Promotion to Rear Admiral

Marineford, Marine Headquarters plaza.

Afternoon sunlight bathed the snow-white plaza, where rows of Marine soldiers stood at attention, their capes fluttering gently in the breeze.

At the center of the raised platform, Roy wore a pristine new white Rear Admiral's uniform. The golden star insignia on his chest gleamed in the sunlight, making him look like a drawn sword.

The giant screen behind him played footage of Roy's heroic deeds at the G-3 Branch: he had single-handedly wiped out more than twenty pirate crews with bounties over 100 million in three years. Images of dozens of raids that had wiped out pirate strongholds flashed by, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Admiral Sengoku stood upright on the platform, his expression solemn and his voice ringing out. "As of today, Roy is officially promoted to Marine Rear Admiral!"

"Whoa!!"

The entire crowd erupted!

"A sixteen-year-old Rear Admiral?! That's a Marine record, isn't it?!"

"The last person promoted that young was Vice Admiral Kuzan!"

"Just how strong... is Rear Admiral Roy?!"

Countless soldiers stared wide-eyed at the black-haired boy on the platform, their gazes filled with shock and awe.

In the crowd, Ace gazed intently at Roy, his fists clenching unconsciously until his knuckles turned faintly white.

"So... big brother Roy is that strong..."

As the Marines' exclamations about Roy rang in his ears, an unprecedented fighting spirit surged in his heart. One day, I'll be just like him, someone everyone looks up to!

Meanwhile, in the Room of Authority in the Holy Land Mary Geoise.

The Five Elders sat around a round table, leafing through a report that had just arrived.

"A sixteen-year-old Marine Rear Admiral? An interesting prospect," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said calmly, his long fingers gently turning a page.

"The Teleport-Teleport Fruit... a rare Paramecia." Saint Nusjuro nodded slightly, his expression as impassive as ever.

"His mobility is certainly exceptional, but the threat he poses is limited in the end." Saint Warcury snorted dismissively and tossed the report onto the table.

"He's just a Marine newcomer. There's no need to pay him too much attention." Saint Saturn set down his teacup and announced his conclusion coldly.

"Agreed."

The other four nodded slightly, reaching a tacit consensus.

In their eyes, Marine prodigies were nothing unusual, but very few could truly threaten the World Government's rule.

At least for now, Roy wasn't worthy of consideration.

After the promotion ceremony, the setting sun cast its last rays over Marineford's Marine residential quarters.

Roy pushed open the door and saw Ace in the courtyard, clutching a wooden stick and practicing swings, out of breath.

"Training?" Roy raised an eyebrow.

Ace stopped abruptly and wiped away his sweat, looking at him with determination. "I want to get stronger!"

Roy walked over and smiled. "Getting stronger doesn't happen overnight."

Ace pursed his lips and snorted stubbornly. "Don't look down on me! I'll definitely catch up to you!"

Chuckling, Roy crouched down to meet his eyes. "Why are you suddenly so motivated?"

Ace tightened his grip on the stick and said quietly, "Today... I saw everyone respecting you and admiring you."

He raised his head, a fierce flame burning in his eyes. "I want to become someone like that too!"

Roy froze, then chuckled softly. "Then work hard at it."

As he spoke, he took a brand-new Marine badge from inside his clothes and held it out to Ace. "This is for you."

Ace's eyes widened. He took the badge and asked in a daze, "What is it?"

"A Marine reservist's badge," Roy said calmly.

Ace's breath caught. Then he clutched the badge tightly in both hands, as though he were holding his future.

"I'll definitely surpass you!"

Roy ruffled his hair, his gaze gentle. "I'll be waiting."

Under the night sky, the door closed softly, and Ace's lips quietly curved upward, his smile especially radiant in the moonlight.

That night, Roy stood alone by the window, gazing at the starry sky over Marineford.

Distant lights mingled with starlight, as though countless unknown fates were waiting for him.

And at that moment, Ace, the child who carried a dream, was working hard in silence too.

The course of history had quietly shifted.

Marineford, Zephyr Training Camp.

The first rays of morning sunlight fell on the training grounds, and the air was filled with the scent of sea breeze and sweat.

Rows of Marine recruits stood in formation, their eyes fixed intently ahead, afraid of drawing Zephyr's sharp gaze.

