Marineford was undoubtedly a magnificent island.
Especially the Fortress of Justice, which had stood for countless years. The massive structure was imposing, radiating an aura of being towering and indestructible. As if this place could never be invaded by evil.
At the same time, Marineford was the most powerful island in the entire ocean. Most of the Marines' advanced combat forces were concentrated here.
It might have been an illusion, but just looking at the fortress seemed to convey a message:
"It has always been us Marines who bully others. No one dares to bully us!"
That's right. Arrogant and domineering in the extreme.
However, all this grandeur had nothing to do with Finn for the time being. As soon as he disembarked, he was sent directly to Marineford's medical facility.
Perhaps due to special consideration from Admirals Sengoku and Zephyr, Finn was placed in the premium recovery ward. This facility was built specifically for senior Marine officers. Ordinary soldiers weren't qualified to recuperate here.
You needed general rank to stay in this ward. At minimum, Commodore. More typically, Rear Admiral or higher.
Marine officers of various ranks walked the corridors. Some wore casts on their arms, others used crutches, a few sat in wheelchairs. All of them held general-level positions in the Marines.
This illustrated something profound. Though the Marines appeared glorious on the surface, acting as overlords of the sea, behind that glory lay countless people who'd poured their lives and blood into the organization.
Being a Marine was perhaps never truly a good career. It was a calling that demanded sacrifice.
The little brat Rosinante seemed genuinely attached to Finn. Even after being slapped hard on Minion Island, the kid didn't hold a grudge at all. He completely regarded Finn as his savior.
According to Instructor Zephyr, while Finn had been unconscious aboard ship, Rosinante stayed by his bedside every day, monitoring his condition constantly.
Now, Rosinante still visited daily, sitting quietly beside the bed. He'd pour water, peel fruit, perform small services with earnest dedication.
Honestly, if a cute girl were doing these things, Finn would happily accept the attention. Unfortunately, Rosinante was just a boy. Worse, this particular boy had a talent for causing catastrophic problems.
However, due to Rosinante's status as a "second-generation official" connected to Admiral Sengoku, Finn really couldn't do anything harsh to him.
Then again, having Rosinante as an errand boy did make hospitalization considerably more convenient.
"Uh... is it noon already?" A lazy voice emanated from the other hospital bed.
The patient who'd been sleeping finally awoke.
"Oh, Finn, I really envy you having such a helpful kid taking care of you. If you're not going to eat that peeled apple, would you mind giving it to me? Just woke up and I'm a bit hungry..." the patient asked with complete shamelessness.
Finn looked at him with mild exasperation, then raised his hand and tossed the apple from the fruit bowl.
"Hey, thanks..." The man caught it smoothly and began eating with a satisfied smile.
Three days ago, Finn, who'd been living in this room alone, had welcomed a fellow patient: Rear Admiral Kuzan of Marine Headquarters.
That's right. The person occupying the other bed was none other than the young man who would one day become Admiral Aokiji, one of the Marines' three highest-ranking fighters.
To be honest, Finn had imagined many ways he might meet significant figures like Kuzan. He'd never expected their first encounter would be in a hospital ward.
Kuzan had always been a laid-back, unassuming person. Though they'd been strangers initially, over the past three days they'd become somewhat acquainted. They could chat comfortably.
"Don't you feel bored just eating and sleeping all day?" Finn asked.
Kuzan chewed his apple and mumbled, "What do you want me to do? Go play basketball?"
He lifted his leg slightly for emphasis. His right leg was encased in a cast.
Clearly, he'd suffered serious injuries recently.
"Your leg's in rough shape. Is it because you sit with bad posture?" Finn said with a grin.
"I never cross my legs, so how could my posture be bad?" Kuzan rolled his eyes.
"Perhaps that's exactly why..." Finn muttered.
Before Kuzan could respond, Finn's curiosity got the better of him. "Come to think of it, Rear Admiral Kuzan, you're known as one of the Marines' monster rookies, right? How exactly did you break your leg?"
Finn hadn't asked this question during the previous three days. Mainly because they hadn't been familiar enough then, so it would've been presumptuous. Now, after sharing a room for three days and nights, Finn felt they were acquaintances. They had a decent rapport. He could ask personal questions.
Upon hearing this, Kuzan's expression turned miserable. He swallowed his mouthful of apple and shook his head. "Finn, it's very important to have a good superior. Especially, that superior must be reliable. So if you have the chance in the future, don't follow my example. I was... deceived by the word 'hero.'"
Noticing Finn's confusion, Kuzan whispered, "What I mean is, if you have a choice later, don't make my mistake and choose Vice Admiral Garp as your superior!"
"Hahahaha!" Finn burst out laughing.
So Kuzan's leg was damaged because of Garp?
"What happened? Can you tell me the story?" Finn asked, suppressing his amusement.
Kuzan wore the expression of someone who'd experienced profound suffering. He sighed deeply. "There's nothing secret about it now. Not long ago, we received intelligence that the Roger Pirates had reappeared in the first half of the Grand Line. Vice Admiral Garp has this obsession with Roger, so after hearing the news, he was desperate to pursue them. As Vice Admiral Garp's assistant, I naturally had to accompany him. And then... we fought a fierce battle with the Roger Pirates at sea. Vice Admiral Garp came out completely fine, but I was miserable. My leg got broken in the chaos."
