In the year 1516 of the Sea Circle Calendar, the sea breeze at Marineford seemed heavier than in previous years.
The central plaza was spotless, and the Marine's flags fluttered proudly under the morning light.
Tens of thousands of marines stood in perfect formation, their crisp uniforms and polished armor reflecting the light, an ocean of cold steel and discipline.
Today was a monumental day for Marine Headquarters.
It marked not only the official retirement of Zephyr from the front lines but also the promotion ceremony of a new admiral, signifying the complete formation of the Marines' "Three Logia Admirals," its peak fighting force.
On the grand platform, Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood tall in a white coat, the emblem of "Justice" on his chest gleaming under the sun.
His gaze swept over the solemn crowd below before settling on Zephyr beside him.
The once-feared "Black Arm" Zephyr now wore the simple uniform of a tactical instructor.
The empty sleeve of his right arm swayed gently in the breeze, but unlike before, there was no heaviness in his expression, only calm acceptance.
"Attention!"
The adjutant's command rang out, and every soldier snapped to position, the synchronized sound of boots striking the ground echoing through the plaza.
Zephyr stepped forward slowly. He wore no armor, carried no weapon, only a weathered tactical manual in his left hand.
It was his newly written Field Guide for Recruits, the cover still marked with his handwritten notes.
"I have served the Marine for forty-seven years," Zephyr began, his tone no longer the fierce bark of a drill instructor but a voice that carried quiet gravity.
"I have trained thirty-seven classes of recruits and captured countless pirates. I used to believe that as long as I held a blade and stood between my students and the enemy, that was what it meant to protect."
His voice paused for a moment.
"But I later realized… true protection means ensuring that you, this new generation, never have to lose an arm like I did, or die before you can even say goodbye."
He raised the manual high.
"This book doesn't have grand slogans or speeches about honor. It only teaches how to dodge, how to survive, and how to protect yourself and your comrades with the least risk possible."
"From today onward, I'm no longer a frontline warrior. I'm just an instructor teaching you how to 'be lazy' and live. Because staying alive-" he smiled faintly, "-is the best kind of victory."
For a few seconds, the plaza was silent. Then came thunderous applause. Even the most stoic officers found their eyes wet.
Ain stood in the front row, clapping hard, her short blue hair trembling slightly as she smiled. Her teacher had finally found peace.
Zephyr bowed deeply. As he descended the platform, he passed by Kuzan, who was walking up.
The tall man wore his usual loose Marine coat, an unlit popsicle stick hanging from his lips, his lazy steps radiating effortless presence.
He nodded slightly to Zephyr, eyes filled with respect, Zephyr was his mentor, after all. Seeing him at peace warmed his heart.
"Now," Sengoku's powerful voice rang once more, "I announce the decree of the World Government!"
"Vice Admiral Kuzan is hereby promoted to Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, code name: Aokiji!"
Cannons roared from both sides of the plaza as golden confetti rained down.
Aokiji stepped onto the platform and accepted the sapphire-embellished admiral's coat from Sengoku, the symbol of supreme naval power.
He fastened it lazily to his coat and waved at the crowd below. "Well, please take care of me from now on. But if it's nothing important… don't wake me up."
Laughter rippled through the crowd, easing the formal atmosphere.
That was the Kuzan everyone knew, lazy, casual, yet dependable when it counted.
Just then, two more figures walked up slowly from the other side of the platform, Akainu Sakazuki and Kizaru Borsalino.
Akainu's red suit radiated heat, his gaze sharp as a blade.
Kizaru, in his yellow-striped suit and sunglasses, looked amused, lazily fanning himself.
The three stood side by side at the center of the platform.
On the left, Akainu's aura burned like magma, the air around him distorting with heat.
In the middle, Aokiji exuded a chilling frost that shimmered in the sunlight, a perfect counterbalance.
On the right, Kizaru's form glimmered faintly with particles of golden light, his laid-back air softening the extremes of the other two.
The Three Logia Admirals stood united for the first time under Marineford's bright sun.
Behind them, the flag of Justice waved proudly; before them, tens of thousands of marines stood at attention; beyond them stretched the boundless sea.
It was a sight that would be etched forever in naval history, a new era born before everyone's eyes.
"From this day forward," Sengoku declared, voice ringing with pride, "Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan shall serve together as Admirals of the Marine, commanders of our greatest power!"
"Your duty is to safeguard the justice of these seas, to face the threats of the New World, and to let every pirate know, the Marines' strength will not be challenged!"
"Yes, sir!"
The three replied in unison, Akainu's firm and resounding, Kizaru's drawn-out and playful, Aokiji's calm and cool, but all equally stirring.
Cheers erupted across the plaza, the roar of applause blending with the crash of the distant waves.
Meanwhile, beneath the shade of a tree at the plaza's edge, Renzo was sprawled on a lounge chair, a lunchbox in his arms filled with Mont Blanc chestnut cake that Mama Machi had specially made for him.
He didn't bother looking at the platform or the ceremony, lazily spooning dessert into his mouth with a yawn.
"This is slower than Aunt Maggie's baking…" he muttered. "Should've stayed in the dorm and napped."
Beside him, Potts handed him a cup of hot milk. "Commodore Renzo, this is a huge moment! The three admirals standing together, Fleet Admiral Sengoku said It's a historic day!"
"Historic?" Renzo said through a mouthful of cake. "Does it mean we get extra roasted meat in the mess hall? If not, who cares?"
Just then, he sensed that familiar aura of "trouble" approaching.
Kizaru appeared beside him, holding a cup of tea.
"Yooo~ Commodore Renzo~" he said with the usual sleazy tone, pointing toward the stage.
"Such an important moment, and you're here eating dessert? So relaxed~"
"Better than standing up there under the sun," Renzo replied without looking up. "You Admirals can handle the meetings and paperwork. I'll pass."
Kizaru chuckled. "Heh~ fair enough~ But if you run into any trouble later, don't forget, us hardworking Admirals will be around~"
Renzo waved him off. "Yeah, yeah. Don't let my cake get cold."
With a shrug, Kizaru ambled back to the platform.
On stage, Akainu and Aokiji were already discussing task divisions, while Sengoku and Zephyr watched with pride.
Nearby, Garp munched loudly on senbei, shouting, "Hey, Kuzan! Don't slack off too much!" earning laughter from the officers.
The sunlight bathed the platform, stretching the shadows of the three admirals long across the ground.
Akainu's uncompromising justice, Kizaru's ambiguity, and Aokiji's quiet sense of balance, three ideologies intertwined to form the Marines' strongest defense against the New World's chaos.
Back under the tree, Renzo finished the last bite of his Mont Blanc, burped contentedly, shut his lunchbox, reclined his chair, and closed his eyes for a nap.
For him, whether it was the "Three Admirals" or a "new era," none of it mattered as much as a sweet dessert and a peaceful nap.
As long as no one stole his sweets or interrupted his sleep, the world could stay calm, or burn, for all he cared.
The sea breeze continued to sweep through Marineford.
The cheers on the platform echoed far and wide.
And the legend of the Three Admirals had just begun.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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