Ceremony and Commander

The Chiba Marine Base was a small place, serving as a stopover for marine ships to get provisions or repairs before setting sail. As a result, much of the land was used as a port where most people worked as civilian carpenters or blacksmiths. However, to keep the base secure, at least one ranking officer was required.

This requirement was met by Hachiman's father, but due to his condition of missing an arm and an eye, a second lower-ranking officer was needed. Fortunately for Chiba, the prodigal sons of the island had returned to do their service. Ryusei and Hikari were not only the children of the great defender of Chiba on the day of the major disaster, but they were also geniuses who excelled in everything they set out to do. Added to their good looks, they were considered the closest thing to nobility in Chiba.

They were privileged children, and everyone catered to their whims—a life very different from Hachiman's, who was rejected for not even being a shadow of his father and considered a disappointment. This perception wasn't limited to Chiba; even at the academy, the brothers shone, with Hikari slightly less so due to the misfortune of being in a generation with two geniuses and lacking the power of a Devil Fruit. However, their younger brother, two years their junior, succeeded where his sister failed and obtained the power of a carnivorous Zoan-type Devil Fruit.

Given these circumstances, Hikari gave up her position at the top and left everything to her brother. She had decided to be his support so that he could rise to the highest ranks as his rightful place. But to ascend, they needed accomplishments, and both Hikari and Ryusei knew this. Upon completing the minimum two-year internship at a base, they planned to enlist and set sail to achieve their goals.

This secret plan was known throughout Chiba, and everyone supported it, as they all dreamed of seeing both brothers become high-ranking marines. The one who dreamt this the most was Hachiman's father, Hiroyoshi, who hoped to see Ryusei become a captain and Hikari a lieutenant commander within two or three years. He even secretly dreamt that his lovely Komachi would capture Ryusei's heart so they could become family, while Hachiman, his eldest son, was not part of this vision.

Now, the question on everyone's mind is, "Why weren't both brothers at Marineford?" The answer is simple. Both brothers feared that a war like Marineford would bury their dreams, as it was clearly a battlefield for the truly strong. Those who weren't strong would only die, and everyone knew it.

So, with the help of the people of Chiba and the passionate letter written by Lieutenant Hiroyoshi, a passion he had never shown even to his lifelong loves like Komachi or his wife Chizuru, they managed to avoid enlistment. This was done in many towns, causing a domino effect that led to the promotion of many lower-ranking marines to fill the quota of 100,000 marines for Marineford, including the platoon to which Hachiman belonged.

It was a platoon where Hachiman was the sole survivor. The companions who had perished and reminded him that it could have been him motivated him to endure Kizaru's hellish training, shaping him into the skilled fighter he is today.

But if the strong and those destined to become strong had gone initially, Hachiman wouldn't have become strong. At the same time, his platoon comrades, who were the second people to accept him, wouldn't be dead either. That's why Hachiman found it ironic that Ryusei had later passed away. All the effort to save him from Marineford had led weak kids like him to fight a war that wasn't meant for them, and those feelings still lingered within Hachiman.

That's why Hachiman, who could have attended Ryusei's funeral, avoided it. Aside from knowing he wouldn't be welcomed, he wasn't ready to witness his father grieving for a child who did everything to save him, even to the point of sending his own son to die.

So, when Hachiman returned, he already had a sense that this moment would come. He hoped to conceal his captaincy, act as a sergeant to have a reason to argue with his father without looking like a fool, and then convince Komachi to accompany him for a month of vacation on Sobu Island. There, he planned to pay tribute to his comrades and show her the home they had helped him build to live in.

But even while anticipating everything that would happen, it reminded Hachiman that he was still human. The accumulated anger and Hikari's reaction upon seeing him, as his father insisted on blaming him for the revenge for the death of his prodigal son, and the arrival of the bullies who still saw him as a loser, all threw his plan out the window.

Now, outside as the Chiba Marine personnel, along with the civilian workers at the base, were carrying the bodies to be stored in the hold, serving as a provisional prison while the prison ship Hachiman had requested approached the island.

"Well, since we're close to Lotte Island, the prison ship will arrive in two hours, and during that time, we can talk, Lieutenant and Junior Lieutenant," Hachiman spoke, now seated in the first seat position, while his father and Hikari occupied the smaller side of the table.

Even the tea cups had changed. Hachiman was given the best one from the base, which had previously belonged to Ryusei, and no one dared to touch it. It had been quickly washed and prepared for Hachiman.

In any other situation, Hikari might have protested, but now she was overwhelmed by the presence of the one she had always considered a loser. He had not only surpassed her in rank but also in strength, and Hachiman flaunted it by heating his tea with his hands.

And this only worsened when Hachiman called the prison ship, where he was received as a captain by the operator, burying the small hope that Hachiman had been foolish enough to falsify his rank.

Hikari would have remained silent throughout the meeting if it weren't for Hachiman's father initiating the conversation. "The prison ship is necessary; many of them are young, with no criminal records. Sending them straight to the first level of Impel Down for a period of three years would be a death sentence."

Hiroyoshi pronounced his thoughts on the fate of the young individuals, many of whom were kids he had seen grow up, and some had dreams of becoming marines. But due to a youthful mistake, they had gone down the wrong path.

