The next morning, Marine Square in Marineford had been decorated with solemn grandeur. An enormous Marine flag fluttered in the center of the square, the bright red word "Justice" especially striking in the sunlight.
Tens of thousands of Marines in crisp white uniforms stood shoulder to shoulder in orderly formations, their rifle tips angled toward the sky.
On the raised platform at the front of the square, every senior Marine officer had arrived, their gazes all fixed on the entrance.
Today was the inauguration of the Marines' new Fleet Admiral, Mu Chen, and the first such ceremony to be broadcast live worldwide. Every gaze held a different emotion.
At that moment, Mu Chen was preparing to make his entrance. Standing before him, an excited and delighted Smoker straightened the custom-made white Fleet Admiral's uniform of the man he loved most.
Still, Mu Chen really was a little nervous today. Looks like I won't be able to slack off anymore. My easy days are over.
Mu Chen felt rather helpless, but Smoker gave him a light, tender kiss and said softly, "You're already forty. Stop being so unserious all the time."
In truth, Mu Chen had never expected time to pass so quickly. He had thought he was only thirty, after all. Hadn't the Age-Age Fruit's power made both him and Smoker look barely past thirty?
"All right, all right. So I really am forty!"
"Man, time really does fly!"
Mu Chen let out a sigh.
At precisely ten in the morning, the solemn Marine March began, echoing through every corner of Marineford.
Wearing his tailored white Fleet Admiral's uniform, Mu Chen walked steadily onto the platform. As his blood-red eyes swept over the crowd below, the restless formations instantly fell silent, leaving only the march's melody flowing through the air.