Marineford War: I Will Stand in the Sky

A feeling of nostalgia welled up inside me...

Six years have passed, and Yann has gradually transformed from a twenty-five-year-old youth into a thirty-one-year-old middle-aged man.

As for the old man from the Warring States period, his appearance hadn't changed much; he still had that dignified look. However, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and the few strands of white hair visible at the roots indicated the marks that time had left on him.

With a look of excitement and warmth in his eyes, Yann said, "Long time no see, old man..."

However, Marshal Sengoku glanced coldly at Ya'en and said in a completely indifferent tone.

"Stop pretending here, you bastard. If you really missed me, you wouldn't have dragged your feet for six years and refused to come back. Now you're saying 'long time no see,' but I suspect you're just waiting for me to die before you come back."

Ya'en's expression froze, and he gave an awkward smile, saying, "How could that be?"

"Why not?"

The Warring States Marshal spoke with an indifferent attitude.

"First, they said that Sora was born with congenital deficiencies and could not withstand the turbulence of long-distance travel. Then, Ying was inexplicably poisoned and bedridden for a year. After that, Sora accidentally broke his leg. They used similar excuses for six years. Is there anything else you can't do?"

"Hehehe..."

Arn scratched his head awkwardly, not daring to refute.

After all, if Marshal Sengoku hadn't issued an ultimatum—that if Arn didn't return to Marineford, he would have to leave Marineford and go to Amazon Lily himself—Arn felt he could have stalled for another two or three years.

Marshal Sengoku's gaze toward Arn grew increasingly disdainful and dissatisfied, and he continued to berate him.

"Look at yourself as a Rear Admiral of the Navy Headquarters. What kind of appearance do you have now? Your hair is messy, your beard is unkempt, and you're dressed in beach clothes. Do you have even a hint of what a naval hero should look like?"

Yaen looked at his clothes and said, "Really? Doesn't this feel pretty good? Much more comfortable than a suit, and easier to use for fishing..."

"What? Fishing?!"

Immediately, the Warring States Marshal's expression grew increasingly grim.

fishing?

What kind of fish are you fishing for? How could a real navy officer have such a leisurely hobby?

"You damned brat, change your clothes right now..."

Just as Fleet Admiral Sengoku, ignoring the gazes of the many marines around him, suddenly raised his voice and reprimanded Aon, he noticed a small head peeking out from under Aon's cloak at his feet.

What is that?!

Her features were exquisitely delicate, her face was so smooth and fair that it seemed as if a touch could break it. Beneath her long, curved eyelashes, her bright eyes seemed to reflect the entire world like a mirror. With a slight sway of her head, her Hime-style hair and Arn's white cloak made her hair appear even more lustrous and jet black.

However, the next moment, before Marshal Sengoku could subconsciously break into a smile and speak, the little head shrank back as if startled.

"Eh eh eh~~"

The imposing demeanor on the Warring States Marshal's face vanished instantly, replaced by a kind and gentle tone as he softly called out, "Ying, don't hide. It's me, Grandpa. Have you forgotten Grandpa's voice?"

???

Ya'en.

This old man has never spoken to me so gently to my face in his entire life.

However, after Marshal Sengoku's voice rang out, Ying, who was hiding behind Yan's cloak, peeked out a little bit to look at Marshal Sengoku, then shrank back again, and then a childish voice came out.

"No, no, my grandfather's voice is very cute, it couldn't possibly be that fierce."

In an instant, the Warring States Marshal's face, still bearing the traces of his former majesty, flushed slightly. He glanced at his colleagues watching him and hesitated for a few breaths.

The next moment, the Warring States Marshal's lips pursed slightly, and his tone lost all its majesty, instead speaking as if he were a kind old grandfather next door.

"I'm your adorable grandpa! Come out, my lovely Ying~"

For a moment, Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Vice Admiral Momousagi, and Vice Admiral Chaton all couldn't help but show expressions as if they had seen a ghost.

"Hahaha, the Warring States period, hahaha..."

Lieutenant General Garp was stunned for a moment, then burst into unrestrained laughter. "You idiot, that's not how you get your grandson to obey; you have to use the iron fist of love..."

However, before Vice Admiral Garp could finish speaking, Fleet Admiral Sengoku turned his head and his expression turned incredibly terrifying as he whispered a warning to Garp.

“Shut up! You ruined my important first meeting with my grandchildren. You’ll never leave Marineford for the rest of your life.”

Immediately afterwards, the Warring States Marshal turned his head again, and once again resumed his harmless and kind demeanor like an old neighbor, continuing to coax her.

"Ying, come out quickly! Grandpa has prepared lots and lots of delicious candy for you~~~"

Immediately, under the expectant gaze of Marshal Sengoku, Ying slowly peeked out again, timidly looking at Marshal Sengoku.

Then, Marshal Sengoku felt as if Ying's eyes flashed with light, as if she had confirmed something.

"It really is Grandpa!"

The next moment, accompanied by this joyful cry, Ying ran towards the Warring States Marshal with cheers and leaps, her outstretched arms like those of a beautiful bird.

Upon seeing this, the Warring States Marshal immediately knelt down and embraced Ying, who had run over.

"Hahaha, I've finally met you in person, Ying..."

"You've grown so much!"

"How adorable, Hotaru~"

At this moment, the Warring States Marshal looked exactly like an ordinary old man meeting his granddaughter for the first time. His face was beaming with excitement and joy as he chattered on and on to Ying, his eyes unwilling to look away from her for even a moment.

