One Piece: Ascending the Divine Path

While people were panicking over the rise of new monsters, they also noticed something else.

The pirates who provided news to various newspapers all mentioned the same person.

According to their description, he was a very young marine, who seemed to have just come of age, and he was following Black Arm Zephyr to fight against the pirates.

The young navy officer defeated the great pirate Swift Sword Solt, who had a bounty of 600 million, with absolute power the moment he made his move.

Even at the very end of that fierce battle, if Katakuri hadn't intervened, he would have almost defeated Cracker, a senior member of the Charlotte Family.

That's Cracker the Thousand Hands, one of the strongest officers in the Big Mom Pirates!

Has such a rising star emerged in the navy?

People couldn't help but discuss it.

Who exactly is that young navy officer?

Will he become the next admiral?

Even the monsters have taken notice of it.

Dressrosa.

"Damn it!"

Doflamingo, whose body was still wrapped in bandages, was so angry that he tore the newspaper to shreds.

The damn fugitives got away scot-free, and those brats from the navy got away scot-free too!

The worst possible outcome!

The Whitebeard Pirates.

"Did he almost beat Cracker?"

Marco, the Whitebeard Pirates' ship's doctor, couldn't help but be somewhat surprised. "These young people nowadays are truly terrifying, but..."

He glanced back briefly. "Dad, Waldo and his gang should be heading into the latter part of the New World soon. Are they just asking for trouble?"

Behind him, a white-bearded man sitting in a large chair casually sipped his drink and said, "Unless they want me to sink them into the sea!"

Somewhere in the New World, a pirate ship with its dragon head ramming its horn slowly moves forward.

"The Lunaria tribe, who left Katakuri helpless, and the Marine rookie who almost defeated Cracker, hahahaha!"

The red-haired man laughed heartily, "This world is truly becoming more and more amazing!"

While the world was abuzz with discussion about this fierce battle, Sengoku, who had just returned from Mary Geoise, summoned Chief of Staff Tsuru and Admiral Aokiji for an emergency meeting at the Marine Headquarters.

"Ara la,"

  

Aokiji, as always, leaned lazily against the sofa, yawning as he sized up Sengoku's sullen face. "Mr. Sengoku, did you get a severe scolding?"

"There's no need to emphasize it again."

Sengoku pushed up his glasses. "However, the Five Elders are indeed very angry. Waldo's inexplicable dual abilities, the data he stole from the Science Unit—those people not only have many secrets, but they are also extremely dangerous."

"But there's nothing we can do about it."

Lieutenant General Tsuru shook his head. "Everyone underestimated Waldo. Unless Borsalino goes, who can stop them?"

Zhan Guo sighed.

Yes, I wish Borsalino had been there.

But that guy can't leave; he still needs to clean up the mess at the science unit.

Putting everything else aside, Vegapunk's successful replication of the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit also made the Five Elders take it very seriously. They even made a special phone call to scold Vegapunk, because the scientist insisted that it was a failure because the color was wrong.

When the Warring States period heard about this, they also wanted to curse.

Regardless, the ability to clone mythical beasts, even with a low success rate, is still good news.

"There won't be an opportunity to take down that group anytime soon."

Sengoku felt a throbbing pain in his temples again. "Waldo is one thing, but that Lunaria woman is troublesome too. She's so young, yet Charlotte Katakuri is already helpless against her! If she's given a few more years, what will become of her?"

"Don't we have a super rookie here too?"

Aokiji said lazily, "Everyone at headquarters has been talking about that young Marine in the newspaper today. Really, I should say, he's worthy of being Zephyr's last disciple, isn't he?"

"Knight?"

Lieutenant General Tsuru nodded slightly, "He is indeed a very outstanding child."

"Speaking of Knight,"

Sengoku's expression became somewhat subtle. "The Five Elders also mentioned him."

"Oh?"

Aokiji raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious.

"Um."

Sengoku nodded slightly and then said, "The Five Elders said that the Navy lost face this time, but that kid Knight has gained considerable praise worldwide, salvaging a lot of his reputation. People are very interested in him."

"Therefore, the Five Elders think that perhaps that child could become the banner of the new generation of the Navy, thereby gaining more support for the Navy's justice from the world."

