Chapter 20: Promotion to Rear Admiral
Marineford, Headquarters Plaza.
The afternoon sun beat down on the white stone plaza, where row upon row of Marine soldiers stood at perfect attention.
On the high platform, Roy stood in a brand-new, white Rear Admiral's uniform. The golden star insignia on his chest glittered in the sun, making him look as sharp as a drawn blade.
On the large screen behind him, a highlight reel of his service at G-3 Base was playing: in three years, he had single-handedly annihilated over twenty pirate crews with bounties exceeding 100 million Beri. The crowd gasped as image after image of destroyed pirate bases flashed across the screen.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood at the podium, his expression grave, his voice booming. "As of this day, Roy is officially promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral!"
"WAAAAH—!!"
The plaza erupted in cheers!
"A 16-year-old Rear Admiral?! That has to be a new record!"
"The last person promoted that young was Vice Admiral Kuzan!"
"Just how strong is Rear Admiral Roy?!"
Countless soldiers stared at the black-haired young man on the stage, their eyes wide with shock and awe.
In the crowd, Ace stared intently at Roy, his small fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.
"So... this is how strong Big Bro Roy is..."
Listening to the soldiers' cheers, an unprecedented fire lit in his heart. "One day... I'm going to be just like him. I'm going to be someone everyone looks up to!"
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, inside the Chamber of Authority.
The Five Elders sat around their table, reviewing a report that had just arrived.
"A 16-year-old Rear Admiral? An interesting seedling," said Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, his long fingers casually turning the page.
"The Warp-Warp Fruit... a rare Paramecia," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro noted, his expression flat.
"His mobility is noteworthy, but his ultimate threat level is limited," Saint Topman Warcury huffed, tossing the report onto the table.
"He is just a new officer. He does not warrant our full attention," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn concluded, his voice cold.
"Agreed."
The others nodded. In their eyes, a "genius" in the Marines was nothing new. Few ever became a true threat to the world's order.
At least, not yet.
After the promotion ceremony, Marineford barracks.
Roy opened the door to his quarters and saw Ace in the yard, panting and covered in sweat, practicing his swings with a wooden staff.
"Training?" Roy asked.
Ace stopped, wiped his brow, and looked at him. "I have to get stronger!"
Roy walked over. "Getting strong doesn't happen overnight, Ace."
Ace pouted. "Don't look down on me! I'm definitely going to catch up to you!"
Roy chuckled and crouched down to his level. "Why the sudden burst of motivation?"
Ace gripped the staff. "Today... I saw them. Everyone... they respect you. They look up to you."
He met Roy's eyes, a fire burning in his own. "I want to be a man like that, too!"
Roy was quiet for a moment, then smiled. "Then you'll have to work for it."
He reached into his new uniform and pulled out a small, shiny pin, holding it out to Ace. "A gift."
Ace's eyes went wide. He took the pin. "What is it?"
"A Marine cadet's insignia," Roy said.
Ace's breath caught. He clutched the pin as if he were holding his entire future.
"I'm going to surpass you!"
Roy just ruffled his hair. "I'll be waiting."
As the door closed, Ace looked at the pin, a small, genuine smile spreading across his face.
That night, Marineford, Zephyr's boot camp.
The first rays of dawn hit the training ground.
In a corner of the field, a small, black-haired, freckle-faced boy was secretly mimicking the movements of the new recruits.
"997... 998... 999... 1,000!"
Ace's small body was trembling, but he pushed out the last push-up. He collapsed onto the ground, panting, a stubborn smile on his face.
"Heh. Not bad, brat. You've got grit."
A deep voice came from above him.
Ace jumped, scrambling to his feet and snapping to attention. "I-Instructor Zephyr!"
Zephyr, arms crossed, looked down at him. "You've been sneaking in here to train every day for two weeks. Haven't complained once."
Ace gritted his teeth. "I'd never complain!"
A small smile touched Zephyr's lips. He placed a heavy hand on Ace's shoulder, applying just a fraction of his strength.
Ace winced, sucking in a breath, but refused to make a sound.
Zephyr's eyes showed a flash of approval. He removed his hand. "From today on, you train with them. Officially."
Ace's jaw dropped. A second later, a massive grin spread across his face. "Awesome!"
For the next two weeks, the recruits got used to the little kid training alongside them.
"Hey, brat, you're too slow! Faster!"
"Sir!"
"Keep your center of gravity lower! An enemy could knock you over with one kick!"
"Yes, sir!"
He was only six, but Ace trained with more intensity than many of the adult recruits. Whenever he looked about to collapse, Zephyr would just snort. "Stay down, then. No one's forcing you."
And every time, Ace would grit his teeth and get back up.
Roy, who sometimes helped lead the drills, would watch from the sidelines, a proud smile on his face.
"He's working hard, Instructor."
"Hmph. He's just a brat. But... he reminds me of myself when I was young," Zephyr grunted, tossing Ace a water bottle.
Ace caught it, grinning. "Thanks, Gramps Zephyr!"
Zephyr froze at being called "Gramps," then turned and walked away. Roy watched his instructor's back, smiling softly.
That evening, in Roy's quarters.
"What?!"
Ace shot up from his chair, his eyes shining. "You're going on a mission to hunt pirates?!"
Roy looked up from the mission briefing. "Yeah."
Ace clenched his fists. "Take me with you!"
Roy raised an eyebrow. "It's too dangerous, Ace. You're six. If Garp found out I took you on a mission, he'd kill me."
"I've been keeping up with Instructor Zephyr's training! I won't slow you down!" Ace argued. "And you're the one who said it! Real combat is the fastest way to get stronger!"
Roy laughed. "Heh. Learned to use my own words against me, huh?"
"But a real battlefield isn't a place for a six-year-old."
Ace slammed his hands on the table, his eyes blazing. "Let me go! I want to get stronger! I want to prove myself!"
Roy was silent for a moment, looking at the stubborn kid. That unyielding spirit... it reminded him of himself.
"Fine," he said.
Ace's face lit up. "Really?!"
Roy's expression turned serious. "But you have to follow my orders, no questions asked. The second it gets dangerous, I'm warping you right back here. Got it?"
Ace snapped to attention. "Got it!"
Roy ruffled his hair. "Alright. Get your gear. We leave tomorrow."
As night fell, Roy looked out the window. If I'm really going to raise him... then he needs to see the world. He needs to see its cruelty, and its hope, for himself. I have to protect him, but I also have to let him grow strong enough to choose his own path.