"So the rumors are true—you really are loaded."
Daren had just stepped into the yard when a low, amused voice called out from ahead.
Beneath the shade of an oak tree sat two beach chairs. One of them was occupied by a figure lounging without a care in the world.
"Breaking into someone else's yard isn't exactly polite, you know," Daren said with a light laugh.
Dragon shrugged, grinning.
"Don't be so stingy. A house this big? You're not gonna use all of it anyway."
Daren could only shake his head at this shameless guy.
He laid back in the other beach chair, gazing silently up at the star-strewn sky. His deep eyes slowly lost focus.
Seeing Daren say nothing, and unable to keep quiet for long, Dragon quickly looked for a topic.
"Hey, I never congratulated you—top of the class at this year's training camp!"
"It's only just begun. Don't forget, Kuzan's not called a 'monster' for nothing," Daren replied, glancing over at him.
"But tell me, Rear Admiral Dragon... you really not going home?"
Dragon shook his head.
"Nope. Just had a big fight with the old man. Don't feel like going back to stare at that sour face."
"Oh?" Daren asked casually. "What'd you fight about?"
Dragon laced his hands behind his head, staring at the stars as he sighed.
"I told the old man, all excited, that I want to become an Admiral someday."
"But he just flipped out—like a cat with its fur on end. Told me to give up on that dream. Said I should just aim to be a Vice Admiral like him, live a carefree life. Said my personality isn't suited for being an Admiral."
As he spoke, Dragon's tone turned bitter and a little indignant.
"Just because he doesn't want a promotion doesn't mean no one else does, you know?"
He turned his head to look at Daren.
"Daren, you get it, right? I grew up hearing about him—everyone calling me the son of the Marine 'Hero,' talking about how I inherited his heroic blood..."
"You don't like hearing that kind of praise?" Daren suddenly cut in.
Dragon was taken aback. He hesitated.
"Not exactly..."
Then he frowned, annoyed.
"It's just... everyone throws expectations at me, but no one ever asks what I want."
Daren rolled his eyes.
Typical rich kid problems. Honestly, he's just got too much time on his hands.
He couldn't help but complain inwardly.
"So what do you want?"
At that, Dragon's eyes lit up. He sat up a little, his voice full of enthusiasm.
"Great question!"
He suddenly shouted, startling Daren enough to nearly jump out of his chair.
"Daren, you know what? I've had a dream since I was a kid."
In his eyes, the stars seemed to glow even brighter, and on his face was that reckless, youthful arrogance only the young could pull off.
"I want to change the world!"
"Change the world?"
Daren raised an eyebrow, teasing lightly.
"I can't speak for others, but the world's treated you pretty well, hasn't it?"
"Bathed in the glow of a 'hero's' name, living a life most people couldn't even dream of."
"As far as I know, you were already a flashy Lieutenant Commander in Marine Headquarters at fifteen. When I was fifteen, I was still a lowly Seaman Recruit in the North Blue—scrubbing toilets and doing grunt work for my superiors."
"You had the admiration of high-ranking officers and trained alongside the elite of the Marines;"
"I spent my days either dealing with foul-mouthed soldiers or risking my life against mobsters and pirates."
"So do us all a favor—spare the complaints."
Dragon's face flushed red. He stammered awkwardly.
"Th-that's not what I meant, Daren..."
Daren waved it off.
"Then go on. Why do you want to change the world?"
Dragon took a deep breath.
"Back when I was little, I lived in the East Blue. A place called Foosha Village. Like the name says, there were windmills everywhere—you've heard of it, right?"
Daren nodded, thinking to himself, Of course I have. Probably know more about it than you do.
"My mom died when I was really young. The old man was always busy with his duties, so he didn't have time for me. The villagers basically raised me."
He paused, eyes softening with memory.
"It was a peaceful place. No wars, no disasters. Life was good."
"Until one day, a wave of refugees washed up from the sea..."
His voice dropped.
"I'll never forget it. Their bodies were nothing but skin and bone—barely human. They looked like walking skeletons."
"They came from a country ravaged by famine. Then the pirates came and made it worse. Over half the population starved to death."
"The villagers tried to help them, but their bodies were too far gone. They didn't last long."
"Do you know, Daren... their homeland was only two days away by sea from Foosha Village. Just a few hundred nautical miles, yet it felt like a world apart—heaven on one side, hell on the other."
"I remember thinking... if only I had more power, more resources, maybe I could've saved them. Right?"
"If I became an Admiral—no, even a Fleet Admiral—I'd have the authority and manpower to truly protect justice. Wouldn't I?"
Dragon clenched his fists, voice tightening with conviction.
"I'm not saying the old man's way is wrong. Cracking down on pirates is important."
"But maybe—just maybe—there's more we, as Marines of justice, should be doing."
"Protecting the weak. Defending the people... Isn't that what the Marines are supposed to stand for?"
"That's my dream!"
He stood up suddenly.
"I want to use Marine justice to change the world!"
"To make it a better, happier place!"
Daren said nothing for a while.
He turned and looked at Dragon's young, idealistic profile... and something clicked.
So this version of Dragon still believed in Marine justice...
But Dragon, do you really think that country's suffering was caused only by famine and pirates?
Do you really believe... the Marines can change the world?
"Maybe Vice Admiral Garp was right."
Daren's words caught Dragon off guard.
"You really aren't suited to be an Admiral. Let alone a Fleet Admiral."
"Go home. It's late. I need some rest."
With that, Daren rose from the chair and headed into the house.
Just as the door was about to close, he added one final line.
"Dragon, this world is far crueler than you think... One day, you'll understand."
Young and full of ideals—some people only learn after they've hit the wall hard enough to bleed.
Until then, no one's words can change their minds.
Bang!
The door closed behind him without hesitation.
Leaving Dragon standing alone in the yard, stunned.
And silent for a long, long time.
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
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