn't deny it, so it seems to be true. You're so awesome, Finn. You even dare to beat up the Fleet Admiral... Hahaha." Momonga said with schadenfreude.
"Don't worry, we won't say anything," Onigumo said with a smile.
Finn knew these two were sensible, not the type to cause trouble, so he didn't say more. He nodded. "Thank you for keeping it quiet."
After a slight pause, he looked at the insignia on Momonga and Onigumo's shoulders and asked with a smile, "Oh, you two were promoted together?"
The elite who emerged from the Officer Training Camp were different. They'd already entered the flag officer ranks.
"I used to work with Vice Admiral Borsalino. Onigumo came by following the Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff is reorganizing the intelligence department, and Onigumo was transferred there," Momonga said with a smile.
"If nothing unexpected happens, I'll report to the Chief of Staff after I recover," Finn said with a smile.
Onigumo nodded. "I did hear the Chief of Staff mention this."
"Alas, I thought I could keep up with you, but I still can't," Momonga suddenly said.
Finn froze momentarily, then his face brightened. "Did you hear something?"
Momonga and Onigumo both laughed and nodded together. "Well, we heard from Vice Admiral Kuzan that you're going to be promoted to Rear Admiral."
Kuzan, just as Admiral Sengoku had promised before, went out for a mission and was promoted to Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters when he returned.
Simultaneously, he'd participated in capturing the Red Earl, so naturally he had merit. It was reasonable for him to be promoted to Vice Admiral.
He wasn't seriously injured, so there was no delay. After returning, he'd quickly become a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters. Then he'd assumed the position of Admiral Sengoku's assistant, smoothly transitioning from being Vice Admiral Garp's follower to Admiral Sengoku's follower.
"As expected. I felt I was going to be promoted. Hahahaha." Finn laughed.
"You've been promoted too quickly. You've been at Headquarters less than three years, and you've risen from a Branch Captain to a Headquarters Rear Admiral... Are you really not related to Admiral Sengoku? If you have good opportunities, please take care of me and Onigumo!" Momonga teased with a smile.
Finn rolled his eyes at him, lifted the blanket, revealing the hideous wound, and said, "I was almost torn in half by the Red Earl. Are you jealous of my rapid promotion? Would you rather trade places?"
After hearing Finn's words, Momonga and Onigumo were silent for a moment, then said, "You should be more careful in the future. You won't be so lucky every time..."
Though they envied Finn's rapid promotion, they harbored no jealousy. They knew full well that Finn was genuinely risking his life!
Hearing the concern from Momonga and Onigumo, Finn nodded. "I understand. I'll be more careful next time."
But even so, if he didn't fight desperately, what else could he fight with?
Risks always coexisted with opportunities. If you wanted to gain something, you had to pay accordingly.
Finn had always believed this truth. He was very ambitious, wanting greater authority, higher status, and stronger power.
What he could exchange for it was two words: "Fight desperately"!
"Well, you just need to know it yourself. We don't want to attend your memorial service. Vinlake died two days ago," Momonga said in a somewhat low voice.
Vinlake was also a student of the Sixth Officer Training Camp.
Finn wasn't very familiar with him, but they'd learned together under Zephyr. Hearing the news suddenly, he felt somewhat sad.
The Marines were like this. They looked glorious, were the embodiment of justice. On the seas, they were called "overlords," possessing powerful authority and strength.
But behind this were thousands of Marines who paid with their lives.
From a global perspective, perhaps there were Marine casualties constantly?
Finn now knew many Vice Admirals, several of whom he'd had no impression of in the original story.
If these people were lucky, they might live to retirement. If unlucky, nine times out of ten they'd be sacrificed on a mission.
This sea had never been safe.
The atmosphere grew slightly melancholic. At that moment, the door opened again. Kuzan walked in with an arrogant look.
"Oh? You're here too. Haha, Finn, your senior Vice Admiral is here to visit you." Kuzan raised his eyebrows with a smile.
His arrival happened to blow away the slight sadness that had just settled.
Finn saw his slightly cocky demeanor and said unhappily, "I understand, Vice Admiral. Could you please stop showing off?"
"I'm telling you, you're still a long way from catching up with me," Kuzan teased again.
"How long did it take you to be promoted from Commodore?" Finn suddenly asked.
"Hmm? Three years, right? I was the Chief graduate of the Third Class. I was promoted to Commodore upon graduation. I served three years. When you came to Marineford, I'd just been promoted to Rear Admiral..." Kuzan touched his chin thoughtfully.
"Right. It took me two years to be promoted from Commodore to Rear Admiral, and... during that time I only went on one mission," Finn rolled his eyes at Kuzan.
As soon as he finished speaking, Kuzan's face twitched slightly. He cursed, "Fine, you're awesome, okay?"
"Also, don't tell others I beat up the Fleet Admiral when you have nothing better to do. Otherwise, if the Fleet Admiral finds out, how embarrassing will it be? I'll be the one who suffers," Finn quickly warned.
Kuzan said with some confusion, "I've never told anyone?"
Finn froze, then looked at Momonga and Onigumo. "Speaking of which, where did you two hear this news?"
"From Vice Admiral Garp..." Momonga said after a moment's hesitation.
Finn finally realized he'd misunderstood Kuzan.
"Is Vice Admiral Garp back? Has the G-1 situation been dealt with?" Finn asked again.
Kuzan nodded. "Yeah. Vice Admiral Margo died. After restoring order at G-1, Vice Admiral Prodi took over command. Mr. Garp has returned."
At that moment, the ward door opened again. The young Rosinante rushed in excitedly. "Brother Finn, I heard you beat Fleet Admiral Kong?"
Finn nearly fell out of bed.
What the hell?
How did everyone know he'd beat the Fleet Admiral?
Did they think his life was too comfortable?
"How did you know that?!" Finn said with a dark expression.
"Huh? Everyone's talking about it... After Vice Admiral Garp came back, he told everyone about it!" Rosinante responded quickly.
"Damn it!" Finn cursed, his heart sinking.
It doesn't matter to you, Garp, you old bastard, but I can't handle it!
"From today on, I have a sworn feud with that old villain Garp!" Finn said angrily.
Kuzan, looking like he was trying not to laugh, patted Finn's shoulder. "Well, Mr. Garp... He's always been like this. You just have to get used to it. Now you understand why it took me three years to become a Rear Admiral, right?"
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