Chapter 435: Elite Training Camp Graduation (2)
How to arrange things reasonably without causing conflict is a technical skill.
What was more convenient was that before graduation, Kyle and the others had already filled out their Graduation Intent Forms, which narrowed down the scope of arrangements.
For example, Harken wanted to return to North Blue to protect his hometown.
Marine Headquarters wouldn't refuse this request.
For these newly graduated young Marines, training in the Four Seas, where the danger is lower, for a few years is a normal arrangement.
After achieving certain merits, they would then be promoted to Marine Headquarters or undergo training in the Grand Line.
Shirek hoped Harken would use the strength of the Marines to cover the development of the Dark Sun Church, so naturally, he would let Harken take root in North Blue.
Although the Dark Sun Church's development speed is very fast, the accumulation of foundation still requires time.
Using the strength of the Marines for cover is necessary.
As for Shirek himself, he chose to be at Marine Headquarters, undergoing training for a period in both the Intelligence Department and Staff Headquarters.
Relying on his eloquent tongue, he would gain a certain degree of strength and informants at Headquarters, allowing him to obtain intelligence from Headquarters.
Later, he would use the desire to fight and going to the Front Line as reasons to undergo training in the local areas, developing step by step based in North Blue.
Regarding this, Shirek himself had a complete plan.
Also, he needed to keep an eye on Mystra.
Within the Dark Sun Church, Mystra also entered Marine Headquarters along with him and Harken.
However, Mystra's strength was not yet sufficient to enter the Elite Training Camp.
She was recruited into Advisor Tsuru's Female Marine Unit for two years of training, and only joined the Elite Training Camp in the third year.
Mystra still needed two years to graduate from the Elite Training Camp.
Therefore, Shirek needed to watch over her.
Shirek was still very wary of Advisor Tsuru's ability.
Although the strength of the Wash-Wash Fruit couldn't cause much impact.
The Language Fruit, in the end, relies on long-term subtle influence.
Can the Wash-Wash Fruit wash away short-term influence, and can it also wash away long-term influence?
Relying on the ability of the Language Fruit, throughout the entire Elite Training Camp, Shirek was like a social butterfly, becoming close friends with many Navy Cadets.
He had a persona similar to Kyle, but the number of friends he had was much greater than Kyle's.
This even included Borsalino.
Only Kyle knew what Shirek's true nature was like.
He could probably guess Kyle's purpose for staying at Headquarters.
From Headquarters' perspective, Shirek is a Morale-Morale Fruit ability user who can boost morale or lower morale to some extent.
It's an excellent ability despite having no combat strength; calling it strategic wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Language is an art, containing emotions.
To some extent, controlling emotions slightly is not a problem for Shirek, who has eaten the Language Fruit for many years.
Brainwashing is merely Shirek's simplest development and application of the Language Fruit.
Such an ability would play a huge role in important wars.
During the war against the Byrnndi Pirates, Sengoku had thought about borrowing Shirek's idea.
However, Zephyr refused, citing insufficient strength.
Coupled with the various Factions in West Blue beginning to help the Marines counterattack the Byrnndi Pirates, the matter was dropped.
Since morale hadn't declined, Shirek's ability wasn't needed either.
Relatively speaking, the Rocks Era was the period when the Marines needed Shirek the most.
Some Marines who knew about Shirek's ability sighed about this.
Due to the special nature of his ability, Shirek's request to stay at Headquarters wouldn't be refused either.
It's just a bit of a shame for Shirek, being an outstanding individual from the Training Camp, to retreat behind the scenes and work as a clerk.
Ziglar would also undergo training in local areas, starting from North Blue, then moving to the Grand Line.
Eventually, he might become a Base Commander of a Branch Base, or perhaps stay at Marine Headquarters.
Different from Shirek, Ziglar, like Kyle, didn't have so many schemes.
Since he was a Marine, he would be a good one.
He even had plans to get married and have children.
After having children, he would send them back to the Kronos Kingdom.
Marine Headquarters wouldn't pay too much attention to the private matters of Marines, nor would they care too much.
Things like a wife suffering revenge from pirates actually happen within the Marines.
After all, becoming a Marine inevitably offends some Factions.
It's impossible for all Marines to arrange their family in the Rear Area of Marine Headquarters.
It's just that Zephyr's incident caused too much of a stir, and Zephyr's rank was too high.
Gulichalido, as Ignis's informant placed within the Marines, directly joined the Hawk Faction, which had the toughest style.
As an outstanding individual from the first batch of the Elite Training Camp, he directly applied to undergo training in the First Half of the Grand Line, training for two years before being transferred to the New World.
The destinations of these young Marines had already been determined in advance.
However, the military rank they would be given after graduation was still an unknown for them.
Everyone felt a certain expectation in their hearts.
A difference of one rank could represent their performance in the Elite Training Camp; it was equivalent to a summary, their final result.
The three who graduated early, Borsalino, naturally wouldn't participate in these matters.
However, as members of the first batch of students, they still stood at the very front.
Time flowed continuously.
Everyone listened attentively.
After Zephyr finished his lengthy speech, it was Fleet Admiral Kong's turn.
Together, they spoke for a full hour, only finishing after some Cadets started yawning.
Only then did they reach the most crucial part, the awarding of ranks, and it was Zephyr's turn again.
Those whose names were called went up one by one to be awarded their military rank.
This was just a formality.
Outstanding individuals like Kyle, Shirek, Harken, and Ziglar all received the rank of captain, just one step away from officer ranks.
The rest were either lieutenants or Ensigns, with the lowest rank being warrant officer.
(end of chapter)