Marine Academy
Part 4
Chapter 26

"The absolute emergency in this kind of situation will not be to extract the object but to make a pressure bandage all around this object to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. Be careful of course not to increase the pressure of the object on the wound and thus increase the bleeding. You must always keep in mind that an artery can be trapped by the object, and will burst as soon as you remove it. In this case, your only chance of saving the patient is to have an operating room and a blood reserve. According to our recent studies, an object can remain in the wound for up to forty-eight hours as long as an occlusive and pressure bandage is present. After this time, you will absolutely need two things: start shock antibiotic therapy and remove the object surgically to prevent its composition: iron, plastic, etc. from degrading and causing septic shock in the patient."

The students in front of her were frantically writing her explanations.

The first time she had set foot on the other side of the office of the Grand Amphitheater of the Marine Academy, a wind of happiness had overwhelmed her.

She had finally crossed over to the other side. She had become the emeritus and respected professor that she dreamed of being, that she idolized when she was still in the chair.

She saw her husband sitting in the last row at the back right, arms crossed, listening to her attentively. It was the first class she had given at the Academy and he had insisted on being present despite his monstrous schedule since becoming the Admiral in Chief a few weeks earlier.

His absence for his fight against the former Admiral Aokiji had changed something in their dynamic. When he returned, they had taken the time to talk to each other and Sakazuki had promised her to take more time for herself and for their relationship.

But he was becoming increasingly opaque about his actions as a soldier and the decisions he made.

And she chose stay blind, because it was the last chance, she knew that very well. They wouldn't survive another fight, the foundations were far too fragile and a simple gust of wind threatened to blow everything apart. She hated herself for keeping her eyes closed like that, but it was the only solution that was right for her. Plan A.

Plan A was total immobility. It consisted of continuing this job that she loved so much despite the difficulties and the patients that she would continue to see die in her hands, continuing to live with her husband that she was no longer sure she loved, in this house on Marineford, and enjoying life on the base with Claire and Emma.

Plan B was the total give up of every part of her current life to run after a fantasy that she had only ever seen in her dreams. Resign, divorce, leave Emma and Claire at the Grand Hospital, abandon all her patients who fight every day for justice, and leave for an unknown island to build a house that does not exist next to the beach and open a medical practice to treat families and tourists passing through.

Plan A was insipid, Plan B was scary.

"Your class was very interesting." Sakazuki began as they walked hand in hand on a beach that they knew well. The Admiral-in-Chief had often came here during his training, and the blonde came to watch him while eating her favorite skewers.

They sat on the sand, scrutinizing the sun that was setting on the horizon. The blonde looked at their intertwined hands. She no longer felt that electrifying heat that ran through her as soon as he touched her skin. Maybe it was simply age, the disappearance of the passion specific to young couples? She glanced at the Admiral-in-Chief stripes on his shoulders.

"Thank you for taking the time to come, Sakazuki."

He didn't answer, continuing to scan the ocean.

"I thought you would be happy to return to this beach, where it all began."

She let the small grains of sand flow down her hand.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you smile like before." The Admiral-in-Chief's voice was deep and slow. She intertwined her fingers with his again and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes to enjoy the last warmth of the sun's rays on her skin.

He took an envelope out of his coat. The white paper was torn, a sign that the letter had already been opened and certainly read.

He handed it to her silently. She immediately recognized the handwriting of the former Admiral Aokiji and her heart raced.

"Dear Murphy,

I hope this letter reaches you one day.

I am in the middle of the New World and I am writing to you on a picnic table. The army of goats next to me is far too obsessed with my paper for my liking. Maybe this letter will end up deep in the belly of a goat and you will never see it. But hey.

I am fine. Don't believe anything they say about me in that damn newspaper.

I am healthy, I found a super sexy eighty year old doctor with a scalpel worthy of a butcher. She got me back on my feet very quickly but I fled quickly, I am far too used to sexy nurses and blonde doctors who throw files at you.

I sincerely hope that you are well and that you are still enjoying your work. I bought a medical book at the market but it is really too complicated for me, even with drawings. One day you will have to give me private lessons, it will surely be clearer with you.

I will not ask you to leave everything and go join me because that is a decision you must make alone. But life would still be more beautiful with you by my side.

I bought a house on the beach, under three palm trees, on the island of Cotonoa. It is stupid because the call of the sea never leaves me, I still have things to do.

If one day you pass by, the key is in the pot of flowers hanging on the south of the veranda. You will not risk making a mistake, there is your name on the mailbox.

Take care of yourself Murphy, and keep your eyes open.

Kuzan."

The doctor placed the letter against her chest, her cheeks cover with tears as she hang to her husband's arm, sobbing silently.