The morning sunlight passed through the thick bulletproof glass, spilling onto the massive black iron conference table of the G-17 branch.
The air no longer held the usual stale smell of tobacco or the lazy atmosphere of people making excuses.
Instead, it was filled with a sense of seriousness and efficiency, like a tensed bowstring.
"—In summary, patrol efficiency has increased by 300% this week. Pirate activity in the surrounding waters, especially the Gold Trade Route, has almost completely vanished."
Colonel Moore stood in front of the long table, holding a thick report. His voice was loud and clear, and his back was straight.
At this moment, he showed no trace of his previous timid or sneaky behavior.
His crisp military uniform was ironed without a single wrinkle. His once-slouching back was now as straight as a spear.
His eyes held an unprecedented level of sharpness and competence, even carrying a hint of borrowed authority.
The dozen or so officers sitting below him were also sitting upright with their hands flat on their knees, hardly daring to breathe.
They knew that the sky over G-17 had changed.
After Moore finished his report and they discussed the supplies procurement plan for next month, Aiden waved his hand.
Moore instantly understood Aiden's meaning.
"Meeting adjourned."
With Moore's order, the meeting ended.
The officers stood up one after another to leave. Only one logistics Major with a somewhat unfamiliar face deliberately lingered until the end.
After walking out of the conference room, he quietly approached Moore.
He was a newcomer who had arrived yesterday with the warship that came to take Gion back to Headquarters.
Now that the G-17 branch was guarded by a powerhouse like Aiden—who had killed the Golden Lion—it looked like the safest place in the world to outsiders.
Just getting some experience here would make future promotions easy.
There were many officers like him who actively applied for a transfer just to "add gold" to their resumes.
Regarding this, Aiden's attitude was that he didn't care as long as they worked and didn't cause trouble.
He didn't mind having a few more ambitious people under him; after all, time would filter them out, and those who weren't qualified would eventually be eliminated.
But this Major clearly hadn't adapted to the rhythm here yet.
He looked left and right, and after confirming no one was watching, he slid a delicate small gold box out of his wide sleeve.
He lowered his voice and handed it to Moore with a flattering face. "Colonel Moore, this is a small local specialty from my hometown—a few high-quality South Blue black pearls.
It's a small token of respect. I hope you can say a few good words for me in front of Base Commander Aiden in the future—"
His movements were very hidden; he was clearly an old hand at office politics.
However.
Smack!
Moore acted as if his hand had been burned by a red-hot iron. He suddenly swung his arm and slapped the expensive gold box away.
The box hit the hard steel floor, the lid popped open, and several round, full black pearls rolled across the ground, making a crisp sound.
The entire corridor went dead silent.
"You bastard!!"
Moore's face turned pale. He looked even more terrified than the Major who gave the gift.
He pointed at the Major's nose and cursed, his spit flying onto the other man's face. "Are you trying to kill me?! Or are you trying to kill yourself?!"
"This is G-17! This is Base Commander Aiden's territory! You actually dare to try this here?!"
Moore's voice became sharp due to extreme fear and anger.
"Do you think the flagpoles outside are too empty and you want to hang there for two days to act as a lightning rod?! Huh?!"
The Major was stunned by the scolding. He crouched on the ground shivering to pick up the pearls, stuttering an explanation.
"I—I thought—this was the custom—"
"Custom, my ass!"
Moore took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He turned around, his eyes cold.
"Listen to me! Take those trash rules you learned elsewhere and forget every single one of them!"
He pointed at the towering, cold steel fortress outside the window.
"Here, the only rule is the Base Commander's order! You want a promotion or wealth? Then go to the sea and trade pirate heads for it!
If anyone dares to try these crooked paths behind the scenes, the Base Commander won't even need to move—I'll personally throw him into the sea to feed the fish!"
After speaking, he didn't even look at the Major and said coldly, "Get back! Write a five-thousand-word self-criticism and hand it to me tomorrow morning!"
Looking at the Major's retreating, pathetic figure, Moore wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, still feeling lingering fear.
Now, he had developed a nearly god-like blind following for Aiden.
That man even killed the Golden Lion. Trying to pull small tricks under the nose of someone like him?
