After the battle ended, beneath the awe filled gazes of the entire audience, Zephyr led the three behind him back to the high platform. Lloyd walked calmly at the center, his expression composed and unreadable, with Akainu and Kizaru flanking him.
The looks the officers directed toward the three of them had completely changed. Although Lloyd and the other two were far younger than most present, no one would ever regard them as juniors again. From this moment onward, their standing was unquestionable.
Nearly everyone who witnessed the battle shared the same thought.
These three were the future Admirals of the Navy.
In the eyes of the spectators, the battle had ended in a draw. Yet how old were Lloyd, Akainu, and Kizaru? The seat of Admiral felt less like a distant goal and more like a position that had already been reserved for them.
Several soldiers stepped forward, carrying three brand new Navy cloaks. The cloaks were clearly prepared in advance.
Black, yellow, and red shoulder boards gleamed beneath the light.
The rank displayed on them was Vice Admiral.
After Lloyd and the other two donned their cloaks, Fleet Admiral Kong gave a signal. They stepped forward together, standing at the very front of the platform.
Kong surveyed the crowd below before announcing in a loud, commanding voice,
"Based on the outstanding performance of Lloyd, Akainu and Kizaru during this assessment, Marine Headquarters has decided to grant them the rank of Vice Admiral."
The moment his words fell, thunderous cheers erupted from below. Whether pirates or Marines, strength was universally respected, and the power Lloyd and the other two had displayed had completely conquered everyone present.
Blinding flashes of light, boiling magma, and endless darkness replayed vividly in the minds of the onlookers.
Among all of it, Lloyd's performance stood above the rest.
Throughout the battle, Lloyd had demonstrated martial arts, swordsmanship, Haki, and Devil Fruit abilities. Each discipline had reached a level far beyond that of his peers. At only eighteen years old, this Marine showed no visible weaknesses.
The Navy's upper echelon was well aware of this.
Once the cheers gradually subsided, Kong delivered another announcement that sent shockwaves through the platform.
"Among the three," Kong continued, "Lloyd's strength is something you have all seen with your own eyes. Therefore, Marine Headquarters has decided to list him as an Admiral candidate. This decision is hereby announced."
Unlike before, silence spread across the crowd.
Even Lloyd had not expected this. Marine Headquarters had elevated him directly to the status of Admiral candidate.
Although Admiral candidate was not an official rank, a Vice Admiral holding that title possessed authority and influence far beyond ordinary Vice Admirals.
More importantly, Lloyd was currently the only Admiral candidate within the Navy. Even those promoted later, such as Momousagi and Chaton, could not compare to him.
Kong turned his gaze toward Lloyd.
"Lloyd, this decision was finalized just moments ago. Although you are not yet an Admiral, you should now have a codename. Think carefully and report it when you are ready."
Lloyd did not hesitate. After a brief pause, he spoke calmly,
"Fleet Admiral Kong, I already have one. My codename is Black Dragon."
(Kinda cringe, hehe)
Black suited his abilities perfectly, while Dragon reflected his identity as a Celestial Dragon.
Kong nodded. As long as the codename was appropriate, he had no intention of interfering. He immediately announced it to the crowd below.
"Admiral candidate, Black Dragon!"
Garp froze for a brief moment upon hearing the name. An odd thought crossed his mind. If his son ever became an Admiral, his codename would likely be tied to Dragon as well.
Dragon himself stared upward at Lloyd, who now stood at the center of everyone's attention. His gaze was steady and complicated. Perhaps he would look at him this way for a lifetime.
His thoughts only broke when Lloyd and the other two stepped down from the platform and were immediately surrounded by waves of congratulations.
Ginny clung to Lloyd's arm, cheering happily,
"Bro Lloyd, you're already basically an Admiral! Black Dragon Admiral!"
Lloyd ruffled the pink tuft of hair on her head and replied with a faint smile,
"I'm not an Admiral. Just an Admiral candidate."
Just an Admiral candidate.
Those simple words dealt a devastating blow to the surrounding students. Even Akainu's expression twitched slightly.
That evening, the Navy School cafeteria prepared a lavish banquet for all students. After tonight, many of them would soon be leaving the academy behind.
At the central table, Zephyr sat at the head, with Lloyd and Akainu seated on either side of him, and Kizaru to Akainu's right.
Zephyr granted special permission for drinking that night. Once the dishes were served, everyone in the cafeteria hall raised their glasses together and drained them in one go.
After setting his glass down, Kizaru reached for a banana from the fruit platter. He had grown quite a bit over the years, and a single banana barely qualified as a snack. He finished it in one bite.
Lloyd, Zephyr, and Akainu spoke casually as they ate. Midway through the meal, Ginny approached with a flushed face, grabbed Lloyd's hand, and tugged him eagerly.
"Bro Lloyd, come sit at the girls' table for a bit."
Ginny had clearly been drinking. Her cheeks were red, and she looked particularly lively. Lloyd glanced toward Zephyr, who chuckled and waved him off.
"Go on. The girls like you a lot."
Zephyr was far more relaxed than usual tonight, a sharp contrast to his normally strict demeanor.
Ginny stuck out her tongue playfully and dragged Lloyd toward her table.
Lucia and Gion were already seated there. Lloyd glanced around and asked,
"Ginny, where's Jessica?"
Ginny pulled out a chair and placed it beside her. After Lloyd sat down, she hugged his arm and replied,
"She went to help in the back kitchen. A lot of today's dishes were made by her."
Lloyd nodded. That explained why several dishes stood out in flavor. Jessica's cooking skills had been exceptional.
As the thought crossed his mind, Lucia poured a glass of red wine and slid it toward him. Lloyd picked it up and drank it cleanly.
Moments later, Jessica returned from the kitchen. She looked surprised to see Lloyd at the table. After removing her apron, she sat down.
Lloyd spoke immediately,
"Jessica, your cooking is excellent. After graduation, come work on my ship."
Jessica froze. Her face reddened as she lowered her head, replying softly,
"O okay."
"Good," Lloyd said calmly. "Then it's settled. You'll be the head chef on my ship."
The moment he said it, the girls at the table stared in disbelief, then turned to Jessica with unconcealed envy.
Everyone knew that after graduation, Lloyd would be a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral and an Admiral candidate. The position of head chef on his warship was not something ordinary personnel could obtain.
After graduation, Jessica would at best be a Second Lieutenant.
Lloyd had effectively handed her a position far beyond her rank.
At that moment, the gazes of the surrounding girls toward Lloyd grew even more intense.
_____
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