In the blink of an eye, over half a month had passed, and it was the beginning of the second month.
At the Navy G3 Branch, on the playground.
Over two thousand naval soldiers were closely arranged in a square formation.
On the temporarily erected podium, a colonel officer, holding a draft paper, shouted:
"Sergeant Maynard, step forward!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Last month, you performed exceptionally well and made outstanding contributions in the battle against the Kim Pirates. You are now promoted to Staff Sergeant."
...
"Recruit Carl D. Sephiroth, step forward!"
"Yes, sir!"
The silver-haired teenager replied and jogged all the way from the formation to the front of the colonel officer on the podium.
"Last month, you performed exceptionally well and made outstanding contributions in the battle against the Paul Pirates. You are now promoted to Corporal."
Sephiroth already knew about the rank promotion after the battle.
However, he didn't expect to be promoted by three ranks.
Just last night, he learned the reason. It turned out that the pirate swordsman he killed using his bat transformation during the battle against the Paul Pirates was a pirate with a bounty of 12 million berries.
According to the Navy's regulations, naval soldiers who kill wanted criminals during military operations will be rewarded based on their contribution and participation. Those who kill a wanted criminal alone can get up to 50% of the bounty.
Therefore, in addition to the promotion and salary increase, Sephiroth also received a reward of 6 million berries.
The Navy directly deducted 50% of the bounty. This might seem a bit unfair, not like the way bounty hunters are paid 100% of the bounty.
But...
You have to know that bounty hunters also incur costs when capturing and killing wanted criminals. They have to consider things like travel expenses, weapon wear and tear, combat injuries... and they might even pay with their lives.
So, in Sephiroth's view, the Navy only deducting 50% of the bounty was actually quite reasonable.
In Sephiroth's opinion, this was also a way for the Navy to recruit talents and motivate the troops to fight against pirates.
Otherwise, being a naval soldier means being constantly supervised, having no freedom, and getting a low salary of just tens of thousands of berries. Who the fuck would risk their life to fight pirates?
Apart from hot - blooded young guys, anyone with a normal mind wouldn't choose to join the Navy.
In that case, who among the capable people would be willing to work for you?
With that kind of ability, they might as well become pirates, plundering and having a good time with women and wine. Isn't that way more comfortable...?
After the unified rank promotion ceremony, the over two thousand naval soldiers didn't disperse. Instead, they marched in an orderly manner towards the outside of the base.
As the sun was setting, on a hillside by the sea, the sea breeze made the wildflowers sway constantly.
Not far away, rows of stone tombstones stood, forming a forest of tombstones. Each tombstone recorded the name, date of birth, and date of death of the fallen naval soldiers.
Led by Garp, a group of Navy soldiers came to the thirty - four newly - built tombstones and laid a bunch of flowers on each of them.
These thirty - four tombstones were all for the Navy soldiers who died in the G3 Branch of the Navy last month...
"Salute!"
Amidst the low and mournful bugle calls, both the soldiers and the officers stood up straight and raised their right hands, giving the most solemn military salute to those tombstones.
Meanwhile, they began to hum a military song.
This was a song that every Navy soldier must know, but also one that every Navy soldier least liked to sing.
This was an elegy from the living to the dead... "The Guidance of the Sea".
The sea watches over and knows everything, from the beginning of the world to the end of it.
So the path it calls us to follow is the path we should move forward on.
So the world it guides us to is the right world.
It encompasses all my pain and suffering.
It is broad and gentle, encompassing all.
The sea watches over and knows everything, from the beginning of the world to the end of it.
If one day I disappear from this world,
It is the all - knowing sea that leads me.
There's no need to panic, as you're here.
There's no need to be afraid, for our comrades are awaiting.
March forward bravely, towards the azure distance.
...
After the elegy ended, many Navy soldiers' eyes were filled with tears.
Their once - living comrades had died on the vast sea, lying in cold graves with ordinary tombstones erected.
Who would remember them after many years...?
Sephiroth stared at the forest of tombstones. His gaze was calm. He admired those Navy soldiers who had laid down their lives for justice, but he also felt sad for them.
The Navy serves under the World Government. Essentially, it exists only to maintain the rule of the World Nobles.
There was actually a huge gap between their ideals and the reality...
After the funeral, the sky was getting dark.
The group of Navy soldiers left the place in an orderly manner, leaving this sad place behind.
"Hey! Kid Sephiroth, come with me."
Garp suddenly spoke up and called out to the silver - haired teenager. Although the latter was puzzled, he still followed.
Bogart was like Garp's shadow. Wherever Garp went, he would follow.
When they reached the edge of the island, on a beach, Garp stopped and turned to look at the silver - haired teenager.
"Attack me and let me see how much you've improved during this time!"