Her bright, sparkling eyes narrowed into slits as she sweetly called out, "Grandpa, Ying missed you so much too~"

But from an angle unnoticed by everyone, Ying secretly gave Yaen a small "victory" sign. (To be continued)

[Chapter 420: Passing on Experience?]

Watching Ying's small hand gesture, Ya'en smiled subtly, then sighed, "Tsk, what a heartwarming scene~"

“Father, I think you should go and hug Grandpa too.”

The next moment, a crisp voice rang out from Ya'en's left, and the suggestion it made almost sent a chill down Ya'en's spine.

Hugging an old man from the Warring States period? Aan would rather go to the "New World" and fight those great pirates in close combat!

Yaen ruffled the hair of the little boy standing next to him and said, "Saying things like that is really unlovable, Sora."

Kong sighed helplessly, tidied his messed-up hair, and said.

"Father, when are you going to change your perverse tastes? Stop messing up my hair and poking Ying's face with the stubble you've been growing. Ying has secretly complained about this many times."

Yaen withdrew his hand and said with a smile, "I'll definitely... change next time!"

Upon hearing this, Kong, whose face bore a maturity beyond his years, couldn't help but click his tongue softly, realizing that his father, with his perverse sense of humor, had once again failed to heed his words.

"Too immature..."

Sora muttered something to himself, then ignored Arn and strode toward Marshal Sengoku, bowing respectfully as he spoke.

"Nice to meet you, Grandpa, I am Sora."

"null?!"

The Warring States Marshal, who was engrossed in his meeting with Ying, was slightly taken aback. His gaze shifted, and he noticed the little boy standing at his feet.

His impeccable manners and gestures, coupled with a youthful face that belied a mature demeanor, even exuded a sense of gentle elegance.

However, Sora inherited facial features that were eight-tenths similar to Aon's, making her look incredibly delicate and cute, which created a kind of unexpected charm.

"Kong, look at Grandpa's beard. It's so cute tied up like this. It doesn't prick your hands at all."

Meanwhile, Ying had already started playing with the braided beard of the Warring States Marshal.

Seeing this, Kong scolded softly, "Ying, you mustn't be rude. You'll make things difficult for Grandpa."

The Warring States Marshal, realizing what was happening, repeatedly said, "No problem, no problem..."

Upon hearing this, Ying stuck out her tongue slightly at Kong and said, "Hmph, Kong, look, Grandpa is clearly fine..."

After a pause, Ying said sweetly to Marshal Sengoku, "Grandpa, I want to tie my hair up like your beard. Do you think it looks good?"

"Of course, no problem. If Ying likes it, Grandpa will braid your hair every day from now on..." Sengoku, his face flushed with delight by Ying's coaxing, agreed without hesitation.

Immediately, Marshal Zhan Guo bent down slightly and picked Kong up in his arms. The satisfaction in his eyes as he looked at Kong was palpable.

To Arn, that expression looked as if he had ruined his "son's" character and was starting a new "grandson's" character to train properly.

'This is...outrageous...'

Ya'en muttered to himself, and when he realized that Marshal Sengoku had no intention of causing him any more trouble, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Immediately afterwards, Yann turned his gaze to Lieutenant General Garp, Lieutenant General Tsuru, Lieutenant General Momousagi, and Lieutenant General Chaton, whom he knew well, and greeted them one by one.

Among them, Vice Admiral Tsuru and Vice Admiral Garp were alright; they were teased a few times and then it was over.

Upon seeing Gion and Kake again, Aon inexplicably felt as if time and space had shifted.

Compared to when the three of them first met fifteen or sixteen years ago, their appearances have changed dramatically without them even realizing it.

Aon has gone from a handsome, slender boy to someone approaching thirty, while Gion has matured into an incredibly sophisticated and charming older sister. As for Kake... well...

Now, having earned the title of "Tea-Tonkotsu Lieutenant General," he spoke with obvious joy at the reunion, "Brother Yann, it's been a long time! Welcome back!"

However, even though Yann is currently unkempt and knows that they are both around the same age,

But when Aon and Kake stood together, given Kake's apparent "anxiety," Aon felt that even calling him "uncle" would be a bit of an advantage, let alone being called "big brother" by Kake.

"Kakei, you...you've matured a lot..."

After a pause, Yann patted Jiaji on the shoulder and said, "Without realizing it, you've gotten ahead of me again. I didn't expect you to already be a Vice Admiral in the Marine Headquarters."

Praised by Yann, Jiaji's smile grew even brighter, and he said, "Hahaha, even the rank of vice admiral is not as impressive as Brother Yann's title of 'Naval Hero'."

Immediately, Yann waved his hands repeatedly, then turned his gaze to "Vice Admiral Momousagi" Gion, who was standing on the other side.

Their eyes met, but neither of them knew what to say; their eyes merely flickered slightly.

Meanwhile, Kaji, who had been excitedly about to say something more, suddenly froze, vaguely sensing that the gazes between Aon and Gion seemed... somewhat unusual.

Immediately, Kaji seemed to realize something and spoke up. "Brother Aon, you don't not recognize Momousagi... uh, I mean Gion, she's been promoted to Vice Admiral now, her title is 'Momosagi'..."

He paused, then shook his head and spoke.

"But it's normal that you don't recognize her right away, Brother Arn. After all, Momousagi is so much prettier and more beautiful than before. It's just that she's so hard to win over. I've confessed to Momousagi ninety times in a row and been rejected. Sigh..."

Finally, Jiaji sighed and asked Yann.

"Brother Yann, could you share some tips on how to win over the Pirate Empress? Let's see if we can get Momousagi to accept me as soon as possible."