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Chapter 120is out!!!! +40 advanced chapters monthly
"Alright, you. Go steer the warship!" Garp barked, pointing a meaty finger at the Marine Bai Shui had just locked his gaze onto.
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Being stared down simultaneously by both Garp and Bai Shui made the poor man's hair stand on end. He quickly saluted before kicking off the air, using Geppo to cross the gap to Bai Shui's warship.
"Are we really that terrifying?"
Garp and Bai Shui exchanged a look before bursting into identical, booming laughter. The surrounding Marines couldn't help but sweatdrop. It was painfully obvious that the young Major and the Marine Hero were cut from the same cloth; even their mannerisms were completely in sync.
"Alright, old man, I'm done chatting. I've got to head back," Bai Shui said, standing up as he noticed his warship beginning to move.
"Off with you, then," Garp nodded dismissively, turning back to the bow of his own ship to loudly crunch on his rice crackers.
The moment Bai Shui stepped onto his deck, he spotted Aqi. She was huddled in a corner, draped in his oversized coat, stubbornly refusing to change into proper clothes.
"You're back, Bai Shui!" Her face lit up with immediate joy, and she scrambled as if to run to him.
But halfway there, she suddenly froze. Realizing she was in trouble, she nervously fidgeted with the hem of the coat, looking for all the world like a child who had been caught misbehaving by a strict parent.
Bai Shui couldn't help but let out a bitter, affectionate sigh. He found that he couldn't bear to scold her, not even a little. Closing the distance, he pulled her tightly into his arms and whispered into her ear. "You see? Still want to be this reckless? Running off while I wasn't around... now you understand just how cruel this world can really be, don't you?"
"Mm," Aqi hummed, burying her face into his chest. "I knew you'd treat me the best. Hehe."
Hearing his gentle tone, a massive weight lifted off her shoulders. She rubbed her cheek against his uniform, entirely content.
"I swear, I don't know what to do with you." Bai Shui flicked her forehead sharply.
"Ow!" Aqi bared her teeth in a playful grimace, pretending she was going to bite him.
"I'm serious," Bai Shui said, his tone turning grave as he pressed his forehead against hers. "Next time you want to go out and play, you have to tell me. I won't always be lucky enough to arrive right in the nick of time like I did today, understand? If something had happened to you... I don't know how I'd survive. The only one allowed to lay a finger on you is me. Got it?"
"Got it," Aqi whispered softly.
Before Bai Shui could even react, she leaned up and captured his lips with hers.
Zzt!
The moment their lips met, a metaphorical electric current swept through them both, making them tremble slightly.
From the shadows of the deck, the rest of the crew watched with immense envy, their eyes practically shining with romantic fantasies. After the harrowing ordeal they'd just survived, every woman aboard wished they were the one wrapped in Bai Shui's protective embrace. Unfortunately, Bai Shui's heart belonged entirely to Aqi. They never stood a chance.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Bastille was resting below deck. Given the severity of his injuries, he had been given basic first aid and was resting under observation. Bai Shui and the others felt deeply indebted to him; had Bastille not fought so desperately to buy them time, Bai Shui would never have made it in time.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Mm. Your aura is much more contained. It's refined significantly," Fleet Admiral Sengoku noted, circling Bai Shui with an approving nod. "Excellent. Your growth has far exceeded my expectations."
Bai Shui always managed to give him pleasant surprises.
"Alright, go get some rest. There are no urgent assignments for the time being. Spend some quality time with Aqi, so you can stop accusing me of being a slave driver who won't let you see your girlfriend!" Sengoku chuckled warmly.
"Understood. Thanks, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
With a quick nod, Bai Shui turned and left the office.
Bai Shui's Residence.
So what if it was broad daylight? The two lovers had been separated for far too long to care. The moment the curtains were drawn, it was like dry wood meeting a sparking flame. Soon, the only sound echoing through the quiet house was the rhythmic, squeaking protest of the bed frame.
By the time night fell, Bai Shui slowly blinked awake.
His entire body ached as if he had entirely drained his stamina reserves. He didn't want to move a single muscle, and his eyelids felt like they were made of lead.
Aqi was curled up against his chest like a contented little kitten, a faint, peaceful smile playing on her lips. Being close to him clearly gave her an immense sense of security.
Bai Shui glanced down under the blankets. That was a mistake. The sight of her soft, bare curves instantly sparked a familiar heat, threatening to reignite the fire. Terrified of his own lack of self-control, he hurriedly pulled the blanket back over her. I can't overindulge, he reminded himself. It wasn't good for him, and it certainly wasn't good for Aqi.
Moving as quietly as possible, Bai Shui slipped out of bed, tucked her in properly, and headed to the bathroom. He was covered in sweat, and the sticky feeling was driving him crazy.
Phew.
Sinking into the warm water of the bathtub, Bai Shui leaned his head back against the porcelain and let out a long, shuddering breath.
He finally had a window of free time. He wanted to get his wedding sorted out as soon as possible. The Marines were constantly swamped with work; if he hesitated now, his and Aqi's wedding might get delayed indefinitely. He was turning twenty-two this year, and Aqi wasn't getting any younger either. It was time.
