Time, in the blink of an eye, had raced past, a little over half a month, ushering in the dawn of the second month.
At Marine G3 Branch, the training grounds buzzed with activity since the first hint of sunrise. Over two thousand Marine soldiers stood in rigid rows, forming a perfect square formation.
On a temporary platform, a Colonel officer, clutching a crumpled piece of paper, called out, "Sergeant Maynard, step forward!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"Last month, in the battle against the Kim Pirates, you performed exceptionally well and achieved outstanding military merits. By this, you are promoted to Staff Sergeant!"
A wave of applause surged, before the Colonel continued.
"New recruit, Karl D. Sephiroth, step forward!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
Sephiroth responded swiftly, jogging from the formation to the platform, standing rigidly before the Colonel officer.
"Last month, in the battle against the Paul Pirates, you performed exceptionally well and achieved outstanding military merits. By this, you are promoted to Corporal!"
Sephiroth had actually known about this promotion after the battle ended, but he hadn't expected his rank to jump three levels at once. Only last night did he learn the reason: it turned out the Pirate Swordsman he had killed with his bat transformation during the fight with the Paul Pirates was a wanted criminal with a bounty of 12 million Berry.
According to Marine regulations, soldiers who successfully kill a wanted criminal during military operations are rewarded based on their contribution. If the kill is made alone, they can receive up to fifty percent of the bounty value. So, in addition to his promotion and a pay raise, Sephiroth also received a reward of 6 million Berry.
The Marines did deduct fifty percent of the bounty, which might seem unfair compared to bounty hunters who received the full one hundred percent. However, bounty hunters also bore all operational costs: travel, weapon damage, combat injuries... and even their lives. So, in Sephiroth's view, the Marines only taking fifty percent was actually quite generous. This also served as a way for the Marines to attract talent and motivate their forces to fight pirates.
After all, if being a Marine meant constant regulation, limited freedom, and meager pay, who would risk their life fighting pirates? Aside from hot-blooded and naive youths, anyone with rational thought would surely not choose this path. In that case, who else with ability would still be willing to work for the World Government? Wouldn't it be more comfortable to be a pirate, freely burning, killing, plundering, drinking wine, and embracing beautiful women...?
Once the award ceremony concluded, the more than two thousand Marine soldiers did not disperse. They marched in orderly lines, leaving the base.
As the sun began to set, on a hillside overlooking the sea, the ocean breeze made wild flowers sway incessantly. Not far off, a fresh row of gravestones stood, forming a cemetery. On each stone, the fallen Marine's name, birth date, and date of death were etched.
Led by Garp, a group of Marine soldiers approached the thirty-four newly erected gravestones, placing wreaths upon each. These thirty-four markers were for the Marine G3 Branch soldiers who had perished last month.
"Salute!"
Accompanied by the low, sorrowful sound of a military trumpet, both soldiers and officers stood at rigid attention, raising their right hands, and rendering the most solemn and serious military salute to the gravestones. At the same time, they hummed a military song. This was a song every Marine was meant to know, yet also the one every Marine was most reluctant to sing. It was an elegy from the living for the dead... "The Guidance of the Sea."
The sea sees everything, even the world's beginning.The sea knows everything, even the world's end.So what it invites is the path that should be taken.So what it aims for is the true world.
Pain, suffering, I accept it all.Vast, gentle, embracing me.
The sea sees everything, even the world's beginning.The sea knows everything, even the world's end.If one day I disappear from this world,It too is guided by the all-knowing sea.
Let there be no panic, for you are there.Do not fear, for friends also await.Continue forward, towards that distant blue.
After the elegy was sung, many Marines shed tears. Their comrades, once flesh and blood, had died in the vast ocean, lying in cold graves, marked only by simple headstones. Years from now, who would still remember them...?
Sephiroth gazed at the sprawling cemetery. His eyes were calm. He greatly admired the Marines who sacrificed themselves for the justice in their hearts, but he also felt sorrow for them. The Marines under the World Government fundamentally existed only to uphold the power of the Tenryuubito (Celestial Dragons). There was a significant difference between the ideals in their hearts and the harsh reality that existed.
The funeral ended, and the sky gradually darkened. The group of Marines retreated in an orderly fashion, leaving the somber place.
"Hey! Sephiroth kid, come with me." Garp suddenly called out to the silver-haired young man. Though perplexed, he still followed. Boggart, like Garp's shadow, trailed him wherever he went.
They walked to the edge of the island, to the beach, where Garp finally stopped and turned to face Sephiroth. "Attack me, let me see how much you've improved all this time!" As he spoke, Garp's fists crackled, looking incredibly arrogant.
Sephiroth glanced at the Autumn Leaf Sword at his waist and asked hesitantly, "Can I use my sword?"
