"Ian, are you really planning to retire? You spent fifteen years rising from a recruit to the Branch's Lieutenant. Are you really going to give it all up?"
"You're a genius. Your strength already qualifies you for promotion to Captain rank; I'll apply to headquarters on your behalf."
"I believe you can become a base commander in the future!"
"I've already applied for further training at headquarters for you. Although it failed last time, I'm sure you'll succeed this time."
"You've worked so hard for so many years, are you really planning to give up everything?"
"Okay, I respect your choice. If you regret it, just come back. You will always be welcome at West Blue's 315th Branch."
"As your superior and friend, may I ask what you plan to do after retirement?"
"What else can I do? I don't know either!"
Recalling Captain Enchi's question at his retirement, Ian, bare-chested, showing his well-built muscles as he chopped the wood, couldn't help but look up and stare at the sea, letting out a lost sigh of melancholy.
Thinking about it, he had been here nearly twenty years already, yet he was still only a Lieutenant, the ninth-highest rank in the Marines.
What future did a life like this have?
That's right, he is a transmigrator. He suddenly traveled to this familiar One Piece World and became a ten-year-old boy named Ian.
At first, he was delighted.
This was transmigration!
And to the world of One Piece during the great pirate age!
Instantly, a surge of passion welled up in the depths of his soul: "Are kings and nobles innately born superior?!"
"I don't believe it!"
"First, set a goal for himself: join the Marines, and within two and a half years attain the strength of an admiral."
If Koby could enter the final saga within two years, was it unreasonable for him, a transmigrator, to expect to gain the strength of a Marine admiral in two and a half years?
But…
But fifteen years passed, and he still hadn't made it!
He couldn't help but begin to suspect that maybe he didn't have any talent or golden finger at all!
The original plan to become an admiral-level powerhouse within two and a half years failed.
In the end, he spent fifteen years rising from a recruit to his present rank.
Those fifteen years taught him one truth: that pink-haired guy really, damn well, was a genius.
Was it that he hadn't worked hard enough?
No, he has; if he worked any harder, his body wouldn't be able to take it.
At first, he thought the pink-haired guy might have reached the final saga in two years because the Marine Headquarters had better medical resources and richer sea-beast meat supplies.
But after applying for and failing to qualify for the Marine Headquarters training for 15 years, he realized that perhaps he wasn't truly a freak.
Putting aside the fact that the pink-haired guy was lucky and happened to meet Garp, that guy's level of effort could also be called monstrous, not something ordinary people could achieve.
As for the Devil Fruits he knew about, either the timing wasn't right, or his own abilities simply wouldn't allow it.
Fifteen years was more than enough time for his inner passion to subside.
He wasn't like the old man next door who, even at sixty or seventy, never gave up his dream and still sat on the village chief's throne.
So, now, nearing his thirties, he had finally made the decision to retire and return home to enjoy the rest of his life.
As for the great pirate age… None of his business!
As Ian chopped wood, he pondered his future. Since things were already like this, should he use the savings he had accumulated over the years to marry a stunning wife and live a peaceful retirement in this world?
"Ian, Ian!"
A thin, wrinkled old man came running from a distance.
Ian paused his axe and, bewildered, looked at the panting old man standing before him. "Village Chief Martin, what happened? Why are you so anxious?"
"Great, Ian, you're here."
Village Chief Martin said happily, panting. "Do you want a wife, Ian?"
"...?"
What kind of question was this?
Ian frowned and asked: "What's wrong? Are you finally planning to marry your granddaughter to me?"
"What are you thinking, you little brat?"
Chief Martin said angrily, with a furious face. "Della's only eight, you bastard!"
"Then who?"
Ian ignored Martin's anger and continued jokingly. "Could it be your daughter?"
"You bastard, you're not only thinking about Della, but also her mother?"
Martin roared angrily before calming down and saying: "Seriously, why didn't you do it back then? If you'd stayed, maybe I would have married Genny to you."
"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore. A beautiful woman drifted to the shore of the village. We rescued her, but Dr. Leck says she suffered a blow and lost her memory…"
"Wait, wait, beautiful woman, amnesia? So dramatic?"
Ian stared at Village Chief Martin, his brow furrowed. "Couldn't it be some female pirate tricking you, trying to sneak onto the island to loot?"
"Honestly, everyone in the village and I were skeptical, but Dr. Leck is so confident in his medical skills."
"That guy whose medical skills consist of amputating when a foot hurts and cutting off a hand when a hand itches?"
"Dr. Leck's skills aren't that bad. Never mind. Just keep quiet and listen to me."
Village Chief Martin's mouth twitched. Seeing Ian about to say something, he quickly interrupted him.
"What you said was actually the same as what everyone was concerned about, so after discussion, we've decided to send her to you."
"...?"
Ian's face was filled with black lines.
"I don't know whether I should say this."
"I told you not to speak, so listen to me to the end."
Village Chief Martin cut Ian off mercilessly before continuing: "Although we're a little worried, what if she's truly injured and has lost her memory?"
"This kind of useless pity and naivety is unnecessary in these chaotic times!"
"You're a righteous marine, how dare you say such things?"
Martin said angrily: "Whenever someone is injured at sea, we should help. If we hadn't saved you back then, you might already be fish food."
"Enough of that, everyone decided to place her with you. You're retired Marines; if anything seems off, you can stop it in time."
Then he poked Ian slyly.
"I've seen her. She's incredibly beautiful. You'll be in big trouble if you don't want her. We have even asked her, and she's agreed."
"Forget about Genny and Della. You've made Tok so nervous, he's constantly worried you will steal his wife and daughter. He has finally settled down lately."
With that, before Ian could say anything, he turned and ran while saying: "I'll bring her over later. You can get married tonight. It's about time you got married anyway. Oh, and thanks for helping with Genny's matter."
"Hey, hey, hey."
Ian put down his axe and looked helplessly at Chief Martin, who was running away.
"I haven't said whether I agree or not yet!"
Finally, he could only shake his head and say nothing more.
He really had been thinking that if his golden finger never came, then he would just marry a woman with an amazing figure, settle down, have children, and live quietly.
But he hadn't expected it to happen so soon!
As for Genny, it was simply a matter of helping out after returning to the island and seeing her former being bullied by her incompetent, alcoholic husband.
Ian picked up the one-handed axe he had brought back from the Branch Base. He then walked into his recently built wooden house, glanced around, and thought: "Getting married… Huh…"