"Article 20876 of the marines, every aggregation or attempt to assault a lieutenant commander or higher-ranking marine is considered a Class B crime, leading to a minimum sentence of 3 years on Level 1 or 1 year on Level 2 of Impel Down. These are the Marine rules, father, and the Marine does not question them," Hachiman expressed as he sipped his tea.

"And don't tell me it was a youthful mistake, father. Being a pirate is also a youthful mistake, and yet we punish it with the full force of the law. Justice is just, regardless," Hachiman added after drinking his tea.

"But they didn't know you were a captain, we didn't know either, and if you had said it from the beginning, you would have avoided the entire situation," Hiroyoshi argued.

"What if I weren't a captain? If I were a sergeant or a third-class soldier before Marineford, would it have been okay? Would it have been okay for 50 men to attack one just because I wasn't a captain? Is that what you're telling me, Lieutenant?" Hachiman expressed angrily as he crushed the cup he had been drinking from.

One of Ryusei's final memories was slipping away under Hachiman's hand, and Hikari couldn't do anything, because her voice, like her courage, had abandoned her.

"I-I didn't mean that. Every marine's life matters. It's just that, in that case, we would have taken responsibility, and they would have learned the lesson, as happened with Ryusei," Hiroyoshi nervously explained, trying to reason with the words he had uttered, feeling disgusted because he was starting to recall that these were the same words he had heard from his superiors when he was young.

"Hahaha, do you not remember how Kazuo saw both of you? He looked at Hikari like a piece of meat and was willing to kill me right in front of you while mocking that you could say I died valiantly. Do you think that would have stopped them?" Hachiman expressed with a dry laugh, regretting having destroyed the cup as he wouldn't have more tea. All the while, he dried his hands with his plasma power.

Hachiman's words had a profound impact on both of them. Hikari felt her position as the queen bee challenged, and in Hiroyoshi, there was a feeling that he couldn't let down the people of Chiba, to the point that he saw the criminals only as children.

"W-what are you going to say to their parents? There are several of them who are people living near us who forgave us because their children lost their dreams due to what happened in the academy," Hiroyoshi said, earning another stern look from Hachiman, an action he would soon regret based on how his son was looking at him.

"Forgive us, did I hear correctly, father?"

"Y-yes, you know that incident where you and they got involved that caught the attention of a teacher."

"Commodore Shizuka Hiratsuka, show some respect, Lieutenant, or I'll have to issue a reprimand for insubordination."

Hachiman's words made his father swallow hard and take a sip of his tea as he felt intimidated by his son for the first time. He had seen that look many times before but had always regarded it as an empty threat. However, now, with Hachiman's newfound power and position, there were no more empty threats.

"I apologize. As I was saying, that incident generated tension in Chiba and a heavy atmosphere during the time when they arrived in town," Hiroyoshi continued.

"An incident where ten cadets attacked me just to get the attention of the little princess by your side, but go on..." Hachiman interrupted to correct the term "accident."

"As I was saying, that period of time caused great tension in the town. I even considered moving with your mother and Komachi to another island to avoid bad situations. But, quite the opposite happened. Their families understood and continued treating us the same as if nothing had happened. Even before their children turned into bandits, I would see them working or studying in the positions their parents held," Hiroyoshi explained.

"They probably said that because they didn't want to lose the protection of a lieutenant. The Marine would have inquired about the reason for your departure, and due to the protocols created to prevent what happened to Admiral Zephyr's family, it would have led to the conclusion that Chiba is not a safe environment for a supply base, and they would have moved to another island, leaving Chiba without the Marine's security," Hachiman responded.

"And at the same time, they gained your gratitude, hero of Chiba, making you forget that their children were the ones who started it all. A win-win situation that only a fool would fall for," Hachiman finished his words in response to Hiroyoshi, words that hit too close to home because they made too much sense, something that had never crossed Hiroyoshi's mind. Or perhaps he already knew but chose to ignore it to maintain his hero status.

"What if both parties used each other? It was a deal that allowed everyone to benefit. Your father kept his hero status, and they had the protection of the Marine," Hikari spoke, summoning courage despite her exhaustion from everything that had happened during the day.

"Well, those poor villagers didn't know how to make it clear to their children. Those spoiled brats of theirs kept believing it was an injustice, and that led them to form a gang of bandits. With what they had learned in the academy, it was enough to rise to the top and commit minor crimes. They even joked with some of their victims, saying it was okay and that it was the Marine's fault for choosing a loser over them. Have you ever heard something like that, Hikari? Maybe from good old Ryusei?" Hachiman spoke with a hint of venom in his voice, catching Hikari off guard. She couldn't refute his words because what Hachiman was saying was something she had heard very often, even from Ryusei himself.

"It's a shame what happened with Kazuo and the others. They could have been brave marines, but they had to cross paths with a loser like Hachiman on a bad day. Just because they had a little physical exercise with him, a commodore misinterpreted it, and they all got expelled," Hikari remembered hearing those words from her brother on many occasions, especially when they would gather for drinks.

" 'As you said, it's much better to have 10 reliable and strong allies than a weak loser like Hachiman. Unfortunately, the Marine couldn't see that, and that's why we're losing ground to criminals.' " These were the words Hikari remembered saying, and they now weighed even more heavily on her. Her feelings intensified as Hachiman continued to speak.

"Maybe days or weeks before that fateful mission, probably because of the news of the World Draft, Ryusei promised them that upon their return from the mission, he would recruit them as part of his crew, as thanks to the World Draft, official ranks, regardless of their existing ranks, could recruit individuals as third-class to first-class soldiers or even higher if you held the rank of captain or higher."

