One Piece: Marine Luffy, Garp regrets it

While the young women of Wano might have looked down upon the aging Admiral Kizaru, his reputation among Marine soldiers was a different matter entirely. Still, even there, his star had dimmed somewhat in recent days.

After all, how could a middle-aged man with a perpetually bored expression—who'd been seriously wounded by Big Mom's attack—compare to the young, charismatic Vice Admiral who had personally slain one of the Four Emperors?

With his mood thoroughly soured, Kizaru boarded Luffy's flagship, the Stormbreaker, for their journey back to Marine Headquarters. The contrast between the hero's welcome Luffy had received and his own lackluster reception weighed heavily on the Admiral's pride.

Following the battle at Wano, Admiral Akainu had personally delivered the injured Kizaru to Onigashima's hospital, staying only a single night before rushing back to Headquarters to report on the unprecedented events. Now, weeks later, they were finally following the same path.

For this momentous return, Luffy had assembled nearly all the elite officers of G-66 Branch. Only Boa Hancock, Nico Robin, Violet and Koala had remained behind due to their sensitive status and responsibilities. The rest of his female companion accompanied him, eager to witness his anticipated promotion ceremony.

Beyond his core female officers, Luffy's loyal crew members—Cook, Binz, Gavin, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and other that have join him since day on as a pirate hunting guerrilla squad—departed with him as well.

This mass exodus left G-66 Branch at its most vulnerable—a fact not lost on Luffy. Yet the impact of his victory over Kaido still resonated throughout the New World. Currently, even the mighty Whitebeard showed little interest in provoking the Marines without substantial cause.

After three days of soaring through the skies aboard the Stormbreaker, they finally crossed the Red Line and arrived at Marine Headquarters on Marineford Island. The massive fortress—rebuilt and expanded after the Battle of Marineford years earlier—stood as an imposing symbol of the World Government's military might.

From their aerial approach, they could see Marine flags fluttering proudly in the breeze across the island. The enormous central plaza had been transformed for the occasion—tens of thousands of Marine soldiers stood in perfect formation, their white and blue uniforms creating a sea of disciplined power.

All waited silently for the arrival of today's protagonist.

Luffy, never one to disappoint, descended from the sky with appropriate dramatic flair, the Thunder's engines humming as it lowered toward the specially prepared landing area.

The moment the cabin door opened and Luffy appeared in the doorway, a thunderous cheer erupted across the plaza, thousands of voices joining as one:

"LONG LIVE THE MARINES! LONG LIVE VICE ADMIRAL LUFFY!"

"LONG LIVE THE MARINES! LONG LIVE VICE ADMIRAL LUFFY!"

"LONG LIVE THE MARINES! LONG LIVE VICE ADMIRAL LUFFY!"

The deafening, perfectly synchronized chant momentarily stunned Luffy. He froze in place, one foot on the gangway, overwhelmed by the scale of the reception.

Behind him, Yamato pushed forward through the cluster of female officers, eager for her first glimpse of the Marines' fabled stronghold. Her eyes widened as she took in the massive fortress, the gathered thousands, and the sheer grandeur of the display.

"Wow," she breathed, genuine awe in her voice.

Her exclamation snapped Luffy from his momentary daze. With a broad smile and excitement bubbling in his chest, he took a deep breath and strode confidently down the gangway, stepping onto Marineford soil for the first time in many months.

Waiting at the landing area stood the highest echelon of the Marine hierarchy: Fleet Admiral Sengoku at the forefront, flanked by Admirals Aokiji and Akainu, Vice Admirals Garp and Tsuru, and the legendary Chief Instructor Zephyr. Their presence—all gathered for his arrival—spoke volumes about the significance of his achievement.

As Luffy approached, Sengoku's face broke into an uncharacteristic smile of pride and satisfaction. Without waiting for Luffy's formal greeting, the Fleet Admiral raised his voice in a commanding shout:

"SALUTE! SALUTE OUR HERO!"

The order echoed across the plaza as messengers stationed throughout repeated:

"SALUTE! SALUTE OUR HERO!"

In perfect unison, ten thousand Marines raised their right hands in the formal Marine salute—an honor typically reserved for Fleet Admirals or fallen war heroes.

"WELCOME HOME, HERO!"

Luffy hadn't anticipated such an extraordinary reception. His eyes swept across the welcoming committee—Fleet Admiral Sengoku who had first saluted him, his grandfather Garp, his mentor Zephyr, as well as Tsuru, Aokiji, Akainu, and other high-ranking officials.

Though bubbling with excitement internally, Luffy maintained the dignified bearing expected of a senior officer. With a serious expression, he came to attention and returned their salute with perfect form.

"Fleet Admiral, elders, senior officers—I have returned."

Sengoku lowered his hand and stepped forward, his smile now warmly welcoming.

"Welcome home, Luffy," he said. "And to everyone from G-66 Branch—thank you for your service."

Zephyr's gaze traveled over his former students in Luffy's entourage—Ain, Binz, Cook,Gavin and others who had trained under his harsh but effective methods. The grizzled instructor's normally stern face softened with unmistakable pride.

"Well done," he said simply, the weight of his approval evident in those two words. "You've proven yourselves worthy."

The impact of this acknowledgment was immediate. Many of the younger Marines—who had graduated from the Academy just a few years prior—felt their eyes welling with tears. The memories of Zephyr's brutal training regimen remained fresh, as did the constant doubts about whether they would ever measure up to his expectations.

Now, having followed Luffy into legendary battle and returned victorious, they stood receiving the highest honor their organization could bestow. For these passionate young officers, it represented the culmination of every sacrifice and hardship.