The Marine base in Grove 66 was louder than usual when Adam and Anna returned.
Marines were moving prisoners, writing reports, arguing loudly about what had happened in Grove 50. A few injured soldiers sat on benches being treated by medics while others leaned against walls recounting the battle with exaggerated gestures.
The moment Adam and Anna stepped through the main gate
Someone noticed them.
"Hey! He is back!"
Heads turned.
Then suddenly they were surrounded.
"Adam! Is it true you took down Sawhand Merlin by yourself?!"
"No way, him ?!"
"Damn, Adam, when did you get that strong?!"
One Marine slapped him on the shoulder with a laugh.
"You've been hiding that skill from us this whole time, huh?"
Another leaned in eagerly.
"I swear I saw it with my own eyes! He dodged the gunshots like it was nothing!"
A younger recruit practically sparkled with admiration.
"Sir, that was amazing! If you ever train recruits I'd love to.."
"Relax, kid," another Marine interrupted with a grin.
A few Marines laughed.
One even nudged another and said seriously,
"You know what? We all have potential. I knew it from day one, the marines will rule the seas, and the filthy pirates will tremble before us."
"I think you drank a bit too much," his friend immediately replied.
"Can't drink on duty."
The circle of Marines grew thicker.
Some were genuinely impressed.
Others were clearly trying to attach themselves to a rising name.
But Adam barely heard any of it.
Their voices blurred together into background noise.
His eyes stared ahead, unfocused.
'That knight… where have I seen him before... damn it my memories are a mess now the moment I set foot into this world...'
The image of those glowing purple eyes still lingered in the back of his mind.
The strange pressure.
The knight and the connection.
Even now, he could almost feel something inside him… shifting quietly.
"..Adam!"
He blinked.
The voice cut through the noise.
The Marines parted slightly as a figure approached.
Their unit captain walked toward them slowly.
His uniform had been changed, the worst of the blood cleaned off, though a thick bandage wrapped tightly around his side beneath his coat. His movements were careful, but his posture remained firm.
The chatter died down a little.
The captain stopped a few steps away.
"Adam."
Adam looked directly at him.
"Yes."
The captain studied him for a moment before speaking.
"You disobeyed my orders."
The place quieted even more.
"You charged into a battle I specifically ordered you to stay out of."
His voice wasn't angry.
"You put your life in danger."
He paused briefly.
"And the lives of the Marines around you."
Anna shifted slightly beside Adam, watching carefully.
The captain sighed through his nose.
"…But saying more than that will just make me feel stupid."
He crossed his arms.
"And an ingrate."
Several Marines exchanged confused looks.
The captain continued.
"What you did back there was nothing short of great, not to mention that you also saved my life."
A murmur ran through the surrounding soldiers.
"I've already reported the incident to Headquarters."
His eyes stayed locked on Adam.
"You should expect a promotion."
Another ripple of whispers spread across the courtyard.
The captain nodded once.
"To Captain."
That got a louder reaction.
"Whoa!"
"Captain already?!"
"Damn!"
The captain continued calmly.
"That also means you may be transferred."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Possibly to a different island."
A small pause.
"Maybe even the New World."
Then he added quietly,
"You wanted that, didn't you?"
Anna's eyes widened.
She turned to Adam instantly.
"Wow! That's great, Adam!"
Adam nodded once.
"Yeah," he said quietly.
"It is."
The captain tilted his head slightly.
"You alright?"
He gave a small, curious smirk.
"Most people would be jumping with happiness hearing they'll be promoted like that."
He shrugged.
"I would."
His eyes studied Adam carefully.
"So?"
Adam hesitated for a second.
Then he answered honestly.
"No. I'm grateful."
He rubbed the back of his neck lightly.
"I just didn't expect it. That's all."
Anna glanced at him sideways.
Something in his tone felt… distant.
But she didn't say anything.
The captain nodded slowly.
"You defeated a pirate captain worth fifty million berries on your own."
He shrugged.
"You should expect recognition."
He sighed faintly.
"Though it's a shame the bastard died."
A few Marines nearby looked surprised.
"I really wanted to transport him myself to Impel Down."
Adam's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"He died?"
The captain nodded.
"Didn't survive the gun wounds."
He waved a hand dismissively.
"But it doesn't matter."
His voice hardened slightly.
"He was a pirate."
Adam's lips curved faintly.
"Of course."
He turned his head slightly.
"We are the good guys.."
The words sounded almost… hollow.
For a moment his face darkened.
Then he turned and began walking away from them.
Anna blinked.
"Adam?"
She quickly followed after him.
The noise of the base faded behind them as they walked down one of the quieter corridors.
Anna studied his face carefully.
"…Are you feeling down?"
Adam shook his head slightly.
"No."
He rubbed his forehead thoughtfully.
"I'm just thinking about a lot of things at the same time."
He gave a small shrug.
"And it's apparently too obvious on my face."
Anna nodded once.
"It sure is."
They walked a few more steps in silence.
Then Adam spoke again.
"I need to check something."
Anna looked at him.
"Again?"
Adam glanced sideways.
"Where do they usually keep dead pirates here?"
Anna stopped walking.
"…What?"
He repeated calmly.
"Dead pirates."
She frowned.
"We don't keep dead bodies, Adam."
She thought for a second.
"Though… if Merlin's body was recovered, he's probably in the Sabaody morgue by now."
Adam nodded slowly.
"That works."
He started walking toward the exit again.
Anna followed quickly.
"…Why?"
Adam didn't look at her.
"I need to check something."
"With that pirate captain."
****
The two of them stopped in front of the morgue doors, and Adam took a slow breath, letting his gaze wander across the building.
The place was bustling. Marines and workers hurried in and out, carrying paperwork or moving small covered trolleys. Civilians occasionally pressed against the edges of the perimeter, craning their necks or whispering rumors to one another.
Anna glanced at him from the side. Her arms were crossed, one hand tapping lightly against her forearm. "So… why are we here again?" she asked.
Adam's eyes flicked across the entrance, the glass doors reflecting the chaotic bustle behind him. His fingers curled loosely at his side, not touching the hilt of his sword, he was anticipating something he couldn't quite put into words.
"Let's head inside," he said finally. He didn't look back at her, his gaze fixed ahead. "And… hopefully my instincts are correct. Or, maybe… hopefully not? I don't know what I'd even feel about it if they are."
Anna tilted her head, squinting at him. "What are you talking about?" she asked, clearly confused.
Adam didn't respond right away. He reached for the doors, his hand brushing against the cool metal handle. He pushed the doors open.
"We'll see," he said over his shoulder, a calm mask settling over his features.
/-\
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