Marineford, the Gate of Justice slowly opened.
Within the massive ocean current vortex, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's flagship surged through the waves like a triumphant steel behemoth.
The crescent-shaped harbor was already packed to the brim.
Under the sunlight, thousands of elite Marines stood in formation, a vast sea of white.
"They're here! Admiral Sengoku's warship!"
"Is that Mr. Kane on board?"
"I heard he's only nineteen! Nineteen! When I was nineteen, I was still polishing my superior's boots at the East Sea branch!"
Whispers and murmurs swelled like a heatwave.
At the very front of the crowd, three figures stood side by side—each with a distinctly different aura, yet all equally tall and impossible to ignore.
"So scary~"
Borsalino pursed his lips, adjusted his brown sunglasses, and spoke in his signature sarcastic tone:
"Just went out for a training mission and ended up crippling Golden Lion… How did Kane pull that off? It makes me look like I haven't been working hard at all~"
"You never really worked hard in the first place, Borsalino."
Kuzan scratched his messy mop of curly hair, his gaze complex as he looked toward the warship. "But… this is just too exaggerated. The gap in talent between people is deeper than the ocean trench. What a hassle…"
"Hmph!"
A cold snort cut off the two who were about to continue their complaints.
Sakazuki stood with his arms crossed, the shadow of his cap hiding his expression. Only his eyes remained fixed intently on the approaching bow of the ship.
His fists clenched tightly inside his leather gloves, emitting a faint "creaking" sound. Beneath the skin of his arms, a dark, magma-like hue flickered faintly.
Jealousy? No.
It was the exhilaration of meeting a worthy rival, and… an intense frustration at his own still-insufficient strength!
"Kane…"
Sakazuki muttered under his breath, the corners of his tense mouth twisting into a fierce grin.
"Only like this are you qualified to shoulder this 'Absolute Justice' alongside me!"
As the warship docked and the gangplank was lowered.
Sengoku and Garp stepped out first. The appearance of these two heavyweights instantly silenced the bustling port.
But immediately after, everyone's gaze shifted past them, focusing on the young figure descending slowly.
Kane wasn't wearing the standard uniform.
He only wore a slightly oversized Justice Coat, bare-chested, boldly displaying a physique honed to an extreme level of fitness.
Under the sunlight, the sharply defined lines of his muscles radiated an explosive sense of power.
His steps were steady, each one seeming to fall in rhythm with the heartbeat of the crowd.
He showed not a trace of stage fright. Instead, he carried an air of casual relaxation. Halfway down the gangplank, he even raised his hand quite casually and gave a wave to the fervent Marines below.
This gesture instantly ignited the entire scene.
"Ah—!! Mr. Kane waved in our direction!!"
"Oh my god! He's smiling at me! Look at those muscles… I can't breathe!"
"So handsome! Is this the man who defeated Golden Lion? That confidence... I'm dead!"
A group of female Marines, usually poised and dignified, couldn't help but scream with fervent eyes.
Kane descended the gangway, ignoring the surrounding commotion, and walked straight to the "Monster Trio."
"Yo, you three."
Kane grinned at his classmates with varying expressions. "What, haven't seen me in a few days and you don't recognize me anymore? Sakazuki, why is your face still so sour?"
"Shut up."
Sakazuki replied coldly, but the next moment, his large hand came down heavily on Kane's shoulder.
"Glad you're not dead."
Though only four words, the acknowledgment in his tone carried more weight than any praise.
"Kane~" Borsalino leaned in, his perpetually ambiguous face filled with curiosity. "How much treasure was on Golden Lion's Grand Fleet? Did you bring us any souvenirs?"
"Get lost, there was no treasure, just a ship full of pirate corpses."
Kane waved dismissively, then subtly lowered his voice to a volume only the four could hear.
"But... I did manage to snag a couple bottles of good liquor. Same place tonight?"
Kuzan's eyes instantly lit up, all his laziness vanishing.
"Now that's more like it!"
Borsalino adjusted his glasses, a sleazy grin spreading across his face. "Oh~ how delightfully corrupt. I like it."
Even Sakazuki merely snorted but didn't refuse.
Just then, a messenger came running up breathlessly. Upon seeing Kane, he immediately snapped to attention and saluted.
"Report! Lord Kane!"
The messenger had unconsciously used an honorific.
"Fleet Admiral Kong orders you to report to his office immediately!"
...
Twenty minutes later, top floor of headquarters.