Hachiman's words, spoken without knowing the full story but deduced through simple logic, were hitting the mark completely. Hikari remembered that at her brother's farewell party before the fateful mission, she heard him promise everyone that they could join the Marines and set sail with him once he was promoted to captain.

"And maybe..."

"Shut up!" Hikari shouted, exhausted from everything Hachiman was saying.

"Any problem, Hikari? Maybe guilt is starting to affect your mind, and the memories of your perfect brother are beginning to change in the face of the monster he was. But if it comforts you, your brother may not have been perfect, but he was much better than all the losers in this place," Hachiman stated, unfazed by Hikari's reaction. Before she could respond, one of the Marines from the base entered the room.

"Captain Hachiman, there are people at the entrance gate who are angry. It looks like the parents and relatives of the prisoners," the Marine said while maintaining a respectful posture.

"Oh, they found out. Well, I hoped they would all gather when these guys were already on their way to prison to make it easier for me, but I can work on the fly," Hachiman said as he stood up and left the room. Hikari and her father quickly followed Hachiman.

Shortly after leaving the base, Hachiman saw a crowd outside the Marine base gates. Among them, he recognized many faces from the streets, and standing out among them was the man who was the mayor of Chiba.

He was a tall man, though not as tall as Kazuo, and quite slender, with visible signs of age in his gray hair. Ryutaro was Hikari and Ryusei's uncle, as well as the older brother of the late Lieutenant Tadeo.

"Oh, Mayor Ryutaro, what brings you to this humble Marine base..." Hachiman began, standing in front of the man who led the crowd.

"Oh, but if it isn't Lieutenant Hiroyoshi's son. It's been a long time since we've seen you on this island. Are you here for the transfer?" Ryutaro asked.

The mayor spoke calmly and with a friendly tone, but Hachiman was intuitive and could see in Ryutaro's eyes that he regarded him as nothing more than an insignificant insect. This was not news to Hachiman, as it was no secret that the entire town was disappointed in him, and that disappointment had grown when the academy incident occurred, causing ten young men from Chiba to lose their chance to become respectable individuals because of the town's loser.

"No, just here on vacation. But back to my question, what brings you to the Marine base?" Hachiman replied.

"Nothing that concerns a Marine soldier. Why don't you call your superiors to discuss the small inconvenience caused by the good young men from Chiba?" Ryutaro retorted.

"Oh, you're talking about the bandits who tried to attack the base. If those are considered good young men, then the island is truly deteriorating," Hachiman replied, and his words angered many people in the crowd.

"Don't interfere, kid."

"A simple soldier should not meddle in this situation."

"Let your superiors handle it, or our anger will turn towards you," shouted some people in the crowd. Among the voices, Hachiman recognized a tall man with an axe, indicating that he worked as a lumberjack, and he was Kazuo's father.

"Dad and Hikari-chan seem to be seeking an audience with you," Hachiman said sarcastically, which did not sit well with Mayor Ryutaro at all.

"(How dare this wretch speak of my dear niece so casually. If you weren't necessary for the city's protection, we would have banished you)," Mayor Ryutaro thought to himself while maintaining his smile.

"Mayor, it's been a while since your last visit," Hiroyoshi said as he shook hands with the mayor, who quickly took his hand with both of his.

"My dear Hiroyoshi, I apologize that my visit is not to invite your lovely wife and adorable daughter to dinner at my house. Unfortunately, my visit is due to a small problem we had some time ago that my dear Ryusei solved at the time."

"Mayor, I would like to help, but at this moment, I am unable to provide assistance. The young men had the misfortune of angering a superior, and the laws of the Marine are absolute, especially when they were laid down by the current Fleet Admiral Akainu," Hiroyoshi explained, surprising Ryutaro. He did not expect a high-ranking Marine to appear so unexpectedly in Chiba, especially when he had not seen a large ship arrive at the port or received any notice at his office.

"A high rank, are you sure? Because a swindler could get us into a lot of trouble," Ryutaro expressed his concern, fearing that a fraudster had infiltrated the island, and if Hiroyoshi did not handle the situation properly, it could lead to serious consequences.

"Yes, uncle, he was the one who called the prison ship, and it's on its way to pick up the boys," Hikari added. Upon hearing the words of his beloved niece, Ryutaro grew concerned and began to sweat. If it had been a problem involving Hachiman, as he had initially suspected, he could have resolved it without any major consequences due to the influence of his father. However, a high-ranking Marine was a different matter.

"Where is this officer? I would like to invite him to my house and apologize for not coming to welcome him. Maybe by talking to him, we can resolve this misunderstanding, show him that they are good young men who made a mistake, not filthy pirates," Ryutaro suggested, causing Hachiman to burst into laughter at the thought. This made Hikari and Hiroyoshi nervous.

"Why are you laughing, you bastard? You're the one responsible for this whole situation. If it weren't for you, my son could have become a great Marine, not a third-rate piece of trash like you," Kazuo's father angrily exclaimed.

"Mr. Kazuo, please calm down. There is a high-ranking officer at this base, and if we don't act like civilized people, we won't be able to save the young men from their unjust punishment," Ryutaro nervously stated, fearing the presence of a high-ranking officer could not only get the young men into more trouble but also endanger his beloved niece and the entire island.

