One Piece: Ascending the Divine Path

The conferment of ranks has ended, but the ceremony is not yet completely over.

Zefa then led the newly recruited officers in taking their oaths under the naval flag.

They swore to fight for the World Government, for the Navy, and for justice.

Next comes the final step of the ceremony.

Teacher Zefa will announce the officers' next destination.

As is customary, the best recruits stay at headquarters, while the other officers are reassigned.

Only a very small number of those who perform poorly are assigned to the Four Seas; most new recruits are assigned to the headquarters' directly subordinate branches on the Grand Line, which are the G-series bases.

The Sihai branch is the most stable, but promotion is difficult.

The headquarters offers many opportunities, but also a lot of competition.

Bases along the Grand Line are not lacking in military achievements, but they are very dangerous, especially those in the New World.

It can be said that this assignment largely determined the life trajectory of the newly appointed officers for many years to come.

Without exception, everyone was somewhat uneasy.

In this tense atmosphere, Zephyr began his announcement.

"Lock, Dulin, Dina... G-8 Base."

"Doro, Frank... East Sea, Loguetown."

"Floto, Beaver... G-5 Base."

As the destinations of each new recruit were determined, a vibrant tapestry of human life unfolded on the parade ground.

New recruits assigned to their desired locations naturally smiled, while those assigned to places they didn't want to go slumped over.

Of course, the most awkward situation is for those who were assigned to the four seas. After leaving headquarters this time, it won't be so easy for them to return to the Grand Line.

Zefa had flipped to the last page of the document in his hand. He looked up, swallowed to moisten his throat, and then slowly spoke, "That's how all the personnel are assigned. Except for those who stay at headquarters, everyone else can pack their bags after the ceremony. The warships that will take you there are already in position at the port."

That's what he said.

But the new recruits were stunned.

Because there are still three people who haven't been assigned.

  

Binz blinked blankly, unable to contain his astonishment even in this group setting. "Wait, Professor Zephyr, what about us? We haven't been assigned yet!"

Although Ain, who was not far away, did not speak, she also looked confused.

Besides the two of them, there is another person, of course—

Knight's droopy eyelids lifted slightly.

What happened?

Didn't you say you'd help me secure the G-5 base?

It's one thing that I'm not on the list for G-5 base, but are they just not going to assign me anything at all?

Oh no, am I going to get a hard time?

"Quiet, Binz!"

Zephyr frowned slightly and rebuked, "Where's your discipline?"

"Yes, Professor Zephyr!"

Binz immediately stood at attention.

Zephyr's expression relaxed slightly. His gaze swept over Ain and Binz's faces, finally settling on Knight's. He raised his voice...

"I hereby declare the conferment ceremony concluded. Everyone, go back and pack your belongings."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Knight, Ian, Binz, the three of you come with me."

Knight raised an eyebrow, implying that there was another plan in place.

Puzzled, Ain and Binz, along with the lazy Knight, followed Zephyr to his office.

"I'll just say it straight."

Zephyr said in a deep voice, "Next, I will form a special operations team called the Navy Guerrilla Team, which will be responsible for hunting down pirates in the New World."

"What?"

Binz was immediately shocked. "Professor Zephyr, aren't you going to be the head instructor anymore?"

"Those fugitives are still at large; I must bring them to justice myself!"

Zefa's expression and tone were both heavy.

Wow, so, by some twist of fate, we've ended up back where we started?

Knight's lips twitched slightly.

"The three of you are the best recruits of this year."

Zephyr's gaze lingered on his beloved student Knight's face. "I hope you can join the guerrillas and fight alongside me."

You've come all this way to fight side-by-side; that's truly sincere, Professor Zephyr.

Knight sighed inwardly.

Is this what it means to treat the virtuous with respect?

No, I'm a major.

"I'm in!"

Binz was so excited after hearing Zephyr's words that he almost threw his cane away. "Teacher Zephyr! I swear to follow you to the death!"

Not only him, but even the usually composed Ain couldn't help but take a small step forward, his voice rising, "Professor Zephyr, I'm joining too!"

Zephyr's prestige among the students is beyond doubt. If Iron Fist Garp is a highly revered naval hero, then Black Arm Zephyr is the naval mentor who cultivates heroes.

Then, all three of them focused their attention on Knight.

"Hey, Knight, what are you waiting for?!"

Binz was already urging, "Isn't it just that you want to go to the New World? Going with Professor Zephyr is definitely better than going to other branch bases, right?"

Knight glanced at Binz. "Binz, are you trying to teach me how to do things?"

Ain rolled her eyes.

Here he comes again.

Then, under Zephyr's slightly expectant gaze, Knight yawned lightly and smiled lazily, "Teacher Zephyr, if the treatment is too poor, I won't do it."

"You little brat, you're actually trying to negotiate with me!"

Zefa chuckled, "You don't need to worry about that. The guerrilla force is an independent organization, responsible only to Sengoku. In other words..."

He paused for a moment, then said meaningfully, "Under normal circumstances, I'm in charge of everything in the guerrilla force."

"Teacher Zephyr, please take care of me from now on."

Knight's weary face instantly turned serious, and he said earnestly.

On second thought, joining the naval guerrillas was indeed much better than being assigned to a base in the New World.