"As you wish," Garp replied casually.
Since his opponent had given permission, Sephiroth disregarded formalities. With a 'swish!', his sword was drawn from its sheath, tracing a beautiful crimson arc in the air, and slashed towards Garp's chest.
Technique: Tekkai (Iron Body)!
Clang!
As Sephiroth's sword blade struck Garp's chest, the area from his chest to his neck was covered in an impenetrable black Busoshoku Haki. Sephiroth felt as if his sword had slammed into solid steel, and he couldn't help but be taken aback.
The next moment, before he could react, Garp's fist, as large as a cooking pot, was already pressed against his cheek.
Whoosh!
Sephiroth was instantly sent flying backward, landing three meters away, tumbling several times in the sand before finally coming to a halt. He couldn't help but lie flat on his back on the beach and curse, "Damn it! You old man, you're so cheap, using Busoshoku Haki..."
"Hahaha! Didn't I let you use your sword? Besides, what Busoshoku Haki, what Kenbunshoku Haki, as long as your attack power is strong enough and your speed is high enough, those are all just superficial things," Garp roared with laughter.
"Ptooey!" Sephiroth stood up from the sand, wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, and spat out a mouthful of bloody foam, his eyes filled with resentment. "When I learn Busoshoku Haki, just you wait, I'll definitely beat you black and blue!"
"To learn how to use Busoshoku Haki, you have to try to put your will into your attacks!" Garp advised. "With your current attack level, you won't be able to hurt me!"
Hearing this, Sephiroth couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He knew that the old man before him was one of the world's preeminent figures. Even if he exerted all his abilities, he wouldn't be able to defeat him. If they continued to fight, he would only be a punching bag!
But...
Roar!
Sephiroth let out a low rumble from his mouth. His height, which was just over 1.7 meters, rapidly increased to 2.3 meters. His clothes stretched taut over his bulging muscles.
Swish!
He lifted his right leg and stomped it hard on the ground. He shot forward like an arrow from a bowstring, swinging his sword and slashing towards the old man. But Garp remained motionless. As the young man closed in, he shifted his body ever so slightly, dodging the saber's swing, and swiftly landed a right hook to the young man's stomach.
Whoosh!
Sephiroth's body was sent flying again, landing on the beach. Through Kenbunshoku Haki, he had indeed predicted Garp's attack, but the old man's attack was too fast, exceeding his reaction speed. Moreover, in both dodging and attacking, Garp made no unnecessary movements, coupled with his incredibly precise timing, allowing him to successfully strike Sephiroth.
Garp grinned, his tone somewhat teasing: "Is that all you've got? Boggart even said you have great sword talent... Seriously, you little brat! Haven't you awakened Kenbunshoku Haki? If so, sense your body's breath and rhythm carefully!"
"Again!" Sephiroth gritted his teeth, stood up again, raised his saber, and charged at Garp.
Whoosh!
"Again!"
Whoosh!
In terms of both speed and strength, Garp completely outmatched Sephiroth. Even if Sephiroth exerted all his might to slash his opponent, under Garp's terrifying Busoshoku Haki defense, he only managed to cut Garp's clothes and left no mark whatsoever on the jet-black skin covered by Busoshoku Haki.
As the fight progressed, Sephiroth stopped using his sword. He stood directly on the beach, bending at the waist and digging in his feet, then exchanged blows with Garp directly. A punch from you, a punch from me, every blow landing squarely! Garp relied on his powerful Busoshoku Haki, treating Sephiroth's punches as mere massages. Sephiroth, on the other hand, relied on the strong resolve in his heart. Regardless of whether he could penetrate the defense, if Garp hit him once, he would hit him back!
An hour later...
Thud!
Sephiroth, now battered and bruised, fell backward onto the beach. He panted heavily, and his vampire transformation faded. He stared at the moon in the sky, lost in thought for a moment. By the way, why did I try so hard! Forget it, I'll choose to lie down and rot!
Garp looked at the young man lying on the beach and suddenly burst into hearty laughter: "You're quite something! Although your strength and speed are a bit lacking, you're incredibly tough..."
"From now on, I'll set aside an hour every day to beat... no, to guide your training."
Sephiroth: "..."
Having said that, Garp, the old coot, turned and left with Boggart, leaving Sephiroth alone, still sprawled on the beach, questioning his life.
After more than half a minute, after Sephiroth consumed vitality equivalent to one year of his lifespan, the injuries on his body, the bruises and swelling on his face, vanished completely, and he returned to being a handsome young man.
Sephiroth lay on the beach, gritting his teeth and speaking to the moon in the night sky: "Garp, you old man, remember this! One day, I will definitely beat you into the ground!"