Suiting Up as a Marine #55

Marineford Town

Inside a medium-sized house

Slowly opening my eyes, I couldn't help but smile as I turned on my bed, feeling the soft, somewhat cold sheets on my skin. "It's been a while since I've slept on a decent bed..." I muttered to no one in particular, stretching my arms and yawning as I reluctantly removed myself from the comfortable bed.

'Still, to think they'd give my own place...' I mused as I put on a shirt and headed for the kitchen. 'And such a nice one at that...' I smiled as I looked around and took in the simple but cozy decor of the house.

Once the fleet admiral finished reading the report and questioning me about this and that, he contacted Bogard and had him escort me to my residence in Marineford Town.

The house wasn't crazy, just a regular, medium-sized townhouse near the center of Marineford Town with two bedrooms, a small walled-off yard, and the essentials like a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room.

Naturally, the house was fully furnished, and I only had to unpack, feed Chuchun, and help him settle in the backyard before hitting the hay to get some much-needed shut-eye.

As for Marineford Town, it was huge and lively, with cobblestone streets and rows of colorful, cozy-looking homes. The architecture was reminiscent of a post-medieval European village, with stone-framed houses and slanted roofs.

The houses were arranged in a grid pattern, with wide streets and big courtyards separating them. The town had a central square surrounded by small shops and vendors selling food and goods to the residents.

True to its unmodest appearance, Marineford Town was a lively and bustling community with children running through the streets playing games and women gathering in small groups to chat and trade gossip. The town seemed to have a strong sense of community, which wasn't surprising considering the shared circumstances of its residents.

Overall, Marineford Town was a charming and peaceful place that was a stark contrast to the imposing fortress of Marineford. While the Marines were, defending the world against dangerous pirates and other threats, I imagine their families lived simple and content lives here, far removed from the dangers of the outside world.

'It's a nice place to live... too bad it'll go to shit because the Marines had to fuck to Whitebeard...' I mused, chuckling as I poured myself a cup of tea and started making a sandwich.

I sat down to gobble my breakfast, but I was barely halfway through my sandwich when I heard a knock on the house's doorway. 'That should be my guide...' I mused, taking another bite as I stood and headed for the entrance.

"Coming..." I said as I heard another knock. I quickly reached the hallway and opened the door, pausing at the sight of the woman standing outside with a stern, no-nonsense expression and a suitcase in her hand.

She was a young woman with short vermilion hair, brown eyes, and a bandaid on her left cheek, wearing a Marine uniform with a collared, buttoned shirt, a tie, brown gloves, shorts, and heeled boots.

"Greetings, Commander Strode," The woman greeted as she saluted me, to which I could only raise an eyebrow in confusion. "I am Warrant Officer Isuka," She went, her back straightening as she spoke.

"I was asked to deliver your uniform and show you around the Marineford before taking you to where you will be training and learning starting tomorrow..." The young woman, Isuka, concluded as she offered me the briefcase.

"Then thanks, I'll be your care..." I said, smiling as I took the suitcase from Isuka's hand. "But why did you call me commander... I'm just a fresh recruit..." I asked with a confused frown.

"That's what I want to know..." Isuka muttered in a faint tone that I could only hear thanks to my enhanced hearing. "There is no mistaking it, sir, you have been given the rank of Marine Commander from the fleet admiral himself..." She added, prompting me to raise an eyebrow.

"If you say so..." I said after a momentary pause as I stepped back from the doorway. "Give me a minute to put on the uniform... and make yourself at home..." I added, turning around and heading to my room without waiting for a reply.

...

Several minutes later

'At least he can look like a proper marine and not a common thug in the proper attire...' Isuka mused with an internal sigh as she watched Cedric walk into the room while adjusting the collar of his long white coat.

She had no idea what the higher-ups were thinking, recruiting some thug, a wanted criminal, and giving him such a high rank on the first day, but it was not her place to question her superiors.

"Have I kept you waiting...?" Cedric asked with a smile, snapping Isuka out of her daze and prompting her to shake her head. "That's good to hear... I'm ready to head out if you are..." He went on, gesturing toward the exit.

"Very well, Commander Strode," Isuku said with a nod as she headed for the exit of the house. "Please follow me..." She added as she stood at the doorway, waiting for the young man to catch up.

"Right behind you, and just Cedric will do..." The young man said as he walked up to the ensign. "I'm not a big fan of fancy titles and whatnot," He added with a shrug, putting his hands into his pants pockets.

Isuka didn't comment as she turned around and started walking. "First, we'll head to the town center, where you'll procure most of your daily necessities..." The ensign explained as she started walking.

"Naturally, the stalls you find there are all businesses operated by the citizens of Marinford, so you are expected to pay with the salary you will receive at the end of each month..." She went on as she turned left at the end of the street, and Cedric quietly listened while following behind her.

"However, when you are on duty, you will receive everything you might need to do your job..." Isuka went on, finally stopping as she reached a wide, open area with many crowded stalls and shops.

"In any case, the town center is divided into..." The ensign remarked and promptly paused as she heard a faint thud behind her. She turned to investigate and frowned at the sight of a small boy lying on the ground before Cedric.

"Ah! My balloon!" The boy exclaimed in a panic, reaching up to catch his red balloon rising up as the string slipped from his hand after he bumped into Cedric.

The young man smiled before leaping high to catch the balloon before it flew too far. "Sorry about that, kiddo. Here..." He said as he landed, kneeling before the boy and offering him his balloon back.

The boy momentarily paused as he alternated his gaze between Cedric's face and the balloon before taking it. "Thanks, Mr," He said as he stood up with a big smile and ran off.

Cedric watched the boy leave with a big smile of his own, prompting Isuka to raise an eyebrow as she studied his expression. 'Isn't this guy supposed to be a big, bad thug...?' She mused with a frown.

"What's the matter? Is there something on my face?" Cedric said as he turned to Isuka and noticed her looking with a thoughtful expression, to which the ensign instantly panicked.

"No, sir," Isuka said, shaking away her awkwardness as she cleared her throat. "Let us continue our tour..." She continued, changing the subject as she began introducing the various shops and stalls of the city's center.

...

Eight hours later

Cedric's house

I smiled as I walked into the yard and whistled for Chuchun to come down. "I got you some snacks, boy," I said, shaking a big paper bag, to which the giant bird instantly flew down with an excited chirp.

I put the bag on the ground as Chuchun landed and couldn't help but chuckle as he began devouring the fish inside it. "Easy boy... the food ain't going anywhere..." I said, but the giant bird paid me no mind as he gulped one fish with every peck.

Ensign Isuka had already shown me around most of the island and told me everything I needed to know to start my new life as we headed into the training grounds after touring the town.

Apparently, there was something akin to an academy on the island where new recruits would learn the basics before working under experienced Marine HQ officers in the Grand Line or being sent to one of the four Blues, depending on their performance.

I didn't have to go myself, considering my strength and experience, but I still had the option to learn navigation, steering, and all that good stuff if I wanted, which I did.

As for my physical training, I was told I'd have a designated mentor to help develop my combat skills and help me gain experience before my first deployment.

I didn't know who this mystery teacher was since Isuka herself didn't know, but I could only hope they were not violent old monster like Vice Admiral Garp.

'I guess I'll just have to wait and see. For now I'll need to keep practicing,' I mused as I threw away my long coat and retrieved my notebook from my backpack.

...

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