"Oh~"

Aokiji immediately understood and said, "That really brings back fond memories."

New World, Naval Guerrilla, on the deck of Ship Number One.

Knight, who was routinely honing his Armament Haki, looked at Zephyr with some confusion.

Not only him, but Ain, who was still diligently practicing the Six Styles, also doubted whether she had misheard. She asked in confusion, "Teacher Zephyr, what do you mean by 'Nate will become a big star'?"

"About this..."

Zephyr seemed a little tense. He coughed twice and said calmly, "Simply put, the government is preparing to make Knight a representative figure of the new generation of the Navy."

"Huh?"

Ain was completely stunned. "Why would you do something like this?"

Are the big shots at headquarters really that bored?

Knight couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Is he trying to portray himself as a soldier boy?

Is this a recruitment campaign?

So, am I a navy boy?

"Understood,"

Vice Admiral Simon nodded in understanding. "Just like Mr. Garp, the government wants to establish a younger banner, which can not only salvage the image of the Navy damaged by this defeat, but also boost the morale of the Navy. Sakazuki and his men went through a similar period, but it was much later than Knight's."

Brigadier General Dor said with a smile, "There's nothing we can do about it. It's just that Admiral Akainu and the others were completely inferior to Knight at the same time."

"Wow!"

Binz's face contorted with envy, his eyes filled with jealousy as he looked at Knight. "Now you're in for it, Knight!"

But Knight, who was the center of attention and the object of everyone's approval, frowned. "That's not right, Professor Zephyr."

"wrong?"

Zefa asked in surprise, "Something's not right?"

"It's wrong from beginning to end."

Knight said somewhat discontentedly, "What do you mean by turning me into a flag bearer for the new generation? Do I need to be made that flag? Aren't I already one?"

There was a moment of silence on the deck.

Ain smiled faintly.

Unsurprisingly, she managed to stay relaxed and composed.

Binz's reaction was much more exaggerated; he immediately burst into laughter.

That's right, that arrogant demeanor is the real Knight.

Seriously, is there really no problem with such a flag? Won't it have an immeasurable negative impact on the young marines?

"Hahaha! Knight, you little brat!"

Brigadier General Dorl laughed heartily.

That's really interesting.

Zephyr was also a little nervous, but he forced a smile and said, "Anyway, it's not a bad thing. With enough fame, seniority won't be able to limit your promotion. Knight, you don't need to worry about anything. Headquarters will help you with publicity. Just do your job well."

"Anyway, you'll never lack merits in the naval guerrillas."

Knight nodded slightly. "Alright then, let the world admire me from now on."

To pay homage?

Binz couldn't hold back again.

Knight's lips curled slightly.

As expected.

In that case, Navy Knight is indeed on the path to becoming a hero.

However, the title of "hero" doesn't seem to carry much weight, even Koby is called a hero.

Well, all of that is fine now. The important thing now is what Luna and the others are doing.

The New World, the Kingdom of Dunas, Night.

This country is a summer island, with a hot climate and frequent rainfall throughout the year.

Among the many non-member states in the New World, the Kingdom of Dunas is doing relatively well; its government is functioning smoothly and order has not collapsed.

Although not particularly wealthy, thanks to the climate, agriculture has developed quite well, and the people's lives are not so miserable as to be considered impoverished.

And all of this is basically thanks to the king of this country.

King Gaston was hardly a wise and powerful ruler; in terms of governing the country, he was merely an average person.

The real reason he was so beloved by the people was because he was a very good fighter.

He's incredibly skilled in combat.

This king was recognized as a strongman by the surrounding countries, and his iron fists were invincible throughout the surrounding seas.

He personally commanded the National Protection Army, defeating countless waves of pirates who attempted to invade the country, making him the guardian of this nation.

So even though he was a bit pleasure-seeking and had a bad temper, the people still admired him.

Like many countries in the world, the Kingdom of Dunas is a country consisting of a city and many villages, with the rest of the area being mostly farmland.

Meanwhile, in the heart of that seaside city in this country, in that luxurious royal palace...

One by one, figures slowly descended from the sky, finally stopping outside a tightly closed window.

"This must be the place."

Knight, who was controlling Waldo's body, politely reached out and knocked on the window.