After the battle, the sea was split between joy and sorrow.
Although Longinus and the G–2 reinforcements had arrived just in time,
the warship still lost nearly a third of its crew.
Even among the nine candidates being escorted, three slots suddenly became vacant.
Fortunately, Marines were long accustomed to life and death.
And with allies present, none of them wanted to disgrace themselves.
After a simple memorial for the fallen, Rear Admiral Morgan led the surviving G–8 members over to express his gratitude.
"This young officer is… the newly promoted Rear Admiral?"
Morgan asked uncertainly.
Although Longinus's once-youthful face had matured greatly over the past two years,
his age was still far too young for such rank.
No matter how Morgan looked at him, he couldn't convince himself otherwise.
"I'm Major Longinus of the G–2 Branch.
An honor to meet you, Rear Admiral Morgan."
"Major…? You're only a Major?"
Morgan stared in disbelief.
Based on what he'd just witnessed in battle,
he would have believed Longinus was a Rear Admiral—or even a Vice Admiral.
"Wait—Longinus…
I've heard that name somewhere…"
Morgan frowned, then slapped his palm.
"That's right!
You're the rising star that G–2 has been bragging about!
I thought they were exaggerating—
turns out they were being too modest."
"Then… wait.
Don't tell me—you're also heading to Marine HQ as a new recruit?"
Morgan pointed at the people behind Longinus.
"Yes."
After receiving confirmation, Morgan had only one thought:
This is bullying.
He's stronger than I am—
and he's going as a student, not a teacher?!
But then he remembered something:
The smug G–2 officers had once boasted endlessly about his age.
Was it fourteen? Fifteen?
He didn't remember clearly—
mostly because he'd been too busy wanting to punch their grinning faces.
But either way, it was absurdly young.
"Some people… really are born extraordinary."
Morgan sighed internally, while silently mourning the recruits he brought along.
To be in the same class as a monster like this—
may their mental health survive.
Behind him, the six young G–8 Marines felt their hearts crack.
Were recruits supposed to have such a massive gap in ability?
Were they too weak,
or was he simply not human?
Chosen from tens of thousands at G–8,
they each held their own pride.
Before leaving for HQ, they imagined achieving glory—
becoming the leaders of a new era.
But now?
Every single one of them was screaming internally:
"Screw the 'new era.'
I'm becoming a salted fish. Just let me rot."
Seeing G–8's six rookies wearing blank, disillusioned expressions,
Gregory and the others felt like desert wanderers tasting sweet water.
Joy!
Pure, suffocating joy!
Finally—someone else knows our pain!
Suffer, children. Welcome to despair. Become salted fish like us.
To ease the awkward atmosphere, Morgan quickly shifted topics.
"Ahem—well, in any case, thank you all.
By the way, where's the commanding officer of your ship?
After we reach HQ, he and I will report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku together.
Your merits need to be recorded promptly."
He didn't say it aloud,
but deep down he was annoyed.
G–2 people are so arrogant!
Not even showing their supervising officer…
Sure, we owe them for saving us, but still—
"Apologies, Rear Admiral Morgan," Longinus said sincerely,
"I am the highest-ranking officer aboard this warship."
Morgan blurted out, shocked:
"G–2 was too careless!
This mission is important—they didn't even assign a Rear Admiral to escort you?"
Gregory sighed helplessly.
"Rear Admiral Morgan…
With Boss Longinus here,
do you really think we need another Rear Admiral?"
Morgan froze—
and then, reluctantly, he realized it was true.
Most Rear Admirals wouldn't stand a chance against this youth.
And Vice Admirals?
Branches only had a handful.
Assigning one to escort recruits would be overkill.
Morgan secretly grew envious.
G–2 Branch was blessed.
With Longinus present, they could relax inside their base and still sleep soundly.
Meanwhile he, having suffered such losses,
would undoubtedly be questioned and penalized.
Compared to G–2,
his situation was truly miserable.
"Major Longinus…
After we reach HQ, please accompany me.
We'll report to Admiral Sengoku together."
"Rear Admiral Morgan is already going through great trouble for our sake.
It should be us saying 'thank you,' not the other way around."
Longinus replied warmly.
His humility made Morgan's evaluation rise even higher.
"Hahaha!
These things are expected.
But in the future, I do hope Major Longinus can look after my rookies as well.
After all—G–2 and G–8 are family!"
Morgan knew well:
To survive in the Marine Recruit Training Camp,
if you weren't a monster like Longinus,
building alliances was crucial.
And G–2 excelled at that.
Morgan had observed their teamwork earlier—
not a second of hesitation,
perfect execution of Longinus's orders,
truly functioning as one.
G–8, on the other hand, lacked a central pillar,
and after today's losses,
they would fall far behind if they didn't cling to someone strong.
The six G–8 rookies also stiffened with sudden clarity.
Even though Longinus looked younger than them,
his strength was overwhelming.
Their pride bent instantly.
While Longinus's "leader's aura" couldn't make people kneel,
combined with his kindness, power, and the debt of saving their lives—
it planted a firm seed of loyalty.
"Mutual exchange, mutual improvement—
that is the purpose and meaning of us gathering together."
Longinus said modestly.
"Mutual exchange and mutual improvement, huh?"
Morgan nodded in admiration.
"Major Longinus, your ideals are far above ours.
No wonder the G–2 people call you the new era's Marine hero.
Now that I've met you…
I can only agree."
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