Just like that?
Tatsuki was delighted internally, but outwardly maintained a look of concern for the world and its people.
Borsalino stared at the orange in his hand for a long time. The curve of his mouth gradually widened, finally turning into a knowing smile, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
He sat down next to Tatsuki, mimicking his posture, stretching his legs out straight and leaning comfortably against the cannon turret.
"Tatsuki, you are truly terrifying. I've been enlightened. I like this kind of justice very much."
He shoved the orange into his mouth, mumbling indistinctly, clearly having completely succumbed:
"But even though it makes sense, the deck still needs scrubbing, right? If it's not clean, with Zephyr-sensei's explosive temper, he will really throw us into the sea to feed the fish."
"Who said we have to scrub it ourselves?"
Tatsuki tilted his head slightly, looking up at the seemingly cloudless blue sky, a mysterious smile on his lips.
The midday sun was still blinding, and seagulls circled overhead.
But in Tatsuki's perception, which integrated the original Tatsuki's top-tier Navigation Skill, the surrounding air humidity had reached a critical point.
'System, enhance Navigation Skill.'
[Consuming 5000 Violation points! Skill infusion underway...]
In an instant, the world in Tatsuki's eyes changed.
Wind direction, subtle changes in air humidity, the color beneath distant clouds... all data converged into a precise weather map in his brain.
He sensed a damp, heavy, earthy smell in the sea breeze—the prelude to an impending downpour.
On the southeast horizon, a black line barely visible to the naked eye was rapidly advancing, and the air pressure was dropping drastically.
"Borsalino, do you know how to brew tea?" Tatsuki suddenly asked.
"Eh? I know a little, I quite enjoy tasting tea normally."
Tatsuki pointed to a shaded corner of the deck. "Did you bring a tea set?"
"Huh?"
"It doesn't matter if you didn't, the Captain's cabin definitely has one. Follow me." Tatsuki showed a meaningful smile.
Borsalino looked at Tatsuki's confident back, then at the vast, messy deck, and hesitated for two seconds.
Immediately, his face showed an expectant smile, the excitement of having found a like-minded individual.
"That sounds interesting."
...
Outside the captain's cabin, the mahogany doors were tightly shut.
This was the private domain of Chief Instructor Zephyr. Normally, no one dared to enter except for the orderlies responsible for cleaning.
But at this moment, Tatsuki was squatting at the door, a thin wire in his hand, his expression as focused as if he were disarming a bomb.
"Tatsuki, breaking into a superior's lounge... that's a crime that'll have you rotting in a solitary cell."
Borsalino leaned against the shadows of the corridor, hands stuffed in his pockets.
Although he said that, his body was honestly performing the role of a lookout, warily scanning the top of the stairs.
"How can a scholar's actions be called breaking in? Borsalino, watch your phrasing."
Tatsuki didn't look back, his fingers deftly twisting the wire, creating a faint scratching sound inside the keyhole.
"We are performing a necessary logistics replenishment."
Click.
A soft, crisp sound echoed as the latch sprang open.
The corners of Tatsuki's lips curled up. He tucked away his tools and pushed the door open, his movements smooth and natural, as if he were returning to his own backyard.
If he weren't a Marine, this skill would make him a master locksmith at the very least.
He skillfully pulled open the bottom drawer of the desk, rummaging through it while lecturing the future Admiral behind him, "Think about it, Borsalino. We're about to perform high-intensity physical labor under the scorching sun. If we don't supplement a bit of sugar and hydration, what happens if we faint while scrubbing the deck?"
"Once you faint, you can't complete the mission. Failing to complete the mission means letting down Zephyr-sensei's expectations. Not only that, but you'd also be wasting the Headquarters' precious medical resources."
Tatsuki's fingers brushed against a cold metal object, and his eyes lit up.
"Instead of causing such serious consequences, it's better to draw a little from the superior's inventory in advance and convert it into labor motivation."
[Ding! Illegally breaking in and stealing a superior's private supplies.]
[Violation Points +300!]
Listening to the wonderful notification sound, Tatsuki pulled an exquisite carved iron box and a package wrapped in gold foil from the deepest part of the drawer.
"Ho, Zephyr-sensei really knows how to enjoy himself. 'Royal Snow Black Tea,' a North Blue specialty—I heard the annual yield is only a few dozen pounds. And this..."
Tatsuki took a deep breath, a look of intoxication appearing on his face. "Top-tier handmade cigars from Sandy Island. Tsk tsk, this is the kind of good stuff you can't buy even with money."
He stood up and tossed the priceless tin of tea to Borsalino at the door.
"Catch. It looks like our afternoon tea is sorted."
Borsalino caught it instinctively. Looking down, his sunglasses instantly reflected the light.
"This is good stuff indeed. Last time I was in Zephyr-sensei's office, I smelled this aroma. I wanted to ask for a cup back then, but he scolded me instead."
...
Ten minutes later, on the warship's deck.
It was supposed to be a scene of bustling, sweat-drenched labor. However, at this moment, the vibe had completely shifted.
The waterproof tarp originally meant to cover the cannons had been dismantled by Tatsuki and repurposed into two tropical-style parasols.
Under the umbrellas, two lounge chairs swiped from the soldiers' barracks were placed side-by-side. Their positioning was extremely calculated, sitting exactly in the only shaded spot on the deck where they could avoid the sun while enjoying the sea breeze blowing through.
Between the two lounge chairs stood a simple small stove. The copper kettle on top was gurgling with steam, and the rich aroma of black tea, accompanied by a hint of milk (swiped from the kitchen), wafted through the air. Beside it sat a plate of senbei from who-knows-where.
Tatsuki wore a pair of sunglasses, sinking into his lounge chair with that expensive cigar between his fingers. His posture was three times more arrogant than a Celestial Dragon's.
"Whew..."
He blew out a smoke ring, watching it slowly dissipate in the sea breeze, and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Now this is living."
Tatsuki comfortably shook his legs and turned to look beside him. "Only by resting well can one work well. Borsalino, how are you feeling?"
Borsalino held his teacup, slumped in the lounge chair. On that face with its lewd smile, a serene expression had now emerged.
"Mmm. Wonderful."
He took a sip of the hot tea, feeling the sweet aftertaste of the top-tier black tea, and let out an exclamation from the depths of his soul.
"This mellow texture, paired with this cool sea breeze... it truly brings peace to one's body and mind. Tatsuki, you really are a genius."
"Naturally."
(End of Chapter)
Read 50 Chapters ahead on
patreon.com/astralicity