Ken slowly began to stir, his eyelids fluttering open, but his gaze was hollow and distant. The memories came flooding back all at once—his village being raided by pirates, the rage that consumed him as he fought them in search of revenge, and the moment he was ultimately saved by Sakazuki. In that instant, the weight of what he just experienced crashed down on him like a merciless wave.
The ship's doctor noticed that Ken had finally woken up and calmly walked toward him. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he asked softly.
"How are you feeling, kid? I'm the ship's doctor aboard this Marine vessel. My name is Roberto."
Ken's gaze fell on Roberto—a middle-aged man with short brown hair, a neatly trimmed brown mustache, warm brown eyes, and fair skin. He wore a crisp white doctor's coat over a white shirt and black tie, paired with black pants and polished black shoes, giving him the composed and dependable air of a seasoned ship's doctor.
Ken slowly pushed himself up and sat on the bed, then he gave Roberto a small nod.
"I feel fine, Doctor… thank you for taking care of me."
Roberto let out a soft chuckle and gave a gentle nod.
"You need to eat properly, kid. You're malnourished. With time, you'll regain your strength."
Ken gave Roberto another small nod again, but no words left his lips. The silence lingered around him, heavy and unspoken.
Roberto noticed how quiet Ken was, and let out a weary sigh in his heart.
'This kid… he must have gone through awful things… I can't help but feel sorry for him…'
Roberto's eyes softened, a gentle warmth spreading across his face as he gazed at Ken.
"Son, Vice-Admiral Sakazuki asked me to call him as soon as you wake up. Would you like to meet him now, or would you rather rest a little longer before seeing him?"
Ken's brow furrowed, eyes wide with confusion. He tilted his head slightly and asked.
"Vice-admiral Sakazuki?"
Roberto's eyes softened as he nodded gently, a small, reassuring smile curling on his lips.
"Yes… he's the Marine who asked me to watch over you. I suppose he's the one who saved you."
At that moment, Ken's eyes widened, memories of Sakazuki flashing vividly—how the Vice-Admiral had mercilessly struck down the pirate captain, saving his life in one brutal instant.
Ken's eyes met the doctor's, and with a quiet, nod, he said to Roberto.
"I… don't mind meeting the Vice-Admiral now, Doctor."
Roberto nodded gently, his voice soft as he spoke to Ken.
"Alright… I'll go inform Vice-admiral Sakazuki that you're awake."
Roberto turned on his heel and left the medical bay, his footsteps echoing softly as he went to inform Vice-admiral Sakazuki that Ken had finally awakened.
______
Five minutes later
The medical bay door slid open, and Sakazuki, Momonga, and Doberman stepped inside. Ken's gaze met theirs, hollow and distant, as if the weight of everything he had endured was etched into his eyes.
Sakazuki's brow furrowed as his gaze met Ken's hollow eyes, a frown forming on his stern face.
'Those eyes… they're the same eyes I used to have… back before I joined the Marines.'
The trio sank into the nearest chairs. Sakazuki's piercing gaze locked onto Ken, and in his deep, gruff voice, he spoke.
"How're you holding up, boy?"
Ken nodded slowly, his gaze locked onto Sakazuki's eyes..
"I'm fine, sir… thank you for saving my life."
Sakazuki nodded slowly, his gaze sharp and unwavering, before continuing in his deep, commanding voice.
"Listen, boy… we've questioned every prisoner who was with you on that pirate ship. Now I want to hear your side of the story. Tell me exactly what happened when those pirates raided your village."
Ken nodded slowly, his shoulders sagging as a heavy sigh escaped his lips.
"That day, my father took me along with the other fishermen to teach me fishing."
"When we returned to the village, smoke rose from countless burning houses, and the cries of terrified women pierced the air."
"My father and I raced back home as fast as we could. When we arrived… we saw the pirate captain—the one you had killed—driving his sword straight into my mother's heart."
"When my father saw my mother fall, pierced by the pirate captain's sword, fury consumed him. He lunged forward, a roar tearing from his throat—but the same blade that stole her life swung through the air again, and my father's head rolled to the ground, leaving me paralyzed in horror."
"He then seized me, throwing me into captivity alongside the women and children the pirates had mercilessly kidnapped."
"They were going to sell us into slavery… but you saved us. Thank you… I will never forget your kindness."
Sakazuki, Momonga, and Doberman exchanged solemn nods as Ken finished recounting his experience. The room fell silent for a heartbeat, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. Then, Sakazuki's piercing gaze locked onto Ken, his gruff voice breaking the stillness as he asked
"Tell me, boy… what's your name?"
