One Piece: My code name is Green Bull

"If you had returned following the route I designated for you, you wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses.

Young people having their own ideas is a good thing, but sometimes… it can be bad. You paid a heavy price to learn a lesson—I hope you remember it well."

After Jon left, Tsuru muttered to herself in a solemn tone.

Jon didn't know, and neither did anyone else, that Tsuru had actually sent multiple warships along her designated route, not just Jon's.

Having dealt with Big Mom before, she knew very well how terrifying Charlotte Linlin was—Jon and his team were no match for her.

Even so, she had still sent Jon on the mission, but she had also prepared backup plans.

Even if those backup forces couldn't defeat Big Mom, they could have at least covered Jon's retreat.

But what she didn't expect was that Jon and his team changed their route without permission—even Gion failed to report it to her in time.

Because of that, what was supposed to be a combat training mission turned into a slaughter, and even Tsuru, far away at the naval base, was powerless to change the outcome.

Still, she didn't harshly scold Jon—after all, everyone makes mistakes.

She only hoped that Jon would truly learn from this experience so that he would never make the same mistake again.

After leaving Tsuru's office, Jon stretched lazily.

Ever since he learned that his team had nearly been wiped out, he had been feeling incredibly tense.

Now, he could finally breathe a little easier—the pressure was at least somewhat relieved.

Tsuru's meaning was clear—she wasn't punishing him.

Technically speaking, his mission was not a failure.

The objective was to defend the Kingdom of Rhodes and repel the Big Mom Pirates—and they succeeded.

The ambush by Big Mom's crew only happened after the mission was completed.

Tsuru calling him careless wasn't about his combat performance—she was referring to his decision to change course.

If he had left through the same route he had entered, they might not have been ambushed at all.

A good commander doesn't just look at the present situation—they must anticipate the future.

Jon had let his guard down after Big Mom's forces didn't return immediately.

That gave Big Mom the chance to ambush them.

Jon was frustrated—after all, they had faced Big Mom herself.

Even though his team was strong, surviving against a Yonko was already a miracle.

But he couldn't say that out loud.

As the commander, he couldn't just take credit for victories—when things went wrong, he had to be the first to take responsibility.

Even though he was frustrated, he could only swallow his complaints.

This was the first time he truly felt the pressure of command.

Before, he thought being a naval officer was easy.

But now, he realized it wasn't like in anime—it was real life.

The Navy had its own strict rules that he still had to slowly figure out.

"Jon!"

Jon turned around and saw Gion standing nearby, her eyes red from crying.

Jon felt a lump in his throat and walked over to hug her tightly.

"It's okay. I'm okay."

Gion also held him tightly, her voice choking.

"You were gone for so long without any news—I thought you… I thought you…"

Jon patted her back, then released her and smiled.

"Someone like me? No way I'd die so easily."

Gion tried to smile, but couldn't.

"They… they're all gone."

"I know."

Jon's voice turned icy cold.

"One day, I'll avenge them. I'll take Big Mom's head and offer it to them."

Right now, he wasn't strong enough to defeat Charlotte Linlin.

But in the future? That was another story.

Even if she was one of the Four Emperors, as long as Jon had enough influence in the Navy, he would find a way to take her down.

After comforting Gion for a while, Jon returned to his dormitory.

As soon as he arrived, he saw several people waiting for him—Borsalino, Pemberton, Kaji, and White.

"Welcome back, Jon!"

Pemberton was the first to stand up and give Jon a bear hug.

"You bastard! You were gone for so long without a word—I thought you were dead!"

Jon smiled.

"Weren't you always confident in me? A little setback like this wouldn't kill me."

He then turned to Kaji, who looked the same as always.

But when he saw White, his pupils contracted slightly.

"Captain White… your hand?"

White raised his bandaged left arm, which was now only half of what it used to be.

"It was burned too badly. To prevent infection, I had to cut it off. But compared to the brothers who lost their lives, I got off easy."

Jon patted his shoulder firmly, guilt in his eyes.

"It was my fault. I failed you all."

Suddenly, Kaji spoke up.

"No, it wasn't your fault—it was mine. If I hadn't suggested capturing those pirates, we wouldn't have changed course. Maybe we wouldn't have been caught by Big Mom's fleet. It's all on me."

"Enough of that!"

Seeing Jon and Kaji blaming themselves, Borsalino finally spoke up.

"What's done is done. Sitting here arguing about who's to blame won't change anything."

He adjusted his sunglasses, then grinned.

"It was just a small setback. Instead of dwelling on it, why don't we go out and have some fun?"

His eyes sparkled mischievously.

"I heard there's a new place in town. New shop, grand opening—probably discounts. And plenty of new faces.

So, gentlemen—are we going or not?"

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Everyone stared silently at Borsalino.

But Borsalino had the thickest skin in the room—he didn't care at all.

"What's with the silence? Come on! It's my treat!"

Jon waved his hand dismissively.

"Borsalino rarely offers to pay. You guys should go and relax."

"What about you?" Borsalino asked.

Jon laughed bitterly.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru ordered me not to wander off."

"Tch. Fine."

Borsalino shrugged, then turned to the others.

"How about you guys?"

Pemberton, who had just been mourning their fallen comrades, suddenly gulped nervously and asked:

"You're paying?"

Borsalino sighed dramatically.

"Yeah, yeah. Even if it brings me bad luck, I'll cover it.

Think of it as my way of cheering you up. Let's go."

"Count me in," Kaji suddenly said.

Borsalino's eyebrow twitched.

"Fine, fine. The more, the merrier. Captain White, what about you?"

White shook his head.

"I'll pass. My family is waiting for me at home. I just wanted to talk to Jon before leaving."

"Alright then. Pemberton, Kaji, you two are coming with me. Let's go!"

The three of them snuck out of the dormitory like criminals.

Once they were gone, White turned to Jon.

"Borsalino is a smart guy. Men have their own ways of relieving stress. You sure you don't wanna go?"

Jon shrugged.

"Not interested. I'm a bit of a clean freak—I don't like that kind of environment."

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