The final scene of this year's graduation practical combat assessment ended in a way that bordered on the ridiculous.
At dawn, Nao emerged from the forest.
The massive snakeskin bag slung over his shoulder bulged like a mountain. When he dropped it in front of Zephyr with a loud thud, the entire ground shook with a tremor.
Dr. Ent's eye twitched involuntarily.
Behind Nao stood a defeated-looking procession of Commodores and Rear Admirals, as well as a crowd of stunned recruits who still hadn't fully recovered from the shock.
"Total chips: 1,230. Accumulated points: 37,500!"
That was the official number. A score more than 10,000 points higher than all the other recruits combined.
A record-breaking performance, completely without precedent.
After a brief discussion, one of the examiners stepped forward and announced on the spot that Nao had taken first place in this year's assessment. The rest of the rankings would be evaluated and announced back at Marine Headquarters once the data was reviewed.
Such an early declaration was a break from tradition—the rules usually dictated that rankings be kept secret until the official ceremony. Under normal circumstances, the other recruits would've grumbled in protest.
But this time… it was Nao.
Clearly, no one had it in them to object.
...
Six days later.
Marine Headquarters – Marineford.
Not long after stepping off the warship, Nao received a formal notification from his superiors:
His graduation had been officially approved, and the commissioning ceremony would be held in two days.
It was a large-scale event for over a hundred elite recruits, and the occasion wouldn't be taken lightly.
Rumor had it that the guest list would number in the thousands. High-ranking officials from across the Marine command were expected to attend—anyone available would show up in person.
"So it's finally graduation, huh…"
On a tree-lined avenue in Marineford, Shiryu puffed his cigar and looked up at the blue sky, a touch of emotion in his voice. "If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be stuck in the Elite Training Camp for another year or two."
"You make it sound like you graduated early for me," Nao muttered, rolling his eyes as he walked beside him, arms full of letters. "Wasn't it for that cute medic girl stationed at G-6?"
"Let's call it half and half," Shiryu coughed, a bit flustered. Then he eyed the massive stack of envelopes Nao was carrying and blinked. "What's with all the letters? All of those for you?"
"Yeah." Nao sighed in resignation. "Fallout from that newspaper piece a while back. I haven't checked in on the mailroom for ages, and it piled up. The old man in charge of letters finally snapped and made me take the whole lot."
"…This has gotta be at least three or four thousand." Shiryu didn't know whether to envy him or laugh. "How long will it take to read all that?"
"I'm not bothering."
Nao tossed the half-opened envelope back into the pile and rubbed his temples. "Skimmed a few—pretty much all the same. I can already guess what the rest say."
Most were from girls around the world expressing their admiration for him—complete with pink stationery and perfume.
Of course—
There were a few letters written on purple paper. Nao made a point to leave those unopened and untouched.
"So," Nao turned to Shiryu, "any expectations for the commissioning ceremony? Think you'll make it to Captain? Commodore?"
"Not aiming that high."
Shiryu exhaled smoke and shook his head. "If I were graduating on schedule, sure, I'd probably get Commodore. But with this early exit? I'm guessing Captain at best. What about you?"
"I'm hoping to start as a Vice Admiral."
Nao watched a seagull glide overhead, sighing wistfully. "But that's probably wishful thinking. There's never been a precedent. Most likely, I'll just land at Rear Admiral…"
Are you kidding me? Isn't that enough?! You're only nineteen, you damn freak!
Shiryu was speechless. Rear Admiral was practically a fast-track to the upper echelons of the Marine command. Most people could spend a lifetime chasing that rank and still never make it.
"You just don't get it," Nao sighed again, but not about the rank itself.
He honestly didn't care whether he started as a Rear Admiral or a Vice Admiral—what mattered was the promise he'd made back in the hospital with Gion.
If he didn't make Vice Admiral, he'd have to take the initiative—publicly confess to that proud little rabbit girl himself.
Which meant delaying his side quest a bit longer...
...
After parting ways with Shiryu, Nao headed to the Elite Camp and found Instructor Brandon, asking to borrow an empty attic space to store the mountain of fan letters.
They were, after all, heartfelt sentiments. It didn't feel right to just throw them out.