That was simply asking for death.
As long as he followed that man's footsteps, even if he did nothing, he, Moore, would be one of the most powerful Colonels on this sea!
Evening.
Golden Crown Island, West Coast.
This was the most beautiful part of the island and the area with the most shops.
Aiden was wearing a casual black shirt, looking very relaxed.
Walking beside him was Smoker, who had two cigars in his mouth and his leather jacket collar turned up high.
Two men with such powerful auras walking on the street instantly attracted the gaze of countless passersby.
"I say—" Smoker said unhappily, puffing out smoke rings. "Why did you drag me out? There's a bunch of green recruits waiting to be drilled back at the base."
"It's about balancing work and rest."
Aiden walked with his hands in his pockets, seemingly in a good mood.
"If you stay in that base all day, you'll get bored, and so will I. Occasionally, you need to relax."
"Relax?" Smoker curled his lip. "I think you just want someone to drink with you."
"Something like that."
The two wandered all the way until dusk.
Without realizing it, Aiden stopped in front of an extremely well-decorated restaurant.
It was the best ocean-view restaurant on Golden Crown Island. The terrace seats offered a full view of the bustling harbor and the sea under the sunset.
"Let's go here," Aiden pointed at the sign.
"This fancy?" Smoker frowned. "Two grown men coming to a place like this, isn't it a bit—"
"Stop talking, my treat."
Without another word, Aiden pulled Smoker inside.
They chose the best seats on the terrace.
As the sun set, the golden afterglow spilled onto the sea, casting a golden border over the seemingly perfect city.
Pedestrians moved constantly on the streets, and the sound of children's laughter drifted over with the sea breeze.
Aiden leaned back in his chair, looking at the familiar scenery, but his eyes were a bit dazed.
The same sunset, the same restaurant, the same seats.
Even the family of three resting on a bench in the distance seemed exactly the same as a few months ago.
Back then, the one sitting opposite him was Gion, wearing a deep red dress, elegant and intelligent.
Memories rushed in like a tide.
"Hey! Hey!!"
A rough voice rudely interrupted Aiden's memory.
Aiden suddenly snapped back to reality.
What entered his vision was no longer Gion's beautiful, charming face, but a rough man's face full of grit.
Smoker was holding a knife and fork, impatiently tapping his plate. "What are you dazing off for? The steak is getting cold!"
Aiden looked at Smoker's crude way of eating.
"Sigh—"
Aiden let out a long sigh. Suddenly, the steak in front of him became tasteless.
"Why are you sighing?" Smoker glared. "Is the meat not good?"
"The meat is good meat, and the wine is good wine."
Aiden cut a piece of meat and put it in his mouth.
He chewed it twice as if it were wax, looking at Smoker with a face full of despair. "It's just that the person sitting opposite me... is too unappetizing."
Pfft—
Smoker almost sprayed the wine from his mouth.
"You bastard!" Smoker snapped. "You were the one who insisted on dragging me out! I was perfectly fine eating the large-pot meals in the cafeteria!
Also, I don't eat dessert, so don't order me that strawberry mousse! It's disgusting!"
"That's for me."
Aiden shook his head helplessly and turned to look at the sunset outside.
The scenery was the same, but the person was different.
As expected, Aiden thought to himself. Things like shopping and eating only have a good atmosphere when you're with a beautiful woman. Sitting opposite a rough guy like Smoker... is simply torture.
"Hey, Aiden."
Smoker probably felt the atmosphere was too stiff and took the initiative to find a topic.
"What do you plan to do next? Keep being a local king in this 'Paradise'?"
"Local king?"
Aiden swirled his wine glass, looking at the crimson liquid inside. "I don't like that word. I prefer to be called—a maintainer of order."
He pointed at the crowds of people outside who were living in peace.
"Look, the current Golden Crown Island is more prosperous and safer than during Nelson's time. Because everyone knows there is a sword hanging over their heads."
As long as they don't cross the line, they can live very well."
"Tch, sounds nice."
Although Smoker talked tough, a hint of agreement flashed in his eyes. "But the current G-17 branch is indeed much better than before."
Late night, Base Commander's office.
