Holy Land Mariejois, the political center.
Before Fleet Admiral Kong, former Marshal Sengoku, Marine hero Garp, Chief Staff Officer Tsuru, and other highly respected Marine leaders, Kuzan accepted the Letter of Appointment and the Marshal Epaulettes, officially becoming the new Marine Marshal.
"Congratulations, Kuzan!"
Kong spoke in an exceptionally steady, formal tone:
"From today onward, you are the new Marshal commanding the entire Marine force."
"I hope you will continue striving tirelessly for the cause of justice!"
"Yes!"
Kuzan nodded firmly, his spirits soaring.
The usual lazy, listless air had completely vanished from his face. He seemed filled from head to toe with vigorous energy.
Though already middle-aged and weathered by experience, Kuzan still felt his heart surge with excitement as he finally ascended to the position of Marshal:
He was now the Marine Marshal commanding the entire force. In the future, he would surely overcome every difficulty, reform the Marines' flaws, and achieve true justice.
"Hahaha!"
A burst of hearty laughter beside him interrupted Kuzan's reverie.
The one laughing was Sengoku, now serving as the Marine Inspector General—a retirement post for an old leader simply waiting to pass peacefully into the grave.
Unlike Kuzan, Sengoku had completely shed the burden of being Marshal. None of his former, perpetually tense and solemn presence remained, and his temperament was now infinitely closer to Garp's—that old rascal who only knew how to joke and laugh.
Sengoku warmly patted Kuzan on the shoulder and teased him:
"Kid, I'll have to call you Marshal Kuzan from now on!"
"I thought you'd have a hard time beating Sakazuki. Never expected you to make all us old men misjudge you."
"Haha."
Kuzan chuckled casually.
He was still somewhat unaccustomed to seeing Marshal Sengoku acting so casually and looking so relaxed.
Thinking carefully, the last time he