"Hahaha, forgive me, it's just that I find it so amusing how you can be so blind to your children's crimes but so quick to judge the crimes of others," Hachiman said sarcastically, further angering the crowd and the hero's son.

"Why can't you be more like your sister, or at least learn to keep your mouth shut? No one here wants to talk to a loser like you," Ryutaro expressed his frustration, as Hachiman's words and actions had pushed his patience to the limit.

Before Hachiman could respond, Hiroyoshi interjected, "Mayor, for your own sake, I hope you come to regret your words..." surprising Ryutaro.

"Oh yes, I forgot he's your son. I apologize for my reaction, but I feel pressured seeing such good young men headed for prison," Ryutaro apologized to Hiroyoshi while ignoring Hachiman, as he believed it would never be in his best interest to have a problem with the hero of Chiba and the highest-ranking officer on the island.

"Well, they should have been raised better. Now they'll just have to pray they survive their time in Impel Down," Hachiman said as he began to walk away from the base. His words and the way he expressed them were the final straw that fueled the anger of the crowd. It was Kazuo's father who launched himself at Hachiman, believing him to be responsible for everything that had happened to his son.

Before Kizuo could reach Hachiman, Hikari unexpectedly struck him and sent him tumbling to the ground, leaving the entire crowd in shock.

"Hikari, what are you doing?" Ryutaro exclaimed, surprised by his niece's actions as she had just taken down Chiba's strongest lumberjack.

But before he could get an answer from his niece, Hikari lowered herself in a gesture of apology. "Please forgive him, Captain Hachiman," she called out, making the entire crowd fall into complete silence.

"C-Captain... Hachiman," Ryutaro stammered as the color drained from his face.

"Oh yes, Mayor, didn't they tell you? It seems like you're not very good at handling your city. Maybe we'll need to hold new elections," Hachiman remarked, enjoying the look Ryutaro was giving him.

"This is a joke, right? Hikari or maybe Hiroyoshi set this up to lift the spirits of the town after Ryusei's death, didn't they? You're just playing a prank," Ryutaro said, trembling with fear. However, the silence from Hikari and Hiroyoshi made him realize that it was all true.

The angry crowd began to shift from rage to fear. Every civilian knew that after the Tenryubito and the nobility, the most important people to respect were the Marine officers. They had the power to send you straight to prison for insulting them. If a repeat of what happened in the academy occurred, the young people involved would have no chance of escaping Impel Down.

"What's happening? Weren't you going to defend those poor young people for making a childish mistake? Did you think that after beating me up, those young people could forget their resentment and become productive individuals again?" Hachiman taunted as he approached Ryutaro. However, Hikari positioned herself between her uncle and Hachiman.

"Sacrificing the loser so that some promising youngsters could get back on the right path, was that the best idea those foolish inhabitants of this island could come up with?" Hachiman asked as his body began to emit a purple, electrifying energy like a plasma ball.

"Has he also become a Devil Fruit user?" one of the villagers exclaimed, completely frightened by what might happen.

"Captain Hachiman, they are just innocent civilians. There's no need to go this far," Hikari pleaded, and upon seeing her frightened, Hachiman took a deep breath and deactivated his powers.

"I'm sorry, my mistake. I won't take any action against the gathered civilians. Just tell them that my decision has already been made, and they should await a judge to pass the sentence," Hachiman said, understanding how justice worked in the World Government. It would take a lot of effort, money, and connections to rescue some of the young people. But based on how the citizens of Chiba had reacted so far, they would prefer to sacrifice a few spoiled youngsters rather than make an enemy of a captain.

With that, Hachiman left the scene and returned home, hoping that his mother and Komachi wouldn't find out about what had happened. Meanwhile, back at the Marine base, Hachiman's prediction was coming true.

The mayor, who had previously spoken ill of Hachiman, was now singing his praises, saying that the criminals who had been punished should serve their full sentences according to the law. Many other citizens echoed these sentiments, even adding that they had never liked those delinquents in the first place. The families of the young offenders hung their heads in shame, accepting full responsibility.

No one in Chiba, an island in the weakest sea known as the East Blue, would dare incur the wrath of a Marine captain, as that would spell the end for the entire island.

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Hachiman's revelation about his newfound Logia Devil Fruit powers left Komachi both curious and excited. She was aware of how rare Logia fruits were and had never expected her own brother to possess one. She couldn't help but be enthusiastic about her brother's new powers.

"Oh, this day started off heavy, but it's ending on such an exciting note! According to the Marine doctor, the fruit I consumed was the Zuma Zuma no Mi, a Logia that allows me to manipulate and become plasma," Hachiman explained as he demonstrated his powers by becoming translucent, resembling a malfunctioning Den Den Mushi.

Komachi's excitement was palpable, and her parents were equally astonished. Hiroyoshi had never considered that the position of captain, a highly coveted role among Marines, might be just a stepping stone for his son's journey.

"(That sickly boy who always trailed behind the other children now holds a position I've always wanted to achieve, and this is just a step for him. He has the potential to become stronger... How much have you grown on your own?)" Hiroyoshi thought, deeply moved and impressed by his son's progress.

"I hadn't thought about it, Komachi. Well, probably the Marines expect me to go even further than I am now. After all, they sent me for training with Admiral Kizaru..." Hachiman said, causing everyone at the table to drop their cutlery or whatever they had in hand.

