"You've been stripped of your Shichibukai title. From now on, stay with the Navy."
"When I take over as Fleet Admiral, I'll give you the rank of Vice Admiral."
Xia Le's voice drifted over from afar.
Bartholomew Kuma's body trembled, then slowly relaxed.
Chapter 325: Fire a salute! Farewell to our comrades!!!
A misty rain fell.
The sky over Marineford that day lacked its usual sunshine and had turned gloomy.
An oppressive, sorrowful atmosphere hung over the quiet plaza.
Starting at six or seven in the morning, figures gathered here of their own accord after breakfast, silently gazing at the enormous stone monument towering in the center of the plaza.
Rows upon rows of densely packed names were engraved on the pitch-black monument.
No one raised their voice here. Even those who needed to speak did so in hushed tones.
Every person wore an exceptionally neat Marine Uniform and black leather boots, with a white flower pinned to their chest.
Some looked solemn, others sorrowful. Some wept quietly, while others had red, swollen eyes. Beneath those different expressions, their hearts were filled with the same emotion.
The fine rain drifting over Marineford added another touch of sorrow to the already heavy atmosphere.
Time slipped quietly by.
More and more officers gathered in Marineford's plaza, all arranging themselves into orderly ranks without prompting. Many stood silently, while others lamented the cruelty and bloodshed of this war.
"War has never been a pleasant word. Everyone fears its arrival."
"Because it never represents happiness or joy, only endless suffering."
"That suffering is especially searing after the war, something you never forget for the rest of your life."
A soft sigh sounded. An elderly Vice Admiral with a scarred face and white hair and beard spoke slowly, his complicated gaze resting on the monument