The Marines Build Momentum, Promotion to Commodore

Grand Line

On the deck of a warship.

"Roman, look at this."

Nami, emerging openly from the Captain's Cabin —which was also Roman's room—raised the newspaper in her hand.

As a 'perk' of the Navy, newspapers are delivered on time every day, ensuring that there is no embarrassing delay in 'information'.

"Marine Headquarters Colonel Roman first in his class from the training camp and, after joining the Navy, led the Team 211, arresting ten notorious pirate crews in just half a month: the 'Plague Pirates,' the 'Crushing Pirates,' and..."

Nami read aloud while pointing to the bottom of the newspaper.

"Experts commented that: on its first voyage, it perfectly demonstrated the Yamato and justice of the navy, and there is no doubt that another new naval star is rising."

This·····

Nami closed the newspaper and looked at Roman with a suspicious expression.

"Is this some kind of self-aggrandizement padded by the newspaper? It sounds as fake as a third-rate romance novel, and the praise is just too nauseating..."

"We may be close, but if you spread rumors, I'll still consider it defamation."

Roman helplessly spread his hands. "Although I did plan that, I ultimately abandoned the idea considering the Marines's reaction. I was prepared to honestly follow the path of accumulating military merits and getting promoted, and launch a media offensive or something..."

If this were to cause dissatisfaction among the naval leadership, wouldn't it be counterproductive?

After all, Roman's only real "backer" among the Navy's high command was Garp. Others included the ambiguous Aokiji, the slacking-off Kizaru, the unapproachable Akainu, and the impartial Sengoku... How could he possibly fool these people with his petty tricks?

So you really have this plan?

Nami opened a new newspaper. "Following the great victory over the pirates, Colonel Roman led his navy to the aid of Valencia Town, annihilating 'Phantom' Klein, who had a bounty of 99 million Beli after only one month at sea, and his three pirate crews. This once again demonstrates the navy's determination and will to maintain peace on the seas."

"It is reported that during the battle, Colonel Roman his own body as a shield to protect civilians..."

"Hey, hey, hey, you've been eating and sleeping together these past two days. You've even neglected training. How could I possibly have time to put what just happened in the newspaper?" Roman snatched the newspaper from Nami's hand. His explicit words made Nami blush. If she weren't considering that she couldn't beat Roman, she would have immediately started a 'domestic violence scene'.

"And--"

Roman looked Nami up and down and shook his head.

"What kind of commoner are you? If it weren't for your obvious weaknesses, your attack power would already exceed that of a naval Commodore."

·······

"Okay, then why are all the newspapers these past few days reporting on... praising you?"

In response to Nami's question, Roman stroked his chin.

I have a general guess—

When the warship returned to Marine Headquarters, as Roman had expected, the dock was already crowded with reporters.

"Roman, this..."

Nami isn't exactly shy, but standing openly at Marine Headquarters, facing a group of reporters and Den Den Mushi)—that takes some nerve, especially considering Nami's previous persona was that of a wanted pirate...

"Don't panic,"

As the warship slowly approached the shore, Roman gently tugged at Nami's sleeve.

"Just follow me, treat it as taking a picture."

Upon hearing Roman's words, Nami immediately took his arm and flashed a bright smile at the Den Den Mushi) of the port reporters.

A flowing coat, a sunny and resolute demeanor; radiant confidence, a smile as beautiful as a flower;

The two stood together, a perfect match, a match made in heaven.

Ah, this—

This is a legitimate military interview, not an official announcement...

"Boss, is this appropriate?"

Roman waved his hand in response to Borgin's quiet reminder from behind.

"Don't panic, this will make it more newsworthy."

He said nonchalantly, "Don't people just love digging into the emotional lives of heroes?"

"Heroes with flesh and blood and flaws are more relatable."

Besides, youthful arrogance is the most convenient 'persona' to portray.

"·····Too."

Borgin nodded, while Lieutenant Isca on the other side glanced at Nami with envy and silently wished her well.

Sure enough, you shouldn't give men on the high seas a chance to hesitate; just take them down first!

"Colonel Roman, look this way—"

As soon as they disembarked, the blinking sound of the Den Den Mushi (photo-taking Den Den Mushi) rang out. Roman generously allowed the reporters to take pictures while carefully protecting Nami, perfectly portraying the steely resolve of the navy and the tenderness of a young man.

"Major Roman, and who is this?"

As a naval captain who made a strong appearance a month ago, Roman's highly recognizable face has long been etched in the minds of reporters. But who is the young woman holding his arm next to him... a senior officer?

"This is Lieutenant Sergeant-Ann of the Marine Headquarters, my closest comrade-in-arms, with whom I trained and fought..."

They are indeed very close; anyone with eyes can see the relationship between them. However:

"Is Second Lieutenant An wearing... a major's overcoat?"

In response to a reporter's hesitant question, Roman nodded firmly.

"Yes, it's my coat."

"What's mine is hers, and what's hers is still mine! Second Lieutenant An and I are inseparable—she's the person, let alone a coat?"

Ah, youth is truly wonderful.

In Sengoku's office, facing Vice Admiral Tsuru, whose gray hair was styled into a simple ponytail that reached his shoulders, Sengoku slammed his fist on the table in dissatisfaction as he remarked on her sentiments.

"This is ridiculous!"

"I kindly wanted to make him a 'role model' for the Navy! And what did he do? Not only did he openly bring his girlfriend along, but he also casually let someone else wear his coat, a symbol of naval honor..."

"What do you know?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru turned his head and glared at Sengoku, who was sitting in the Fleet Admiral's seat behind him, even when he was angry, he remained upright.

