Pirate: I was just slacking off, do you really think I'm bad?

[Faking illness to avoid work, slacking off is worth 500 points]

Hearing the system notification, Raleigh comfortably rolled over and adjusted the position of his pillow.

This is the medical room at Marineford, the headquarters of the Navy.

Since that great battle ended, because they defeated the Golden Lion, and Kuzan had frozen and retrieved the Golden Lion's head.

Given the enormous impact of this event, and its inspiring effect on navies around the world that are on the front lines!

So when headquarters found out, they immediately ordered Garp, Raleigh, and Kuzan to lead the warships back.

In the past few days, headquarters has redecorated the square in Marineford and summoned the heads of newspapers from all over the world again, demanding that they report on the incident. Kuzan's injuries have not yet healed, so he has moved into headquarters' infirmary, while Raleigh shamelessly refuses to leave.

When the attending physician removed the gauze from Luo Li's body and stared blankly at the almost completely healed wound, Luo Li, without batting an eye, retorted...

Then you'd better give me a proper check-up. Although my external wound has healed, I still feel a lot of discomfort in it.

Check my internal organs, bones, and muscles.

After a thorough physical examination by the doctor, it was found that Raleigh might have some early signs of hemorrhoids, but there were no other problems at all.

The doctor also mentioned this issue, suggesting that Raleigh shouldn't sit or lie down all the time, and should get up and move around more often.

Upon hearing this news, Raleigh felt as if his heart was breaking.

But in the end, thanks to his shamelessness, he managed to stay in the headquarters' medical ward to recuperate.

"Rayle, you said you have nothing to do, why don't you go out?"

Kuzan was engrossed in a book when he heard Raleigh turn over and asked a question.

stab.

Raleigh pulled back the curtain separating him from Kuzan and said casually;

Why should I go out?

"You know what's going on out there. Because of the Golden Lion's death, everyone in Marineford is a big shot now."

I heard that many high-ranking officials from the Celestial Dragons and the World Government have visited Marineford, and Vice Admiral Garp spends every day with them. I don't want to go out and take the hits for Vice Admiral Garp.

Raleigh expressed his opinion with a disdainful look. Reputation was worthless to him, especially since what he was doing at this stage was not suitable for attracting attention. Developing in secret was the best thing to do.

Kuzan silently picked up the book again, using it to cover his face.

Because in the morning, Garp called him via Den Den Mushi to ask if he could be discharged from the hospital, and Kuzan said that there were no problems and he planned to be discharged the next day.

I never expected there would be such a reason.

Now even Kuzan didn't want to face the questions from those world nobles and world government officials.

Raleigh, I think my injury is pretty serious too. Maybe I should rest for a few more days.

Kuzan said worriedly, "I don't want to go out and be someone's monkey."

Raleigh sat up in bed, grabbed two apples from beside the bed, and tossed one to Kuzan.

"Click, click," a crisp sound rang out in the ward.

Raleigh, biting into a fresh, juicy, and sweet apple, mumbled something indistinctly:

"It depends on personal principles. I don't like to be in the limelight, but that doesn't mean everyone does."

"If you want to rise quickly in the Navy, this is no less significant than the worldwide exposure I received when I was promoted to Vice Admiral."

I don't want to become the focus of the world's attention; after all, the incident I caused last time hasn't been forgotten.

Having only just begun to recognize Raleigh's face worldwide, Raleigh didn't want the Golden Lion incident to happen to him again.

Raleigh knew all too well what those guys at headquarters would do to him.

Only three people participated in the battle against Shiki. Apart from Garp, only Raleigh and Kuzan remained. The headquarters definitely favored Raleigh, since Raleigh had a higher rank and was more well-known worldwide than Kuzan.

If Raleigh's guess is correct, Headquarters wants to groom him into a pillar of the Navy like Garp. But this kind of life under the spotlight is not the life Raleigh wants. He glanced at Kuzan beside him.

Hmm, tall and imposing, with amazing talent, he seems like the perfect scapegoat. Raleigh couldn't help but ponder in his mind how to get Kuzan to become the hero.