As he spoke, Garp cracked his knuckles with a "crack!" and looked cocky as hell.
Sephiroth glanced at the Autumn Leaf Sword on his waist and tentatively asked:
"Can I use my sword?"
"Whatever you want."
Since the other party had said so, he didn't bother to be overly cautious. With a "swish!" sound, he drew his long sword, creating a beautiful red arc in the air as he slashed towards Garp's chest.
Iron Block!
Clang!
When Sephiroth's blade struck Garp's chest, Garp covered the area from his chest to neck with pitch - black Armament Haki. Sephiroth felt as if he had hacked into steel, and he couldn't help but be greatly surprised.
The next moment.
Before he could react, Garp's fist, as big as a casserole, landed on his cheek.
Bang!
The silver - haired teenager was instantly sent flying. He landed three meters away and rolled on the sandy ground several times before finally coming to a stop.
Sephiroth lay on his back on the beach and cursed:
"Shit! You old geezer are so sly. You actually used Armament Haki..."
"Hahaha! Didn't I already allow you to use your sword?
Moreover, whether it's Armament Haki or Observation Haki, as long as your attack is strong and your speed is fast, they're useless." Garp laughed heartily.
"Pfft!"
Sephiroth got up from the sand, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, spat out a mouthful of blood foam, and his eyes were filled with hostility.
"Just wait until I learn how to use Armament Haki. I'll chop you to death..."
"If you want to learn to use Armament Haki, you have to try to instill your will into your attacks!
With the current level of your attacks, you can't hurt me!"
Hearing this, Sephiroth couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart.
He knew that the old guy in front of him was one of the world's top - notch powerhouses.
Even if he tried his best, he couldn't defeat him. If they continued to fight, he would only get beaten unilaterally!
But...
Roar!
The young man let out a low growl. His height of about 1.7 meters quickly shot up to 2.3 meters, and his clothes were stretched tight by his bulging muscles.
Swish!
Sephiroth lifted his right leg and stomped hard on the ground. Like an arrow leaving the bow, he shot forward and swung his blade at the old man.
But Garp still stood there motionless. Just as the young man was about to reach him, he barely managed to tilt his body slightly to dodge the swing of the long blade, and then quickly punched the latter in the abdomen.
Bang!
Sephiroth's body flew out again and fell on the beach.
Through Observation Haki, he had foreseen Garp's attack.
But...
The old man's attack was so fast that it exceeded his reaction speed.
Moreover, whether it was dodging or attacking, the old man didn't make any unnecessary movements. Coupled with his extremely precise timing, he completely overwhelmed Sephiroth.
Garp grinned and said teasingly:
"Is this all you've got?
I can't believe Bogart said you're a real prodigy in swordsmanship...
Get serious, you brat!
Haven't you already awakened Observation Haki?
If so, then carefully feel the breathing and rhythm of your body!"
"Let's go again!"
Sephiroth gritted his teeth, got up again, raised his long blade, and charged towards Garp.
Bang!
...
"Let's go again!"
Bang!
...
In terms of both speed and strength, Garp completely outmatched Sephiroth. Even when Sephiroth managed to land a strike on Garp with all his might, thanks to the latter's terrifying Armament Haki defense, he only cut through Garp's clothes. He couldn't even leave a single scratch on Garp's pitch - black skin covered with Armament Haki.
As the fight went on, Sephiroth simply stopped using his sword. He stood right on the beach, assuming a stable stance, and engaged in a fist - to - fist confrontation with Garp face to face.
You throw a punch, and I throw one back; every blow lands solidly!
Garp, relying on his powerful Armament Haki, treated Sephiroth's punches like a massage.
Sephiroth, on the other hand, was fueled by a fierce determination. Regardless of whether he could break through Garp's defense, as long as Garp threw a punch at him, he'd throw one right back!
An hour later...
Plop!
Sephiroth, with a bruised and swollen face, fell backward onto the beach. He gasped for air, and his vampire transformation was also lifted.
He stared blankly at the moon in the sky for quite a while.
Come to think of it, why did I fight so hard?
Forget it. Just lie back and give up the fight!
Garp looked down at the teenager lying on the beach. Suddenly, he grinned widely and said,
"You're not bad! Although your strength and speed are a bit lacking, you can take a beating...
From now on, I'll set aside an hour every day to beat you... No, to guide you in your training."
Sephiroth: "..."
After saying that, Garp, the old man, turned around and left with Bogart.
Leaving Sephiroth alone on the beach, questioning his life.
More than half a minute later, after burning through a year's worth of his life force, Sephiroth's wounds, bruises, and swelling all disappeared, and he turned back into a handsome young man.
The silver - haired teenager lay on the beach, gnashing his teeth at the moon and said,
"Garp, you old man, mark my words!
Sooner or later, I'll knock you down!"