"This shows that the guy values his girlfriend more than any so-called honor—is this kind of love hidden in his nonchalance something you idiots could ever learn?"

"I·····"

If I could learn it, I wouldn't still be like this now—

After a serious reflection for 0.1 seconds, Sengoku still believed that naval honor should come first.

There was no other way; this had been his motto for decades.

"Anyway, get that little guy to come see me right now."

"Not only do they have a mountain of problems of their own, but now they're bringing their girlfriends into the Navy. Do they really think CP0 can control everything? Doesn't our Navy have any intelligence sources of its own?!"

But as a group of dejected pirate captains and officers were taken off the warship, and more than a dozen captured pirate ships slowly sailed into the harbor and docked beside it, Sengoku's expression gradually softened.

Regardless, Roman's 'business' skills are absolutely top-notch in the Navy. If there were more people like him, the entire ocean would probably be swept clean, leaving no tree daring to enter the water.

"What a pity, what a pity..."

Fleet Admiral Sengoku rested his hands on the table and sighed, "Why was I led astray by that bastard Garp's son?"

"Garp doesn't like hearing that."

As someone who joined the Navy at the Supernovas as Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr, Tsuru is very familiar with these "old friends".

"What do you mean by 'leading people astray'? Everyone is just pursuing their own 'beliefs'."

"No, no, no, such results were achieved through the blood and sweat of all officers and soldiers of our Team 211."

Even if you haven't seen a pig run, you've at least eaten pork. As someone from the information explosion era of my previous life, speaking 'high-sounding' words has long been an instinct for me; even Roman could easily handle reporters' questions.

Faced with the question of 'why other navies don't have such a wealth of achievements,' Roman resorted to 'when in doubt, use your Devil Fruit ability.'

"It's not that my strength surpasses my colleagues, it's just that my Devil Fruit ability happens to excel at 'tracking'."

"Everyone knows that our navy is far stronger than pirates, but the ocean is so vast that it provides hiding places for those Rat in the gutter..."

"Colonel Roman, what kind of Devil Fruit ability do you have?"

As for this question, Roman, holding Nami's hand, waved and smiled as he walked forward.

"Military secret, no comment."

······

"Is this major really fresh out of training camp?"

When Roman and his entourage entered Marine Headquarters, a group of reporters exchanged bewildered glances. This man hardly seemed like a naive, battle-hardened individual; he appeared more like a seasoned diplomat. But for someone of his age, to possess both formidable fighting prowess and effortless grace...

It's impossible that all the captured pirates were fakes, right?

One can only say that geniuses are truly extraordinary.

"Colonel Roman, what audacity!"

When Roman arrived at the Fleet Admiral's Office, he was immediately met with Sengoku's reprimands and the oppressive Conqueror's Haki! But Roman:

Not flustered at all.

This was certainly not because he knew the other party was about to be laid off, but rather:

"I even helped you build up your image and established you as a new 'role model' for the Navy! And yet you brazenly showed up in front of reporters with your girlfriend."

For a moment, a surge of envy, jealousy, and resentment welled up in Sengoku's heart. —If only he had possessed such methods and decisiveness back then, things wouldn't be like this now...

"Ahem, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

Roman pointed to the report on the table. Most of it was written by Isca, but Roman added a paragraph at the end.

"Second Lieutenant An ate the 'Record-Record Fruit,' which allows him to record other people's Devil Fruit abilities..."

That's what Roman wrote anyway; whether others believe it or not is another matter.

That's not something Roman cares about.

"Such a perfect Devil Fruit ability, once developed, will undoubtedly be a great asset to our Navy. We must firmly grasp it! Even if it means sacrificing my virtue, I will not hesitate to do so!"

·······

You're talking about sacrificing my ass! I think you're clearly enjoying it!

However, Sengoku was looking at the report in his hand carefully. It wasn't just from Isca and Roman, but also from the information sent back by his 'spy' planted in Team 211.

This girl, who goes by the name 'Zelk-Ann' but is actually 'Nami', the navigator of the Straw Hat crew Pirates, does indeed possess a variety of Devil Fruit abilities, just as Roman said, including those related to lightning, wind, and healing.

Each one is extremely valuable to a powerful force like the navy! Such combat strength...

"Well, but I must remind you, Colonel Roman —or rather, Saint Roman."

"I'll be retiring soon. And the new Fleet Admiral might not be as 'understanding' as me, and then—"

"Don't worry, I will communicate well with the successor of the Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

It's just Akainu, what's there to be afraid of?

Although Akainu believes in 'absolute justice,' after so many years Admiral, even the most stubborn person becomes adaptable. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had the leisure to persuade deserters to return to the fight during the Marineford War.

If you encounter any normal army from your past life, you'll kill any deserter on the spot! Who'll bother arguing with you then?

Once Akainu Fleet Admiral, his main focus will shift to dealing with the Five Elders. Where will there be a 'model Marine' like Air Commander Roman, constantly capturing pirates? Besides, Roman also has the skin of a Celestial Dragons.

So Roman remained completely calm; that's the advantage of the 'system'—not the pirate style of resorting to violence at the drop of a hat.

However, speaking of Akainu...

"Then, Colonel Roman!"

The solemn voice of the Sengoku interrupted Roman's thoughts.

"Based on your military achievements during this period, I, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, hereby promote you to the rank of Commodore!"

"I hope you can continue your efforts and contribute your share to world peace and the tranquility of the ocean."

"Yes!"

As Roman took the overcoat representing the general from the attendant beside him, he finally got his ticket to watch the 'Punk Hazard Duel'.

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