Chapter 4: 4. Pirate
Gion… dropped out of academy?
Staring at the message, Marsh felt a deep sense of disappointment.
Earlier, he'd intervened because he couldn't stand seeing the girls bullying Gion.
But now, his actions had led to Gion's expulsion. Her entire family was affected and forced to leave Marineford.
To think about it, although this was only a junior academy, the students here were mostly children of officers. Marsh had offended quite a few of them, and even his father might have a hard time handling the backlash.
In the original story, Gion didn't seem to have a strong background. She only gained support after joining the Navy and meeting Vice Admiral Tsuru.
[Age 14: Gion's departure hasn't changed your personality. You continue to rule the academy as you please. But one day before graduation, Susan suddenly confesses her feelings to you. Only now do you realize her hostility toward Gion was because of her crush on you. She had even placed all the blame on Gion for the incident.]
What a twisted development!
[How do you respond to her confession?]
[A. "Sorry, I already like someone else."]
[B. "Fuck off! I hate girls!"]
[C. "Then be my pet. I have some tasks for you to complete as my subordinate…"]
To be honest, Susan was only slightly less attractive than Gion.
But Marsh couldn't stand someone so toxic at such a young age.
However, picking option C seemed a bit too mean-spirited.
"I pick B!"
[You push Susan away and sneer.]
["Fuck off! I hate girls!"]
[Susan, shocked, bursts into tears and runs off.]
[Age 15: After a year of brutal training under your father, who was recently promoted to Rear Admiral, you've mastered basic Geppo and Tekkai techniques. Thanks to a well-timed bribe, you're admitted to the Naval Advanced Academy. On the first day, you strut around just like at the junior academy... only to be punched and left with broken bones by an upperclassman named Monkey D. Dragon.]
Monkey D. Dragon?!
Luffy's father!
Garp's son!
The future leader of the Revolutionary Army?!
First, you angered a future admiral candidate in the junior academy, and now you've offended the world's biggest outlaw in the advanced academy.
Is this the villain's aura?
[Age 16: After Dragon shattered your Tekkai with a single punch, you spend the rest of the year being timid and afraid to breathe too loudly in the academy.]
[Age 17: Curious, you ask someone to help track down Gion's whereabouts.]
[The news comes back, after leaving Marineford, Gion's family was attacked by pirates and their fate is unknown.]
[Age 18: Upon graduation, you're assigned to Borsalino's command, thanks to your father's arrangements. Around this time, you learn that Monkey D. Dragon has defected from the Navy.]
Borsalino!
The future Admiral Kizaru!
That's a powerful connection!
[Age 19: Despite your skill in flattery, it doesn't work on Borsalino. Although your combat ability isn't weak among your peers, you still receive no promotion.]
[Age 20: While watching your classmates climb the ranks, you hear rumors of a pirate in the East Blue named Blood Rabbit. You decide to try your luck and go after them.]
[After a month of searching, you find the Blood Rabbit Pirates on a remote island.]
[To your shock, Blood Rabbit is Gion! Instead of a reunion, Gion draws her sword and attacks.]
[The gap between your skills is enormous, and stunned by the revelation, you are struck down by her sword. Simulation ends.]
[Simulation Rating: B-]
[With this rating, the host may choose one skill acquired in the simulation to bring into reality.]
[Reward issued. Please check your inventory.]
Marsh was speechless. The future Vice Admiral Momousagi had become a pirate due to bullying in her youth!
And he'd been killed by her in the simulation!
Luckily, it was just a simulation.
Still, bullying has no place anywhere!
To select a skill, Marsh hesitated briefly before choosing Geppo.
It wasn't exactly offensive, but it beat relying on Tekkai to take hits.
[Congratulations, host, you've acquired Basic Geppo.]
[Please choose one of the three simulated traits: Official's Child, Opportunist, and One More Chance, as your permanent trait.]
[Note: Permanent traits can be used in every simulation and in reality once per month.]
This time, Marsh quickly chose One More Chance. It was easily the best of the three!
And it could even be used in real life!
That was practically like having an extra life!
In addition, this simulation awarded three white-tier rewards.
[Note: Three same-tier rewards can be combined into one of higher quality.]
Upgradable?
"Combine!"
[Congratulations! You've earned a blue-tier reward. Open it?]
What was there to hesitate?
[Open!]