Before he could come up with a plan, he heard noises coming from the hallway outside.

That brat Raleigh, he's been better for ages but just won't leave the hospital.

"Warring States, let's beat him up again."

Before they even appeared, their voices rang out, and there was no doubt that Garp and Sengoku had arrived.

Raleigh hurriedly rolled out of bed, opened the window, and turned to Kuzan, saying:

"Kuzan, I just remembered there's a group of pirates we need to capture. I'm off."

Then his body elementalized, dissipating like a gust of wind, leaving only a dumbfounded Kuzan in the ward. "Hey, no! You've pushed me into a fire pit!"

Kuzan saw Raleigh running away in a hurry and said excitedly.

Upon hearing the noise, Garp and Sengoku pushed open the hospital room door and shouted:

"Rolley, you're going to come with us and suffer a bit."

To everyone's surprise, when they opened the door, they only saw Kuzan standing by the window, about to jump.

The room was empty except for two creased hospital beds.

Sengoku only needed one glance to know what had happened; it was nothing more than that little rascal Raleigh running faster than a rabbit.

Having somehow gotten wind of the information, he quickly ran away, leaving Kuzan behind. "Kuzan, where are you going?"

Garp clenched his fists, making a cracking sound, and his words were full of threat.

Hearing the voice behind him, Kuzan turned around with a grim expression, forced a smile, and said to Garp and Sengoku:

Sengoku Taisho, Garp Lieutenant General, I just felt a bit stuffy in the room and wanted to open the window to let in some fresh air.

Hearing Kuzan's insincere words, Garp revealed a mischievous expression.

Feeling stuffy in the hospital room? Great, there's a place that won't be stuffy—a large outdoor area where you can soak up the sun and recharge.

Kuzan wanted to refuse, but seeing the ambiguous smiles on Sengoku and Garp's faces, he could only nod with a bitter expression.

"Actually, Raleigh was also very interested in this matter. He said he would go home, change his clothes, and then come to find you."

Although Kuzan himself fell into the fire pit, how could his good brother let Raleigh enjoy the good life outside alone?

Sengoku and Garp exchanged a glance, then shook their heads and joked.

That little bastard Raleigh, he would never do such a thing.

"I guess he just left a few minutes ago, otherwise you wouldn't have run to the window."

To put it simply, we all know Raleigh's lazy nature. He was already quite famous for his promotion to lieutenant general last time, so he's choosing not to seek the limelight again this time.

In fact, Sengoku and Garp had already discussed it before they came.

Even if Raleigh hadn't run away, Kuzan would still have been the final choice. The first reason is that Raleigh has already made a name for himself on the world stage, and for Raleigh's safety, it's best to keep him low-key.

Although a vice admiral's strength is already considered quite good on the high seas, in the eyes of top-tier experts, it might only be a difference of one or two strikes.

There have been instances in the past where naval geniuses have been plotted against and murdered by pirates, so the Navy has become more cautious in this regard.

Unless it is truly the case that their strength is unmatched.

The second reason is still the issue of factions.

After the vacant position is abolished, the final position of Grand Master will definitely be given to Sengoku, and after Sengoku is promoted, a position of General will be vacant.

Although Garp will not be promoted, it does not mean that the position of admiral will not be reserved in advance.

Currently, there are very few people in the Navy with the potential to become admirals.

The most outstanding among them is Sakazuki, followed by Raleigh and Borsalino, half a tier behind is Kuzan, and finally geniuses like Gion and Kakei.

Sakazuki does not belong to the Sengoku faction, and judging from his style, Sakazuki is a pure soldier whose ideas differ from those of Sengoku and Garp.

Borsalino is popular and strong, but he lacks work enthusiasm and likes to slack off during work hours.

Of course, Borsalino does not belong to the Sengoku faction; he belongs to the middle faction or is unaffiliated.

Like Borsalino, Raleigh is either a centrist or unaffiliated.

Only Kuzan is a completely innocent direct descendant of the Warring States period faction.

Therefore, this event is dispensable for Raleigh, but very important for Kuzan, and even more important for Sengoku and Garp.