He decided he would ask Sengoku for leave to go home and host the ceremony.
The venue? Kuro Island.
Of course, he would need to visit the island beforehand to make preparations. He hadn't been back to Kuro Island since that incident. Every time he thought of returning, dark memories threatened to pull him under. But some things had to be faced head-on. There was no avoiding it.
After his bath, Bai Shui put together a carefully prepared dinner.
The moment the steaming plates hit the table, Aqi shot up from the bed like a starving ghost. With lightning speed, she washed her face, brushed her teeth, and scrambled to the dining table.
"Starving, aren't you? Here, try this." Bai Shui shook his head in amusement, sliding a bowl of fragrant, sweet white porridge toward her.
"It's delicious!" Aqi took one spoonful, and her eyes practically turned into stars. Tossing all ladylike manners out the window, she lifted the bowl and practically drank the porridge whole. The look of pure bliss on her face was all the proof he needed of his culinary skills.
"Slow down, will you? You're a twenty-two-year-old woman, and you're going to be a mother to our kids someday. How are you still acting like this? Sigh," Bai Shui lamented, though his eyes were full of helpless affection. He really couldn't stay mad at her.
Then, the mood shifted. "Aqi... let's get married in the next few days. I have a feeling it's going to be very hard to find this kind of free time in the future."
"Mm, okay! Whatever you say!" Aqi replied cheerfully, her tone entirely casual and carefree.
But Bai Shui noticed the deep crimson blush creeping up the back of her neck. He knew exactly how overjoyed she was. How long had she been waiting to hear him say those words?
Finally, he had spoken them.
"Alright. If you don't have any objections, I'll go let Sengoku know tomorrow. Then we'll head back to Kuro Island. Let's have the wedding there!"
"Mm, okay! Whatever you say!" Aqi repeated, giving him a look that clearly said: I'm yours now, so you better take responsibility for me.
"Good, then it's settled. I'll go see Sengoku first thing tomorrow. Hehe... I'll definitely have to wring a wedding gift out of the old man while I'm at it!" Bai Shui snickered, looking thoroughly mischievous.
"You're unbelievable. You'd actually dare extort the Fleet Admiral? Aren't you worried he'll find a way to get back at you later?" Aqi rolled her eyes in exasperation. Sometimes her man was incredibly reliable, and other times he seemed like he had a screw loose. Couldn't he be serious for once?
"Hehe, let's talk about it later. Eat up!" Bai Shui grinned. Perhaps the impending wedding had put him in too good of a mood; he simply couldn't stop smiling.
It was a good night's sleep.
The next day. Fleet Admiral Sengoku's Office.
"WHAT?! You're getting married?!" Sengoku practically leaped out of his chair.
"What's so surprising about that?" Bai Shui replied, perfectly calm. "If it weren't for a few unexpected accidents, I would've been married ages ago. I wouldn't have dragged it out until now." He was twenty-two, after all. Life was short. If he didn't get married soon, they'd both be old and gray.
"Fine, fine. I'll give you one week. Is that enough? Once your seven days are up, get your ass right back here, understand?!" Sengoku sighed, exasperated, as he grabbed his pen and stamped approval on a seven-day leave form.
He shoved the paper into Bai Shui's hands and waved him off in disgust. He was getting a headache just looking at the kid.
"Hehe... Fleet Admiral, sir. As you can see, I'm getting married. Shouldn't you... y'know, show a little token of your appreciation?" Bai Shui rubbed his hands together, adopting the pathetic guise of a penniless miser.
"You brat... you actually have the gall to try and hustle your Fleet Admiral?! Fine. You win. Take this. It should be valuable enough." Defeated, Sengoku rubbed his temples, opened his desk drawer, and tossed a brilliantly sparkling blue gemstone to Bai Shui.
"Alright, you've got what you wanted. Now get out. Honestly, you're annoying me." Sengoku waved him away like a pesky fly. He didn't want to look at Bai Shui for another second.
"Oh, and please keep my wedding quiet, sir! We just want a peaceful ceremony!"
Throwing those final words over his shoulder, Bai Shui bolted out of the office.
"That kid... sigh." Sengoku shook his head helplessly. He truly had no idea how to handle such a slippery rascal.
Kuro Island.
Bai Shui's eyes were filled with nostalgia. It had been two whole years since he last set foot here.
Everything looked exactly the same. Kuro Island remained just as peaceful and serene as he remembered. The only difference was that it was vastly safer now.
Everyone in the region knew Kuro Island had a guardian deity. Any pirate with half a brain knew better than to plunder this place, lest they draw the wrath of a certain Marine.
"Is that...? Bai Shui? Are you Bai Shui?!"
The moment Bai Shui stepped onto the docks, an old man leaning heavily on a cane called out to him.
"Yes, it's me, Mayor!"
Bai Shui immediately rushed forward to support him, a wave of complex emotions hitting him hard. He had never realized a person could age so rapidly. Just two years ago, the Mayor had been spirited and healthy enough to set sail with him. Now, he looked like he struggled just to walk.
His once-black hair had turned entirely to frost. A man in his fifties now looked as though he was pushing eighty.