Smoker had already gone back to sleep. Aiden returned alone to this room at the top of the fortress.
He didn't turn on the lights, letting the moonlight spill onto the pitch-black floor.
Sitting in his chair, Aiden took out the two maintained famous swords from his storage ring—Oto and Kogarashi.
Ching—
The twin swords were drawn.
The cold light was like water, and the sword energy was intimidating.
Even in the dead of night, these two Great Grade Blades still radiated a heart-pounding sharpness.
Aiden gently stroked the blades, feeling the remnants of the Golden Lion's swordsmanship within them.
"Grandmaster Swordsman—"
He closed his eyes and casually performed a sword flourish. The air was sliced through silently without any resistance.
With the various strengths he possessed combined now.
In this first half of the Grand Line known as Paradise, it was already difficult to find an opponent.
Those pirates with bounties of tens of millions or over a hundred million didn't even have the qualification to make him draw his sword.
"Too weak—"
Aiden sheathed the swords and hung the pair on the weapon rack at his waist.
He walked to the window. His gaze passed over the calm sea, looking toward the distant Red Line and the sea known as the New World.
A feeling of loneliness from being invincible surfaced in Aiden's heart for the first time.
"Maybe... I should find a chance to go over there and take a look?"
The next morning.
G-17 branch, Base Commander's office.
Aiden had just woken up and was still washing when the Den Den Mushi on the table rang frantically.
Purupurupurupuru—
Aiden wiped his face and walked over to pick up the phone.
As the receiver was lifted, the previously dull Den Den Mushi instantly changed.
Its gaze became calm and deep, and its expression showed the wisdom of a strategist.
"I'm Aiden."
"Tsuru."
The familiar voice of Vice Admiral Tsuru came from the other end, but this time, her tone was more serious and pleased.
"So early? Vice Admiral Tsuru, are you going to give me a mission?" Aiden joked.
"Don't be cheeky." Tsuru's voice had a hint of a smile. "It's good news."
"Regarding your military merit for killing the Golden Lion, Headquarters has finished verification. Although the old men up there were very unhappy that you handled the Float-Float Fruit privately, your merit cancels it out—no, your merit far outweighs the fault."
Tsuru paused and announced in a deep voice, "By the proposal of Fleet Admiral Kong of the Navy Headquarters and approved by the World Government—"
"Effective immediately, Colonel Aiden is promoted to Headquarters Rear Admiral!"
"An eighteen-year-old Headquarters Rear Admiral," Tsuru sighed.
"You broke the promotion records of the Navy for the last few hundred years. You were even faster than Sakazuki and Kuzan back then."
"Rear Admiral?"
Aiden wasn't surprised by this. He even felt it was a bit low.
However, considering his seniority, this was already a rocket-like promotion speed.
"It's not over yet," Tsuru continued.
"Since you are already a Rear Admiral, you need an official code name. Just like Sakazuki's 'Akainu' or Borsalino's 'Kizaru'."
"Code name?" Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Is it decided by you guys? Just don't give me some ridiculous name."
"Don't worry, Sengoku knows your personality." Tsuru laughed. "Considering you are a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user and your acting style..."
"After discussion, the code name we settled on for you is—"
"[Reaper]."
Tsuru's voice held a bit of expectation. "How is it? This code name suits you, right?"
Aiden was stunned for a moment.
He glanced at the silver-white morning light outside the window, then at his own palm wrapped in electric arcs.
It did sound quite pleasant to the ear.
"Reaper"
The corners of Aiden's mouth curled into a satisfied smile. He spoke into the receiver, "Not bad. Let's go with that."
"Very well." Tsuru on the other end seemed to nod with satisfaction.
"The commission letter and your new Rear Admiral coat are on the way. From today on, let the name Reaper ring across the sea."
The call ended.
Aiden stood in front of the mirror, looking at the young, handsome, yet majestic figure in the reflection.
He adjusted his collar. Although he hadn't changed into his Rear Admiral shoulder ranks yet, the aura around him had already undergone an earth-shaking change.
"Navy Headquarters Rear Admiral, code name Reaper."
Aiden whispered the name, and the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
To Be Continued
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