Capítulo 243: Chapter 243: Marine Promotion to Commodore.
On the deck of the warship in the Grand Line.
"Roman, look at this."
Nami, who had just come out of the captain's cabin—Roman's room—waved the newspaper in her hand.
As a Marine "benefit," a news bird delivers the newspaper on time every day, ensuring no delays in information.
"Marine Headquarters Captain Roman graduated top of his class from... the training camp. After joining the Marines, he led the 211st unit and captured ten notorious pirate crews in just half a month: the 'Plague Pirates,' the 'Crusher Pirates,' and so on."
Nami read aloud and pointed to the bottom of the newspaper.
"Experts say: On his first voyage, he perfectly demonstrated the strong Yamato justice of the Marines. Undoubtedly, another Marine rising star is emerging."
This...
Nami closed the newspaper and looked at Roman suspiciously.
"Did you bribe the newspaper for self-promotion? It sounds as fake as a third-rate story, and the praise is too cheesy..."
"We're close, but if you slander me, I'll have to call it defamation."
Roman spread his hands helplessly. "Although I did plan something like this, I gave up considering the Marine's reaction. I intended to climb the ranks by accumulating military merits, not by launching a media campaign..."
If it displeased the Marine higher-ups, it would backfire, right?
After all, Roman's only real "backer" among the Marine higher-ups is Garp. The others, like Aokiji, Kizaru, Akainu, and Sengoku, wouldn't be fooled by such tricks.
"So you really had this plan?"
Nami opened another newspaper. "After defeating the pirates, Captain Roman led his Marines to Valencia Town, where he killed 'Phantom' Klein, who had a bounty of 99 million berries, and his three pirate crews. Once again, he showed the Marine's determination and will to maintain peace on the sea."
"It is reported that during the battle, Captain Roman used himself as a shield to protect civilians..."
"Hey, hey, hey, we've been eating and sleeping together these past two days. Even training was neglected. How could I have had time to get the recent events into the newspaper?" Roman took the newspaper from Nami's hand. His blunt words made Nami blush. If she could beat Roman, she would have already started a "domestic violence scene."
"And—"
Roman looked Nami up and down and shook his head.
"You're not an ordinary civilian. If it weren't for your obvious shortcomings, your attack power would have surpassed a Marine Commodore."
...
"Alright, then why have the newspapers been praising you these past few days?"
Facing Nami's question, Roman touched his chin.
"I have a guess—"
---
When the warship returned to Marine Headquarters, as Roman expected, the dock was already crowded with reporters.
"Roman, this..."
Nami wasn't the shy type, but standing openly at Marine Headquarters, facing a group of reporters and Den Den Mushi, was a bit of a test of nerves. After all, Nami's previous "persona" was that of a wanted pirate...
"Don't worry,"
As the warship slowly docked, Roman gently pulled Nami.
"Just follow me, think of it as taking photos."
Hearing Roman say this, Nami immediately linked her arm with his and gave a bright smile to the reporters' Den Den Mushi at the port.
Coats fluttering, sunlight strong and firm; confidence soaring, smiles blooming;
The two stood together, a perfect match.
Uh, this—
This is a serious military interview, not an official announcement...
"Boss, is this okay?"
Facing Bolkin's quiet reminder from behind, Roman waved his hand.
"Don't worry, this makes it more interesting."
He said nonchalantly, "People love to dig into the love lives of heroes, don't they?"
"A hero with flesh and blood, with flaws, is more relatable."
Besides, youthful recklessness is the easiest "persona" to adopt.
"...True."
Bolkin nodded, while Commander Isuka on the other side just looked at Nami with envy, silently wishing her well.
Indeed, men at sea shouldn't be given a chance to hesitate, just take them down first!!
"Captain Roman, look this way—"
As soon as they got off the ship, the blinking sounds of the photo-taking Den Den Mushi filled the air. Roman generously let the reporters take photos while carefully protecting Nami, perfectly displaying the Marine's iron will and the tenderness of youth.
"Lieutenant Commander Roman, who is this?"
As a Marine Captain who made a strong appearance a month ago, Roman's very recognizable face was already etched in the reporters' minds, but who was this girl holding his arm... an officer?
"This is Marine Headquarters Ensign Silk Ann, my closest companion in training and battle..."
Indeed, very close, anyone with eyes could see the relationship between the two. But:
"Ensign Ann is wearing... the Lieutenant Commander's coat?"
Facing a reporter's hesitant question, Roman nodded affirmatively.
"Yes, it's my coat."
"What's mine is hers, and what's hers is mine! Ensign Ann and I are inseparable, — she's mine, so what's a coat?"
——————
"Ah, youth is wonderful."
In Sengoku's office, Vice Admiral Tsuru, with her graying hair tied in a simple ponytail over her shoulder, sighed. Sengoku, however, slapped the table in dissatisfaction.
"nonsense!"
"I kindly set him up as a Marine 'role model'! And what does he do? He openly shows up with his girlfriend and casually lets her wear the coat that represents Marine honor..."
"What do you know?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru turned and gave a sidelong glance at Sengoku, who was sitting in the Fleet Admiral's seat, even sitting upright while angry.