Listening to Kuzan's tale, Finn regarded him with genuine sympathy. As expected, one must choose a reliable superior. Otherwise, the risk factor increases dramatically.
As everyone knew, Vice Admiral Garp was notoriously unreliable within the Marines!
Among the current new generation of Marine officers, three individuals stood out as extraordinarily talented. They were called the Marines' "monster rookies."
Though labeled newcomers, they'd all served for several years and held general ranks.
Kuzan was the lowest ranked of the three.
The other two were naturally Sakazuki (future Admiral Akainu) and Borsalino (future Admiral Kizaru), who would eventually form the triumvirate of Admirals alongside him.
Based on information Finn had gathered during this period, he'd learned some interesting details.
For example, Borsalino served as Admiral Sengoku's assistant officer and currently held the rank of Vice Admiral. Sakazuki, perhaps surprisingly, was actually Instructor Zephyr's assistant officer.
However, since Instructor Zephyr had nominally retired from front-line duty while retaining his Admiral rank, Sakazuki's position was somewhat unique. He'd basically begun operating independently.
Of course, he also held Vice Admiral rank.
"Well, that's my story anyway. As for you, I heard you actually fought Golden Lion Shiki? You're quite brave, Finn," Kuzan said with an appreciative smile.
Finn looked at Rosinante helplessly, tapping the boy's head lightly. "If it weren't for this brat, I wouldn't have needed to take such a risk, let alone end up lying here."
Hearing Finn's words, Rosinante lowered his head with embarrassment.
"Hahaha, but you showed real courage. Instructor Zephyr seems very optimistic about you. Won't be long before you become my junior brother," Kuzan laughed.
The Officer Training Camp organized by Zephyr had already provided substantial talent to the Marines. But among all those graduates, only a handful earned Kuzan's recognition enough to be called "junior."
Finn didn't hide his ambitions. He glanced around, then leaned forward with a conspiratorial tone. "Rear Admiral Kuzan, do you think I have good prospects?"
"Hmm?" Kuzan paused. "What kind of prospects?"
"Of course, prospects for becoming a big shot," Finn said with a grin.
"Hahahaha! That depends on your abilities," Kuzan responded cheerfully.
Some thoughts couldn't be concealed, especially when facing so many Marine leaders with sharp perception. Therefore, Finn had no intention of hiding his aspirations. He leaned against the headboard, his tone becoming more contemplative.
"Previously, Instructor Zephyr asked me what justice meant to me. I couldn't explain it. Perhaps I was confused. Even now, I still don't know what kind of justice resides in my heart. It's difficult to say whether I possess any sense of justice at all. However, after coming to Marineford, I'm certain of at least one thing..."
Kuzan picked up a glass of water from the bedside table. He exhaled slightly, and frost spread across the surface. The water transformed into ice-cold perfection. He took a sip, glanced at Finn, and asked, "What did you become certain of?"
"I want to stand higher. I want stronger power, higher status, greater authority..." Finn said quietly.
After a brief pause, he turned to look directly at Kuzan. "Rear Admiral Kuzan, is my thinking unjust? Too utilitarian?"
Kuzan fell silent for a moment. He finished the ice water in his hand, then shook his head. "Who can truly define justice? As for your thoughts... they do seem utilitarian, but there's nothing inherently wrong with that."
Though he felt Finn's perspective was incompatible with his own in many ways, Kuzan didn't believe Finn was in the wrong.
Wanting stronger power, higher status, more authority? That was perfectly normal, wasn't it?
"Admiral Sengoku once said that a Marine who doesn't want to become Fleet Admiral isn't a good Marine," Kuzan offered as his final comment.
Finn absorbed those words, feeling something settle in his chest. Validation, perhaps. Or permission.
He'd been calculating and pragmatic since arriving in this world. He'd survived seven brutal years by being cunning, selfish, and strategic. He'd never pretended to be a saint or a hero.
But here, at the pinnacle of Marine power, no one was condemning him for it. Instead, they were encouraging it.
Maybe that's what separated Marineford from the Branch Marines scattered across the Four Blues. Here, ambition wasn't a vice. It was fuel.
"Thank you, Rear Admiral Kuzan," Finn said sincerely.
"Don't mention it," Kuzan replied, already lying back down. "Wake me if lunch arrives."
Within moments, soft snoring filled the room.
Finn smiled slightly. Rosinante continued peeling fruit with focused dedication.
Outside the window, Marineford's fortress rose against the sky, massive and immovable.
Finn had made it here. Against all odds, despite being a transmigrator with no special advantages beyond knowledge and willpower, he'd clawed his way to the heart of Marine power.
And now? Now the real work began.
He'd get stronger. Much stronger.
He'd rise through the ranks.
And one day, maybe he'd stand where Sengoku and Zephyr stood now. Where Kuzan would eventually stand.
At the very peak.
For now, though, he'd recover. He'd train. He'd learn everything Zephyr could teach him.
The future could wait a little longer.
He had time.