Order was soon restored at the venue.
But the Marines seated below the stage all looked unusually stiff, twitching at the corners of their eyes, shoulders trembling as they tried to hold in their reactions.
Zephyr stood on the stage, breathing heavily. His expression flickered between dark and darker, veins bulging on his forehead as he gritted his teeth in fury.
Kong rubbed his temples in pain, then turned to Sengoku—whose own face was twitching slightly—and said through clenched teeth,
"Get in touch with the major news outlets right after the ceremony. Make sure they cut that part out."
Sengoku nodded seriously.
"Understood, Fleet Admiral Kong. I've already sent someone to handle it."
Only then did Kong let out a long breath and relax a little.
"Next!" Zephyr barked with barely restrained anger.
Down below, Yamakaji nervously rubbed his crew cut and cautiously stepped up onto the stage.
"Z-Zephyr-sensei!"
Under Zephyr's deathly black expression, Yamakaji shivered and snapped to a salute.
Zephyr looked at the simple, earnest young man in front of him. After taking a deep breath, a forced smile crept onto his face.
"Hmm. You're at least pleasant to look at."
As he spoke, he cast a murderous glare at Kuzan, who was squatting in the corner yawning, and Tokikake, whose swollen face was contorted in pain nearby. A sharp, inexplicable pain flared in his chest.
Shaking his head, Zephyr took the Marine cloak handed over by the guard and solemnly draped it over Yamakaji's broad shoulders.
"Captain Yamakaji of Marine Headquarters, for your outstanding performance in the defense of Marineford—protecting civilians and rescuing injured comrades—you have shown the character of an exceptional Marine."
"In the name of Marine Headquarters, I hereby promote you to Commodore."
Zephyr looked at Yamakaji with a much more genuine smile and said encouragingly,
"Keep it up. Pursue the justice you believe in—steadily and firmly."
"Yes, Zephyr-sensei!"
Yamakaji snapped another salute, standing tall and proud.
Zephyr nodded and waved him off.
"Go on."
After what happened with Kuzan and Tokikake, there was no way he'd let any of the others speak in front of a crowd this size again.
Losing face was one thing. He genuinely felt like his heart couldn't take another shock like that.
Even though the rest of the trainees seemed relatively normal, who knew what kind of "unexpected brilliance" they might display?
Better safe than sorry.
From then on, the rest of the award ceremony proceeded smoothly and returned to its proper form.
Under the solemn atmosphere and the admiring gazes of the Marines and the public, one after another, the determined and energetic young Marines took to the stage to receive their honors.
Onigumo, Doberman, Dalmatian, Strawberry…
One after another, they stepped up.
The smiles on the faces of Zephyr, Sengoku, and the other Marine brass gradually returned.
In less than half an hour, every cadet from the training camp—except for the still-absent Daren—had received their commendations.
They now stood in a straight line behind Zephyr, each draped in a Marine cloak from Captain to Rear Admiral, standing proud and tall.
With the brisk sea breeze blowing across the plaza, their pristine white capes of justice fluttered beside the soaring seagull flags above, flapping loudly in unison, radiating a majestic and inspiring force.
Down in the front row of the audience—
Seeing that all cadets had been awarded, Kong's face darkened once again.
He turned to Sengoku with a frown.
"Has that kid Daren arrived yet? What the hell is he doing!?"
Sengoku wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and whispered,
"He should be here any minute now, Fleet Admiral Kong. How about we start by awarding Sakazuki and Borsalino their medals first?"
Kong gritted his teeth.
"We don't really have a choice."
With that, Kong and Sengoku stood abruptly from their seats. The sudden movement immediately drew the attention of the crowd and media. Everyone craned their necks, trying to get a better look.
Kong slowly made his way to the platform, then turned to face the sea of people below with a solemn expression.
"As you all know, during the battle to defend Marineford, Marine Headquarters displayed an unbreakable will and spirit. Among those who stood out most... were a few of our young talents."
He paused, then suddenly called out in a deep voice,
"Sakazuki, step forward!"
As the words left his mouth, a tall figure appeared at the edge of the square.
Dressed in a sharp, crimson suit and polished black military boots, he walked with rigid, steady steps. A military cap cast a shadow over most of his face. Pinned to his chest was a red rose—vibrant and blood-red.
Rear Admiral Sakazuki, the Marine Headquarters' infamous "monster."
As Sakazuki entered the square, a cold and oppressive air swept through the crowd. Under the sheer pressure, many felt a chill crawl up their spines.
Step by step, he ascended the platform. Had someone measured his pace, they would have been stunned—each step precisely the same, like the swing of an ancient pendulum.
"Zephyr-sensei."
Sakazuki raised his hand in a crisp salute.
Zephyr looked at the fierce student before him and smiled.
"It's finally here. Congratulations, Sakazuki."
Sakazuki paused a moment before replying quietly,
"Thank you for all your guidance."
Zephyr chuckled and shook his head, then turned to Kong.
The promotion to Vice Admiral had to be conferred personally by the Fleet Admiral.
Kong smiled.
"I look forward to the day I get to drape the Admiral's cloak over your shoulders."
He took the cloak from a nearby guard and placed it on Sakazuki.
"In the name of the Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters, I hereby promote Sakazuki to the rank of Vice Admiral!"
The ceremony concluded.
As Sakazuki stepped aside, Kong shouted once more,
"Borsalino, step forward!"
No response.
Everyone turned to the square's entrance—but no one was there.
Kong frowned and called again,
"Borsalino, step forward!"
The next second—
"Coming, coming..."
Countless golden photons gathered into a tall silhouette. Borsalino materialized with his hands raised in a mock surrender, wearing a look of exaggerated innocence.
"Sorry, sorry, almost showed up late."
The crowd: ...
Kong took a deep breath, clenching and unclenching his fists.
Now he understood why Zephyr had wanted to punch him earlier.
Looking at Borsalino's shameless grin, he felt the same urge.
Suppressing his impulse, Kong moved quickly through the process.
"In the name of the Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters, I hereby promote Borsalino to the rank of Vice Admiral!"
He shoved the Vice Admiral's cloak into Borsalino's hands, then looked toward Zephyr.
As if sensing something, the entire venue gradually fell silent.
Everyone held their breath and turned toward the square's entrance, waiting quietly.
Waiting for their main character... to finally make his entrance.
A few seconds later—
A figure appeared before them.
With slightly messy black hair, a lit cigar between his lips, a tall and imposing build, a silver-white longsword hanging from his waist, and a loosened black tie under his suit, he stood there in the sunlight. The disheveled look didn't make him seem sloppy—it gave him a rugged, untamed charm.
His striking face, a blend of handsomeness and wild energy, instantly captivated everyone.
In that moment—
A tidal wave of cheers erupted across the square. Civilians and soldiers shouted and hollered, reporters snapped photos like mad, flashes going off nonstop, and among it all were frenzied screams from excited women.
Commodore Rogers Daren of Marine Headquarters!
The man who stole the "monster" title—"King of the North Blue"!