"You?"
Kisame paused slightly but didn't stop walking. He replied indifferently,
"Aren't you planning to become a Marine?"
"Who said I have to become a Marine right now?"
"I'm only seventeen. Becoming a Marine is my goal for when I turn eighteen. By nineteen, I'll aim for the rank of Major. By twenty, I'll focus on my career—"
"Uh... You really remind me of Hidan," Kisame glanced at Revy, who was counting her future goals on her fingers. "Don't try to get close to me."
"Huh? I'm your lifesaver! Is this how you treat someone who saved your life?"
"Also, who's this Hidan? A woman?"
"I've already repaid that debt. And no, Hidan's a guy. You remind me of him because you're both annoyingly talkative."
Ignoring Revy's gradually stiffening expression, Kisame walked out of the forest, glanced toward the coastline, and continued moving forward.
"I'm coming with you!" Revy caught up to him, puffing her cheeks like a stubborn child.
"Then go on your own."
"No, I'm sticking with you. You're strong."
"I'm not a babysitter."
"I don't need you to protect me."
"But I just did."
"Ahhh!! You bastard! Are you agreeing or not?"
"Aren't you already following me?"
"Then what was all that earlier about?"
"Nothing, really. Just that if you follow me, you might not live to see eighteen."
"You damn bastard! You're evil!"
"Hehee..."
Kisame let out a cold chuckle, looking toward the dark coastline.
Itachi-san… This little brat is just as annoying as your brother.
But maybe now, I kind of understand how you felt.
Suddenly, something clicked in his mind. Under the moonlight, his sharp-toothed grin slowly stretched—ugly, yet genuine.
Itachi-san, once again, you've helped me understand something. I really wish I could see you again…
"If you die, don't blame me."
"What?"
The unexpected remark caught Revy off guard. She quickly realized what he meant and bared her teeth in frustration.
"You bastard! I won't die until I become a Marine Admiral!"
"An Admiral? You've got some guts."
Kisame didn't yet know the true strength of a Marine Admiral, but if they were at the pinnacle of an entire military force, they couldn't be weak.
And looking at Revy's small frame… he didn't see much hope.
Someone like her, becoming an Admiral?
Then again, the Mizukage and Hokage were women too.
Setting aside his sarcasm, Kisame said,
"That's a grand goal. You'll have to work hard for it."
"Of course! Let me tell you, I'm no ordinary person either. I am—"
"Anyway, just know that I'm really strong."
Revy raised her fist proudly, but midway through her sentence, she suddenly changed her wording.
Hiding something?
Kisame glanced at her curiously but didn't dwell on it.
She doesn't seem like an ordinary little girl.
"Kowai ne~... Are weapons these days really this terrifying?"
As the two walked toward the shore, a lazy voice suddenly rang out. Before they could react, a golden flash appeared in front of them, gradually forming into a human shape…
"Who's there?!"
The unexpected voice made Kisame's eyes narrow as a sense of danger surged within him. He instinctively pulled Revy behind him, shielding her.
At the same time, the golden light faded, revealing a tall, middle-aged man with a rather… sleazy appearance.
"Ohoho~ No need to be so on guard, hmm?"
"I'm just a little curious about that thing on your shoulder."
"A-A Marine?!"
Revy's eyes instantly lit up when she spotted the Marine coat draped over the man's shoulders.
"A Marine?"
"You sure you didn't mistake him for someone else? Marines look like this?"
Kisame, who had a relatively good impression of the Marines, immediately saw that impression shatter into pieces.
Looking at this… oddball of a man, Kisame was sure there wasn't another person in the entire ninja world who looked this strange.
Do the Marines not care about appearances?
Originally in a good mood, Kizaru suddenly felt his patience crack.
Damn it! Why does everyone have to comment on my looks?!
Just earlier, his warship had docked at the shore, and some survivors reported that the Lone Wolf Pirates had ransacked the town.
He had planned to rest, but then he sensed a strange energy nearby. Curious, he decided to check it out—only to be met with… this.
Feeling their judging stares boring into him, Kizaru couldn't take it anymore. He pursed his lips and said in his signature slow drawl,
"Oi, oi, little brother~ I'm only in my thirties, you know?"
"Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about Marines?"
"T-Thirties?!"
Both Kisame and Revy widened their eyes in shock.
You expect us to believe that?
Thirties?
He looks fifty!
Just how aggressively did he age?!
Even though neither of them said anything, their expressions alone made Kizaru feel like his heart was being stabbed.
Sometimes, silence hurts more than words.
Damn it… I was born with this face. What am I supposed to do about it?!
Luckily, this wasn't the first time it had happened. He had built some resistance to these kinds of comments.
The best strategy?
Just don't dwell on it—otherwise, the only one getting hurt would be himself!
"....That's not important."
"Little brother, can you let big bro take a look at your… 'gear'?"
Even though that strange weapon was wrapped in bandages, Kizaru was certain his senses weren't mistaken.
More importantly, under his Observation Haki, he could feel life coming from that thing.
This was extraordinary!
"What do you want?"
Kisame clenched Samehada tightly, staring at Kizaru warily.
How could someone be this shameless?
He just met me, and now he wants to look at my 'gear'?!
"Uh… That look in your eyes is terrifying… Alright, forget it! I won't look!"
Meeting Kisame's deathly cold gaze, Kizaru suddenly recalled a certain fish-loving giant back at Marine Headquarters.
That smell… yeah, forget it. Not worth it!
Looking at this annoying, sleazy man, Kisame—for the first time in his life—felt the strong urge to punch someone.
Still, he could tell that beneath that sketchy appearance, this guy had a powerful presence—far stronger than that 8-million bounty pirate from earlier.
Since the Marine backed off, Kisame wasn't going to push the whole "gear" issue further.
Glancing at Revy standing beside him, he suddenly had an idea.
"Are you really a Marine?"
"Huh? Are there fake Marines?" Kizaru stroked his chin.
Fair point. Who in their right mind would pretend to be a Marine?
Strong people wouldn't bother, and weaklings wouldn't even make it to the sea before bounty hunters or pirates wiped them out.
"Then that works out perfectly. I've got some—mmmph!!"
Just as Kisame was about to hand Revy over, she immediately lunged forward, covering his mouth.
You bastard! How dare you try to get rid of me?!
Kisame raised a hand, grabbing the back of her neck. But just as he was about to pry her off, she whispered urgently into his ear.
"Don't make decisions for me!
I'm not going with that sleazy old man! What if he tries to molest me?!"
Kisame paused, then looked at the so-called sleazy Marine—who was now twitching at the corner of his eye.
Without much thought, Kisame peeled Revy off and set her down beside him.
"Apologies. She might have misunderstood your looks."
"We were actually planning to join the Marines, but first, I want to visit Fishman Island."
These two…
Wait a damn second… Didn't YOU misunderstand from the start?!
A tic mark throbbed on Kizaru's forehead. Looking closer at Kisame's features, he realized—yeah, the guy really did look like a Fishman.
"Fishman Island?"
"Ohoho~ In that case, you better be careful."
"The Grand Line is a dangerous place. Try not to die along the way."
(End of Chapter)