Chapter 2: Joining the Navy
!
The recruiting naval clerk gasped sharply.
As a civilian employee of the Marines, he naturally possessed far more knowledge than ordinary civilians or low-level pirates.
He understood exactly what it meant
The Magu Magu no Mi.
A Logia-type ability officially regarded as having the highest offensive power among Devil Fruits, even superior in destructive capacity to most other Logia abilities shown in canon.
He didn't dare delay.
Such a recruit wasn't something a mere branch could casually process.
He quickly led Sakazuki into the branch headquarters and toward the branch manager's office.
"Report!"
"Come in."
Inside the office
Branch Manager Jorison looked up from a stack of documents.
His sharp gaze fell immediately on the boy.
Broad-shouldered.
Calm.
Unnaturally composed.
Then he glanced at the visibly shaken clerk.
"What happened? Why are you so agitated?"
"As a soldier, you must learn to control your emotions."
"Sergeant Joel."
Joel swallowed, trying and failing to suppress his excitement.
"Sir! This young man… he wants to enlist "
"He's a Logia-type Devil Fruit user!"
"The Magma-Magma Fruit!"
Silence.
Then
"What?!!!!!"
Jorison shot to his feet so abruptly his chair crashed backward.
His reaction mirrored Joel's perfectly.
Shock.
Disbelief.
And unmistakable excitement.
Only then did Sakazuki properly observe the man.
Around forty years old.
His body was built like hardened steel.
Scars crossed his face old, deep, and numerous.
His left arm was gone entirely.
A veteran.
One who had clearly fought in the dangerous early era of piracy even before the rise of Gol D. Roger.
Jorison stepped forward quickly.
Then laughed.
A genuine, booming laugh.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He grabbed Sakazuki's shoulder and patted it heavily, completely ignoring formalities.
"Excellent!"
Sakazuki allowed a faint smile.
Measured.
Controlled.
Jorison stepped back and sized him up again, his voice trembling slightly:
"You're too modest… this is this is incredible…"
"Good… good!!!"
He laughed again, unable to contain himself.
After a moment, he forced himself to calm down.
"Come. Sit."
He snatched the registration form from Joel while guiding Sakazuki to the sofa.
"Sakazuki… age twelve…"
"…hiss… reason…"
He paused briefly.
Then sat opposite him.
"Sakazuki."
"First of all welcome to the Navy."
"I am Jorison, commanding officer of North Blue Branch 194."
Sakazuki bowed slightly.
"Hello, Commander."
Jorison grinned widely.
"A Logia-type user is already a strategic asset to the Navy."
"And yours is the Magma-Magma Fruit…"
He exhaled slowly.
"I'll need to report this to headquarters before making any long-term arrangements."
"Joel will show you around the base, and we'll prepare a dormitory for you."
Sakazuki nodded.
This reaction
Was expected.
Even in the current era, before the Great Pirate Age truly exploded, a Logia user was already considered a top-tier combat asset.
And the Magu Magu no Mi
Was not just top-tier.
It was catastrophic.
After a brief exchange, Sakazuki followed Joel out.
Jorison, however, immediately picked up his personal Den Den Mushi and dialed.
Grand LineMarine Headquarters Marineford
Within the communications room, a Marine operator answered:
"Moshi moshi, Marine Headquarters."
"This is North Blue Branch 194, Commander Jorison."
"Connect me to Fleet Admiral."
"This concerns a Logia-type recruit."
The operator stiffened.
"Understood. Please hold."
The call was quickly redirected.
To the office of the current Fleet Admiral
Kong.
Inside the office
Kong was reviewing reports.
His massive frame radiated authority befitting the man who commanded all Marine forces prior to the era of Sengoku.
The Den Den Mushi rang.
He answered immediately.
After hearing the operator's summary, his expression sharpened.
"Put him through."
"This is Kong."
"What is it, Jorison?"
The tone was familiar.
Jorison was clearly one of his former subordinates likely reassigned to the Four Seas after losing his arm in earlier conflicts.
"Sir… the situation is as follows…"
North Blue Windflower Island BaseSakazuki walked alongside Joel through the base.
Rows of Marine soldiers trained rigorously in formation.
Rifle drills.
Close combat.
Discipline.
This was no disorganized branch.
Jorison's leadership was evident.
Over the course of half a day, Sakazuki gathered information.
Not just basic structure
But details about the North Blue's pirate forces.
Key names.
Territories.
Emerging threats.
Eventually, he was summoned back.
Inside the office
Jorison stood up with a smile.
"Sakazuki."
"Your appointment has been approved."
He handed over the document.
"You are hereby granted the rank of Marine Lieutenant."
"You'll undergo foundational training here first."
"After that you'll be transferred to Headquarters."
"The Marine Academy."
Sakazuki nodded.
"Lieutenant…"
"I expected Warrant Officer."
Jorison burst out laughing.
"Haha! That's for ordinary Devil Fruit users!"
He waved the document.
"And that's not even the interesting part."
He leaned forward slightly.
Eyes sharp.
"I didn't expect you to be the so-called 'North Blue Demon.'"
A pause.
Then
"Well done."
"Those pirates deserved death.
Three Years LaterReverse Mountain Entrance.
A piercing alarm echoed across the sea.
A Marine warship surged forward
And rammed directly into a pirate vessel.
Crack!!!
The ship split apart instantly.
"Kill."
A cold voice ordered.
Marines leapt from the deck in unison.
Boarding.
Overwhelming.
Efficient.
A massacre.
But brief.
Moments later
Silence.
The Marines regrouped, retrieving spoils and returning to formation with strict discipline.
Brubrub… Brubrub…
A Den Den Mushi rang.
The man at the center of the formation answered.
"Sakazuki."
Jorison's voice came through, filled with satisfaction.
"Return immediately."
"I've secured your entry into this year's elite class."
"Prepare to report to headquarters."
A slight curl appeared on Sakazuki's lips.
"Understood."
He hung up.
Then turned.
His gaze fell upon the shattered pirate ship.
His right arm transformed.
Magma surged violently outward
Expanding
Compressing
Condensing into a massive molten fist.
"Great Eruption."