The first half of the Grand Line.
On a sea route approaching the Xuanwu Navy Branch.
A figure was flying rapidly.
“Are the Xuanwu Navy already that powerful?”
“They’ve even opened a branch in the first half of the Grand Line.”
“Heh heh, this location, are they trying to block the World Government?”
“As expected of Fleet Admiral Benedict, truly impressive.”
Bucky looked at the Xuanwu Navy distribution in the distance and chuckled excitedly.
Bucky wanted to be a pirate and find treasure.
Brought to the Xuanwu Navy by Benedict to become a marine, Bucky’s passion for treasure hunting had never waned.
However, due to his growth within the Xuanwu Navy, Bucky still felt a sense of belonging.
It was just that, in his current state, he was no longer just an individual.
Bucky’s appearance was quickly spotted and reported to Sengoku.
“Colonel ‘Bucky’ of Senryo-dōke has returned?”
“Didn’t he die?”
Sengoku was somewhat taken aback by his subordinate’s report.
Because of his position, Sengoku had some understanding of the Xuanwu Navy’s structure and some of its generals.
And as a colonel, and one of the earlier generals to appear in the Xuanwu Navy, Sengoku naturally paid attention to him.
However, for more than half a year, Bucky had not appeared, nor had there been any news. Even in previous battles, Bucky’s figure was absent, and the Xuanwu Navy’s internal archives eventually stated that Bucky’s whereabouts were unknown, presumed dead.
All these factors contributed to Sengoku’s current reaction.
Benedict smiled upon hearing this and said, “Since he’s returned, it means he’s not dead yet.”
“However, after this guy went to the Extreme Evil Land, there was no more news, so his life or death was uncertain.”
Sengoku’s eyes widened as he heard this, “Bucky went to the Extreme Evil Land?”
“And he actually came back alive?”
Sengoku found it unbelievable.
He certainly knew of the Extreme Evil Land.
It was a very dangerous place.
Except for a select few, almost everyone who entered never returned alive.
“After all, he had accompanied Roger and them there once, so he might have some understanding,” Benedict replied with a smile.
“However, this is just our speculation; the specifics will have to be asked.”
Sengoku nodded, also very curious about how Bucky had survived.
The dangers of the Extreme Evil Land included getting lost and dying of starvation.
Secondly, there were extremely ferocious sea kings, and even unknown territories.
Finally, and most dangerously, was the extreme climate that could occur at any moment.
Without waiting long, Bucky, led by a Rear Admiral, arrived at the office.
“Reporting to Admiral Sengoku, Colonel Bucky reports for duty.”
After entering, Bucky, acting as if he hadn’t seen Sengoku yet, immediately called out.
However, there was a lack of respect in his tone, replaced by a certain casualness.
After speaking, Bucky immediately noticed that Benedict was seated at the desk, with Sengoku standing beside him. His pupils contracted slightly, and he quickly and sternly called out, “Reporting to Fleet Admiral Benedict, Bucky reports for duty.”
Benedict looked Bucky over. To be honest, he was shocked.
After all, Bucky at this moment was no longer a boy.
Instead, the current Bucky looked like he had aged over a decade, having grown into adulthood.
“Are you Bucky?” Benedict asked with some surprise.
Sengoku had seen Bucky’s wanted poster and understood that it depicted Bucky at around eleven or twelve years old.
But the grown-up appearance of Bucky before him also made him somewhat bewildered.
Did this guy take hormones?
How could he have grown so much?
Bucky understood their thoughts and naturally responded.
So, Bucky smiled and said, “Fleet Admiral Benedict, of course I’m the Bucky who dragged me from the bar to become a marine.”
As Bucky spoke, he activated his Devil Fruit ability right in front of Benedict.
The coat rack next to him shattered into pieces and fell to the ground upon Bucky’s touch, and the same happened to Sengoku’s cannon.
Benedict nodded and looked at Bucky, asking, “Where did you go during your absence? What did you experience? Where are the soldiers who accompanied you?”
Benedict naturally knew that the Bucky before him was the real Bucky.
After all, he was well aware of what could happen when one aged over a decade.
Bucky did not conceal anything.
“I had a brief stint in the North Blue, then I saw Shanks and we fought. I lost, so I continued north and went to Sky Island. I boarded a special cloud sea and sailed for an unknown duration. Our food ran out.”
“Just as we couldn’t hold on any longer, we reached the end of the cloud sea, and then it rained from the sky.”
“After falling, we were attacked by a giant sea king.”
“Because we hadn’t eaten for a long time, even though we eventually won, we suffered heavy losses.”
“We killed the sea king, ate our fill, and only then did we discover that we had arrived in a special region.”
“Out of curiosity, we entered.”
“Inside, we experienced all sorts of storms, sea king attacks, and so on. Time seemed to pass very quickly in there, and when we finally came out, this is what happened.”
Benedict listened as Bucky described his experiences during his disappearance in such a simple and clear manner, his eyes narrowing.
Since he had never been there, he didn’t know if Bucky was telling the truth.
But now that Bucky had returned, he was naturally welcomed.
So, Benedict smiled and said, “It’s good that you’re back.”
“Welcome back to the Xuanwu Navy, Bucky.”
Upon hearing Benedict’s words, Bucky’s face immediately showed a smug smile, and he said, “Yes, Fleet Admiral.”
Benedict smiled slightly, then continued, “During your absence, the Xuanwu Navy has undergone many changes.”
“Your rank remains Colonel.”
“If you wish to attain a higher position, you will need merit and sufficient strength.”
“You haven’t forgotten this, have you?”
Bucky’s eyes darted around as he heard Benedict’s words, then he tentatively asked, “Reporting to the Fleet Admiral, if I have enough strength, is there a chance for an exceptional promotion?”
To achieve something, having a proper status was very important.
It meant he could gain more authority and opportunities to fight.
Even opportunities to get close to Benedict.
Benedict listened and smiled, “Then it depends on whether you have sufficient strength.”
“How about this, you have a spar with Admiral Sengoku.”
“If you can force Admiral Sengoku to go all out, I can grant you a promotion to Vice Admiral as an exception.”
Bucky pondered for a moment, then looked at Sengoku and chuckled.
“Then let’s give it a try.”
“Perhaps, I’ll claim this position.”
Benedict glanced at Bucky, his lips curving slightly.
This guy was quite confident.