The Two-Dimensional Version Of Wu Mu's Suicide Note (2/5)

Finn remained silent, visibly flustered, a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

"Hmph! It's over for you! The truth is about to come out!" one of the students barked.

"Marshal, this scoundrel must be punished! We've never treated an instructor this way in the Marines!"

"Yes! Scum like him can't be allowed to walk free!" another chimed in.

At Sengoku's order, the adjutant had already summoned Ain, and soon after, she arrived at the Marshal's office.

"Ain! Instructor!" one of the students called out.

"Instructor, we told the Marshal about Finn's crimes against you!" another added.

"Don't be afraid! We're all on your side, Instructor!" they continued, emboldened by her presence.

Though, in their minds, they harbored doubts about Ain, they still viewed her as their untouchable goddess.

Sengoku, trying to diffuse the tension, spoke up: "Instructor Ain, you've been wronged. This b*****d Finn has no respect for rules! If you have any grievances, feel free to speak up!"

Ain's face showed confusion. "Wronged? Marshal, what exactly do you mean by that?"

Her response shocked everyone in the room. Hadn't she been humiliated by Finn?

Sengoku, sensing something was off, glanced at the group of students. He hesitated before speaking again. "These students came to me, reporting that you were... forcibly bullied by Finn."

"Ha?" Ain's eyes widened in disbelief. She quickly turned to look at Finn.

He raised his hands defensively. "Don't look at me. I tried explaining, but they wouldn't listen. They accused me of... well, something ridiculous."

The students didn't back down. "Instructor, we heard you ourselves!" one of them insisted.

"Yeah, you came out of the room crying, covering your face, angry! We all saw it!"

Ain's face twisted with frustration. "What nonsense! Just because two people are in a room together doesn't mean something improper happened. What exactly is running through your heads?"

"But... but... Instructor, we heard you shouting..." another student stammered.

Ain was furious. She picked up a nearby whip and slapped it against the desk. "Enough! Finn was helping me treat a wound. Of course, it hurt!"

"W-Wound?" one of the students hesitated. "But, Instructor, you weren't injured. How could you—?"

Vice Admiral Crane, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up. "Ain, turn around. Let me take a look."

Ain complied, and Crane's eyes widened slightly. "Your X-shaped scar... It's gone!"

"Yes," Ain replied. "Finn treated it for me."

Crane exchanged a knowing glance with Sengoku, her gaze stern. "So, Finn was treating your scar in the lounge?"

"Yes, Vice Admiral," Ain nodded firmly.

"And Finn did nothing improper to you?" Crane pressed.

Ain hesitated for a brief moment, her heart skipping a beat as memories flooded back. Does it count that he… took something from me? she mused silently, though that happened outside the lounge. Shaking off the thought, she replied confidently, "No. Finn didn't harm me. In fact, he helped me, and I'm grateful."

The students were dumbfounded. How did things turn out like this? they thought. They were so sure of what they had heard and seen.

Sengoku's patience snapped. "You fools!" he barked. "You falsely accused a fellow Marine! Get out of here and prepare for your punishment!"

The students hurriedly retreated, too afraid to argue any further. As they passed by Finn, they couldn't help but notice his smirk. We're doomed, they thought. He's definitely going to make us pay for this.

Once they were gone, Sengoku tried to regain his composure. "Ahem, Finn. It seems your Grandpa Sengoku was misled by these students. It's all been a misunderstanding."

"Rest? Grandpa Sengoku, I think you've forgotten something," Finn said coldly, remaining in place.

Sengoku frowned. "Finn, what's with that look? You're giving me that stare again."

"My eldest grandson's despising you, Sengoku," Garp's voice cut in with a teasing grin.

Sengoku's face turned pale. "Garp! Watch your mouth—there's a junior here!"

Garp laughed heartily. "Don't act like I don't know what you're thinking. You made a promise to my grandson, and it's time to make good on it!"

Seeing Garp insist, Ain was surprised by the scene unfolding in front of her. She glanced at Finn, but he stood leaning against the doorframe, visibly bored.

Sengoku, unable to resist Garp's pressure, huffed. "Alright, alright! Finn, tomorrow we'll send you the 2,000 female Marines, as promised."

But Finn wasn't about to be fooled. "Hold on, Grandpa Sengoku. You promised I could pick the 2,000 soldiers myself. Don't try to weasel out by just sending them."

Sengoku pretended to be confused. "Did I say that?"

Vice Admiral Crane stepped in. "Sengoku, don't act like you don't remember. You made a promise. Now honor it!"

"Alright, alright!" Sengoku grumbled, though clearly unhappy. "But leading a battalion isn't child's play. I'll let you choose the 2,000 female Marines, but I'll give you three months to train them. After that, they'll face off in a simulated battle against an experienced team. If you win, they're yours. If you lose, they all come back to me."

Finn narrowed his eyes, understanding the challenge. But instead of backing down, a grin spread across his face. "Deal."

The air grew thick with tension as the challenge hung in the air, but Finn, ever the opportunist, was ready to see it through.