MARINES - A ONE PIECE story (ENGLISH) - Part I

CHAPTER LXVII - At master's bedside

All night long, the doctors of Marineford fought to save the legendary white tiger : Myr's stomach was heavily damaged by the poison, as well as his liver. A gastric lavage was not enough, as the poison was particularly aggressive and was rotting the tissues like a malignant disease. It was necessary to operate.

His five students remained outside the operating room all night, along with his old friends Wilelm and Leroy. Several visitors came for news, including the three admirals and the fleet admiral, but they all had the same firm answer from the doctors : it was not possible to establish a prognosis until the operation was completed. For the time being, everyone had to wait.

...

At dawn, Marineford's medical chief officer appeared in the hallway and the five students, dozing, immediately stepped up. He removed his surgical mask, revealing an exhausted face, then smiled :

- He's saved.

As Myr students screamed with joy, jumping into each other's arms, Wilelm and Leroy sighed of relief. The doctor also said he was still very weak and would not be able to regain his functions for several weeks. As the doctor spoke, Arthur saw a familiar figure emerge from the operating room in a blue coat.

- Hey, it's Pinsch, from team B !

- Huh ? The guy I fought in the first round ? exclaimed Zell.

Immediately, Pinsch stopped and seemed to cower as if he was about to be yelled at. The A team joined him, accompanied by Wilelm.

- My student is one of the best doctors I have ever met ! he reassured them, tapping him on the shoulder. Fighting is not his specialty, but he knows what he's worth of !

Pinsch, running his frail fingers through his little pink moustache, shyly murmured :

- I... I hope the vice-admiral will make it. We did our best, but part of his liver had to be amputated...

Immediately, Arthur knelt down in front of Pinsch, quickly followed by his four comrades. They thanked him with so much ardor and gratitude that the face of the young doctor turned scarlet, Wilelm laughing at his side.

- Now, Pinsch needs to rest. Go to sleep, boy ! We're going to say a word to good old Myr.

When they entered the room, Myr was not yet awoken. Wilelm and Leroy, his oldest friends, stood by the bed. The five students stood in front of it. When he opened his eyes several minutes later, with great difficulty, they moved closer to hear what he had to say :

- If only we had a damn doctor in my team... I wouldn't have to thank that old fart for his services...

Wilelm laughed.

- It's my student that you should thank ! He did a great job saving your life. The doctors say that he will soon take their place...

Myr let out a small, weak laugh.

- Well, my dear Wilelm... Isn't it enough for your team to win this damn tournament ? The first prize is not enough, now we have to put up with your bluster ?

Wilelm let out a laugh so contagious that it shook Myr five students and even made the very serious Leroy smile. As usual, he became dark again and broached the taboo subject :

- Obviously, you don't remember anyone putting anything in your drink ?

- Of course... Myr mumbled, scowling.

He stared at the ceiling in silence for a few seconds, then, with a solemn and serious air, pronounced these simple words :

- He's a Marine. Or she is. The bastards who tried to murder me.

- What ?! What kind of talk is that, boss ? exclaimed Jorge.

- I'm not senile, boy ! shouted Myr. There were only Marine personnel at that damn party ! It has to be an internal betrayal.

- The vice-admiral got a point, Jorge... murmured Arthur, thoughtfully. Only the Marine top brass were present, and us recruits. The Warlords were also invited, but they were such an attraction that no one took their eyes off them...

- That's true... Jun muttered. Muay Tina was completely drunk, and far away from old Myr.

- No one took their eyes off Harlequin, Zell confirmed. Right, Jorge ? That freak was dancing like hell, you couldn't miss him.

- Ambrosius left very early, Arthur continued. As for Lorde, I was with him just before it happened...

- And I was with Nephila, concluded Haru.

- None of those freaks came near me, Myr huffed. I don't trust them, so I would have spotted them... No, it has to be an officer.

Leroy, as usual silent, tugged at his thin moustache, looking serious.

- We both know that admirals are old, Myr. So is the fleet admiral. They are all close to retirement and will be replaced. Like Fujitako last fall, Momouma plans to retire soon. We all know that the Big Five are the most likely to take over. Let's be clear, Myr : no one is unaware that you are being considered as Momouma's replacement. You are the wisest and most powerful of the vice-admirals... Don't you think that this attack is motivated by the status that is already reserved for you ?

The five members of team A turned to their mentor.

- Is that right, boss ?! Are you being considered for choice of the next admiral ?!

- There are rumors... Myr muttered. Well... Being the hound of the Government and Nobility, thank you very much, but I'd refuse ! I never said I was interested, I prefer my current position.

- I know, my friend, Leroy comforted him. But don't you think these rumors are bothering some people ? You're often described as undisciplined, morally troubled... Most of the higher-ups hate you, but the fleet admiral has a special affection for you.

- Yeah... This is a possibility, indeed.

Myr took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

- Wilelm, Leroy... If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone with my team.

The two vice-admirals hugged him warmly and quietly left the room. Once Myr was alone with his students, he spoke to them with an even deeper voice, as if his concern was only growing :

- In any case, I am too weak to return to action. I'll be recovering for several weeks, and I'm going to use that time to investigate the whole thing. I know that Leroy and Wilelm will help me...

- But... Master... You must rest ! cried Arthur. You are still too weak to...

- Don't worry, m'boy. I'll be fine. I'll find the assailant and confront him. As for your activity, it must not cease : you must continue to fight as you have done for the last few months.

- But... Without you ? said Jorge.

- Yes, Jorge, without me. Arthur is ready. He is strong, intelligent and above all just. He'll make a good leader for you. Until I am back on my feet, you will obey him as if his orders were mine. Do you understand ?

Everyone nodded and smiled at Arthur. There was no jealousy in his comrades' attitude, on the contrary : they were only benevolent and trusting, knew that he had the makings of a leader and were ready to put their strengths at his service.

- Good, Myr sighed as he sat up in bed. As for the next step, I already know where to send you. Jun, you're the closest to the coat rack : can you give me the letter in my jacket pocket, please ?

Jun brought him a crumpled letter, already opened, which he handed to Arthur.

- I received this in the morning. The letter was not addressed to the Marine General Department, but to me, personally. When you read it, you will know where to go. I think this person really needs you, much more than I do. So help her, am I clear ? Now, I need to rest.

As dawn began to break behind the curtains, the students left the master to his sleep and left the infirmary. They all gathered behind Arthur and opened the letter, curious to see what adventure awaited them next.

Tournament Arc - End

Marine next generation Saga - End