One Piece: Marine to Warlord to Conqueror

The Marine 16th Branch was more lively than usual.

It was the day of the monthly commendation ceremony, and the base was buzzing. Marines milled about, their faces bright with anticipation.

”So, who do you think is getting title of ’Model Soldier’ this time?”

”Don’t even bother guessing. I heard the rules are different this month.”

”Yeah, that’s right. Word is you can’t even get nominated unless you’ve mastered at least one of the Rokushiki technique. Or even just Stealth Walk, at least!”

”Well, that counts me out. I don’t know a single one... Guess I’d better start practicing Stealth Walk today.”

”...”

Kuro watched the scene from a distance, unfazed by the commotion.

’I’ve come to terms with this new reality, at least,’ he thought. After proving himself by taking care of that sick girl, they’d finally accepted him as one of their own.

Now he was an official training instructor for the 16th Branch, teaching new recruits the basics of Stealth Walk and other combat forms. He even taught Soru, one of the Rokushiki. He’d picked it up surprisingly fast after seeing the branch’s training manuals, his own mastery of Stealth Walk gave him a massive head start. He wasn’t a master yet, but he knew enough to teach these grunts.

It still amazed him.

’Captain Dante, the commander of this base, has some serious guts.’ The man had openly taken training manuals meant only for Marine Headquarters, slapped a new name on them, and passed them off as branch-approved materials. If HQ ever found out, getting hanged would be a light sentence.

’No, with all the stunts Dante pulls, if they were discovered, he’d have to be executed ten times over to make it stick.’

As for the event today... it was a monthly tradition. Diligent work got you nominated, and the top prize, title of ’Model Soldier,’ came with a promotion, a raise, and other rewards.

None of it had anything to do with him, of course.

Leaving aside his... real identity, he was a newcomer. He was just here to watch the show.

Kuro followed the crowd into the large hall built for these events and found an empty seat in a corner, his expression neutral. In a way, he was a member of the 16th Branch now, and he was curious to see what this was all about. The job had its unexpected turns, but he was surprisingly satisfied.

’As for escaping... that’s impossible now.’ How could he possibly run? He was a 16-million-berry pirate from East Blue. Against a Marine Hero and an Admiral, who were both backing Dante? And the so-called ’Overlord of East Blue’ was Dante’s subordinate. Not to mention Dante’s own strength... Kuro hadn’t forgotten that night.

’Besides,’ he mused, ’the pay is better than my butler gig in Syrup Village, the benefits are good, the food is great... and this job gives me exactly what I’ve always wanted: a quiet, stable life.’

So why run? This wasn’t a bad gig at all.

Dressed in his suit, Kuro pushed his glasses up with the palm of his hand and watched the spectacle unfold from his corner. It was certainly lively, and the Marines were practically vibrating with excitement. He was just settling in to observe quietly when a voice cut through his thoughts.

”Kuro, what are you doing all the way back here?”

He looked up to see Chief Petty Officer Nota approaching, a look of surprise on his face.

”Ah, Chief Petty Officer Nota.” Kuro stood, adjusting his glasses. ”My apologies. I just picked an empty seat. Is it taken? I can move.”

”Oh, no, it’s not that!” Nota insisted, shaking his head. ”You’re an instructor now, you can’t be sitting back here with the recruits!”

With that, he took a bewildered Kuro by the arm and guided him toward the front rows. ”As an instructor, you should be closer to the front.”

After they reached a slightly more forward position, before Kuro could react, Nota firmly settled him into a seat.

’What?’ He stared, wide-eyed, at his proximity to the stage.

Though he was a special instructor for the Marine 16th Branch, strictly speaking, he was still just a captured pirate. And this... this looked like where the most important officers of the 16th Branch sat! But seeing Nota treating him with such respect, Kuro felt a flicker of warmth despite himself. He adjusted his spectacles, about to speak, when-

”I’ve heard you’re working very hard in the training camp!” Nota said, his tone regretful. ”It’s a shame you’re so new to the branch. Otherwise, I’m sure you would have been in the running this time.”

He followed up with an encouraging smile. ”But don’t get discouraged! The Captain really values your work. I bet you’ll be selected next month for sure.”

Kuro swallowed the thank-you that had been on his lips. With a faint, almost imperceptible smile, he turned his gaze to the stage. ”I have no interest in such things.”

”Spoken like a true instructor, Kuro! No concern for fame or fortune,” Nota said with genuine admiration. ”But even if you don’t care, the 16th Branch won’t forget your contributions.” Seeing Kuro about to speak again, Nota quickly changed the subject. ”Ah, that reminds me... Jango, the man laying bricks over on the north side of the base... he was one of your old crewmates, wasn’t he?”

Kuro’s mind clicked. ’So that’s what this is about. He wants me to recruit Jango.’

Nota continued, a thoughtful look on his face. ”The Captain is quite impressed with his abilities, you know. It’s a shame Jango doesn’t seem interested in his offer to join us.”

Kuro didn’t take the bait. ”He was my crewmate, and I respect his decision,” he said flatly, his expression unreadable behind his glasses. ”Everyone has their own path to follow. I wouldn’t stop him from pursuing his, even if that path currently involves...” He paused for a moment. ”...laying bricks.”

He was fully prepared for Nota to look displeased, but he didn’t care. He had made his own choice to stay here, he wouldn’t make choices for his former crew.

To his surprise, Nota simply nodded. ”That’s right. Everyone has the right to chase their own dream.” He accepted the answer and turned his attention to the stage. ”It’s starting. Maybe next time, you’ll be the one up there.”

As Nota spoke, the special banquet officially began. Kuro was somewhat surprised Nota hadn’t pressed the issue, but he calmly redirected his gaze to the stage.

Minutes ticked by. Name after name was called out, each announcement met with a burst of warm applause from the crowd. Everyone who was called up received a red certificate and a bonus personally handed out by Captain Dante himself. Without fail, those who went on stage were moved to tears, profusely thanking everyone imaginable and promising to redouble their efforts.

It was all a bit peculiar, he thought, and undeniably, a truly boring affair. Kuro adjusted his spectacles again, watching the scene before him expressionlessly. ’This,’ he surmised, ’was probably just the Branch’s way of motivating the Marines to train harder and win their loyalty.’ Looking at those emotional Marines, it certainly seemed effective. Recognition was something many people craved in this chaotic era. But it was still incredibly dull!

Of course, none of this concerned him. He might as well use the time to think about what he’d eat later. Honestly, the food in the 16th Branch cafeteria was surprisingly good. He heard that the chefs here had all trained at the famed Baratie sea restaurant in the East Blue. That certainly explained their excellent cooking.

Just as Kuro was deep in thought, arms crossed and brow furrowed, pondering his dinner options.

”Kuro, it’s you! I can’t believe it, they called your name!” Nota was practically bouncing in his seat. ”Hurry, get up on stage!”

’Go on stage for what?’ Kuro thought, turning to look at Nota and the sudden eruption of applause directed at him. He frowned, confused, about to ask what was going on.

Just then, the host’s voice boomed across the hall.

”Next, please welcome to the stage... Kuro, to receive his award!”

Kuro froze.

’Did... did they just call my name?’

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