-1493, Phoenix Island, South Blue-
A marine ship docked on the island and Galan got off with Dragon, a troop of Marines exiting behind them. The Townspeople blinked and looked over at them, whispering amongst themselves.
Galan walked in the streets, a little boy laughing as he ran out in front of him, chasing a soccer ball. The little boy bumped into Galan's leg and fell to the ground, saying "Ouchie~!"
Dragon looked at Galan who was trembling with clenched fists, the Marines behind him frowned at the boy, who looked up and giggled "Sorry, Mister!" Galan looked down at the child who was smiling and giggling with closed eyes.
The boy's body overlapped with himself when he was a child.
Galan cracked his neck and leaned over, helping the boy up gently, handing him the soccer ball. The Boy smiled happily and took the soccer ball, saying "Gee thanks! Are you a Marine, mister?"
Galan snorted and smiled gently, nodding wordlessly.
The Boy had stars in his eyes and said "Cool! I want to be a Marine when I grow up too! Mommy said that Marines are Heroes!" as he swung his fists, slipping on the ground.
Galan caught him and smiled, saying softly "I'm sure you'll be a great Marine one day." The Boy grinned happily and waved at Galan, saying "Bye Mister!" as he ran off to play with his friends.
Galan straightened out and clenched his fists that were covered by leather gloves. Dragon whispered "Are you alright, Vice-Admiral?" Galan let out a breath, replying "Fine. Let's go." as they continued down the street.
He looked behind him at the boy playing with his friends before saying lightly "That boy, find out his name." The Marines looked at each other in confusion and Galan turned back, his expression returning to straight as he added, "Blacklist him from enlisting."
The Marines were stunned and Dragon asked with a troubled tone, "Vice-Admiral…" Galan wasn't hearing it, saying "Such an innocent boy doesn't need to become a Marine drenched in blood and guts. We're not heroes. We're the assholes who clean up shit. Remember that." as he continued walking.
The Marines and Dragon fell silent, following along as one Marine asked Dragon, "Sir…" Dragon waved and frowned "Do it. It's fine. Go find the Mayor of this town and run protocol on the island. If they don't have a Marine Outpost, they'll get one. I want this Island protected in the future, understand?"
The Marines saluted and half of them branched off, marching to find the Mayor and carry out orders. The rest stayed behind Galan and Dragon as Galan said "What was that?" Dragon smiled and replied "Standard Marine procedure, Vice-Admiral."
Galan side-eyed him before turning back to the front, not saying anything.
They walked to the edge of town and stopped in front of a little house with smoke coming out of the chimney. It had a porch with wood posts holding up the awning with a triangular tiled roof.
The roof was a dark blue and the house itself was painted white. The fence of the porch was dark brown along with the porch itself and the stairs leading up to it. The last thing was a dark blue door.
There was a rocking chair on the porch with a window behind it, the curtains drawn but a soft light came through them, showing that there was somebody home.
Galan cracked his fists and Dragon waved the marines behind them. The Marines surrounded the house with their rifles at the ready, not pointing at the house but just about ready to fire at any moment.
Galan walked to the door and his eyes were spiraling, he didn't even see a door in front of him. All he saw was a doorway with a kid drenched in blood standing in it, staring at him.
Dragon watched Galan freeze for the first time in his life as he slowly knocked on the door.
A middle aged woman opened the door and smiled "Hello, is there something you need, officer?" Galan froze and stared at the man behind the woman, sitting in a chair. That familiar face, he saw it every night in his dreams and nightmares, he would never forget it in his life!
He moved the woman out of the way and walked into the house slowly as the woman was stunned. Dragon grabbed her, frowning "Ma'am? You are?" The woman snorted angrily "This is my parents' house! What is the meaning of this!"
Galan stared at the man, who turned to him with an unfriendly face, saying "Who the hell are you? Marines?" Galan muttered "You don't… know me?" The man snorted "Should I know you? I know a lot of people."
Tears dripped from Galan's eyes as he stared at the man with wide eyes and an open mouth, unable to say a word. The man frowned and shouted "Are you a bastard?! Get out of here!"
Galan slowly took off his gloves and muttered "You don't know… You don't know… You don't remember…" Dragon's eyes widened and he got a chill down his spine, tossing the woman to the side, shouting "Wait! Vice Admiral!" he ran to Galan, who backhanded him through the house, smashing through the wall and landing on the grass outside.
Galan stared at the man and muttered "You don't remember…" over and over again as he raised a fist, it turned pitch black, a goopy aura covered it, along with thrill electrical arcs as the house started rumbling.
The weather outside changed and a storm rolled in, thunder rumbling and rain falling as Galan said "You don't remember anything." the man swallowed and said "Now hold on a second! We can talk! Maybe I'll remember then! Are you my boy?!"
Galan froze and laughed, maybe the first time in his life he had uttered such a sound. A little laugh that was not even a second long.
The woman ran over and said "You bad marine! Get off my dad!" Galan didn't even think, swinging his arm behind him. Just before obliterating the woman, Dragon hugged the girl, raising his own arm covered in haki, but how could he compare?
Not to mention Dragon, the entire upper part of the house was blasted away!
Dragon landed on the grass and shouted at the Marines, "Protect this girl! Sanction off the area! NOW!" The Marines had never seen something like this! They quickly scrambled and grabbed the woman, holding her for her own safety as she kicked and screamed, crying "What are you doing?! Daddy!"
An older lady, a man, and the little boy from before were walking towards the house, when the Marines stopped them, saying "Please return, this is an active crime scene." The old lady snorted "Don't play funny with me, young man! That's my house over there!" The young man heard his wife crying and frowned "What's going on over there!"
The Marine looked at the little boy and started to sweat as he muttered "Oh no…" The little boy held a soccer ball, asking "Mister, what's going on?" The Marine didn't know what to say, he was just a Lieutenant! Plus, what was he supposed to say?!
This had never happened before.
Usually the Vice-Admiral would be in and out! Cleaning up scumbags!
Why was this scumbag so special?!