[Sea Circle Calendar 1504 - Summer]
Time passes like flowing water.
The scorching sun burned the sea surface, and the sea breeze rolled up layers of white waves, hitting the harbor, making a low and powerful sound.
At the moment when the final exam of the Zephyr Special Training Camp came to an end—
The entire training ground fell into a brief and solemn silence.
On the ruined training ground, collapsed obstacles, burning debris, rolling sweat and bloodline intertwined to form an ultimate cruel battlefield scene.
Sweat, blood, and fatigue are intertwined between every student's breath.
And at the very front, still standing upright, were two young men.
A man with flying black hair and a look as cold as a star.
A man with dark skin, clenched fists, and a calm aura like a mountain.
--Rye.
——Rhett.
Finally, under Zephyr's iron-like gaze, the results list was slowly announced.
First Place: Rogge, Air Fruit User, Rating: S+
Second Place: Lei Te, Physical Enhancer, Rating: S
The two of them, with their absolutely overwhelming strength, crushed their peers and took the lead!
The instructors from the headquarters who were watching from a distance were all whispering to each other, unable to hide their admiration:
"It's really a monster-like little ghost..."
"This kind of momentum will surely lead to great things in the future."
"Especially that Rogge...it's like he was born to fight."
[Graduation Ceremony · Main Plaza]
The sun was blazing high above the huge drill ground with the Naval Headquarters logo hanging on it.
The sea breeze was blowing, and under the blue and white military flags, hundreds of newly promoted officers stood in formation, creating a solemn and austere atmosphere.
Rogge and Rhett, one in front and one behind, stood in the front row.
His chest was straight, his back was as taut as a bowstring, and every inch of his body showed the fortitude forged in battle.
Zephyr walked slowly towards them, dressed in combat uniform, cape fluttering.
Under the gaze of the audience, Zephyr personally put on the traditional blue and white Marine cloak for Rogge.
Then, he solemnly pinned the silver badge symbolizing the [Lieutenant Junior Grade] on the left side of his chest!
——"Snap."
The moment the badge touched the uniform, there was a crisp sound, as if sounding the horn for the young man to step onto the real battlefield.
The iron badge gleamed with a cold and solemn glow in the sunlight.
Zephyr spoke in a low voice, his voice resounding like thunder across the square:
"Rye--"
"From today on, it's not just your own will that's on your shoulders."
"And—the hopes of millions of ordinary people."
"And—Marine's dignity."
"And—justice."
Rogge's eyes were as calm as a mirror lake. He punched his chest with his right fist and gave the most standard salute.
The voice is firm and clear as a knife:
"Never let down the name of justice!"
The sunlight shines on the boy's shoulders, casting a halo-like glow.
At that moment, even Zephyr showed a rare smile.
At the same time, Lei Te was also awarded the rank of [Ensign].
But after the award ceremony, he walked up to Rogge, knelt on one knee, and asked in a deep voice:
"Apply to become the direct lieutenant of Rogge Lieutenant Junior Grade."
As soon as the words fell, the whole audience was in an uproar!
You have to know that the Marines have strict military regulations and clear hierarchical barriers.
Actively downgrading and following others means giving up personal honor and betting all your life's honor and disgrace on the other person!
But Leiter's eyes were firm and without regret.
It's not just out of trust, but also out of a resonance forged in blood and fire, that kind of belief that wants someone to lead them to tear apart and rebuild this corrupt world!
Zephyr was silent for several seconds.
Looking at the red will burning in Rhett's eyes.
He finally nodded slightly, slammed his right fist on Lei Te's left shoulder, and whispered:
"…OK."
Rhett stood up and stood half a step behind Rogge.
That is the position of adjutant.
From this moment on——
This young pair officially embarked on their own journey.
[Headquarters High-level Meeting Room]
Behind the heavy rattan desk, a personnel transfer file was pushed in front of several generals of the headquarters.
The highest meeting of Marines was proceeding in low voices.
Name: Rogge Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Ability assessment: Logia Air Fruit, excellent combat command, decisive and ruthless, absolute political stance.
Note: It can be cultivated into an independent commander system seed in the future.
Vice Admiral He pushed his glasses up and smiled approvingly.
Marshal Sengoku held his coffee, thought for a moment, and nodded.
And Sakazuki, standing at the side and behind, wearing a formal cape——
His eyes were fixed on the file quietly.
That was his nephew whom he had personally rescued from the ruins and pools of blood, and he was the one he was willing to protect with his whole body and blood.
