Reach People

"That said, I was torn for a moment at first. For among the information given by Captain Adkin, there was a mention that Longinus might be a 17 or 18 year old."

Longinus was stunned for a moment and soon understood, "Perhaps I have a rather old-fashioned style. The older children in town also like to call me 'nii'. On the contrary, Rear Admiral Jonathan, how did you confirm my presence? Is it because of my name?"

"Of course not. The kind of speed and strength you just showed is not always what some captains of the headquarters who are well versed in physical skills can achieve. I think it is still unlikely that two strong people of the same name will appear in this part of our sea within such a short period of time."

Jonathan said in his heart: "Even I, in the first place, it is impossible to catch a bullet with the body within such a short distance without using the Rokushiki - Tekkai or Busoshoku Haki. Do we finally have a monster like Kaido or BIG-MOM physical body in the Marine?"

(Garp would bleed from a sneak attack by Morgan. It means that most of the strong physical skills should not have a body of steel like Kaido or BIG-MOM.)

"Compared with Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Zephyr, this strength of mine is still too far away. We must always sharpen ourselves with the idea of justice." Longinus, just in time, displayed a vision for the Marine.

Jonathan was stunned and then laughed loudly: "Hahaha! You are aiming for the top of the Marine? Very good! Young people should have that kind of vision and ambition. I hope that the next time we meet again, you are still doing what you believe in, and continue to struggle to carry out justice."

After saying that, Rear Admiral Jonathan did not continue to stay. He slowly left with the group of marines behind him.

The crowds also gradually dispersed. However, the wave of interest did not subside. The legend about the two men was quietly growing.

At that moment, the little girl stepped aside. She looked at the two men with sparkling eyes and handed the nearly withered flower held in front of her chest to T Bone. Her crisp and soft voice came out.

"Bone oji-san, Longinus-nii, thank you for saving me. I'm going to give these flowers to... aiya! Already mashed up?"

Seeing the little girl's crying and pitiful looks, T Bone was a little overwhelmed and said, "What's wrong with you..., did I carelessly crush you some time ago?"

Longinus bent down, and he placed his palm on the little girl's head. He said gently like a gentle breeze: "I love your gift. It contains gratitude and tears. It is the most valuable gift I have received this year!"

"Really... is it true?" The little girl stopped crying, and her eyes shone with sparkling light.

"Of course it's true. Go home quickly, your family is probably looking for you anxiously!"

"Mmmmmm!" The little girl gave a strong nod, "Longinus-nii, Bone oji-san, thank you for saving me. You're all the best people in the world!"

Seeing the little girl jumping and laughing away, Bone had a demented smile on his face. If this is placed in that other world, he might be taken as a pervert and arrested.

After a long time, Bone woke up from his demented state. He held the crumpled bunch of flowers tightly in his hands and stumbled to Longinus and asked, "No... excuse me. Can this bunch of flowers... be left to me? I... don't have much money, but I will definitely try to earn money to repay you."

"Of course you can, no need to be so polite. This would have been a gift from the little one to you. If it wasn't for you, it wouldn't have lasted the moment I was on the field." Longinus smiled casually.

"Longinus-san, thank you... You are really a godsend!" Bone cherished the bouquet and carefully put it away, and said with happiness: "The third one, I finally received the third gift of my life!"

After listening to T Bone's sad words, Longinus could understand why he had the faith to become a Marine.

A person like Bone with a wicked, or even evil spirit's face, even if he does more good, it is hard to erase the hatred that most people derive from instinct.

From what he did today, he certainly did not help a few people in general. However,... the people who really gave him gifts to show their gratitude, plus the little girl today, are only three. It is difficult to imagine what kind of pain he usually endures.

Because of this, he will be so eager to become a Marine. He even was beaten by those trash figures and did not dare to resist. He was hoping that he could be widely recognized and accepted by more people the moment he put on the coat of justice.

Longinus learned early that the world is never fair. The best proof of this is that people like T Bone, who put in ten times the effort of others, can hardly have one-tenth of what others get.

"Let's get to know each other again. My name is Longinus and I am 12 years old. I come from the town of Fallen Leaves on the Grand Line." Longinus had a gentle smile on his face and a clean mind. A person with low self-esteem and kindness like T Bone will only need to give some light to reap a pure heart.

"My... name is T Bone and I am now 19 years old. I am a citizen of Hundred Leaves City in the South Blue." T Bone looked a little bit terrified. Someone like Longinus, who is powerful and confident and shines brightly, should be born to be the focus of the world's attention. He and someone like him, who is unpopular, should simply belong to opposite worlds.

Longinus, slightly stunned, this guy's face really... looks old. Even if he says he is 39 years old, he will not be surprised.

The good thing is that with Longinus's mastery of his inner self, he was not so rude as to show any impolite look and soon gave a warm greeting.

"The South Blue? That's a wonderful sea with many bright and strange rumors spread. Have you heard the legendary beings like griffins even appeared in your area?"

Hearing Longinus mention his hometown, T Bone immediately felt that the other side was more friendly. It broke that illusory gap of the superiority, and he responded with warmth and openness.

"Do you also know the legend of the griffin? At that time, that griffin appeared near my hometown. I even saw it once with my own eyes, only to be captured later by a group of very powerful pirates. I heard that it became their private collection."

"Forget about these upsets." Longinus shook his head and asked, "Bone, are you also going to sign up in two days?"

"Yes, but I don't have the same ambitious ideals as you, Longinus. I just want to become a Marine. I want to be able to guard the smiles on everyone's faces, to be accepted and respected by everyone!" Bone said shyly but firmly.

"In that case, let's go together in two days. We are not familiar with this place, and two people can be considered nakama together."

"Is it really... really okay?"

"Of course, having fought side by side, we are even friends!"

"Friends...," Bone muttered to himself. For him, it was always just a dream.

Bone, who looked to be in his 30s or 40s, actually cried like a small child with his hands and feet, "Longinus-san, thank you!"