The next day.
The medal ceremony was held at the Navy Headquarters' training camp.
It was the ceremony for Yuno's promotion to Rear Admiral (少将 / Shōshō), presided over by Zephyr himself.
As the highest authority within the training camp, Zephyr was fully qualified to award military ranks. As early as yesterday, he had already reported the matter to Fleet Admiral Sengoku and received his official seal of approval.
From that moment, Yuno's rank was set in stone.
Almost all the soldiers present were from the training camp. After witnessing yesterday's graduation assessment, no one dared object. Yuno's strength was more than enough to be recognized as a rear admiral.
The ceremony itself was simple. Zephyr personally handed Yuno the golden epaulettes of a rear admiral along with the Navy's white "Justice" cloak.
That was all.
Navy promotions were always direct and practical. Unlike the frivolous award ceremonies of the entertainment world, the Marines valued simplicity—less fanfare, more meaning.
"Thank you, Teacher Zephyr," Yuno said solemnly, bowing as he accepted the cloak and insignia.
Zephyr waved his hand lightly. "From now on, as a rear admiral, your life won't be as easy as it was in the training camp. Some missions will require you to head out to sea."
"I'll be careful," Yuno replied.
Zephyr patted him on the shoulder with a smile. "Still, you've just graduated. Headquarters usually won't send you on anything too dangerous right away. Most likely, you'll be dispatched to guard a branch base in the Four Seas."
"The Four Seas?"
Yuno's eyes flickered. He felt it wouldn't be that simple. From the killing intent Stoloberg had revealed earlier, Yuno knew he was scheming behind the scenes. A veteran officer like him had both influence and connections—easily enough to manipulate the assignment of a "rookie" rear admiral to a perilous mission.
Yuno had already anticipated this possibility. He always gauged the hearts of his enemies with the utmost malice and considered how they might try to strike at him.
"How long does it usually take to serve at a branch base?" Yuno asked.
"It depends," Zephyr explained. "Normally it's based on the merits you accumulate, or until you're recalled by headquarters. But in most cases, it won't exceed three years."
Although Yuno now held the title of rear admiral, his posting would be to a branch base, not headquarters. And while the ranks were technically the same, the actual authority and resources differed greatly. In short, the name was the same, but the power was not.
After exchanging a few more words—Zephyr giving him a brief overview of how the Navy's forces were distributed across the seas—Yuno saluted and took his leave.
A few days later, Yuno's transfer order arrived.
Destination: Grand Line, G-7 Branch Base.
The news startled even the local Marines.
The G-7 base was stationed in an extremely precarious position. To its left lay the Sabaody Archipelago—the final stop for all pirates before entering the New World. Behind it stretched the treacherous Calm Belt.
Countless pirates on their way to the New World inevitably crossed paths with the G-7's patrol waters. Major clashes erupted there regularly. At one time, a battle that shook the world had broken out in this very region.
For this reason, the G-7 branch was regarded as one of the most dangerous Marine outposts in existence.
And yet… headquarters had assigned a freshly promoted, newly graduated rear admiral there.
Why?
No one knew. But orders from above could not be defied.
Thus, Yuno received his transfer notice.
"G7 branch base?" Yuno muttered, frowning slightly as he tried to recall if such a place appeared in the original story.
But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't remember.
"Forget it, no use overthinking."
He decided to go take a look for himself.
Yuno didn't know the current situation at the G7 base, but he wasn't particularly concerned. As long as it wasn't in the New World—under the direct influence of the Four Emperors—he was confident in handling it.
According to Zephyr, his assignments had usually been within the Four Seas, but now he was being transferred to the Grand Line. That alone was suspicious!
At the harbor, a Navy warship stood ready to depart.
Yuno strode forward, his Cloak of Justice billowing behind him, carrying the aura of a newly appointed Rear Admiral.
As his gaze swept across the soldiers assembled on deck, two familiar figures stood out among the field officers.
X Drake, the man who had once escorted him to Marineford.
And Smoker, the future "White Hunter" who would become famous in One Piece.
Unlike the other officers and soldiers, who looked at him with awe, these two regarded him with sharp scrutiny.
They had been away on a mission when Yuno defeated Stoloberg in the graduation exam. Though they had heard of his exploits upon their return, they were skeptical.
And now, seeing Yuno promoted to Rear Admiral at such a young age, doubt clouded their eyes.
Could it be favoritism? A backdoor connection?
Drake's expression, in particular, was complicated. After all, he had personally brought Yuno to Marineford. Yet in what felt like the blink of an eye, this youth had surpassed him and become his superior. How could he not question it?
"If you're ready, then let's depart."
Yuno, fully aware of their doubts, chose to ignore them. He walked past calmly and boarded the warship.
Behind him, the officers exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts, as the ship slowly set sail.
On deck, Yuno stood at the bow, gazing ahead into the horizon. At some point, he had tossed his Navy cloak aside, letting the sea wind brush against him directly.
It was then that Smoker approached, his voice deep and stern.
"Commander… I heard you defeated Rear Admiral Stoloberg during the graduation assessment?"
Yuno turned, smiling faintly.
"That's right."
Smoker's eyes locked onto his, unblinking. A sharp glint flashed within them.
"Then I want to see your strength for myself. Please, fight me!"
Smoker was notorious even within the Marines—headstrong, rebellious, often ignoring his superiors' orders.
For someone like him, age and rank meant nothing. The only thing he would obey was strength.
If Yuno's power wasn't truly overwhelming, Smoker would never bow his head.
And so, the challenge was issued.
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