"Oh, got it, Dad. I won't embarrass you!" Rosinante replied earnestly.
"That's what I like to hear. Alright, Kalit take Rosinante to the Logistics Division and get him a new set of bedding. From today onward, Rosinante is officially part of our household."
"Yes, Admiral Sengoku."
Kalit saluted and led Rosinante toward the Navy's logistics department. Meanwhile, Sengoku made his way to his study, unlocked the door with a key, and stepped inside. The room was about the size of a bedroom, furnished with a mahogany desk and shelves packed with books.
Sengoku was renowned as a strategist, and his knowledge ran deep. He had read nearly every volume in this room.
He sat at the desk, opened his leather briefcase, and pulled out the day's unfinished paperwork, reviewing each document with great care. Though Fleet Admiral Kong had granted him half a day off, the work wouldn't handle itself especially in an era when the seas were in turmoil. Every decision he signed off on could shift the balance of the world.
Back at Logistics, Rosinante received a full set of basic supplies issued to Navy recruits: bedding, a toothbrush, washbasin, towel, and slippers.
He carried them back to Sengoku's estate. As he returned, he noticed movement in the kitchen. Peeking in, he saw a few chefs brought over from the Navy's main cafeteria, busily preparing the evening feast.
Rosinante quickly laid out his bedding and then headed for Sengoku's study. He knocked, then entered. Sengoku was still poring over documents but looked up when Rosinante stepped in.
"Something you need, Rosinante?"
Rosinante was momentarily stunned by the sea of books that filled the room. After a brief pause, he replied, "Oh, no, Dad. I finished getting my things and just wanted to ask if there's anything I can help with for tonight's dinner."
"The dinner? No need. Fleet Admiral Kong had a few chefs transferred from the Marine kitchen. We're all set. You go play in the courtyard for now, I still have some paperwork to finish. Once I'm done, I'll come keep you company."
"Okay, Dad. Oh, by the way, you've got so many books here! Can I come in to read them sometimes?"
Sengoku smiled. "Of course. But one rule, never touch any of the files on my desk. Those are classified Navy documents, understood?"
"Got it, Dad. I won't touch them."
"Good boy."
Rosinante gave a nod, then said, "I'll let you get back to work, then." and left the study, carefully closing the door behind him.
Outside, he glanced at the training yard and the rows of professional-grade exercise equipment. Clenching his fists, he muttered to himself, "Alright, Rosinante, break time's over. Time to train. One hundred laps around the courtyard on your hands, then one hundred frog jumps, three hundred push-ups, five hundred barbell presses. If I don't finish, I'll tack on a hundred pull-ups. Starting now!"
And with that, Rosinante began his intense workout in the courtyard. Sengoku, watching from the window, couldn't help but nod approvingly.
With this kind of determination, there's no doubt he'll grow into a fine Marine someday.
—
As night fell, Admiral Sengoku finally rose from his desk and stretched out his stiff limbs. He pushed open the door to his study and stepped into the courtyard, only to find that Rosinante was still training. The boy was soaked in sweat, his body trembling and clearly pushed to its physical limits.
"Rosinante."
"Dad!"
"That's enough for today. You've trained more than enough, go take a shower and change your clothes. Our guests will be arriving soon."
"Okay, Dad! But… I don't have any clean clothes to change into…"
"Ah… then just wear one of my shirts for now. Tomorrow, I'll have Kalit pick up some spare clothes for you in town."
Sengoku scratched his chin in slight embarrassment. This was his first time being a father, he hadn't thought about buying the boy a change of clothes.
Rosinante rushed to wash up, then emerged wearing one of Sengoku's dress shirts. At just eight years old, Rosinante's frame was still small, while Sengoku was built like a tank.
As a result, the shirt draped over Rosinante like a long robe—practically a dress.
"…This'll do for now. We'll sort it out tomorrow."
Sengoku rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. Just then, the main gate of the estate was kicked open with a loud crash. The flimsy wooden doors flew straight off their hinges, slamming to the ground. In strode none other than Garp, grinning broadly, flanked by Granny Tsuru and a young girl about Rosinante's age.
"Wahahaha! Sengoku! Tsuru and I came to see ya!"
Sengoku froze for a moment, staring at the broken door now lying at his feet. Then he roared:
"MY GATE! DAMN YOU, GARP!!"
"Ahahaha! Sorry, Sengoku! I just got excited when I heard there was a banquet, guess I overdid it a bit!" Garp burst into laughter, clearly not sorry at all.
Sengoku was fuming. He pointed to the gate and shouted, "You're not getting a bite to eat until you fix that door!"
"Ehhh? You don't have to be so harsh…"
Garp whined, but Sengoku was unyielding. Grumbling, Garp bent down, grabbed the fallen door, and started fumbling with tools, trying to reattach it.
Meanwhile, Sengoku led Rosinante to Tsuru.
"Rosinante, this is Granny Tsuru, Great Staff Officer at Headquarters and one of my oldest comrades. Just call her Granny Tsuru."
"Nice to meet you, Granny Tsuru." Rosinante said politely.
"My, what a well-mannered little gentleman." Tsuru smiled warmly. "Gion, give Rosinante the gift we brought."
The girl beside her stepped forward and handed Rosinante several large bags filled with clothes.
"Here. These are for you."
"Th-Thank you!"
Rosinante stared at the bags in awe. Gion. That name struck him like a bolt of lightning.
Isn't she the future Admiral candidate—Gion?! My god, another major figure!
"No need to thank me." Tsuru said kindly. "Sengoku can be a bit scatterbrained with daily life stuff. He probably forgot to get you a change of clothes, so I brought you a few to tide you over."
Rosinante looked down at the oversized shirt draping off him like a dress and scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry for looking like this in front of guests… it's really not presentable."
"Heehee~ It's not so bad." Gion chimed in playfully. "You actually look kinda cute like that."
Rosinante's cheeks turned crimson.
Being called cute by an eight-year-old girl… That's so embarrassing!
(End of Chapter)
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