The moment Renji and his group left the G-5 base, the entire base came out to see them off.
Their figures gradually faded into the distance, bumping along the broken, rubble-strewn road, with the silent gazes of the Marines following them.
Docked by the shore was a Marine ship. Though not the latest model, it was well-maintained.
Its sides bore faint marks, testaments to its fierce battles and glory against pirates.
The ship stood steadily at the dock, waiting for their arrival.
Renji stepped onto the deck, gripping the railing tightly, feeling the refreshing sea breeze.
As the captain gave the order to set sail, the anchor was raised, and the ship cut through the waves.
The vessel slowly left the port.
Under the clear sky, the silhouette of the ship against the blue sea formed a unique picture.
Renji and his companions stood on the deck, their gazes piercing through the peaks and troughs of the waves, as if they could already see the distant and solemn outline of Marine Headquarters.
"..."
Sorbet Kingdom.
"Kuma, Ginny, take care of yourselves," Kuzan said as he packed his luggage, giving the two a final reminder.
"Why has Marine Headquarters suddenly summoned you?" Ginny asked, puzzled.
They had been part of the Marines for a year now and had a clear understanding of how things worked at Headquarters.
Ordinary people couldn't just go there. Only those who had made significant contributions or showed exceptional talent were summoned.
"Apparently, the recent large-scale recruitment has caused a shortage of officers at Headquarters. But I'll probably have to report to the training camp first..." Kuzan wasn't entirely sure, having only heard some rumors.
"Does that mean you're getting promoted?" Ginny pressed.
Their small group was gradually getting on track, each making their own mark.
Kuzan grinned. "Maybe, but I'll likely be reassigned to Headquarters."
"Yay! Now, besides Renji, we have another big shot to rely on," Ginny cheered, jumping with excitement.
"..."
"Kuzan, congratulations," Dragon said, having rushed over from the base upon hearing the news.
Kuzan patted Dragon on the chest, laughing. "You, coming from Headquarters, stop teasing me."
After spending so much time together, the two had become close friends, often joking around.
Dragon chuckled. "I'm serious. Going to Marine Headquarters will be great for your future."
Marine Headquarters gathered most of the elite Marines in the world, offering excellent opportunities for personal growth and the chance to meet like-minded individuals.
"It's a shame you'll have to go alone..." Dragon sighed.
It wasn't that he wanted to return to Headquarters, but he felt bad about not being able to accompany his friend.
"Don't worry about me. It's you I'm concerned about. After I leave, the workload here will fall on you guys," Kuzan replied nonchalantly.
"Sorbet Kingdom is like my second home. Besides, the South Blue is peaceful now, so there's not much to handle. We'll take care of things here," Dragon said confidently.
He was no longer the rookie he once was.
"Good thing Shanks is out teaching today. Otherwise, he'd probably make a fuss about you leaving," Kuma joked.
"Shanks has grown a lot. He's a teacher now; he won't mind a small farewell," Kuzan said, a hint of pride in his eyes as he thought of the red-haired young man.
He had watched Shanks grow up, and thankfully, the kid hadn't turned out badly.
"Renji's probably living it up at Marine Headquarters by now..." Kuzan murmured.
"With Renji's personality, he's probably enjoying life to the fullest," Dragon added.
"..."
The Marine ship cut through the waves, crossing the endless sea.
Renji, Toki, and the others stood on the deck, basking in the warm sunlight, washing away the fatigue of their journey.
"Commander Renji, we'll reach Marineford soon," a Marine informed them.
"A week's journey, that was fast," Renji remarked, surprised.
Their gazes fixed on the horizon, where the majestic Marine Headquarters gradually came into view, like the gateway to a new world, opening its grand and sacred arms.
The ship's first officer was explaining the grand structure and profound history of Marine Headquarters to Toki and the others, his words filled with pride and reverence.
The golden light of the rising sun reflected off the base, giving it a golden edge and enhancing its solemnity and grandeur.
As the ship drew closer to Marine Headquarters, the massive base became even more awe-inspiring.
...
The ship slowly docked at the port of Marine Headquarters, its heavy hull casting a solid shadow on the shore.
The Marines stood in a row, their faces solemn as they lined up on the bridge to bid farewell. "We can only take you this far."
"There's still a lot of work waiting for us back at G-5."
"You can head back. We'll go straight to Headquarters," Renji said, waving goodbye to these admirable Marines.
"..."
Renji and his group walked along the road leading to the heart of Marine Headquarters. Ahead, the bustling shops on either side of the street shone like seashells, each radiating its own unique charm.
The streets were filled with people—vendors calling out, merchants chatting, and children laughing—creating a lively symphony.
At the end of the road stood the Marine Headquarters, like an unreachable mountain peak, towering in the distance.
The smooth stone walls reflected the soft sunlight, and the words "Marine Headquarters" shone with a sacred and solemn aura.
Walking past the vibrant streets, they arrived at the towering gates of Marine Headquarters, which bore the weight of countless stories of glory and hardship.
Their steps paused slightly at the gate as they gazed up at the towering arch.
"Is this the holy land of the Marines, Marineford?" Olga exclaimed.
Standing beneath the massive structure, they truly grasped the enormity of Headquarters.
A Marine in a neat uniform approached, inquiring about their purpose.
"Hello, this is Marine Headquarters. Do you have business here?"
"I'm Renji, the South Blue Commander. I need to see Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Renji replied truthfully.
"Ah, Commander Renji! We've heard of you. You're an inspiration to many of us Marines," the Marine said, a look of recognition in his eyes.
He tilted his body slightly, gesturing for Renji and the others to follow him. "Please come with me. Fleet Admiral Sengoku has already instructed us to let you in directly."
His steps were firm, each one reflecting the honor and responsibility of the Marines.
Renji and his companions followed closely, passing through the massive gates as if crossing a barrier into a new era, stepping onto a brand-new stage.
"..."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Commander Renji has arrived..."
...
.....
(TL/N): If you are intressted you can read up to 30 chapter on patreon.com/Yanet96 search with this link.