"My name is Ken, sir… Ken Vane, sir."
Sakazuki nodded, his gaze sharp and focused on Ken, then continued speaking with a measured intensity.
"You handled those pistols remarkably well, boy… and you're quite young. If I'm guessing correctly, you must be around five to seven years old. Who taught you?"
Ken grew quiet at the question, a heavy sigh escaping his chest as he reflected inwardly.
'He'd probably think I'm lying… or just spinning some wild tale if I told him I was a guy reborn into this world after dying in my own. All I can do now… is tell half the truth.'
After steeling himself, Ken began to answer Sakazuki's question.
""My father loved to collect firearms he used to collect a variety of them and practice with them."
"I've watched him countless times, practicing with them."
"When he went fishing with the other fishermen, I always sneaked into the room where he kept his firearms and practiced with them—the same spot where my father used to train."
"At first, I struggled with it, but after a few trials and errors, I finally figured things out."
Sakazuki smirked, but Momonga and Doberman froze, their faces betraying the shock of what they had just heard.
Sakazuki fixed Ken with a serious gaze. The moment Ken met those eyes, he straightened up instinctively. Sakazuki's voice cut through the quiet room.
"Boy… your skills are exceptional with pistols. With that talent, you could achieve great things… if you dedicate yourself to justice."
Ken glanced at Sakazuki with a questioning look and asked.
"Justice?"
Sakazuki smirked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gave a slow, deliberate nod.
"You, yourself, boy, have seen firsthand what pirates bring—nothing but injustice, suffering, and pain."
"They disrupt the world's order and defy its laws."
"There are countless pirates wreaking havoc across the seas. With your talent, we could work together to put an end to these wicked criminals and enforce true justice upon the world."
Ken's eyes widened, and he drew in a slow, steadying breath."
'Is this the path I've been searching for? A life without regrets… a life where I can finally do something meaningful with this second chance.'
Sakazuki smirked as he noticed Ken lost in thought, then continued with a cold certainty.
"If you choose to join the Marines, boy, I will take you under my wing. I'll train you personally and make sure you reach your full potential."
Ken clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles went white. He locked eyes with Sakazuki, and the hollowness in his gaze vanished—replaced by a sharp, burning brightness.
"Sir… I want to join the Marines. I want to live a life with no regrets—to help people, just like you saved us. I want to do something meaningful, something that would make my father and mother proud."
Sakazuki, Momonga, and Doberman smirked in perfect unison at Ken's answer, their eyes gleaming with a mix of interest and appraisal.
"Good. From today, you are my student. Our training begins tomorrow morning. Go to the cafeteria and eat properly—you're malnourished. You'll need every ounce of strength for tomorrow, and I will not go easy on you."
Ken nodded firmly, his expression resolute, and replied without hesitation.
"Understood, sir. Excuse me—I'll head to the cafeteria now."
Sakazuki gave a slight nod. Ken turned and stepped out of the medical bay, his footsteps echoing on the ship's deck.
Sakazuki then turned his gaze toward Momonga and Doberman, his eyes sharp as he asked,
"So… what do you two think of the boy?"
Momonga smiled softly and said.
"He's been through so much. I believe he'll be a great addition to the Marines. When we first saw him, his eyes were hollow… but after you gave him the chance to join, they're now full of life."
Doberman nodded his head.
"I agree with Momonga sir."
Sakazuki nodded and stepped out of the medical bay, his presence commanding even in silence.
"After dropping the prisoners we rescued at the nearest Marine base, instruct the base commander to take proper care of them. Once that is done, we will sail to the base under Yamakaji's command."
Momonga and Doberman saluted sharply before swiftly departing to make the necessary arrangements.
Sakazuki turned sharply and began walking toward his office, his steps echoing on the deck as he makes his way there.
'Momonga and Doberman don't fully understand that boy. He's been through what I have—we both lost our parents right before our eyes when our villages were raided by pirates.'
'Just like me, he discovered his life's purpose when I invited him to join the Marines. Not only will he be a valuable addition to our ranks, but he will also prove to be a significant asset to us.'
Sakazuki stepped into his office, the door closing with a decisive thud behind him. He reached for his Den Den Mushi, its receiver coiling like a vigilant serpent as he prepared to make the call.
"Yamakaji, this is Vice-Admiral Sakazuki. I will be arriving at your base in a few days."
"Good. I'll be staying at your base for a while."
"Alright."
"Gotcha!"
________