Graveyard of a Madman Part 35

Previous: Graveyard of a Madman Part 34

They sat in the middle of an empty barracks, having moved all of the beds out of the way so that they could sit in the middle of the floor. Goro poured them both some tea and they sat, cross legged. Chio's tears had ceased, but the look of shame never left his face. They had talked about many things since they last saw each other so many years ago.

Goro: I will hear no more of this talk of you comparing yourself to that man. You have not shamed me in any way, shape, or form. In fact, I do not believe I could have handled your situation any better than you did. If it were me, I would have relentlessly hunted Jossu down and dealt with him with these [Held up his very large fists.] What you did was survive, Chio, and even thrived under your circumstances.

Chio sipped his tea, contemplating what Goro was saying. He looked off to the side, looking at his silver oak leaf.

Chio: This was all I wanted. Rise up the ranks, and command my own squadron against the pirates. As it stands now, I have taken down uncountable numbers of Marines, all the while fighting under the banner of a pirate.

Goro: I would have captained a pirate vessel in search for revenge for what that bastard did. You did as I could not. You let him live, only to thwart him in the long run. You are a better man than I, Chio.

Chio's eyes widened at this, staring up at his father, who held up his tea cup and gave it a large gulp.

Goro: Make no mistake, Chio. I would have preferred that you stay in the Marines, but if your superiors were too corrupt or blind to see that you had not destroyed that Marine base, then it was right of you to take it upon yourself to right it. Rinji is obviously the friend you needed, when you needed him. I never doubted your innocence, and quite honestly, I glowed with pride when I saw how you had grown in your bounty poster. [Smiled, and gave a chuckle.] Do you remember what you told me when you were just a boy? [Chio shook his head in response.] You were training for boot camp when I came out to you to bring you water. You looked at me, tears in your eyes as your deep scars had not yet healed. You swore to me that you would be nothing like Runagai Kamlyn, the bastard who wronged you as a small child. You told me that you dreamed of becoming a good man, a strong man. If you needed permission to obtain such a title, consider it done, Chio. You may have become a pirate, but that has not deterred you from doing what is right.

These words struck Chio at the core, and caused his eyes to grow misty once again. At that point, he bowed his head low as he sat before his true father, his hands firmly planted on the ground.

Chio: Thank you, Father. [Then he sat back up and looked toward Goro.] But what does this mean? Are you here to fight us with the Marines? [Then he looked around him.] Am I supposed to fight you now?

Goro: Giiihahahahaha! As much as I would love to test your mettle as you are now... Lt. Commander Runagai, no. I will not be fighting you now, however, it seems I will have to make an effort to defeat your comrades. You and I will meet in battle, but it is not now, my son.

Chio: Oh. Well, I'm not going to tell you to hold back. Just promise me that you will not fight Daro Daro Usagi.

That was when Chio saw the expression come across Goro's face. The expression that was the master of all sly, evil grins and a twinkle in his eye that made Chio uncomfortable.

Goro: Oooohhhh? Ink-Blade Usagi, you say? My my, Chio. It seems you've become a better man than I had anticipated.

Chio: Goro-senseiiii!!! [Growing visibly annoyed.]

Goro: Gihahahahah-

The door flew open and several Marines barged into the room with rifles.

Marine: Hold it right th---

Before he could even finish, Goro rose up from his sitting position, and towered over that young, low-grade Marine. His arms crossed over his chest, and he gazed down at all of them with very angry eyes.

Goro: Yoooouuuu DARE to barge into this room, disturbing my peaceful conversation with Lt. Commander Runagai?!

Marine: [Began to profusely sweat as he lowered his rifle, and get to attention with a salute, followed by his wingmen.] F-f-f-forgive me, Goro-san! We were looking for intruders that have been said to be on the vessels! I heard voices in here and--

Goro: And you see that there are no intruders! Mission accomplished, Seaman! Now get out of my sight!

Marine: Aye aye!

They wasted no time in vacating the room as fast as their legs could carry them. Goro grinned, a slight sense of nostalgia overtaking him, chewing out a subordinate. He popped his neck and looked back toward Chio, who was also smiling, remembering how intimidating his adoptive father could be.

Goro: My son, I'm afraid it is time we ended our happy reunion. [He said this, and the weight of it wore on him, heavily as it did Chio.]

---