Chapter 30 - I see potential in you

Bob woke up early the day after he received news that him/Faceless and Luffy received their bounties. He thought he was the first to get up, but he heard clanging sounds, so he assumed someone within his group was sparring with each other.

Bob changed into Vanthof's marine uniform and then he changed into Vanthof. Enough time has went by so it was time to do what he originally came to this island for. Luckily Vanthof was willing to tell Bob that if he were to ever go to that Island it would be because he was running out of resources. Therefore Bob should say the same thing.

His rank wasn't the highest in the marines, but it was not the lowest either. No one would really question him why he was there.

After changing into Vanthof Bob grabbed a large backpack. This is what would he was planning on putting the den-den mushi in.

Bob left his room and headed towards the deck to see who was up. To his surprise it was the female lion mink and John. Both of them were sparring.

The female lion mink was called Luna, she had her own story to tell, just like the other ex-slaves. She was someone who Bob put under Ron, he felt that she was unique in her own way. He couldn't say exactly why, but he just felt that way.

Bob noticed Ron laying down with his legs crossed, he was reading a book. This was Ron's hobby, if he was not training or out doing things for or with Bob, he was usually reading.

Bob did not interrupt John and Luna's sparring session instead he went over to Ron.

"Hey Ron."

Ron put the book he was reading down and looked up at Bob.

"I need you to come with me. I need to visit the supply base, its time we got the den-den mushi's."

Ron furrowed his eyebrows.

Bob assumed he was asking why did he need him.

"I need your ability, just follow me around in the base. It'll be odd if I go in there take all the den-den mushi then leave the place empty, they'll start battering me with questions. However, if you follow me things will be different. I can check out two or three den-den mushi, but you can stay in the room and collect the rest. Get as many as you can, if you can't get them all don't worry about it. Just make sure you get a variety of them. Once you're done just come back here or wait for me. If you wait for me, i'll meet you by the entrance, just make sure you tap me on the shoulder or something so I know you're there."

Bob explained to Ron.

Ron nodded his head and grabbed the bag from Bob. He put his book down on the ground.

"Alright, let's go."

Ron blended in with the surroundings and followed behind Bob.

The two of them arrived at the marine supply base.

The two guards saluted Bob who was disguised as Vanthof.

"Morning Commander!"

Bob nodded his head.

"I sent a notification ahead of time saying I was stopping by the resupply, did you not recieve it?"

Bob asked the two guards.

They shook their head.

"We've received no such report. But Captain Oswol might have."

The guards opened the gate and let Bob enter.

"So far so good."

Bob mumbled to himself as he entered the base.

This was no time for him to look around the base, he just needed to find the officer in charge of supply. Once he found them, he could start checking out den-den mushi.

Bob entered the building, he saw the youngsters doing some early cleaning of the place. They weren't marines yet, but they could be in the future.

They all stood tall when Bob entered. They recognized the rank on his uniform.

"Morning sir!"

They said in unison.

Bob nodded his head.

He looked at one of them and asked a question.

"Do you know whose in charge of supply here? I'm here to pick up some supplies for my base."

The youngster broke into a smile, but quickly changed it so he seemed more serious.

"Yes, do you want me to lead you there sir?"

Bob nodded his head.

"Sure, why not."

"Follow me then."

Bob started following the youngster, they went straight then around a few corners until they reached a large space. Inside the space were marines with checklist in their hands checking off items to make sure they were accounted for.

"What's going on?"

Bob asked.

"Today's inspection day sir. Meaning we have to make sure all our equipment is accounted for and works."

"Ah, I should have figured."

Bob said.

The youngster pointed to one man with a square chin. He had a strong build that make him seem powerful.

"That's Warrant Officer Fuller. He's in charge of supply, if you need something just ask him."

Bob patted the youngster on the shoulder.

"You've done good work today kid, I have a feeling you'll make a fine marine."

The youngster hearing Bob's praise broke into a smile and nodded his head.