"Kizaru... Are you talking about that Kizaru? One of the Three Great Admirals from the Great Pirate Era? He personally trained you?" Hiroyoshi exclaimed as he got up from the table.

"Yes, our fruits are similar, so that's why I was training with Kizaru-sensei during the year I was out of contact," Hachiman explained.

"Wow, so Onii-chan, you're going to be presented to the whole world at the planned World Government ceremony where they showcase their most outstanding members?" Komachi asked excitedly.

"Calm down, Komachi. Your brother was just recently promoted to captain, so I don't think he'll be included in the World Government ceremony..." Chizuru said, trying to take in the situation with her son slowly. He had gone from being the loser to a complete winner in a relatively short time, and she didn't want to get too carried away.

"Oh, speaking of that situation, I'm one of the invitees..." Hachiman announced, producing tickets that proved he had been invited to such a significant event.

"Is this for real? Congratulations, son!" Chizuru Hikigaya exclaimed with joy as she hugged Hachiman, who received the embrace timidly since he wasn't used to displays of pride from his mother.

"So, you've entered the big leagues. Here I was, hoping you'd just stay a sergeant so we could have you in Chiba, gradually rising through the ranks to take my place, earning the position and the affection of the locals while Hikari and Ryusei played in the big leagues. What a fool I've been," Hiroyoshi admitted, finally accepting that the weak child who had failed all his expectations—the child he had abandoned and left his dreams with others—was now the man playing in the leagues he had always dreamed of.

"Hachiman, I know you want me to go alone so you can showcase the biggest mistake of my life on the grand stage. I will go, and the pressure of not being part of your success will be my punishment and my failure as a father. But before that, I need you to do me a favor, not as a son but as a subordinate asking his superior," Hiroyoshi said as he knelt down—a sight that Hachiman had never expected to witness from his father so soon.

"Just promise me you won't die. Don't make your punishment too easy by dying. Live on and keep rising so that you can show everyone that you're no longer the shadow of a pathetic hero. Make them envy you, admire you, or desire to be you. Make your name great," Hiroyoshi requested.

Hiroyoshi's words left the entire family stunned. The man who had become hardened by his injuries from the encounter with the pirate Benedict Gauss was now reverting to the warm-hearted man he used to be.

"Old man, stop humiliating yourself. But out of respect for the man who saved me in the past, I'll fulfill your request. I'll live and achieve such success that you'll need sunglasses..." Hachiman declared with a smile. These words wouldn't solve years of abandonment or disdain, but they were a step toward both men moving forward and perhaps, someday, repairing their relationship.

But this family dinner would be the first happy one in a long time for everyone in the house, a real celebration.

So, for three weeks, Hachiman enjoyed his vacation in Chiba with his family. These were relaxing weeks where Hachiman relished his newfound status, receiving praise from all the townsfolk, with some even offering him marriage proposals. This made Hachiman uncomfortable on many occasions, and he had to use his Soru skills to slip away. Hikari didn't interrupt him during these days, and even his father avoided spending time with him out of respect for Hachiman. This allowed them to have peaceful conversations during dinners, sharing stories of their days. However, most of Hachiman's vacation was spent bonding with his sister and mother, and Komachi took advantage of the opportunity to cash in her "Komachi points."

Hachiman had no issues with this since his captain's salary was quite high, and the commission he received for capturing criminals had filled his wallet. During the last week, Hachiman left Chiba, not before Mayor Ryutaro showered him with praises and invited him to return to Chiba, as his home would always be open to him. All the sweet talk and two-faced people were starting to wear on Hachiman.

Therefore, he headed to Sōbu, the place where he had spent three years as a third-rate soldier and found a group he could call family. Hachiman requested permission from his parents to take Komachi to Sōbu, and they agreed. They were planning to meet up again in Marineford for the promotion ceremony.

Upon arriving in Sōbu, Komachi noticed that the treatment was very different from what they had experienced in Chiba. Here, everyone welcomed Hachiman with genuine smiles and treated him with respect, not just because of his rank but because of who he was. Hachiman made sure to show Komachi the best spots on the island.

They spent an entire week having fun, but on the last day, before heading to Marineford, Hachiman and Komachi found themselves kneeling in front of altars with several pictures of young men and one older man.

"That's Captain Kruach, an old grouch but with a good heart who was always strict about discipline but loved to listen to people and help them," Hachiman said with a cheerful tone, hiding the sadness in his voice.

"Next to him is his loyal lieutenant, Kron, who was a bit foolish but had incredible loyalty and courage. He never feared facing the dangers that plagued the island, even if he had the bad luck of losing many fights," Hachiman continued, immersing himself in the memories of his fallen comrades in Marineford.

"Komachi, these men who were capable of smiling, getting angry, and crying, I saw their eyes fade away in seconds while the world was running and they fought in the war to survive. I didn't have the time not to cry for any of them because I only focused on surviving, and that's what I thought about during the entire war," Hachiman said as he looked at the pictures of the men who had accepted him and with whom he had experienced things he had never experienced before.

"Komachi, the Marines are not an easy place. Sometimes you think that if you were stronger, you could save them, but I realized that you can never save everyone, no matter how strong you are. But still, we try, and you will too when you have missions to apprehend pirates."

"So, Komachi, don't imitate the heroes; be a hero and fight with everything you have, even if you're scared. I was scared when I stood face to face with Shirohige. At that moment, I knew I was going to die, and I probably would have if I had run away."