"This shows that the kid values his girlfriend more than so-called honor, — this kind of love hidden in the lack of formality, can you idiots learn that?"
"I..."
If I could learn that, I wouldn't still be—
Sengoku seriously reflected for 0.1 seconds, but still believed that Marine honor should come first.
No choice, it's been his creed for decades.
"Anyway, get that kid to see me right away."
"Not only does he have his own problems, but now he's bringing his... girlfriend into the Marines. Does he really think CP0 can cover everything? Don't we Marines have our own intelligence sources?"
But as a group of dejected pirate captains and officers were escorted off the warship, and the captured pirate ships slowly docked in the harbor, Sengoku's expression gradually softened.
No matter what, Roman's 'business' skills were top-notch in the Marines. If there were more people like him, the entire sea would be swept clean.
"What a pity, what a pity..."
Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral, sighed with his hands on the table, "Why did he have to be led astray by that brat from Garp's family?"
"...Garp wouldn't like hearing that."
As someone who joined the Marines at the same time as Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr, Tsuru knew her 'old friends' very well.
"What do you mean led astray? Everyone is just pursuing their own 'beliefs.'"
---
"No, no, such results are due to the blood and sweat of all the officers and soldiers of the 211th unit."
Even if you've never seen a pig run, you've at least eaten pork. As someone from the information explosion era in his previous life, knowing how to say 'grandiose' words was second nature. Even Roman could easily handle reporters' questions.
When asked why other Marines didn't have such rich results, Roman used the 'Devil Fruit ability' excuse.
"It's not that my strength surpasses my colleagues, it's just that my Devil Fruit ability happens to be good at 'tracking.'"
"Everyone knows we Marines have far more strength than pirates, but the sea is so vast, giving those rats in the gutters places to hide..."
"Captain Roman, what exactly is your Devil Fruit ability?"
As for this question, Roman, holding Nami's hand, smiled and waved.
"Military secret, no comment."
...
"Is this Lieutenant Commander really fresh out of training?"
As Roman and his team entered Marine Headquarters, the reporters looked at each other. He didn't seem like an inexperienced battle maniac, but rather an experienced diplomat. But at his age, to have both strong combat skills and such poise...
It couldn't be that the captured pirates were all fakes, right?
It could only be said that geniuses are truly extraordinary.
---
"Captain Roman, how dare you!"
When Roman arrived at the Fleet Admiral's office, he was met with Sengoku's scolding and Conqueror's Haki pressure! But Roman:
Wasn't fazed at all.
This wasn't because he knew Sengoku was about to 'retire,' but because:
"I even helped you build your image as the new Marine 'role model'! And you show up with your girlfriend in front of reporters."
For a moment, Sengoku felt a surge of envy and jealousy. —If only he had such means and courage back then, things wouldn't be like this now...
"Ahem, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Roman pointed to the report on the table, mostly written by Isuka, but with a section added by Roman.
"Ensign Ann ate the 'Record Fruit,' which can record others' Devil Fruit abilities..."
That's what Roman wrote, whether others believed it or not?
That wasn't Roman's concern.
"Such a perfect fruit ability, once developed, will definitely be a great help to our Marines. We must firmly control it! For this, even if I have to sacrifice my looks, I won't hesitate!"
...
Sacrifice your looks, my foot!! I can see you're enjoying it!
However, Sengoku seriously looked at the report in his hand. Not only Isuka's and Roman's, but also the information from the "undercover" he placed in the 211st unit.
This girl, known as "Silk Ann" to the outside world, is actually Nami, the navigator of the Straw Hat crew. She indeed has various Devil Fruit abilities as Roman said, such as lightning, wind, and healing.
Each of these abilities is very valuable to a big force like the Marines! Such combat power...
"Alright, but I must remind you, Captain Roman—or should I say Saint Roman."
"I will retire soon. And the new Marine Fleet Admiral may not be as 'understanding' as I am. By then—"
"Don't worry, I'll communicate well with your successor."
It's just Akainu, what's there to fear?
Although Akainu believes in "absolute justice," after so many years as an Admiral, even the most stubborn person learns to be flexible. Otherwise, during the Summit War, he wouldn't have had the time to persuade deserters to return to battle:
In any normal army from the past, deserters would be shot on the spot! Who would waste time talking?
When Akainu takes over as Fleet Admiral, his main focus will be dealing with the Five Elders. He won't have time to bother with a "model Marine" like Roman who keeps capturing pirates. Plus, Roman has the status of a Celestial Dragon.
So Roman wasn't worried at all. This is the advantage of being part of the "system."—Unlike pirates who solve everything with their fists.
But speaking of Akainu...
"Now, Captain Roman!"
Sengoku's serious voice interrupted Roman's thoughts.
"Based on your recent military achievements, I hereby promote you to Commodore!"
"I hope you will continue to work hard and contribute to world peace and the tranquility of the sea."
"Yes!"
As Roman took the coat representing an officer from the orderly beside him, he finally got a ticket to watch the "Punk Hazard Duel."
Magma page, ice page...
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