Kong seemed unwilling to explain much to him about the detailed circumstances and background of this mission.
He merely reminded him repeatedly of the mission's importance and demanded that it be completed without a single mistake.
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Kojin was left with all sorts of speculations in his mind and an even greater curiosity.
"One more thing you must remember," Kong added solemnly.
"Everything concerning Egghead Island is absolutely forbidden from leaking out in any form!"
"This is an order. You must obey it strictly, Kojin!"
By the end, Kong's tone had turned into a stern warning.
From this alone, it was clear how seriously Marine Headquarters regarded this mission.
First, they dispatched a powerful yet young Marine, perhaps to avoid drawing too much attention. Second, the strict confidentiality surrounding the target island suggested that everything on it was of extreme importance to the Marines.
Shortly after receiving the mission, T. Penn received a message from Headquarters.
"Rear Admiral Sakazuki is heading toward our current location. We are to remain where we are and wait."
Kojin nodded upon hearing this.
Then, he turned his gaze toward the group of trainee Marines on the ship, a smile forming at the corners of his mouth.
He had overheard their conversation from the previous day, of course.
"Evans."
Kojin called out casually and glanced down at the seven epaulettes in his hand.
"Yes, sir!" Evans responded immediately.
"Assemble everyone on the ship." Kojin ordered.
"Yes, Sir!" Evans saluted and quickly passed on the order.
In just a short while, Evans, Rosinante, Kaien Jūbei, Slo, Mina, Kira, and Crocodile all stood before Kojin, backs straight and lined up neatly.
Each of them wore a puzzled expression, unable to understand the reason for the sudden summons.
Kojin swept his gaze across them, then smiled.
"I heard your entire conversation yesterday."
After a brief pause, he smiled again, seeing the excitement and anticipation flicker in their eyes.
"Given your outstanding recent performance in combat as Marines, I submitted a report to Headquarters expressing my opinion."
"In the end, Headquarters consulted my views and evaluated each of you."
"They have approved this conferral of rank."
After all, he was not yet a Vice Admiral, nor was he a highly autonomous veteran like Garp. Matters involving promotions still required formal reporting and approval.
"From today onward, you will officially be commissioned as Marine officers!"
Kojin reined in his smile and spoke in a deep, authoritative voice.
"Officers?"
"Not soldiers?"
Rosinante asked in confusion.
Kojin did not explain further. Instead, he shouted loudly.
"Evans!"
Evans immediately snapped to attention and responded at the top of his lungs, "Present!"
"Today, I hereby confer upon you the rank of Lieutenant. From this moment on, you are a Marine officer! I hope that, in the course of your future life, you will follow the justice in your heart and realize your ideals!" Kojin declared loudly.
Evans trembled slightly, then nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Sir!"
Kojin stepped forward and personally pinned the insignia onto him before carefully smoothing out the wrinkles in his uniform.
"Do not let the guns in your hands lose their purpose. You must always be clear about whom they should be pointed at."
Evans's heart shook. He saluted sharply.
"Rosinante!" Kojin moved to the side.
"Here!" Rosinante replied excitedly.
"You are hereby conferred the rank of Ensign. As your superior, I must give you a solemn warning. The dreams in your heart and the path of justice you insist upon both require overwhelming force to support them."
"So you must understand one truth even more clearly."
"Your fists will decide your life!"
"Therefore, you must strive to grow stronger… no matter what, you brat!"
Kojin stared at the tall, green, and innocent face before him. Recalling the fate that awaited him in the future, his voice grew unconsciously heavy as he spoke.
Rosinante blinked at his words, then suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Yes, Sir!"
"I will definitely work hard... hard, and even harder... to grow stronger!! I'll strive to gain power as strong as your fists!"
Kojin smiled when he heard this. He clenched his fist and lightly hammered it against Rosinante's chest. Rosinante grimaced in pain but, unable to contain his joy, burst out laughing.
After that, Kaien, Jūbei, Mina, Kira, Slo, and the others were each granted the rank of Lieutenant.
Kojin personally conferred their ranks and gave each of them words of advice, reminding them of their responsibilities on the road ahead.
The last one to step forward was Crocodile, who stood perfectly straight.
At that moment, his body was tense and his expression was serious, yet the joy in his eyes was evident. His left hand was still intact, it had not yet been replaced by a golden hook.
"Crocodile." Kojin said with a soft smile.
"Present!" Crocodile answered loudly.
"On behalf of Marine Headquarters, I hereby confer upon you the rank of Lieutenant."
Kojin said with a smile.
Then, carefully and unhurriedly, he pinned the epaulettes on Crocodile.
"Everyone has a past. Everyone has memories. They may be beautiful, cruel, or filled with sorrow. But we should always live in the present and hope for a brighter future."
As he adjusted Crocodile's collar and looked at the man, whose aura was now completely different from before, he spoke gently.
"You may pursue your past, but that past is still only the past. Your today and tomorrow will be written by your own hands."
"Which version of yourself you choose to become… you already know the answer in your heart."
Crocodile froze. His fragmented memories flickered rapidly in a haze before settling on the image of a young face smiling at him.
The conferral ceremony was brief and simple. The only difference was that seven trainees were gone from Kojin's battleship, replaced by seven junior officers.
Junior officers may have been the lowest tier in the Marine rank system, but they had truly stepped onto the path of commissioned officers, which represented recognition from Headquarters.
That day, everyone aboard the ship shared their excitement and looked forward to a promising future.
...
In the blink of an eye, one night passed, and the second day arrived.
Sakazuki's battleship arrived around noon.
Kojin stood at the forefront with his arms folded. T. Penn, Crocodile, and the others stood behind him.
They all stood perfectly straight with their gazes fixed forward. Although they had been pirates not long ago, their aura had already changed completely after becoming Marines.
Ahead, a battleship slowly approached.
At the bow stood a burly man wearing a white shirt, with a sword slung across his back and a Marine cap on his head. His expression was stern and the light in his eyes was cold. He exuded an invisible, iron-blooded authority.
It was Sakazuki.
"Kojin!"
The battleship soon came to a stop ten meters from Kojin. Sakazuki stared at the man before him and spoke in a cold voice.
"Sakazuki." Kojin replied calmly.
He didn't have a particular relationship with this man. At their first meeting two years earlier, Kojin had knocked Sakazuki unconscious with a burst of Haoshoku Haki. It could be said that any goodwill between them was firmly in the negative.
"After more than two years, it seems you haven't changed much." Sakazuki said coldly.
"Oh no... there have been some changes."
His gaze, sharp as a blade, passed over Kojin and moved to Evans and the others behind him. A trace of mockery and disdain appeared on his face.
(End of Chapter)
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