Early Morning — Marineford
The sun rose like molten steel poured from the heavens, chasing away the morning haze. The sky above was a flawless, cloudless blue—crystal clear and perfect for a grand ceremony.
Rubbing his hands against the morning chill, Nao stepped out of the dormitory and looked up. He exhaled a breath of white mist before quickly making his way toward the venue for the commissioning ceremony.
Late October in Marineford meant plummeting temperatures, especially in the early hours. It was cold.
The ceremony was being held in the plaza before the Marine Headquarters fortress, facing the grand crescent-shaped harbor.
This place held countless stories: the earth-shattering battle between Golden Lion and Garp and Sengoku three years prior, and the Summit War nineteen years later, all took place here.
The plaza was already packed with people. Nao realized he was among the last to arrive.
Under the burning gaze of countless Marines, he squeezed his way past the outer rings of regular personnel and finally reached the inner section closer to the stage—only to find most of the seats already taken.
Shiryu and Rosinante were crammed into a row together, both gesturing helplessly with their hands when they saw him look their way. The seats beside them were long occupied.
"Tch. You two couldn't save me a seat?"
Nao clicked his tongue internally and started scanning for an empty spot—when a familiar lazy voice called out from behind him.
"Oi, over here."
Turning around, Nao spotted Aokiji lounging comfortably with one leg crossed over the other, seated somewhere midsection in the rows. When he noticed Nao looking, he raised a hand and casually thumbed to the empty seat next to him.
"Vice Admiral Kuzan?"
Nao walked over but didn't sit right away. He raised a brow. "What're you doing back here?"
"Ahh… just got back to Headquarters recently," Aokiji replied as he picked at his ear with a finger. "Heard there was a big ceremony today, figured I'd come see what the fuss was about."
"That's not what I meant…" Nao sat down, still a little puzzled. "I mean, why are you sitting all the way back here? Why not up front with the big shots?"
Sure enough, at the front stage, rows of leather sofas were arranged for the Marine top brass—Vice Admirals and up. Garp and Sengoku were among them, currently locked in a heated wrestling match over a basket of donuts.
"I'm a bit shy," Aokiji chuckled. "Not used to staring out at a sea of faces. Back here's better. Besides, don't you think this is the best seat in the house?"
Nao glanced around and, surprisingly, had to agree. It really was the perfect vantage point—like the premium middle-row spot in an IMAX cinema. If this were a ticketed event, you'd have to pay extra for this view.
"The Fleet Admiral's not here yet," Aokiji muttered, glancing at his watch. "Looks like we'll be waiting a while longer."
He turned back to Nao with a faint grin. "Still hard to believe. I'm only gone for half a year, and you're already graduating. And making huge waves, too."
By "waves," he clearly meant Nao's headline-making feat—defeating Warlord William.
Nao smiled modestly, offering no reply. Aokiji gave him a solid pat on the shoulder.
"Well done," he said sincerely. "If I'd been there, I would've made the same call you did."
Nao looked over again, studying the man beside him.
Despite the usual lazy posture and unkempt hair, Aokiji's eyes were razor sharp—calm but intense, hiding a glint of conviction.
For a moment, it was like looking back in time—ten years ago, when Kuzan was a fresh-faced Marine graduate, bursting with purpose and potential.
Looks like the words I told him back in the West Blue weren't wasted after all…
Maybe, just maybe, in the future during that war, there'd be one less "slacker Admiral" sitting on the sidelines, Nao thought to himself.
"Oi! This way!"
Aokiji suddenly raised a hand and waved.
Nao followed his gaze and spotted Gion standing off to the side, frowning slightly as she scanned the crowd in search of a seat.
She's even later than me… Nao chuckled inwardly, but seeing the faint hickey still visible on the back of the little rabbit's neck, he silently suppressed his urge to tease.
Yeah… probably my fault.
Hearing Aokiji call out, Gion turned—and her face immediately lit up. She made her way over with quick, confident strides.
"You're late," Aokiji chuckled. "Lucky I saved a spot for you, otherwise—"
"You."
Gion interrupted him flatly, pointing at the seat beside her.
"Move over."
"…Eh?"
Aokiji blinked. "W-Wait, why? I've been sitting here for a while now. That spot's not even that bad—ow!"
He didn't get to finish. Gion cut him off with a sharp kick to the shin.
"Fine, fine… no need for violence…" Aokiji muttered, defeated. He reluctantly scooted over one seat, then watched as Gion sat down—completely naturally—right beside Nao.
And Nao, clearly used to it by now, simply reached over, laced their fingers together, and gave her a warm smile.
She smiled back.
"…"
Aokiji stared at them, then stared at the sky, muttering to himself:
"This doesn't make sense. I swear I woke up this morning, brushed my teeth, even sat on the toilet for a full hour… I shouldn't still be dreaming…"
"That kick just now—did it hurt?" Gion asked him with a sidelong glance.
"…Yeah."
"Then you're not dreaming."
"…Ah."
Aokiji slapped his forehead, coming to a sudden realization.
Yup. Definitely not a dream.
But somehow, what he was witnessing felt even more absurd than anything he could've dreamed up.
Last time he'd seen these two, they'd barely exchanged a word. If not for that little racoon, they might not have spoken at all.
How the hell did it escalate to hand-holding already?!
Gion didn't bother acknowledging him anymore. She turned toward Nao with a small laugh and started chatting.
Just like that, Aokiji found himself… completely left out of the conversation.
The sea breeze blew cold across the plaza. For a man who could freeze oceans, Aokiji suddenly felt chilled to the bone.
"…So cruel…" he grumbled, ruffling his messy hair. "All those years of friendship—and I even saved her a seat. And today she kicks me for a brat…"
Then he paused. Something felt off.
He turned his head and noticed someone staring at them from a few rows back.
In the corner of the crowd, Chaton stood frozen in place, clutching a bouquet of flowers, eyes wide as saucers.
"Ararara…"
Aokiji squinted at him for a few seconds—then turned back forward and…
grinned.
Suddenly, his mood was much better.
Roughly ten minutes later—
Zephyr and Kong, the Fleet Admiral, finally arrived and stepped onto the main stage one after the other.
One was the Head Instructor of the Elite Training Camp; the other, the highest commanding officer of Marine Headquarters. It was obvious this commissioning ceremony would be jointly presided over by the two of them—Zephyr to deliver the address, Kong to award the honors.
The previously noisy plaza fell quiet as thousands of eyes turned to focus on the center of the stage.