White Tiger

Noticing the comotion behind, Kimimaro shook his head in resigned manner. 

"Hahaha, you have lively crews Kimimaro-kun.." Vegapunk responded while he adjusted his oversized winter cap covering his massive head.

"Don't mind them doctor, they just have some screw loose in their head." 

after quite a while walking, Kimimaro sensed some presence appeared on the road ahead, he gestured toward the back to prepare if those presence bore an ill will towards them. 

after preparing for the unknown, soon, both groups meet with each other on the road, before Kimimaro determined the other company intention, a man from the opposite party exclaimed loudly! 

"VEGAPUNK! Is that you?" excitement could be heard from the man's voice.

Vegapunk squinted his eyes for an instant, however, soon he had huge smile plastered on his face. 

"Kotton! Hey!" Waving his hand Vegapunk walk faster as the opposite man running towards the doctor. 

Kimimaro followed along, despite the friendly attitude the opposite party shown, it doesn't hurt to keep his vigilance as Vegapunk was so important not only for the government, but to him personaly. 

in an instant Vegapunk and the man named Kotton reached each other, after sensing that the opposite party bore no malice, Kimimaro relaxed his guard and gestured toward his entourage to do the same.

"Its been a while Kotton!" 

"Yeah! Vegapunk, we miss you! hmahahaha!" 

Both of them hugged each other for a while before Kotton's companion take turn to hug Vegapunk who clearly overwhelmed with emotion. 

After joining MADS years ago, Vegapunk didn't have any chance to return towards his home island, and seeing people familiar to him, he finaly let loose of his burried emotion, crystal clear tears flowing out of their cheek as Vegapunk and the people from Karakuri island met each other.

"How are you? Where have you been? We thought that you don't want to return anymore!" Kotton immediately throw barrages of question, they were too focused on Vegapunk and failed to notice the entourage of Marine soldiers behind him.

*Snort! 

Vegapunk pulled back his flowing snot and answered, "Hahaha, what nonsense you guys talking about? Of course i will return, it just i didn't have much chance in the past!" 

"Hehehe, we thought you had forgotten about us." said Kotton awkwardly. 

Vegapunk snorted, "Hmmpf! Of course not, Konyo, Iiam, Takoko, Montrey..." 

The doctor pointed his finger one by one toward the islander with great familiarity, he couldn't forget them even if he wanted to due to his devil fruit ability, 

"...Foxtrot, Emma, and..." Vegapunk paused slightly as he point toward the last man who looks like a muscular young adult.

Sensing Vegapunk hesitation, Kotton smile mischievously, "...Hahahaha, see? you forgot about him!" 

Vegapunk eyes turned blank, how could it possible? he was sure that he knew every people on this island, but, how could he stumbled on this particular young man? 

Without waiting for long, the man reminded the doctor, "...umm, I'm Katton, Dr.Vegapunk." 

Vegapunk immediately opened his eyes wide, then he laugh, "Ahahahhaa! Oh my, you were such a young boy back then, now you had turned into a fine young man?" 

Katton was Kotton only son, when Vegapunk left the island, he was still a young brat with snot hanging from his nose, and now he has transformed into a muscular dude towering over even his father.

"Ahahaha! thats right Vegapunk, see? even the most brilliant mind in the world sometimes stumble into something!" 

Vegapunk and the group of natives laughed together. 

"By the way, who are they?" Kotton finaly noticed Vegapunk entourage behind and asked.

Vegapunk turned toward Kimimaro and explained, "They're the one who escorted me here, Please welcome Vice Admiral Kimimaro and his Marine crews." 

Kimimaro steps forward and gave the residents a salute followed along with his crews which gave them the same gesture.

Kotton and his entourage were dumbfounded after seeing the man claimed as Vice Admiral of Marine HQ gave them such an honor gesture. 

flustered, Kotton waved his hands frantically, "No, no, no...Please Vice Admiral, we don't deserve it, please be at ease..." 

Are you kidding? The high and mighty Vice Admiral of Marine HQ known for their ruthless behaviour across the globe gave them a salute? They still wanted to live a long life!

"Don't worry Kotton-san, giving you a salute doesn't lower our dignity if you think along those line. Besides, we Marine served the people from the danger, you can think of us as public servants." Kimimaro smiled gently. 

With blank looks, Kotton and the residents nodded slightly albeit feeling aprehensive, "I, i see, Sir Vice Admiral. Well, as the residents of Baldimore, i welcome your visit. Please enjoy your stay here sir!"

Vegapunk smiled seeing how different Kimimaro and his crews were against the other Marine, it was refreshing hearing Kimimaro regards of Marine as Public Servant. 

He was sure that if, Kimimaro speech were to known by those 5 elders, he would surely get reprimanded severely or worse. 

after seeing the awkward gesture the residents had, Vegapunk finaly tried to change the topic, "Well, their task are to escort me and keep me safe. Kotton, i'm sure you have other things to do, why don't we part ways here and meet later at evening?" 

Kotton finaly recovered from the unbelievable experience they had gotten into, then, he nodded towards Vegapunk as he gestured to his musket hanging on his shoulder, 

"okay, you're right. We are about to go hunting. Well, seeing you have company i think we'll get some more meat this evening." 

Vegapunk nodded, "Thank you Kotton, we apreciate it!" 

"hmahahaha, don't mind it old friend! Sharing meal with Vice Admiral from HQ will give us tremendous honor!" 

Echoing voice of the other men agreeing with Kotton words came from behind, they were eager to show their hunting capabilities towards the Marine. 

Seeing the kind gesture, Kimimaro didn't refuse. Instead, he looked at Daigin and several men of his, "You guys heard? How could you let them trouble themselves for us? Go help them!" 

"Sir, yes sir!" Daigin receiving command immediately saluted as he chose several marine to follow. 

"Huh? Si, Sir Vice Admiral, please don't. It's okay it was no problem for us, you don't have to..." 

"...Just let them be Kotton, your job would be easier this way right?" Vegapunk cut Kotton stammer short leaving the later speechless. 

Seeing Daigin and several Marines stood on standby waiting for the hunting team, Kotton could only bite the bullet and lead the way after he excused himself. 

Seeing his old friend left awkawardly leading the group of seemingly fierce Marine, Vegapunk chuckled, 

"Shall we go now?" 

"Please lead the way doctor..." Kimimaro responded.