In a corner of the bustling training grounds, a little black-haired, freckled boy with a sweat-covered face was secretly mimicking the recruits' movements.

"997... 998... 999... 1,000!"

His small body trembled, his arms spread like a butterfly's wings and seeming ready to give out at any moment, but he still pushed through the final set of push-ups.

"Whew... whew..."

Ace collapsed on the ground, panting heavily as sweat ran down his cheeks, but a stubborn smile curled his lips.

"Heh, kid, you've got good perseverance."

A deep voice suddenly came from above him.

Ace looked up sharply and saw Zephyr standing with his arms folded, his gaze behind his sunglasses appraising and authoritative.

"I-Instructor Zephyr!" Ace instinctively stood ramrod straight, so nervous that his hands clenched into fists.

Zephyr snorted, stared at him for a few seconds, then spoke slowly. "You've been secretly following the training every day for half a month, and you haven't complained once."

Ace gritted his teeth and held his head high. "I'd never complain!"

The corners of Zephyr's mouth rose slightly. He reached out a large hand and pressed it firmly onto Ace's shoulder, using just a tiny bit of force.

"Hiss—" Ace sucked in a sharp breath of pain, but stubbornly refused to make another sound.

A trace of approval flashed in Zephyr's eyes. He withdrew his hand, turned, and strode away, leaving him with only a few words: "Starting today, you can join the training openly."

Ace's eyes widened. He stood stunned for a few seconds, then broke into a heartfelt smile. "That's great!"

Over the next half month, the Marine soldiers grew accustomed to seeing an extra black-haired kid on the training grounds.

"Hey, kid, you're moving too slowly! Faster!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Keep your center of gravity lower! An enemy could send you flying with one kick!"

"Got it!"

Although Ace was only six years old, he trained harder and pushed himself more fiercely than many of the adult recruits.

Occasionally, when he was so exhausted he was about to collapse, Zephyr would always snort. "If you fall down, don't get back up. Nobody's forcing you."

But Ace would grit his teeth, get back up, and keep going to the end, over and over.

Roy occasionally helped train the recruits and would silently watch it all, a faint, gratified smile on his lips.

"Teacher, he's working hard."

"Mm. He's still just a kid, but he's a little like I was when I was young."

As Zephyr spoke, he casually handed Ace a bottle of water.

Ace took it and grinned like a little sun. "Thank you, Grandpa Zephyr!"

Hearing Ace call him Grandpa, Zephyr froze for a moment, then turned and walked away. Roy watched his teacher's retreating figure and chuckled softly.

That evening, at Roy's residence.

The golden sunset shone into the room, illuminating a table with several mission briefings on it.

"What?!"

Ace jumped up from his chair, his eyes shining. "You're going on a mission to wipe out pirates?!"

Roy set down the briefing in his hand and looked up calmly. "Yeah."

Ace clenched his fists, his eyes burning. "Take me with you!"

Roy raised an eyebrow. "It's too dangerous. You're only six. If I take you along, aren't you afraid old man Garp will beat me to death when he finds out?"

Ace shouted in protest, "I can keep up with Instructor Zephyr's training now. I won't hold you back!"

"And you said it yourself! Real combat is the fastest way to grow!"

Roy chuckled. "So you've learned to use my own words against me."

"But real combat isn't something a six-year-old brat like you should be worrying about!"

Ace planted both hands on the table, his gaze stubborn. "Let me go! I want to get stronger and prove myself!"

Roy fell silent for a moment, looking at the stubborn little fellow before him. That refusal to admit defeat reminded him of his younger self.

"All right," he agreed with a nod.

Ace's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?!"

Roy cautioned him, "But you have to follow orders without question. If things get dangerous, I'll send you back immediately."

Ace immediately straightened his back. "Got it!"

Roy reached out and ruffled his hair, a smile appearing on his face. "Then get ready. We leave tomorrow."

Ace's eyes shone as he nodded vigorously. "Okay!"

Night fell, and the chirping of insects drifted in from the courtyard.

Roy gazed at the starry sky outside the window and thought to himself, Since I've decided to train him, I'll let him see this world's cruelty and hope with his own eyes.

I need to protect him as he grows, but also give him the ability to choose the path he wants to take.