He slowly withdrew his gaze, and a very faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
At that moment——
Even the iron-blooded Akainu felt a burning pride burning deep in his heart.
"good."
Sengoku made the decision:
"Since it's a knife, it should be sent for sharpening."
"Put it on East Blue first, and control the rhythm—don't let the knife show its edge too quickly."
Sea Circle Calendar Autumn 1504, East Blue, Branch 62
The morning light is dim.
The rising sun was wrapped in mist, and the sea breeze carried the dampness and lingering smell of blood.
Next to the small naval port, a brand new Marine Lieutenant Junior Grade flag slowly rose.
The blue stripes on a white background rustled, announcing the arrival of the new owner of this silent branch.
Center of the square.
Rogge, wearing a neat military uniform and a brand new Lieutenant Junior Grade badge of his headquarters, has a cold and determined look in his eyes.
He stood upright, like a sword about to be unsheathed, emitting a faint sharp light in the morning light.
Rhett stood solemnly beside him, sword at his side, his black combat cloak slightly raised, his brows filled with a murderous look as hard as iron.
What they took over was a small, outdated, and demoralized East Blue fleet.
The warships were slightly barged, the gun batteries were rusty, and the soldiers were slack and lax, with carelessness and laziness in their eyes.
but--
No one dared to speak disrespectfully in front of this new Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Because during the first full review in the morning,
Rogge used extremely compressed air shock, and with just one blow, he shattered the five-ton training stone pillar in the center of the playground!
The entire branch, from officers to soldiers, was silent.
This is no weak, empty commander.
This is the real deal, capable of crushing the rebellious Lieutenant Junior Grade with one punch.
[Branch Operations Room·Night]
Under the dim light, the map was spread out on the long table.
Midlands Circle——
A sea area composed of isolated islands of varying sizes, with complex terrain and dense waterways, making it an easy place for pirates to hide and escape.
Recent intelligence shows that—
Here, at least four new pirate groups have begun to gather and harass nearby shipping routes, slaughtering fishermen and looting merchant caravans.
Rogge stared at the map, tapping the table with his fingertips, his voice cold:
"—Tolerance is a betrayal of the common people."
He looked up, his eyes like a knife cutting through the night.
Lei Te stood up solemnly and waited for instructions.
Rogge personally drew up the first battle plan:
[East Blue Cleanup Operation: Midlands Circle]
[Target]: Four emerging Pirates groups
[Operation Principles]:
➤ No mercy, no delay;
➤ Quick victory, clearing island by island;
➤ No one is left out, no one is compromised;
➤ Prioritize protecting innocent civilians, and secondly, completely annihilate the Pirates' roots.
[Time limit]: Complete the cleanup within one month!
Rhett punched his chest hard, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Guaranteed to complete the mission!"
[Port · Midnight]
The night is dark.
Rogge stood with his sword, gazing at the four small battleships anchored at the dock.
Although these ships were old, they completed basic repairs and weapons inspections under Leiter's leadership in just a few days.
The flag is raised.
The warship's flag fluttered in the night wind.
The cold light is sharp, like an invisible blade.
Under the light.
More than one hundred temporarily reorganized special forces soldiers stood solemnly on the deck, with stern expressions and burning eyes.
The new Lieutenant Junior Grade Rogge stood at the bow, his cape fluttering slightly, like a sharp sword about to be unsheathed.
Rhett stood on his left, in the adjutant's position, with his hands behind his back and a look as cold as a mountain.
After a moment of silence, Rogge spoke.
The voice was low, but it penetrated everyone's chest:
"East Blue was once the most peaceful sea in the world."
"And now—"
"Someone is trying to use the Pirates' minions to tear this apart."
"I don't care how lazy you were in the past, or how much you compromised."
"From this moment on."
"Follow me—"
"Just move forward and eradicate evil."
"Justice can only be practiced with blood."
The deck of the warship shook, the soldiers' chests heaved, and their breathing became hot!
Rogge swung his right fist!
The air suddenly stagnated, and visible ripples of air waves appeared on the surrounding sea surface!
"Set sail!"
boom--!
Four warships set sail at the same time, breaking through the darkness of night and heading towards the turbulent Midlands circle!
On the battlefield where blood and fire have not yet been extinguished——
The first step of the conquest of absolute justice has quietly begun!
future.
They will use sword and fire, thunder and wind,
Tear the darkness apart inch by inch——
Until there is no more soil for Pirates to run rampant in the whole world!