The boy was in tears, his forehead knocking against the ground, not rising for a long time...
A moment later, the sound of a group leaving echoed in the distance, gradually fading away.
Just as the boy was on the verge of despair, a somewhat indifferent voice from Sakazuki came from ahead.
Unlike the unpredictable weather of the Grand Line, today's weather in the North Blue was surprisingly good, sunlight poured down, and a gentle breeze brushed the face.
A warship sailed across the sea, drawing ripples along the calm surface.
Sakazuki stood on the third deck of the warship, gazing at the soldiers training below.
These soldiers came in all shapes and sizes—tall, short, fat, thin—but they all had one thing in common: they were still just children.
Each of them had experienced the horror of villages slaughtered and towns wiped out.
They were but a small reflection of the world.
And yet, they were also the evil that stood exposed.
Over the past two years, as Sakazuki patrolled to strike down pirates, he had encountered far too many children .
Those who wanted to join the Navy were sent to nearby branches.
Each branch could still manage to raise a few kids. They were the seeds of the future Navy, and when the day came for them to take root and sprout...
As for those with better talent or remarkable willpower, Sakazuki would bring them aboard his ship for training.
And once they returned to Headquarters, they would be sent to the Navy Academy.
These gifted children would one day become the backbone of the Navy, shouldering the world's justice.
They strived and fought for the goal in their hearts...
"Bruu-bruu, bruu-bruu."
"Report—call from Vice Admiral Ward Morris."
The adjutant appeared, holding a Den Den Mushi, and reported to Sakazuki.
Sakazuki picked up the call and spoke:
"Vice Admiral Ward Morris."
A hearty laugh rang out. The Den Den Mushi grinned, perfectly mimicking Morris's cheerful expression:
"Ahahaha, Sakazuki, it's been a while."
"Get ready to return to Headquarters."
"Your Vice Admiral appointment has come through. Come back for the inauguration ceremony."
Though he had long expected it, the corners of Sakazuki's mouth still couldn't help but curve up slightly.
His usually indifferent tone held a rare trace of emotion as he replied:
"Ahahaha, alright then, go get ready. We'll meet again when you return to Headquarters."
The sound of Ward Morris hanging up the Den Den Mushi echoed. The adjutant who heard this beside him was also visibly excited.
Sakazuki looked at the adjutant's expression and smiled, then said:
"Step up the training below—we're throwing a banquet tonight."
The adjutant responded with excitement, and with a whoosh, disappeared on the spot.
He vanished using Soru, reappearing on the lower deck.
There, he shouted out the news that Sakazuki was about to be promoted to Vice Admiral and that the training would be ramped up—and a banquet would be held that night.
Thunderous cheers erupted from the warship, shaking a passing News Coo into a stumble—nearly falling out of the sky.
Sea Circle Calendar Year 1486.
Two years of patrols and pirate suppression had steadily increased Sakazuki's reputation across the Four Seas.
Coupled with his own strength, after deliberation among the top brass, he was officially granted the rank of Vice Admiral.
At the same time, Zephyr had bested Ward Morris in their competition and was promoted to Admiral, codenamed "Black Arm". His title as the "One Who Does Not Kill" resounded across the seas.
Meanwhile, the future Navy Vice Admiral Smoker was just being born on an island somewhere in the Grand Line.
The Golden Lion's ambition to dominate the world was growing day by day. He gathered a large number of pirates, formed a fleet, and carved out his territory in the New World.
Whitebeard, in pursuit of his dream of having a family, was traveling around recruiting sons and daughters—and incidentally, occupying large swaths of territory to establish his own dominion.
Charlotte Linlin and Kaido had, for reasons unknown, parted ways and were now developing separately.
The future Pirate King Roger and the Hero Garp were in the Grand Line, caught up in a game of cat and mouse—one chasing, the other fleeing.
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