It's worth noting that even Sakazuki had never experienced such an event.

"Alright, Kuzan, this incident is very important to you, so you must not take it lightly."

The Warring States period image of Ku Zan is explained clearly.

"Yes, I guarantee I will not betray the trust of Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp."

Kuzan saluted Sengoku and Garp.

Sengoku and Garp exchanged a glance, then said,

"Kid, don't use titles when there are no outsiders around; it sounds too formal."

Meanwhile, Rowley, who had secretly escaped from the infirmary, went straight home and needed to change his clothes before going out again.

He skillfully opened the door, and then his eyes met those of Borsalino, who was lying in a rocking chair drinking tea.

"Why are you back!"

"Why are you back!"

The two spoke in unison, then their eyes met, and they said, their gazes shifting:

"I'm just coming back to grab something and then I'm leaving."

"I'm just coming back to grab something and then I'm leaving."

Hearing Borsalino's words, Raleigh didn't believe a word.

Could he just grab something and leave? Absolutely not. If he could walk, why would he lie down?

Raleigh casually took two bottles of beer from the refrigerator, tossed one to Borsalino, and then lay down on the rocking chair next to Borsalino.

I opened the can and tilted my head back to drink a large gulp of the chilled wheat juice.

Raleigh quickly finished the entire bottle of wheat juice, then poured himself a satisfied drink and said:

"Brother, I'm leaving now."

Upon hearing Raleigh's words, Borsalino, who hadn't planned to drink, paused for a moment, then downed the beer Raleigh had given him in one gulp.

Have you decided where you're going? The Grand Line isn't as safe as the seas you've been to before.

Even the first half of the Grand Line, known as Paradise, is extremely dangerous. Many powerful pirates who have fallen from the New World like to recruit there.

Many great pirates, tired of the pirate life, also went into hiding on the Grand Line.

Borsalino, having spent a long time on the Grand Line, naturally knows much more than Raleigh.

The climate along the Grand Line is unpredictable; some places experience snow all year round, such as Vegapunk's hometown. Others have 24 different climates throughout the year.

The power of nature is hundreds of times greater than that of pirates.

"Okay, I understand. I'll be more careful."

Now, with me focused on escaping, there aren't many who can still kill me.

Raleigh expressed his confidence, saying that he only realized how awesome he was after Roger slashed him.

Vice Admiral – this is almost the highest rank most people can achieve in their lifetime.

There are only three positions for Navy Admirals. Even if someone is strong enough, they may not be able to be elected. Sometimes, the Navy might prefer to leave an Admiral position vacant rather than promote someone who is not qualified.

"So it's truly remarkable that Raleigh is already a lieutenant general at this age." I originally wanted to visit you, but after asking the doctor, I learned that if you had come to the hospital half an hour later, your wounds would have completely healed.

Hearing Borsalino's blunt honesty, Raleigh felt a little embarrassed.

My acting skills were still poor; when I fought Roger, I subconsciously used all my strength.

As a result, he was stabbed and his defenses were breached, leaving a scar on his chest.

Because of this scar, Rowley managed to stay in the infirmary for a full seven days.

This is why he was so happy after winning the battle.

What do you think of Shiki and Roger's strength?

"Sakazuki asked curiously."

Raleigh pondered for a moment, then coughed twice before speaking;

To be frank, we didn't encounter the Golden Lion or Roger at their peak. Our operation was just picking up the scraps; they were already exhausted before we even arrived.

Even so, the Golden Lion, burning with life force, was extremely difficult to defeat. Luckily, Vice Admiral Garp firmly restrained him; otherwise, with Kuzan and my combined strength, we would have been sliced ​​to pieces long ago.

"And I must mention Roger. He was like a relentless bulldozer. Apart from Vice Admiral Garp, it took Kuzan and me working together to stop Roger's attacks."

Thinking about it now, I'm still terrified.

Raleigh's chest wound had completely healed. He had taken off his hospital gown, revealing a strong, muscular physique and a very faint scar on his chest.

The doctor was right, Raleigh is indeed almost fully recovered.

The strength of the world's top experts is indeed well-deserved!