"So, what are your plans after graduation?"
Seeing Rosen packing his luggage and preparing for a long journey, Gion no longer focused on the matter of the graduation ceremony.
"I should head to the North Blue first."
"As for the more distant future…"
"We'll talk about that later."
Rosen thought back to the conversation he'd had with Sengoku under the starry sky not long ago and replied calmly.
"By the time you come back from the North Blue, I should have graduated,"
Gion said, understanding the implication.
That trip was just a visit — not something long-term.
"Will you come?" she asked, her eyes burning with expectation.
"Yes."
"I'll return the day you and Tokikake graduate.
"I'll be there to attend your ceremony."
Faced with the invitations of his only two classmates, Rosen didn't refuse. He promised that no matter where he was, he would return to Marineford.
"You're still a good friend," Tokikake grinned, giving Rosen an elbow.
"Alright, time for me to head out as well."
"Before leaving, I need to report to Sengoku-sensei first."
Rosen closed the lid of his single suitcase. His belongings were few: a couple of sets of Clothing, a bag of Tea, and the tea set Borsalino had gifted him.
As for valuables? He didn't even have 100 berries to his name.
After all, he had only just graduated. With no rank yet, he had no salary either.
As for weapons,
As the user of the Arms-Arms Fruit, there wasn't a blade in the Grand Line that could compare to the Zanpakutō he could forge himself.
"Let me carry it for you," Gion offered, lifting the suitcase.
"Thank you," Rosen nodded. How could he refuse when the future Admiral candidate herself insisted on carrying his luggage?
"Let's go!" Tokikake added, tagging along, though Rosen only had one suitcase. With nothing to carry, he trailed behind empty-handed.
The three of them walked through the corriDolls and out toward the main gate of the academy. But just as they reached the entrance, they saw three familiar and imposing figures waiting there.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"Vice Admiral Kizaru."
"Teacher Zephyr."
Gion and Tokikake stopped dead in their tracks. Shock flickered in their eyes — then realization.
Rosen had refused a ceremony. But these three titans of the Navy had still come in person, choosing to serve as witnesses to his early graduation.
"Tsk tsk…"
"The Fleet Admiral, a former Admiral, and an Admiral candidate all gathered just for One student's graduation," Tokikake muttered under his breath.
"Even without a ceremony, the people present carry more weight than anyone else possibly could."
His gaze swept across Sengoku, Borsalino, and Zephyr, his heart secretly shaken.
Now he understood why Rosen had turned down the grand graduation ceremony the Navy Headquarters had wanted to hold.
Compared to the students and instructors of the academy, how could their presence compare to these three?
Especially considering the Fleet Admiral, the former Admiral, and the Admiral candidate hadn't just shown up. They had arrived early, waiting at the gate for Rosen's departure.
What kind of weight did that carry?
What kind of influence was that?
Even if the Gorōsei themselves were here, it wouldn't necessarily outshine this.
But then Zephyr spoke, and his words sent fresh shock through Gion and Tokikake.
"You said you had no merits yet, and declined the ceremony."
"So, you won't mind if the three of us come uninvited as your witnesses"
"Taking advantage of the fact you're the only student in academy history to graduate early, right?"
Zephyr chuckled.
"Originally, Kuzan and Garp were supposed to come as well. But one of them was dispatched to a mission in the Grand Line, and the other… well, you provoked him into storming back to the East Blue, ranting about training his grandson into a future Admiral."
"So, it's just us three."
"You don't mind, do you?"
Sengoku's words left Gion and Take stunned once more.
It wasn't that only three high-ranking officers had come — it was that these were the only ones currently at Marineford.
Kuzan and Garp were away.
"It's my honor to have you here in person, sensei, Admiral, senpai. How could I possibly mind?"
Rosen smiled, shaking his head.
How could he not accept such goodwill?
Then let's take a picture!"
"You two as well," Borsalino said, motioning to Gion and Kake
"Otherwise it'll look strange if his graduation photos only have us old guys in them, without even a single classmate."
He pulled out a camera Den Den Mushi.
"Alright!" Tokikake responded immediately, walking over without hesitation.
As for who would take the photo, Sengoku waved his hand, and an officer approached with the camera Den Den Mushi in hand.
"Ready."
"Everyone, look here."
"3…"
"2…"
"1…"
Click!
Several shots were taken in succession — group photos, Rosen alone, and pairs with Sengoku, Zephyr, and Borsalino.
Just like that, a small, quiet, unpretentious, but unforgettable graduation unfolded at the gate of the academy.
It didn't cause a stir in the moment, but word of the Fleet Admiral, the former Admiral, and an Admiral candidate personally attending would soon spread through Marineford.
By then, Rosen would already be gone.
"Here," Borsalino said at last.
"Junior, congratulations on graduating early and becoming a true Marine."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a beautifully wrapped small box, presenting it in front of everyone.
"Thank you, Senpai."
Rosen accepted the gift and opened it on the spot. In the Grand Line, opening a gift in front of the giver wasn't rude — it was the greatest show of respect.
As the ribbon slipped away and the lid lifted, golden light spilled out.
Everyone's eyes widened.
Inside the box lay a gleaming, radiant Golden Den Den Mushi.
"Golden… Den Den Mushi?!"
Gion's pupils shrank in disbelief.
This wasn't an ordinary communication snail.
This was the Golden Den Den Mushi — the ultimate weapon of authority, carried only by the Admirals.
It symbolized the power to annihilate.
No need to ask permission.
No need to report to Headquarters.
No need to seek the World Government's approval.
One push of this Den Den Mushi… and a Buster Call would rain destruction on any target.
Even a World Government member nation was not exempt.
And now…
Borsalino had given it to Rosen.
To a freshly graduated cadet, not yet even holding a rank.
What shocked Tokikake even more was the next thing Borsalino said….
...
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