26 Return to Marineford
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The night was alive with the clinking of glasses and the hearty laughter of men. They had emptied Zed's wine cellar, a fact that had initially caused a ripple of surprise to pass through the group.
But when Zed himself joined them, a bottle in hand and a smile on his face, the surprise turned into a shared camaraderie.
Brontes, the usually stoic figure, had been the one to propose the toast.
"To the unknown." He had said, his voice echoing in the room: "Because after today, we don't know when we'll gather like this again." His words were a stark reminder of the reality they were about to face.
The uncertainty of their future hung in the air, a silent specter that was both daunting and exciting.
The farewell was tinged with melancholy, but the anticipation of what lay ahead was palpable. Tomorrow, they would be official members of the Marine.
This batch of recruits had not only met but exceeded the expectations of the Marine Fleet-Admiral Kong and the other high-ranking officials. They had been forged in the fires of war, their mettle tested and proven.
As the night wore on, the wine flowed freely, and one by one, they succumbed to the comforting embrace of sleep. Even the usually indefatigable Brontes, Sakazuki, and Borsalino were found sleeping, their arms wrapped around their empty bottles.
Zed, the last man standing, surveyed the room, his gaze lingering on each of his proteges. He saw in them a reflection of his own past, a past filled with dreams and aspirations.
His heart ached at the thought of them facing the same trials he had faced, the same losses he had suffered. His wife and child, brutally taken from him by pirates, their memory a constant reminder of the harsh reality of their world.
He had buried his grief deep within him, using his duties and missions as a distraction. But the pain was always there, a dull throb that never truly went away.
He had chosen to teach, to mold these young men into the heroes he had once dreamed of becoming. He saw in them a chance to change the world, to make it a safer place.
"You all take care, and live well." Zed said, his voice barely above a whisper. He raised his bottle in a silent toast, then turned and left, leaving his charges to their dreams.
...
The next morning, the room was filled with the sounds of stirring bodies and groggy voices.
Years of discipline had ingrained in them the habit of waking up early. Brontes was the first to rise, his laughter echoing in the room.
"Good morning, a new day has begun." Brontes announced, his voice filled with a strange mix of excitement and apprehension.
Borsalino, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, turned to him.
"Are you okay?" He asked, concern etched on his face.
Brontes grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief, he replied, his tone light: "I'm fine, my injuries weren't too serious to begin with. Instructor Zed still has a sense of measure."
Borsalino nodded, a small smile playing on his lips: "That's true." He agreed, his gaze drifting to the empty bottles scattered around the room.
Soon, they were all up and about, washing up and changing into their new uniforms. The marine coats that had been sent from Marineford the previous night were a symbol of their new status.
They had come a long way from being mere recruits. Now, they were true members of the Marine, their ranks starting from Commander.
As they donned their coats, they felt a sense of pride swell within them. They were about to embark on a journey that would test their resolve, their courage, and their loyalty.
But they were ready. They had been trained by the best, and they were determined to uphold the honor and dignity of the Marine.
Among the forty, Brontes stood tall, his rank of Rear-Admiral a testament to his prowess and leadership. His presence was a beacon, drawing the attention of those around him.
Jonathan, a fellow recruit, approached him, a grin on his face: "Did you hear? Among the new recruits yesterday, there was one who, like you, is a Logia devil fruit user." He said, his voice filled with a mix of awe and excitement.
"A new Logia fruit user?" Both Sakazuki and Borsalino turned to Jonathan, their expressions mirroring his surprise.
"Yes, the rumors say that he is an Ice-Ice Fruit user." Jonathan continued, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Comil, another recruit, chimed in: "Another powerful Logia fruit, probably not worse than you guys."
Borsalino shrugged, a nonchalant smile on his face: "What's the big deal? The Marine recruits thousands of people every year. Plus, the Marine already has us three Logia devil fruit users, isn't it normal to recruit another Logia devil fruit user? Maybe in two years, we'll see him at the Marineford."
As they crossed the square, they saw the new recruits gathered in clusters, their eyes wide with anticipation and a hint of envy as they watched the forty pass by.
Brontes recognized a few faces in the crowd - Kuzan, Bastille, Strawberry, Mozambia, Maynard - all future Marine Vice-Admirals and Rear-Admirals.
"Keep it up, we are waiting for you at the Marineford!" Brontes called out, raising his hand in a salute. The new recruits were momentarily stunned, their expressions a mix of surprise and gratitude.
They left the Elite Camp aboard Vice Admiral Kisho's warship, the eyes of more than a thousand new recruits following them.
...
The journey to Marineford was short, and within an hour, they were docking at the bustling port.
A line of marine officers awaited them, their uniforms crisp and their expressions stern. At the front of the line stood Marine Admiral Sengoku, his presence a surprise to the forty.
Under Kisho's guidance, they lined up for inspection. Sengoku surveyed them, a hint of a smile playing on his lips: "You've finally graduated. I've been waiting for you for two years. I know a lot about you and have been closely watching you. Very good, out of more than 1,300 people, only you forty have successfully stood out. Zed said that you are his pride. Let's go, Fleet-Admiral Kong is waiting for you." He said, his voice filled with a mix of happiness and expectation.
Being received by an Admiral was a clear indication of the Marine's high expectations of them. It was a good sign, a validation of their hard work and dedication.
The Elite Camp was akin to an official military academy. Its graduates were considered superior to other officers, a direct line to the top echelons of the Marine.
As they followed Sengoku, they couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. They had made it, they were now part of the Marine, ready to uphold its honor and protect their world.
The moment they had been waiting for finally arrived. They were led into a grand room where the legendary Fleet-Admiral Kong awaited them.
He greeted them with a nod of approval, his eyes scanning each one of them.
The task assignments began, and one by one, the forty were dispatched to their respective posts. Some were sent to the Four Seas, others to the branches in the Grand Line. Only Brontes, Borsalino, and Sakazuki were left standing in the room.
"You three are the highest-rated by Zed and have all received the evaluation of the Rear-Admiral level. Originally, you three should have advanced one more step, but your achievements are still a bit short, so you have the current rank. For the arrangement of you three, we have other plans." Kong said, his voice echoing in the room.
Sengoku, who had been standing silently next to Kong, finally spoke: "Borsalino, you will follow me from now on, as my aide."
Borsalino responded with a simple: "Yes, sir." His expression listless, as if he had already anticipated this assignment.
"Sakazuki, you go to the New World G-1 Base." Sengoku continued, turning his gaze to Sakazuki.
"Yes, sir."
Sakazuki's face remained impassive, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner excitement. Being sent to the New World was a dream come true for him. It meant more encounters with pirates, more battles, more opportunities to prove his worth.
Finally, Sengoku turned to Brontes: "You will go to the New World G-2 Base, and assist Vice-Admiral Garp. Garp will explain your specific appointment to you."
"Yes, sir!" Brontes responded, his voice steady.
The mention of Garp had taken him by surprise. He knew Garp was a Vice-Admiral at the Marineford, but he also held the position of the head of the G-2 Base. The thought of working under Garp was both exciting and daunting.