"But I'm alive because I wasn't afraid to run away. I launched myself into a fight against that monster, and at that moment, it was the only time in the entire war when I felt free from the shackles of life. When you're prepared to die, at that moment, you don't die because your sacrifice is remembered by those who did it or you survive to tell the tale yourself."

Hachiman was opening up for the first time about everything he had kept inside from his experiences in Marineford. However, he couldn't help but shed tears as he looked at the faces of those who were no longer with them.

"Komachi, in this place, I'd like you to make me a promise. As the person I trust the most, I'll tell you that I probably won't live much longer. The era is changing, and blood will be spilled like never before. So, if I fall in the line of duty, don't bury me in Chiba; bury me on this island."

Hachiman's sister was taken aback, wanting to say something to dissuade him from thinking about death or uttering such nonsense. But when she saw the spark in her brother's eyes return, she decided to remain silent and simply nodded.

"Thank you. It's time to go, and guys, when I have some free time again, I'll come to visit you," Hachiman said as he walked toward the ship that would take him to the grand ceremony.

As Hachiman advanced toward the ship, Komachi stayed behind and offered a prayer in front of the portraits of the fallen men.

"Protect my brother so he can tell you better stories when you meet again," Komachi prayed, then turned around and shouted, "Wait for me, Oni-chan! If you go too fast, I'll charge you double Komachi points."

"Well, I think I have the salary now to afford certain luxuries," Hachiman responded as he quickened his pace, and his sister followed, yelling in annoyance. The people of the island watched them, smiling at the strong bond between the siblings.

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Marineford had prepared for the ceremony, the place that had suffered the destruction of Shirohige and the new Yonko Kurohige was now as good as new, while people around the world were getting ready to see who the new rising stars would be, those who would fight for honor and justice.

"Holy crap, I didn't remember this place being so huge, or maybe the fear of war had me paralyzed. Well, I'd like to know how many meters I flew before landing in that house," Hachiman wondered, already wearing the attire and cape of a captain.

"Onii-chan, you're a newly promoted captain at 22 years old. You should behave more solemnly and not like a country bumpkin in the city," Komachi exclaimed.

"But we are from the countryside..." Hachiman replied.

"Listen to your sister," Hachiman's mother chimed in.

"Yes, ma'am..."

While Hachiman responded with a military salute, his father looked nervously at the vast place and saw so many powerful men arriving on their impressive ships, something he never expected to witness.

"Dad, you can act like a country boy. This is something new for you," Komachi tried to reassure her father.

"This is unfair; this is class discrimination..." Hachiman complained, but a glance from Komachi silenced all his protests.

"(That's the look that says if I don't shut up, I'll rack up a ton of Komachi points, and I can't afford that again)," Hachiman thought as he walked with his family through the area, which was not only filled with Marines and merchants but also tourists who wanted to witness the ceremony from the front row.

"They say the two new admirals are absurdly powerful men who joined the Marines from the outside," Hachiman overheard as he watched two Marines talking.

"Yes, what kind of monsters must they be to have surpassed the current vice-admirals?"

Hachiman had the same question, as he had heard from his mentors that there were true monsters among the vice-admirals.

"Hey, Oni-chan, have you heard anything about those admirals?"

"Other than them being monsters, nothing. I don't even know what they look like or what abilities they have."

"Seas have become dangerous because of the Worst Generation, and the Fleet Admiral wants to confront the Yonko directly. They're probably monsters beyond our imagination," Hiroyoshi exclaimed as Chizuru, his wife, embraced his only arm.

"And probably for the top members of the Worst Generation. You know, like Yonko Kurohige, Captain Kid, Surgeon of Death Law, and last but not least, Straw Hat Luffy," Hachiman added as he memorized the names of the most important figures from the Worst Generation.

"Trafalgar Law decided to join the Marines as a Shichibukai, along with the reinforcement of the star clown Buggy. The Marines also have powerful allies," Hachiman's father continued, showing strong faith in the Marines.

"And today, along with the new admirals, they will also promote the new captains to generate the same momentum as the Worst Generation, and among the chosen ones is our son. This is exciting," Chizuru exclaimed, full of emotion.

"Hmm, I better go to my place..." Hachiman began to say, but before he could take a step to return to the ship, a man in black tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hachiman Hikigaya, Captain of Division 108?"

"Yes, that's me. What do you need?"

"Come with us. We need all the captains to gather for the ceremony."

"Okay, Komachi, Mom, and Dad, I'll see you at the ceremony. Wave to me loudly!" With that, Hachiman followed the man in black, waving goodbye as he went.

.

.

.

"I should've expected this guy to be here..." Hachiman remarked as he watched an attractive young man with blonde hair and blue eyes trying to stop the female cadets who were chanting his name.

"Senpai Hayama, you can do it! Kyah, he's so cool, I support him for Admiral! Marry me!" These were the words Hachiman could hear from the fans of the pretty boy who had left the biggest impact on him – a genius blessed by the gods.

Hayama Hayato was the greatest male genius to come out in the last ten years. Everything he set his mind to, he accomplished perfectly. He achieved one of the highest grades ever seen at the academy, to the point where people were already joking about him becoming an admiral. Hachiman didn't participate in these jokes, which only made him more despised by his peers who were eager to curry favor with Hayama.