The mahogany door symbolizing the Navy's highest authority swung open.
The massive office was hazy with smoke.
Aside from Garp noisily devouring rice crackers, Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, and Chief Instructor Zephyr sat solemnly, six piercing gazes fixed on Kane like searchlights.
The invisible pressure alone was enough to suffocate an ordinary officer.
But Kane merely calmly brushed dust off his coat, walked to the center of the room, snapped to attention, and saluted.
"Cadet Kane of the first Elite Training Camp, reporting!"
"How's your condition?"
Kong, seated in the main position, spoke first, his voice resonant like a bell.
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral! Aside from still feeling like coughing up blood and the headache from Haki exhaustion, I feel excellent! Ready to take down two more major pirates anytime!" Kane responded loudly. The half-serious joke eased the tense atmosphere.
Zephyr looked at his most accomplished student with pride in his eyes, though he feigned sternness with a snort. "Enough nonsense! Do you realize the mess you've caused? Intervening in an Emperor-level battle without authorization—are you tired of living?"
"Instructor Zephyr, a general in the field isn't bound by orders from home."
Kane lowered his hand, his gaze clear and sincere. "Given the situation at the time, if I hadn't acted and Golden Lion or Roger escaped, the seas would know no peace for twenty years. For Justice, what does my life matter?"
His words were spoken with righteous fervor.
In reality, what Kane was thinking was: 'If I hadn't arrived early, who would I go to for my 800,000 Violation Value?'
Fleet Admiral Kong nodded with satisfaction. He stood up, walked around his large desk, holding a black velvet box in his hand.
At that moment, Sengoku's hand, which was adjusting his glasses, froze, and Garp set down his rice crackers.
The atmosphere grew solemn.
"Kane, your achievements have been verified without error by Headquarters and the World Government."
Fleet Admiral Kong walked up to Kane, his gaze intense: "Although your time in service is still short and your experience is limited. In this chaotic era, the Navy needs heroes, Justice needs a standard-bearer."
"Upon the Headquarters' recommendation, and with special approval from the Five Elders..."
Fleet Admiral Kong opened the box.
A shoulder insignia gleaming with a golden luster lay quietly inside, emblazoned with—one Admiral Star!
"Hereby, you are appointed as, Navy Headquarters Rear Admiral!"
A nineteen-year-old Rear Admiral!
This was absolutely a promotion speed that shattered historical records!
Kane looked at that Admiral Star, his pupils contracting slightly.
It's here!
Not just a promotion in status, but also... the unlocking of authority!
Rear Admiral meant he could have his own independent warship, his own independent guard unit, and... his own independent operational funds account!
This meant that in the future, even if he used public funds for personal indulgence, or even 'misappropriated' seized pirate treasures on a large or small scale, he would have a legal operational space!
"What? Not satisfied?" Fleet Admiral Kong raised an eyebrow, seeing Kane lost in thought.
"No!"
Kane suddenly looked up, at this moment, he was possessed by the spirit of an award-winning actor.
His eyes were slightly red, his lips trembled, as if overwhelmed by a tremendous sense of honor. His hands shook as he accepted the Admiral Star, his voice choked yet firm:
"This subordinate... is overwhelmed! But this subordinate will never shrink back!"
"This Admiral Star is not an honor, it is a heavy responsibility! It is the blood and tears entrusted by those civilians who died tragically at the hands of pirates!"
"This subordinate requests!"
Kane suddenly saluted again, shouting loudly:
"Please grant this subordinate the highest level of operational autonomy! This subordinate does not wish to sit in an office drinking tea, this subordinate wants to lead a team to sea! To the most dangerous waters! To clean up that trash that also exists for the sake of Justice (points)!"
"Good!"
Fleet Admiral Kong was deeply moved by this passionate declaration, waving his hand grandly: "Granted! Headquarters will allocate you a newest model warship, personnel of your choosing! Funds..."
Fleet Admiral Kong paused, "Special approval for double!"
Kane brought his feet together, saluted again, shouting loudly, his eyes already glistening with 'moved' tears.
"This subordinate will spare no effort for Justice, even at the cost of his life!"
Fleet Admiral Kong looked at his excited appearance and nodded with satisfaction: "Very good! Tomorrow, Headquarters will hold a formal medal-awarding ceremony for you!"
Star Rail: What to Do When Fuli Shatters at the Start
Full-Time Hunter: Starting from Sun Breathing
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "GoddessTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!