The soldier stepped forward slowly, carrying a tray in both hands.
A tall man with deep green, curly hair walked out from the ranks. His posture was straight, his presence heavy. He raised his hand and saluted Kuzan.
Kuzan returned the salute casually, then reached toward the tray.
He picked up a pair of Marine Admiral epaulets and fixed them onto the man's shoulders.
"Your name is Aramaki. A Logia-type Forest-Forest Fruit user. Your Observation Haki and Armament Haki have both reached the highest level. You are fully qualified to serve as a Marine Admiral."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"You are hereby granted the title, Green Bull."
Aramaki stepped back, then saluted again.
"My name is Aramaki. From this moment on, I am a Marine Admiral. I will punish evil and eliminate all pirates in this world."
Cheers exploded across the plaza.
"Admiral Green Bull!"
"Admiral Green Bull!"
"Admiral Green Bull!"
The voices of Marines echoed not only across Marineford, but throughout the entire world through the broadcast.
Kuzan gave a slight nod.
Aramaki moved aside, his expression unreadable.
Another tall figure stepped forward, this one with brown hair. He saluted with the same firm discipline.
Kuzan returned it and picked up the final pair of epaulets.
He placed them carefully on the man's shoulders.
"Your name is Saleh. A Logia-type Earth-Earth Fruit user. Your Observation Haki and Armament Haki have also reached the highest level. You are fully qualified to serve as a Marine Admiral."
"You are hereby granted the title, Brown Mole."
Saleh stepped back and saluted.
"My name is Saleh. From today onward, I am a Marine Admiral. I will pursue true justice, uphold fairness, and dedicate myself to maintaining peace across the seas."
The crowd erupted once more.
"Admiral Brown Mole!"
"Admiral Brown Mole!"
"Admiral Brown Mole!"
Across every Marine base in the world, the reaction was the same.
Excitement. Relief. Confidence.
Although the Marines had lost Sakazuki during the Marineford War, they had gained two new Admirals.
Their strength had not declined. If anything, it had grown.
During the war against the Whitebeard Pirates, nearly a third of each branch's elite forces had been mobilized. Almost half of those elites never returned.
On top of that, Rolan's declaration at Marineford had shaken the world, far surpassing even the impact of Gol D. Roger decades ago.
The seas had entered a new era of chaos.
Countless pirates set sail.
Pressure mounted across every Marine branch. For a time, the Marines showed signs of weakening.
But the global conscription changed everything.
Fresh blood flooded their ranks. Their forces not only recovered, they expanded.
Now, each branch stood stronger, more prepared to face the rising tide of pirates.
This broadcast was not limited to the Marines.
Across the seas, pirates watched and reacted in their own ways.
"The Marines recruited this many soldiers, and even added two Admirals. Things might get troublesome."
"Hah, troublesome? Since when are pirates afraid of the Marines?"
"That's right. No matter how many they have, it changes nothing."
"I didn't set sail for treasure or the title of Pirate King. I just want to outplay those Marines. The stronger they are, the more fun it gets."
"Yin Puxi, stop lying. Last time you ran out of a Marine base begging for your life."
"That was strategy. Knowing when to retreat is part of being a real man."
"Whatever. As long as they don't interfere with my treasure hunt."
"I'm going after the One Piece."
Laughter spread among them.
"In this era, people still dream about becoming Pirate King? If you want that title, you better ask the God Slayer first."
"Marine or God Slayer, it doesn't matter. One day, I'll make all of you run."
New World, Peach Garden.
At a quiet coffee shop by a crossroads, two old men sat across from each other.
Each held a cup of coffee.
One of them, Neptune, stared at the broadcast with concern.
"King Cobra, do you think this large-scale Marine conscription is aimed at Peach Garden? This Fleet Admiral Kuzan clearly has ambitions."
The other man, Nefertari Cobra, leaned slightly and glanced out the window.
"What? Who's running without pants?"
Neptune pressed his fingers against his forehead, letting out a quiet sigh.
"I'm talking about Fleet Admiral Kuzan."
Cobra blinked, then looked back at the screen.
"Oh, you mean the world-wide conscription."
Neptune nodded.
"Since Rolan declared war on the World Government at Marineford, Kuzan has been pushing these policies nonstop. It's obvious they're targeting Peach Garden."
Cobra chuckled and shook his head.
"You worry too much. I've heard plenty about Kuzan. People say he values his subordinates, protects civilians, and truly believes in justice."
He took a sip of coffee before continuing.
"And Peach Garden, even though it's led by pirates, is peaceful. The people live well. Compared to most places in the world, this is closer to justice than anything else."
Neptune remained silent.
"I don't think someone like Kuzan would attack a place like this."
Cobra leaned back slightly.
"And don't forget, this is Rolan's territory. The strongest man in the world. The base of the largest pirate crew."
He gestured toward the screen.
"You saw Marineford. Right now, most of the New World is under Peach Garden's influence. Even if the Marines come, we can hold them off."
Neptune thought about it for a moment.
Then he gave a slow nod.
After everything Fish-Man Island had endured, war, destruction, instability, he did not want to lose this fragile peace.
Back at Marineford.
Aramaki and Saleh stood below the platform.
Above them, Kuzan continued speaking about justice.
Aramaki watched him in silence.