"He's still as handsome as ever, that bastard. If Hikari were here, she'd probably be acting just like her fans act around her," Hachiman said as he moved to a corner where he wouldn't be overheard and could distance himself from the absolute hubbub surrounding Hayama.

"Well, as long as she's not here, everything will be much more tolerable..." Hachiman thought, his mind drifting to the person who had replaced Ryusei and Hikari at the top of his list of people he'd like to see meet their end.

To distract himself from such thoughts, Hachiman began to observe the other candidates. The first person he noticed was a muscular black man, and it was clear from his uniform that Hachiman recognized from the newspapers.

"Whoa, it's Sergeant Mbap, the only survivor of a battle against Captain Kid," Hachiman thought as the man in question was sipping on a strawberry milkshake, seemingly unfazed by the commotion around him.

The second person Hachiman noticed was a woman of short stature with short reddish hair and an elegant dress. She reminded him of a noblewoman, both in appearance and demeanor. She hadn't even paid attention to Hayama's good looks.

"Perhaps in high society, Hayama's appearance isn't anything extraordinary, and I think I've seen her before. If I'm not mistaken, she was Quartermaster Catherine, who survived a battle against Appo's crew," Hachiman thought. The woman continued to ignore everyone, and in Hachiman's mind, the feeling was forming that the people gathered here were names he had seen in newspapers.

His gaze moved to the second woman in the room, a tall woman standing at 8.2 feet with long red hair. Her Marine uniform was adapted to resemble the attire of some cultures in the Grand Line.

"Lieutenant Amazon Fuma, the woman who caused trouble for Captain Bege. I never thought I'd see her in person," Hachiman thought. The woman was smoking a cigarette holder and had a bored look on her face, as no one in the room seemed to warrant her attention.

Next, his gaze fell upon another guy whom Hachiman recognized quite well. He had been his senior at the academy and a highly dedicated individual to the point of being the best in their generation.

"The last I heard of Shirogane-senpai, he was an ensign and managed to stop one of the allied captains of Shirohige," Hachiman remembered. His senpai didn't notice him as he was busy talking to his girlfriend, who was considered the best in their generation, and they were often seen as an ideal couple.

Lastly, he noticed a calm, black-haired guy of average height who, like Hachiman, was sitting against the wall. However, instead of investigating the other newly promoted captains, he had his eyes closed.

"Quartermaster Futaro, who deciphered the Revolutions' base's coordinates, forcing them to relocate. It seems I'm the only one in the group who isn't famous," Hachiman thought, a bit surprised that he had been promoted to the rank of captain with relatively few achievements.

Then, the door opened, and everyone was surprised by the appearance of the final newly promoted captain.

A young man, shorter than most in the group but also the most famous, entered the room. His bright pink hair made him easily recognizable. Hachiman's mind quickly connected the dots.

"Sergeant who ended the Marineford War and the hero who stopped the Rocky Port incident involving Shichibukai Law and the current Yonko Kurohige, Lieutenant Koby... Damn, I didn't expect to see such a big rookie here," Hachiman thought. Even his name, Koby, was etched in Hachiman's mind as one of the most significant rookies in the Marines, someone many were grateful to for his actions that helped care for the wounded in Marineford. Hachiman would always be thankful for that.

However, to his annoyance, the first one to greet Koby wasn't him, but Hayama, who drew the attention of everyone in the room, except Hachiman's senpai, who remained absorbed in conversation with his girlfriend.

"You arrive last and even get the attention of that pretty boy. It's like you're the real protagonist of this day," Hachiman mumbled, momentarily forgetting he should keep his thoughts to himself. His words were strong enough to capture the attention of everyone in the room, except for his senpai, who remained lost in his world, talking to his girlfriend.

"Hachiman, is that you? Whoa, the last time I saw you was at graduation, receiving the rank of third-class private," Hayama's voice rang out, and he recognized Hachiman immediately. After all, he could never forget the worst graduate in the academy's history.

"Wait, isn't the lowest rank from the academy Corporal? Why are you in such a low position?" the black-haired guy asked, surprised by Hayama's words.

"We were all surprised at graduation. It seems he wasn't expelled out of pity for his father, and his academic scores were quite good. But physically, he was rather frail. Still, because he lasted all three years, they kept him in the association," Hayama explained, sounding just as surprised as everyone else that Hachiman was here.

"Your words imply that he's a loser, so why is he here?" the short, red-haired woman asked in a tone that made Hachiman suspect she came from a noble background.

Before Hachiman could respond, Koby came to his defense. "He might be a late bloomer. I, too, was weak, and yet here I am. Hachiman-senpai may be the same kind of person."

"Koby's a saint. I'll follow him forever," Hachiman thought, captivated by Koby's kindness, which reminded him of his angel.

Hachiman lost the attention of the crowd due to Koby's words. Luckily, Hayama was more interested in talking to Koby than with him, and his senpai continued chatting with his girlfriend.

Then, the doors opened, indicating that it was time for everyone to get ready to leave. Hayama was the first to exit, followed by Fuma, Catherine, Mbap, and Shirogane-senpai, who was informed by Futaro and left after Koby.

Then, an announcement came over the speakers.

"Captain Hachiman Hikigaya, it's your turn to come out," Hachiman heard over the speakers. Nerves gnawed at him, but Koby's hand on his shoulder brought him back to his senses.

"Go out there and smile. That's what a great friend taught me," Koby said with a smile that made Hachiman smile in return.