"It's always been my dream!"

Bob nodded his head.

"Alright, now off with you."

Bob quickly changed his attitude and shooed the youngster away.

Bob walked over to Warrant Officer Fuller.

"Officer Fuller, i've come to pick up my supplies."

Warrant Officer Fuller looked at Bob then looked at the list in his hand.

"Name's Vanthof, i'm just here to pick up a den-den mushi. The one I had died on me."

"I don't see your name on the list. Maybe your order will be in next week."

Warrant Officer Fuller said.

"Don't you have some stored here already?"

"We do, but those are being shipped out soon. Which is why we are having this inspection But, if it's only one… I could give you one."

Warrant Officer Fuller said.

"One is all I need. Where should I go to get it?"

"Eh, just wait here. I'll go grab it, but in the meantime, you can start filling out this paperwork."

Warrant Officer Fuller pulled a sheet of paper from under his checklist and passed it to Bob. He also gave him a pen.

Bob looked over the form. It wanted to know who he was, what his rank was, where he was stationed and more. At the end he needed to sign it and write what he was receiving.

Warrant Officer Fuller started to walk off after handing Bob the form.

"Follow him and get everything you can."

Bob said softly, so the person next to him could hear him.

Ron tapped his shoulder in response.

Bob started filling in the information as best as he could. The only thing he lacked was Vanthof's marine identification number. Bob started putting in random numbers, he just hoped they'd look legit.

If anything happened after that, it was no longer his problem.

Vanthof may get away with it due to his rank, but there might be some sort of action taken against him. Bob wasn't too sure. If Vanthof got replaced Bob did not really mind, it would only bother him if someone more competent and actually did their job replaced him. Then that would pose a problem for Bob.

That's the only reason he did not report Vanthof, he needed him to hold his position for now.

After waiting five minutes, Fuller came back with a den-den mushi.

"This ones older, but it should hold you over for the next year or so. If you return next week, we'll have more to give away, but our hands are tied at this moment. Send in your order again, maybe there was some sort of delay at the top of the command which caused your order to get lost or something."

Warrant Officer Fuller handed Bob the den-den mushi.

"I would give you a black den-den mushi, but I have to listen to the admirals orders. You know how these things go."

Bob nodded his head.

Ron did not tap him on the shoulder yet, so he hasn't returned. Bob decided to stick around and wait for his return.

Bob started conversing with Warrant Officer Fuller for a little bit, mostly to see if he could gain any sort of information.

Bob kept his words to a minimum. He did not want to say anything a commander wouldn't say, nor did he want to act out of character.

He spent ten minutes talking to Fuller before Ron tapped him on his shoulder.

"It was nice talking to you Officer Fuller, I see great potential in you."

"You're just saying that."

"No I really do. But, I think its best I leave here. Can't keep my subordinates waiting on my return."

"Have a safe trip Commander."

Bob nodded his head and turned to leave the base.

He remembered the way the youngster from earlier showed him.

As he left the marine base, he was curious where Captain Oswol was. Bob did not see him, but it was probably for the best. Seems he knew Vanthof, and Bob doubted he could fool that guy like he did the others.

Ron and Bob quickly made their way to their ship.

Once on board Bob changed back to his normal appearance, and Ron undid his ability.

"Alright, show me the goods now!"

Ron opened the backpack revealing a large amount of den-den mushis.

He grabbed a lot of the black kind, the ones that go around a person's wrist.

Bob started taking them out and counting them.

There were 5 normal den-den mushi, 10 baby den-den mushi, 20 black den-den mushi, 5 white den-den mushi, 2 horned den-den mushi. That was 42 in total, but then Ron pulled out 4 more.

Bob recognized these, all of them were visual den-den mushi, but two were the proko type and the other two was the cameko type.

"You did good Ron. You did good!"

With his mission complete, Bob now leave Vile Island if he wanted to. However, he planned on staying here for a little bit longer.