Name: Ian
Age: 27
Devil Fruit: has not consumed any Devil Fruit
Weapon: One-handed axe
Service: 15 years
…
Evaluation: Possesses exceptional talent and works extremely hard in training. He was destined to become a key figure in the Marines in maintaining peace across the seas. Unfortunately, he chose to retire due to personal reasons, which is a great pity.
West Blue, Marines 315th Branch.
At this moment, a burly man with disheveled hair and a dark green coat leisurely held a file.
Looking at the document with the portrait of a clean-cut black-haired youth, he murmured with curiosity and puzzlement: "Ian…"
"Admiral Aokiji, has Marine Headquarters finally taken notice of this genius?"
Captain Enchi, the burly, middle-aged base commander of the 315th Branch, observed this scene with a look of excitement on his face.
"Didn't I say so! How could Marine Headquarters overlook such a genius? They have even sent an admiral specifically for him. They really attach such importance to him! No, I have to tell Ian to come back quickly."
"Wait a minute."
Unlike the excited Captain Enchi, Kuzan rubbed his forehead helplessly and said: "Genius…? That's odd. I heard he retired because his talent was mediocre. Captain Enchi, you're not lying to me, are you?"
"I wouldn't dare, Admiral Aokiji. I'm not lying to you. Ian's talent is truly exceptional!"
"Exceptional talent? Then why, after 15 years, has he only reached Lieutenant rank. If that's genius, are the West Blue's standards that low now?"
"… "
Hearing Admiral Aokiji's sarcastic tone, Captain Enchi's face twisted, then darkened, then pale.
Finally, he sighed and said: "Actually, Ian's strength has long been qualified to enter the Marine Headquarters. With a recommendation, he could have entered the headquarters training camp."
"But the previous base commander refused to let him go, deceiving Ian that his talent and strength weren't sufficient. He then had Ian eliminate the top pirates while concealing Ian's achievements from the higher-ups and stealing his credit. And that kid…"
Although he had high hopes for that kid, he couldn't help but wonder if he was mentally ill.
How long had he been training, and he already wanted to compare himself with Crocodile and Donquixote Doflamingo?
He's still saying: "It's been two and a half years already. How come I still can't kill Kaido with a single slash?!"
Who are these people?
They're all renowned monsters of the sea.
Even Gecko Moria, the former Super Rookie who battled Kaido, is described in his mouth as: "I guess my current strength is only enough to take on that fat nerd!"
At the time, he didn't know who the fat nerd was, but later, upon asking, he learned it was another monster.
Enchi spread his hands while saying with resignation: "Even Admiral Akainu is described in his mouth as, when will I finally be able to kill Sakazuki with a single slash?"
"Puff!"
Kuzan, who had been somewhat intrigued by the previous words, suddenly lost control when he heard someone was going to kill Sakazuki.
He spat out the tea he'd just been drinking, and his expression turned strange.
Someone actually wanted to kill Sakazuki?
And it was a Marine?!
This kid is absolutely a genius!
"Admiral Aokiji, are you here to evaluate Ian?"
Enchi brought the subject back, his tone expectant. "Do you need me to ask that guy to come back?"
"No, I'm not here to evaluate him."
Kuzan shrugged, then leisurely stood up and walked towards the door. He whistled and said: "I just happened to be passing by and saw an interesting kid and was curious."
"Passing by? What did that kid do?"
"I just happened to be passing by his wedding."
"...?"
Enchi, who had been curious at first, froze at Kuzan's words.
Only after Kuzan left the door did he regain his composure.
With a mixture of excitement and exasperation, he slammed the table.
"That kid actually got married and didn't tell me? What a despicable kid!"
But then he quickly began to scratch his head in delight. Now that he was married, he probably wouldn't be thinking about his daughter anymore, right?
"Come to think of it, I forgot to tell Admiral Aokiji that kid is actually very cautious. Every time, he would always say something like, It's not here yet, don't be reckless, absolutely don't be reckless. What exactly is supposed to be here? And say, he just went back not long ago, and he's already married so soon. I wonder what kind of woman he married."
…
"So pretty!"
"...?"
Robin, who was cleaning the house, heard a voice outside the window.
She turned her head and saw a little girl leaning on the windowsill, with a beautiful braid of red hair and freckles on her face.
Robin was slightly surprised, then showed a gentle smile and said: "You're also very pretty. May I ask, what brings you here?"
"Ah…"
The little girl, a little embarrassed at being discovered, suddenly came to her senses.
She remembered something and said shyly: "My name is Della. Grandpa asked me to bring some vegetables."
As she spoke, she set down the basket on her back, which was filled to the brim.
"Where should I put them?"
"I'll do it."
Robin smiled warmly at the shy girl.
"Such a cute little girl."
She directly took the vegetables inside to put them away. But when she handed the basket back, the little girl named Della didn't leave immediately.
Instead, she stood there as if hesitating to say something.
This piqued Robin's curiosity, so she squatted down and asked: "Anything else?"
"Um… Brother Ian said he wants to marry me."
Robin's question suddenly gave the shy little girl courage. She took a deep breath and raised her fist. "Even if you are already married to brother Ian, I won't give up."
"...?"
Then, before Robin could react, Della hopped away toward the village while carrying the basket on her back.
Robin stood frozen for a moment, then finally came to her senses and showed a helpless, amused smile.
She stood up, crossed her left arm over her chest, rested her chin on her right hand, her lips curving slightly as she watched the hopping little girl vanish into the distance.
"Oh, I've been declared a war? Is it a love rival? What should I do?"
She seemed to have unconsciously adopted a strange tone and uttered strange words, her once gentle demeanor suddenly shifting to one filled with charm and allure.
But she seemed oblivious, still smiling as she watched the girl until she disappeared from view.
'This feeling is truly strange.'
She seemed… To enjoy this feeling a little.
Nobody knew how much time had passed until a voice pulled Robin back to reality.
"Robin."
"...?"
Robin came to her senses and stared at Ian, who was carrying a massive beast.
She was stunned for a moment, but for some reason, she wasn't afraid, not even shocked. Instead, she smiled. "Dear, are you back?"
"I am."
Ian dropped the tiger on the ground, looked at Robin curiously, then glanced ahead.
"What are you doing standing here?"
"A little girl just declared war on me."
Robin blinked, then narrowed her eyes at Ian. "Dear, you're such a playboy!"
"Little girl?"
Ian understood instantly, but didn't take it seriously. A cheerful expression crossed his face. "Is it Della?"
"It seems you know it, too."
Robin nodded with a gentle smile on her face. "I've accepted her challenge, and I won't let her go easily."
"… "
Ian looked helplessly at Robin, who raised her fist, but didn't say much.
After briefly dealing with the tiger, he looked back at Robin, who was helping.
Especially seeing Robin's pretty face stained with blood, he couldn't help but freeze.
He suddenly felt that this kind of life wasn't so bad.
"What's wrong, dear?"
"Nothing. By the way."
Ian said, seeming to remember something, smiling at Robin. "A merchant ship is coming today. We need to buy some seasonings and a bigger wooden tub later. You can also buy some clothes if they're suitable."
"Merchant ship?"
Robin was stunned for a moment, then, with a curious expression, she fetched water to clean herself up and prepared water for Ian to wash as well.
Then, after they got ready, she grabbed his hand excitedly. "Let's go, dear!"
She seemed quite interested in this so-called merchant ship.
"...?!"
Feeling the softness of her hand, Ian's heart surged, but… he quickly calmed himself and said nothing.
The two of them walked hand in hand toward the dock, as if they were a real couple.