A morning of training left Jake and Monet feeling exhausted.
However, when the two dragged their sowhat heavy bodies to the cafeteria, most of the marines smiled and made way for them.
Although Jake and Monet felt a bit embarrassed to accept this treatnt, after all, others had also been queuing for a long ti to eat and everyone was hungry after a morning of training.
Taking soone else's place like this didn't seem quite right.
But they soon discovered that if they didn't step forward, the others wouldn't be willing to go ahead and eat either, just wasting ti like this.
The reason why the soldiers treated Jake and Monet this way was simple.
It wasn't because of flattery about their promising future or anything like that, but purely out of sincere respect for the two of them.
Jake didn't need to be ntioned.
He spent ti almost every day with Ms. Elibam treating injured soldiers in the base.
After each treatnt session, what made Jake happier than the constantly increasing Holy Light proficiency was the smiles on those faces that seed to have been given a new life.
Though it might seem a bit sentintal, the positive emotional feedback from people can truly be a great source of encouragent.
On the scorching sumr island of Water Seven, Monet's presence had beco a hidden air conditioner for all the soldiers.
Wherever she was, she would consciously release a hint of cold air to make the surrounding temperature more bearable.
While this wasn't difficult for Monet—in fact, it was rely a side effect of her efforts to keep Jake comfortable—it still allowed the hardworking Marines to enjoy a cool environnt after a long day.
The ss hall, usually much hotter than the outside, often left everyone sticky with sweat after als.
But now, lunchti had beco refreshing and clean.
With both their physical recovery and comfort relying on Jake and Monet, the Marines' respect for the two of them was deep and heartfelt.
Lunch consisted of richly prepared Sea King at served with rice drizzled in a special sauce, along with a variety of vegetables and fruits.
For the Marines, two things were never to be skimped on: food and weapons.
Jake swallowed the last bite of at in his mouth, took a sip of the ice water beside him and let out a long sigh.
After finishing his al, he turned his gaze to Monet, who was still eating in front of him.
She ate gracefully but not slowly—after all, the Marines' lunch break was short, lasting only about forty minutes, including the ti spent getting food.
Before Monet could finish, the urgent sound of the assembly horn rang out.
Staring at the at left in her bowl, Monet abandoned any pretense of ladylike manners, grabbing the last chicken leg with her hand and stacking her plate onto Jake's.
Mumbling through a full mouth, she said.
"Jake! Toss my plate into the sink for —I'll grab you so napkins! I'll wait for you at the door!"
"Don't rush, Monet! You'll choke like that!"
Ten minutes later, Jake and Monet stood in formation among the Marines.
Noticing the grease glinting on Monet's fingernails, Jake shook his head slightly, chuckling to himself.
On the training platform, T-Bone was giving the assembled Marines a basic briefing on their mission.
"Pair up in teams of two and conduct detailed patrols of all areas around Water Seven. Pay special attention to the security conditions near Tom's Workers, keeping a constant watch on the surroundings. Now, the assignnts!"
"...Jake, Monet! You'll cover the route from the back gate of Tom Workers to the first Sea Train station in Water Seven. This route is critically important—guard it well!"
Hearing T-Bone's orders, Jake and Monet responded in unison.
"Yes, Liutenant Commander T-Bone!"
As Jake listened to his assigned patrol route, familiar faces flashed through his mind.
Franky, Iceberg, and Tom—all three were likely still working together in that workshop.
If possible, Jake wanted to build a good relationship with them and see if he could alter Tom's fate.
After all, a man capable of building ships for the Pirate King was valuable enough to be enticing—not to ntion the fact that Tom might very well possess the blueprints for the ancient weapon Pluton.
The voice of Monet urging ca from beside his ear.
"Jake, let's go. Everyone has already set off."
After responding, Jake and Monet followed the main group, jogging away from the Marine branch in Water Seven.
Although he had glimpsed the overall appearance of Water Seven when disembarking at the port that day, it had been nightti, so the scene he saw then was nowhere near as awe-inspiring as today's view.
The entire city was crisscrossed with winding waterways, so so intricately intertwined that they carved new routes right through buildings.
The sunlight happened to spill down at that mont, illuminating the shimring water surfaces, the dancing light sparkling like gold.
Passersby navigated the waterways in oddly shaped small boats, the splashing water adding vibrant energy to the city.
After jogging for about ten minutes, the group finally arrived at their mission destination—Tom's Workers.
The workshop was sowhat distant from the city center but fortunately close to the waterways.
Entering any waterway allowed easy access to any street in Water Seven.
At the entrance of Tom's Workers, a burly fish-man with a kindly smile stood before the Marines.
He seed to have known T-Bone for so ti.
Upon recognizing T-Bone, Old Tom imdiately stepped forward and enveloped him in a bear hug, then said with a laugh.
"T-Bone—no, Lieutenant Commander! It's been so long! Has the branch rotation brought you back here again?"
A faint smile appeared on T-Bone's sowhat fierce face as he replied.
"Yes, the rotation happens every two years. It's my turn again this year. I hope you can complete the Sea Train during my tenure!"
"Hahaha! Of course! Aside from you, I don't trust any other Marines."
T-Bone sighed and frowned.
"Tom, don't say that. My soldiers are all warriors willing to sacrifice themself for justice! Every one of them is a Marine worthy of the people's trust!"
Seeing T-Bone's displeasure, Tom didn't press further and simply asked softly.
"So, which two soldiers will be guarding the back door this ti?"
T-Bone pointed to Monet and Jake, standing inconspicuously in the group and said.
"Two Devil Fruit users."
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