Brandon looked on with a mix of jealousy and admiration, but before Nao could even leave the training field, the miniature Den Den Mushi he'd just been issued started buzzing.
Brruu brruu—
He picked up the call. The voice on the other end belonged to Shia, calling from the New World.
"Your brother passed away?" Nao blinked.
"Mm," Shia replied quietly. "He passed the night before last."
Her tone was subdued, still weighed down by grief. "I won't be able to make it to your ceremony… I have to stay and attend his funeral…"
"…"
Nao didn't quite know how to respond to that.
He offered her condolences and urged her to rest. He promised to have someone take plenty of photos during the event and mail them to her afterward.
It took him a good ten minutes to cheer her up even a little.
Once the call ended, Nao exhaled and shook his head.
It was a shame that Shia wouldn't be there to witness his commissioning in person… but on the bright side, maybe that was for the best.
After all, it was one thing for a girl in your harem to know another woman exists—and quite another to watch you confess to one in front of everyone…
...
That evening, at Chishio's home.
Under Chishio's smiling gaze, Nao took off the recruit uniform that had been with him for over a year and received the newly delivered suit from Hina's hands.
After all—he was graduating. Showing up dressed like an average marine wouldn't be appropriate anymore.
By Marine custom, officers at or above Ensign rank weren't held to strict dress codes. They could wear civilian clothing if they wished.
Among the upper ranks, the usual fashion was a tailored suit beneath the standard white Justice cloak.
Headquarters had actually provided Nao with two official suits: one, a lavender pinstripe set; the other, a yellow-brown ensemble identical to Kizaru's.
Both were sharp—but to Nao, they felt too stuffy and ran the risk of "accidental twinsies" with other officers.
So he paid a visit to a local tailor and used his high-level drawing skills to draft his own custom design.
The one he wore now was that suit.
A Roman-style white jacket, cut sharp and fitted, like the wings of a seagull. Narrow lapels, high buttons, a sleek waist.
Beneath it, a pure black shirt with a crisp collar, paired with a light silver-gray tie.
And over it all, the white Marine Justice cloak, handed to him by Chishio herself.
Hina stared, completely entranced. Chishio, thoughtful as ever, rubbed her chin and walked over with a comb and scissors she'd dug out from behind the couch.
"Still missing something," she said.
Nao obediently lowered his head and let her trim his hair. A few snips later, Chishio stepped back, smiled, and said, "Done."
He looked up—and was stunned by the reflection in the mirror.
A tall, lean young man with sharp black eyes, perfect posture, and striking features stared back at him.
His freshly styled hair paired perfectly with the crisp black-and-white suit, stripping away the last of his youthful innocence and replacing it with the commanding aura of a true officer.
Even Nao had to admit it—he looked…
"…Like someone straight out of a recruitment poster," Chishio beamed. "We should just slap your photo on our next enlistment campaign."
She wasn't wrong—and it was exactly what Nao had just been thinking.
Meanwhile, Hina circled him like a fan-girl, sparkling eyes wide with awe. "Woooow…"
"So this is what I'm stuck wearing from now on?" Nao adjusted his tie and smiled wryly. "Feels like dressing up is going to be a pain from here on out. First time in a suit, and it's already kinda uncomfortable…"
Ding-dong.
A sudden chime at the door interrupted his complaint.
"I'll get it!"
Before Chishio could say anything, Hina darted for the entrance—but someone beat her to it.
Sadaharu, who'd been dozing by the door, lazily reached out a paw and unlocked the knob.
"Evening, Chishio-nee!"
Gion appeared in the doorway, her slender figure lit by the hall light. She held a gift bag in one hand and began taking off her shoes while sidestepping Sadaharu.
"I made some extra dessert and couldn't finish it," she said cheerfully. "Thought I'd bring it over to—"
She stopped.
Her eyes landed on the mirror. On the reflection of the tall, black-haired young man.
Nao had just finished adjusting his tie. He turned around and smiled gently at her.
"Good evening, Rear Admiral."
Clunk.
The gift bag slipped from her hand and hit the floor.
Gion stared at him, completely frozen.
"…Who are you?"