Chapter 263: The First New Recruit Graduation
"We've made contact! However, with all their daimyos dead, they are nothing but scattered remnants. But I believe that as soon as you show yourself, Shogun, they will definitely swear loyalty to you!"
The samurai reported immediately.
"Good! Gather them at once! We must teach these invaders a lesson—Wano belongs to us, not some outsider!"
Kurozumi Orochi declared excitedly, eager to reclaim what was once his.
While Orochi was scheming, the rest of the New World was left stunned by the news of Kaido's death.
No one could understand how Kaido ended up clashing with Charlotte in the first place.
In the Totto Land territory, Charlotte Linlin's voice boomed as she read the newspaper.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma! Kaido! My dear little brother, how could you just die like that?! Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma!"
Her laughter and grief blended together, shaking all of Cake Island.
"Linlin, don't be too sad! He's already dead—we must look forward!"
The head chef, Streusen, quickly tried to console her, offering a delicate pastry.
Linlin snatched the cake and shoved it into her mouth.
"Cake! Cake! So delicious! But my poor little brother! He still owed me a favor, and now he's dead! How dare you, Charlotte! I will make you pay!"
Her furious roar echoed, and a massive burst of Conqueror's Haki spread across the island.
Several young children collapsed immediately.
Even the older ones stood frozen, their faces pale as they watched their mother in fear.
All across the New World, different factions reacted to the news of Kaido's death—each in their own way.
Most simply laughed it off.
Kaido, at this stage, wasn't particularly well-known.
Many thought of him as just another small-time pirate.
Meanwhile, Charlotte—the World's Greatest Swordsman—had already made a name for himself.
For him to kill some unknown figure, it wasn't considered newsworthy.
Only a handful who truly knew Kaido's strength found themselves genuinely shocked.
At Marine Headquarters, a grand ceremony was taking place for the graduation of new recruits.
"Borsalino! Third place in the new recruit examinations! Awarded the rank of Rear Admiral! You will be deployed to the New World to assist Admiral Sengoku in the fight against pirates!"
Fleet Admiral Kong stood on the grand stage, announcing the assignments for the graduating recruits.
"Yes, sir!"
Borsalino stepped forward and saluted.
He took the Rear Admiral's coat, his expression serious—but no matter how one looked at him, there was a certain laid-back air about him.
"Sakazuki! Second place in the new recruit examinations! Awarded the rank of Rear Admiral! You will be deployed to the North Blue to eliminate pirates!"
"Yes, sir! I will eradicate all evil!"
Sakazuki stepped forward with a rigid, disciplined stance, his voice filled with conviction.
Kong gave him an approving nod.
"Monkey D. Dragon! First place in the new recruit examinations! Awarded the rank of Rear Admiral! You will remain stationed at Marine Headquarters!"
Standing at the forefront of the formation, Dragon showed no expression as he gazed forward.
"Understood."
With a single response, he stepped back.
Even so, he could feel the envious gazes directed at him from behind.
Being stationed at Marine Headquarters wasn't an immediate way to gain merit—
But it meant staying close to high-ranking officers, allowing for direct recognition and promotion opportunities.
In contrast, those deployed outside Headquarters had to earn achievements or risk being forgotten.
With Kong's final announcement, the first-ever new recruit graduation ceremony came to an end.
Sitting at the main table, Zephyr looked down at the new recruits with undisguised pride.
He had spent a year and a half training this elite force.
He firmly believed that their deployment would greatly strengthen the Marines.
"Zephyr! What do you think? Any promising candidates this year?"
Garp, who had been bored out of his mind, finally spoke up.
He had been watching from the sidelines, snacking as usual.
Zephyr shot him a glance—annoyed that someone could be so casual during such a serious event.
"There are quite a few promising ones. Aside from your son, Dragon, those two recruits from the North Blue are also outstanding. A Logia-type Magma Fruit user. A Logia-type Glint-Glint Fruit user. Both incredibly powerful Devil Fruits."
"And their physical abilities are exceptional. They're future admiral candidates for sure—the Navy's future is in good hands."
Zephyr spoke with confidence.
"And it's not just them. While some of the other recruits may not be as gifted, they are still excellent candidates. With proper training, they will form the Navy's core forces—raising our strength to a whole new level."
He glanced toward the group standing behind Sakazuki and Borsalino.
Though their talents weren't as explosive, they were still highly capable—
However, their methods were… extreme.
Zephyr had led several pirate extermination missions with them—
They had shown no mercy.
Even surrendering pirates were executed without hesitation.
Among them, Sakazuki was the most ruthless.
In every battle, he would charge straight ahead—
Using his Magma Fruit abilities, he would obliterate both pirate ships and crews in one go.
He had already gained a considerable reputation among his peers.
Many young Marines were flocking to his side, forming a loose faction around him.
Zephyr remained silent on the matter.
Three years ago, he would have intervened—even reprimanded them.
But after what happened, his heart had turned cold.
The only warmth left in him was for these recruits.
"Speaking of Logia-types, I recently came across another one—a Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit. Want me to send him your way?"
Garp grinned as he bit into a doughnut.
Zephyr's eyes narrowed.
"Where did you find one? Logia-types aren't easy to come by."
He was genuinely surprised.
Logia Devil Fruits were incredibly rare.
The Marines had already secured two—which was an incredible gain.
But now, this old man had another one?
"Hahaha! Doesn't matter where I got it—just tell me, do you want him or not?"
Garp laughed it off, refusing to elaborate.
"Of course! Why wouldn't I? The third elite training camp is starting soon—I'll make sure he's included!"
Zephyr agreed immediately.
"Hahahaha! Good! Kuzan, come out and meet your future teacher!"
Garp chuckled loudly before calling out to someone standing in the shadows.
A tall figure stepped onto the stage.
"Garp-san!"
The man waved lazily before stepping forward.
Dressed in a white vest suit over a deep blue shirt, with a Marine coat draped over his shoulders, he had a certain casual charisma.
His appearance gave off a sense of ease—one that made people instinctively feel comfortable around him.
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