"Thank you, Captain Koby," Hachiman replied as he walked toward the door. As he stepped out, he heard his name being announced at just the right moment.

Walking onto the stage, Hachiman noticed a crowd of people and Den Den Mushi cameras. Most of the people in the audience seemed puzzled, as they had never heard of this Marine before. As Hachiman started walking across the stage, his achievements were being narrated.

"A third-class private who was promoted to first-class for the Marineford War. As a fierce fighter, he faced the pirates in that dreadful war and survived, inspired by the bravery of his comrades and high-ranking Marines. Hachiman mentally prepared himself to improve."

"I don't remember thinking half of those things, but they sound good, so keep going, narrator," Hachiman thought, maintaining a smile and closing his eyes a bit to hide his dead-fish eyes, as Koby had advised.

"That courage was recognized by Admiral Kizaru, who felt the loyalty and valor within this young man as his hidden potential. He then took him under his wing and trained him for a year."

The narrator's words surprised everyone because no one expected Admiral Kizaru to take on an apprentice.

"That's not exactly how it happened, but it's making me look good, so I won't say anything," Hachiman thought, following Koby's advice to smile at the crowd.

"After a year, the young man emerged changed and took on four difficult tests set by our Fleet Admiral to earn his place in this ceremony. The test required capturing four dangerous criminals in the Four Blues within three months, completely alone. Hachiman accomplished this task in just two months."

The narrator's words were accompanied by images of the wanted posters of the criminals captured by Hachiman:

Andre, "the Head Hunter" - 10 million from the East Blue

Nara, "the Fake Cat Burglar" - 14 million from the South Blue

Lumpus, "The Great Moose" - 20 million from the North Blue

Ruruko, "the Girl Time Manipulator" - 35 million from the West Blue

The names displayed on the screen surprised many, as these were criminals who were making a name for themselves in their respective seas.

"To prove that his feats were entirely solo, the spy Den Den Mushi on his ship managed to record the encounters he had on the sea," the narrator continued while displaying footage of Hachiman's battles against pirate crews. Everyone was amazed at how he moved similarly but differently to Admiral Kizaru, and many suspected he possessed a Devil Fruit power.

Seeing that Hachiman remained unscathed from any damage, the audience deduced that he had the power of a Logia, and a potent one at that. They witnessed how a purplish laser-like beam emitted from Hachiman's hand disintegrated an entire pirate ship as he floated in the air with his legs glowing with a purplish hue.

"With the power of the Zuma Zuma no Mi, a Logia that turns him into a plasma man, Hachiman Hikigaya earned his place among the new captains who will operate in the Grand Line," the narrator concluded, and the entire audience applauded, excited to have a powerful Devil Fruit user on the side of justice.

Hachiman returned to his seat to watch Koby's presentation, and he was genuinely happy for the recognition he had received. However, before long, Shirogane approached him.

"Wow, Hachiman, I never expected to see you here, let alone with the power of a Logia. It seems your luck is changing. I always knew this day would come," Shirogane exclaimed with joy as he congratulated Hachiman.

Hachiman smiled at his senpai's words, feeling genuinely happy to be recognized for the first time in his life.

.

.

The ceremony had concluded, and Hachiman didn't expect to be among the most talked-about, only surpassed in attention by the two new admirals and Koby. If Koby had been in a lower rank, he might have requested to stay on Hachiman's crew as captain. Before each new captain returned to their families and friends, they had to meet with their direct supervisor to be introduced to the teams that would accompany them on their warships. Hachiman's supervisor was Commodore Shizuka Hiratsuka.

Hachiman was in such a good mood that he was determined to convince Shizuka to join them for ramen on the neighboring island after the crew assignment. He would invite her, as well as his family and the families of his new crew members. Hachiman's mood was so pleasant that he entered Shizuka Hiratsuka's room with a smile.

His entry made some noise as he opened the door brusquely, causing the two people in the room to turn and look at him. When Hachiman noticed the second person in the room, all his good humor evaporated instantly.

"Oh, it looks like your bad habits, Hachiman-kun, haven't been forgotten, even now that you're a captain," spoke a young woman with long black hair, the same age as Hachiman, and quite attractive. Her officer's uniform added to her appeal, but Hachiman couldn't care less about her beauty because her stern expression made it clear that she was an unwelcome visitor.

"Oh no, this must be a bad joke. Out of all the people in the Marines, it had to be you..." Hachiman tried to deny the reality.

"I don't like being here either, but these are the rules of the Marines, Captain," the woman said, maintaining her distance from Hachiman.

"I don't know how you do it, but you sounded venomous just now, Captain," Hachiman remarked, keeping his distance.

"Stop playing around, you two, and let's get on with the formalities. ¡Introduce yourself to your captain!" Shizuka reminded them, recalling the headaches these two caused her.

"I'm not playing with her; she was born evil!" Hachiman exclaimed, pointing at the woman.

"Pay no mind to this brat, Commodore and Captain," the woman said, smiling venomously as she assumed a respectful position toward Hachiman, a mere formality.

"Commander Yukino Yukinoshita, former officer of Division 86, now transferred as an officer under the command of Captain Hachiman Hikigaya of Division 108," the woman identified as Yukino Yukinoshita said, smiling and causing all of Hachiman's joy to crumble. She was the person he hated the most, and now she was his new subordinate.