When I woke up the next morning, I was lying there by myself. Master Snow had long disappeared, heading far away to Yin Dojo. Left by myself, I stood up and reaffirmed where I was.

I was on one of the many islands we had been training on, an island on the Archipelago. This meant that Uxopia wasn't too far away, and I felt it was only appropriate to go check on Aunt Anari.

'Master Snow said Hatsume already left. That means it's unlikely Aunt Anari and Grandpa Satoru are there.' Although I felt like it was unlikely, I still couldn't help but give it a chance. So I found a dingy to head to Uxopia, where everything had started.

...

Landing on the small island, I walked down the old dusty path we used to run across as kids. It only made me miss my brothers even more.

I even passed where the Viking Pirates had attacked, reminding me of our little three punch combo. All of our hearts had been racing, but we were all motivated by the thought of saving Aunt Anari.

Ahh. It had only been a few months and yet it felt like a thousand years since I left. From joining the Marines to Basic Training to Demolition Squad to Haru's Betrayal to Master Snow's training. All of it seemed to happen so quickly and made the past feel like forever ago.

Eventually, I reached the vibrant Uxopia village - it was around noon so everyone was up and doing their daily routine.

I decided to step back and conceal myself, I didn't want to bring all the village's attention to me.

It was too early for me to reveal myself. The time I return to Uxopia I want to be famous and renowned as a hero - not as a marine who was betrayed. And so I waited until night fell, and then went back to our old house.

I opened the door to see our old wooden house. Everything seemed the same - but it was empty.

Aunt Anari wasn't there. I sighed deeply and left the room, then went next door to see if Grandpa Satoru was there.

That too was empty.

As unfortunate as it was, it meant it wasn't time for us to meet. I could only solemnly return to my dingy and prepare to go to my next location - the 201st Marine Base. Master Snow had said that everyone thought I was dead, the work of that damned Haru. I had to go visit Instructor Hotaru and clear things up.

...

"This is the 201st Marine Base, how can I help you?" A pretty lady wearing an all-white uniform sat at the desk, wearing the familiar MARINE hat. She was obviously a low ranking recruit, probably a chore girl.

"Thank you, I have a message for Instructor Hotaru. Just tell him Kenji wants to speak with him." I gently smiled.

It was about time people knew I wasn't dead.

"Okay, Kenji who?"

"Akura D. Kenji." At that moment, I grinned. I obviously expected some kind of reaction, but the chore-girl simply smiled and sent the message on.

I meekly laughed, maybe I thought a little too highly of myself. Then again, she could just be a brand new recruit.

Either way, it was time I made my own mark in this world.

...

I turned the metal doorknob and opened the door, the smell of smoke immediately blasting my face. It was a refreshing smell and reminded me of my previous experiences.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

It was the exact same, it was Instructor Hotaru's office. As usual, he was seated with his back facing me, a familiar cigar in his hand. I couldn't help but feel my emotions bubble a bit - this was the man who had taught me everything about the Marines.

"Kenji, it really is you. To think you would go on and scare me like that! What the hell happened!" In classic Instructor Hotaru fashion, he spun on his chair and placed his feet on his desk. With another loud puff of smoke, I could see the emotions on his face.

From anger, confusion, and relief. It made my heart warm, this was one of the people who genuinely cared about me. He was my teacher, after all.

"Haha, I'm sorry for scaring you, sir. It was just that damned Haru!" We quickly got straight to business, and I explained the whole situation to him.

What REALLY happened during the invasion of the Trek Pirates. I explained with fury Haru's betrayal and his slippery ruthlessness. With every word I used to recount, Instructor Hotaru became more and more furious.

"Damnit! I knew there was something wrong with him, I just thought he would get over whatever feelings he had. Kenji, I'm sorry." Instructor Hotaru looked back on the day when he named me the leader of Demolition Squad, and how Haru's eyes flashed with jealousy. I couldn't blame him though, how could he know Haru's true nature from a quick glance of unhappiness?

"There's no need to apologize, it wasn't your fault. What is important is how I'm going to respond; I have to get to the Grand Line as soon as possible. Haru has already reached Navy HQ, what's the extent of his accomplishments over there?"

"Haru has done excellent at Marineford, he's one of the most famous new marines there. He managed to eat an extremely rare logia - Mizu Mizu no Mi. This means he has the ability to transform, create, and control water. In the Grand Line, he's already made a name for himself, being called the 'Bloody Shark of the Marines'. Rumor is that his water is never crystal clear blue, always stained with the blood of a pirate." Instructor Hotaru shook his head and blew out another puff of smoke, his mind drifting elsewhere. He had mixed feelings about Haru, after all, he had raised this beast.

But at the same time, there was no excuse for treason!

"And in my case, the blood of marines as well. What rank has he reached?" I clenched my fist hearing Haru's accomplishments. While I was injured, recovering, and training; he was out in the Grand Line making a name for himself!

"He's already reached the rank of Captain. The problem is that he's attracted the attention of that damned Sakazuki - more commonly known as 'Akainu'. He's one of the marines three famed admirals, and with his protection, you won't be able to touch Haru. Damn!" Another puff of smoke, this one even angrier than before.

Akainu, "Red Dog", one of the Marines' three famed admirals. As an admiral, he could be just as strong as my grand uncle - Monkey D. Garp! He was famous for his 'Absolute Justice', to which Haru fit perfectly.

Although I would call Haru "Twisted Justice", if anything.

Things were bad, and that meant I most likely couldn't rejoin the marines. Haru would do all kinds of sly tricks to hold me back, or even directly arrange my death.

If I wanted to make a name and establish justice, I had to do it separate from the World Government!

"I understand. That's fine, help from the outside will only carry him so far. Instructor Hotaru, I'm thinking of creating a group of 'bounty hunters' to follow me into the Grand Line. We'll capture pirates and turn them into the marines, and maybe even capture corrupt marines as well. Do you have anyone you can suggest to be my first mate?" If anyone knew who would be a good fit for this group of mine, it would be Instructor Hotaru. This was another reason why I came to meet with him.

"Hmm...that sounds like a good idea. Trust me, Kenji, this World Government isn't what you think it is. I recently had the opportunity to go to Mary Geoise and see the things that go on over there. Just that visit was enough for me to put in my letter of resignment." A flash of anger and disgust came across Instructor Hotaru, and I couldn't help but be curious about what he saw there.

Mary Geoise was the Holy Land of the World Government, and where all the powerful leaders of the World Government lived. What did he see that was enough to make him resign?

"But if you are looking for former marines to join your group - I'll admit the former members of Demolition Squad are too weak. But there is one swordsman, who Haru and Itsuki kicked out, named Miyamoto Musashi. His swordsmanship skills are unparalleled, and I felt like Itsuki's story didn't add up about him. I felt like something like this would happen, and I asked him where he would be if I ever needed him. He's on an island quite aways from here - Battle Arena Island. He's probably there to sharpen his swordsmanship; he should be your first member." I didn't know who this Miyamoto Musashi was, but from Instructor Hotaru's praise, I could tell he was a great figure. Instructor Hotaru believed that Itsuki set up a plot to get him kicked out of the marines, somehow tied with Haru. I didn't doubt it, and after talking more with him, I prepared myself to leave and find this swordsman.

"Instructor Hotaru, next time I see you I will have made a name for myself!" I closed the door to that familiar smoke-filled room, leaving the 201st Marine Base.

Time to find this Miyamoto Musashi!