A Shock That Would Last Aokiji Three Thousand Years

Early morning, Marineford.

The sunrise, like molten steel boiling over, dispersed the faint mist hanging in the air. The sky was a cloudless blue, clear as a mirror—the perfect day for a grand ceremony.

Noah rubbed his hands as he emerged from the dormitory building. Looking up at the sky, he exhaled a cloud of white mist before hurrying toward the venue for the promotion ceremony.

By late October, temperatures in Marineford had dropped sharply. It was even colder at this early hour.

The promotion ceremony was being held in the square before the Marine Headquarters fortress, facing the vast crescent-shaped harbor.

This place had witnessed too many stories. The earth-shaking battle between Shiki, Garp, and Sengoku three years ago, and the Paramount War nineteen years later, had all taken place here.

Quite a few people had already gathered in the square. Noah figured he was among the last to arrive.

Under countless burning gazes, he struggled through the ordinary Marines on the outskirts and reached the inner area near the platform, only to find that most of the seats were already occupied.

Shiryu and Rosinante were squeezed together, with people seated on both sides of them. Seeing Noah look over, they both spread their hands at once, indicating that they could do nothing to help.

You couldn't save me a seat in advance?

Noah was inwardly indignant and was about to keep searching for an empty seat when a lazy call sounded behind him.

"Hey! Over here."

He turned to see Aokiji sitting in one of the middle rows with his legs crossed. When their eyes met, Aokiji raised a thumb and pointed to the empty seat on his right.

"Vice Admiral Kuzan?"

Noah walked over, but did not sit down immediately. "Why are you here?"

"Ah, I just