Does Professor Zephyr really think of himself as an ordinary major?

Being an independent unit means not being restricted by the headquarters. Even if you can't promote yourself at will, what kind of role you are assigned in the guerrillas is just a matter of a word from Teacher Zephyr, isn't it?

Well, it's so comfortable being a relative.

Moreover, the guerrillas are specifically tasked with chasing Luna and her group, isn't that a good thing?

"good!"

Zephyr nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, let's go back and pack our things. We're heading to the New World right away. The guerrillas will be gathering at G-1 base."

"That group is probably almost at the New World. If we don't hurry, it'll be difficult to catch them once they escape to the depths of the New World!"

Knight's expression was somewhat puzzled.

That makes sense, but if I remember correctly, I think I just came back from the New World the day before yesterday?

Wow, these past two days have definitely been a bit too busy.

In any case, Knight and his two companions packed their bags and followed Zephyr to Red Harbor, before crossing Mary Geoise once again and heading straight for the New World.

While they were busy traveling, the World Economic News brought a somewhat shocking piece of news to the world.

Thirteen years later, following the legendary pirate Shiki, another person has escaped from Impel Down.

Moreover, this time, the number of people who escaped from prison exceeded one hundred, which is unprecedented.

The newspaper detailed the major criminals who were originally imprisoned on the sixth floor, emphasizing their dangerousness, and also included new arrest warrants for them.

Suddenly, the whole world became abuzz with excitement.

"Bandi Waldo? Who's that guy? Never heard of him!"

"I remember that name! The great pirate who roamed the seas more than twenty years ago, the World Destroyer Bandy Waldo!"

"Waldo is still alive? That guy attacked a Celestial Dragon! I thought he was executed long ago after being captured by the Navy! He actually survived and orchestrated this escape? What a tenacious monster!"

"He attacked a Celestial Dragon? No wonder his bounty is the highest of all, a full billion!"

"The usurper Anthony and the swift sword Solt, those two are monsters! Their bounties are six hundred million."

"Who is this Edward Weevil? His bounty is 700 million Berries, higher than that of Antony and Salt!"

"Whitey II? Does that nickname imply something? Don't you think he looks a bit like Whitebeard?"

"And who is this woman? The bounty is 500 million! What race is the Lunaria?"

"The Lunarians? Are there still survivors from that race?"

While the world was abuzz with discussion, the monsters dwelling in the new world also saw the newspaper.

In the latter part of the New World, in a certain sea area, a large ship resembling a whale quietly sails forward on the sea.

On the deck of this large ship named Moby Dick.

"this--"

Marco the Phoenix, the captain of the first division of the Whitebeard Pirates, looked at the wanted poster in his hand and couldn't help but look up at his most respected father.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Dad, this guy named Edward Weevil..."

So Dad had a biological son?

But that doesn't make sense. He's been living with his biological father and his dad for almost thirty years now, and he's never heard of anything like this before.

The man sitting in the large chair, Edward Newgate with a white beard, held a newspaper in his hand, his gaze fixed on Miss Bakkin's wrinkled face.

Why does it look so familiar?

He looks a bit like Stuart.

But Stussy is alive and well now, and is a well-known underworld tycoon in the New World.

The white-bearded man shook his head. "Just some random guy, ignore them."

"is that so?"

Marco nodded.

However, this Edward Weebull does look quite like his father, it's just that he looks a bit silly in the photo.

Wano Country, Oni Island.

"Hehehehe! Jhin, so there are other survivors among your Lunarians!"

A burly man, as robust as a prehistoric beast, sat cross-legged on a cushion, drinking from a gourd while laughing heartily.

Below him stood King, dressed in a black leather jacket and pants, wearing a black mask, with a pair of black wings on his back and a large billboard of the Beast Pirates burning with flames behind his head. King held a newspaper in his hand, his eyes fixed on the white-haired woman in the photo.

"I've never even considered this kind of thing."

Jin's eyes were extremely complex.

He had thought he was the last Lunarians, but it turns out he still had fellow Lunarians.

"Hehehehe!"

The world's strongest creature, Kaido of the Beasts, smirked. "That old hag Linlin will go crazy for her. King, tell me, shouldn't we go help your people?"

Jin paused for a moment, then calmly said, "Although we are of the same race, we are still strangers. Mr. Kaido, there is no need for you to have a conflict with Big Mom over her."

"Strangers? Once we become one of our own, we're no longer strangers, are we?"

Kaido's lips curled into a cunning smile. "King, what do you say? How about we go help them after Linlin has cornered them?"

Jin paused for a moment, then nodded slightly. "I understand, Mr. Kaido."

Indeed, the strength of that fellow countryman's companions is extraordinary. If they could join the Beasts Pirates, Mr. Kaido's power would be greatly enhanced.

World of Warcraft, Whole Cake Island.

"The Lunarians! Mom, Mom! Besides Jin, there's another Lunarian race in the world!"

The world's strongest woman, no longer possessing the beauty of her youth, Charlotte Linlin, now nothing more than a plump old woman, leaned back in her large chaise lounge, eating cake and laughing maniacally while holding a newspaper.

"Katakuri, you go yourself! Bring that woman to me!"

"Yes, Mom."

Yes, Junior Kai really knows Senior Ling.