Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
The sky was a flawless blue, the sea breeze gentle, and seagull flags fluttered in the wind.
Ten thousand Marine officers and soldiers stood ramrod straight in neat formations across Oris Plaza. Heads held high and chests out, they all looked toward the platform ahead.
Military music struck up a stirring melody. Dressed in a black suit, Sephiroth walked steadily and unhurriedly down the red carpet.
The Marine honor guards standing along both sides of the path saluted him in turn, until he stepped onto the platform and stood tall before Steel Bone Kong.
Besides the ten thousand Marine officers and soldiers below the platform, people all over the world were watching the ceremony through live Den Den Mushi broadcasts.
"Karl D. Sephiroth, you have made tremendous contributions to the Marines and earned outstanding merit...
"Now, I appoint you the new Marine Admiral!"
As he spoke, Steel Bone Kong took the white Justice cloak bearing an admiral's insignia from a nearby attendant's tray and draped it over Sephiroth's shoulders. He then saluted, and Sephiroth returned the salute.
Finally, Sephiroth turned to face the ten thousand Marine soldiers below the platform and raised his hand in salute.
Clap clap clap—!
In an instant, thunderous applause swept through all of Oris Plaza.
Standing among the spectators, Tokikake gazed at the high-spirited Sephiroth on the platform and could not help muttering to himself:
"Damn! Sephiroth's promotions are ridiculously fast...
"He only just got reinstated, and he became a Marine Admiral.
"And now, barely more than a year later, he's become Marine Admiral! This is absurd!"
Hearing that, Gion, who stood beside Tokikake and applauded with the crowd, curled her lip and snorted.
"If you want a promotion, then prove yourself through strength and merit!
"Now that Sephiroth has become Marine