NOVEL WEB Chapter 42: Wait for Your Promotion, Lieutenant Tashigi
"Let's go see him." "Lieutenant Tashigi, tell Colonel Smoker that I'll be staying at the Barto Club for a few days. Thank you for your care during this time." "I will commend you to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Just wait for your promotion."
Kael, still covered in bandages, put on his platinum military uniform and walked out of the infirmary with a swagger, not forgetting to grab his large piece of roasted meat.
"Your Majesty Kael, are you going to recuperate at a criminal club? Is that appropriate?" Tashigi quickly tried to dissuade him. The Marines of the entire 16th Marine Branch felt very remorseful about Kael's attack in Loguetown. They were all very proactive in treating Kael and providing service.
"Are you afraid they'll eat me?" "Don't worry, these few Imperial Baron subordinates of mine are not so simple." Kael chuckled. Eric and Eldoraggo both puffed out their chests. Even Van Augur's lips curled into a slight smile. It wasn't easy to receive praise from Kael.
Currently, among Kael's cadres, only these three have been granted the title of Imperial Baron. Even young people like Zoro and Saga have not been ennobled. They will be ennobled after they defeat an enemy with a bounty of over ten million Berries. To be promoted to Viscount, they need to defeat or kill a pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million Berries. Defeating or killing a pirate with a bounty of over 300 million Berries will make one a high-ranking Count. Defeating or killing a great pirate with a bounty of over 500 million Berries means the position of Marquis, holding great power and influence. Except for Zoro, the position of Marquis is likely the limit for these individuals. Even Eric and Eldoraggo will find it difficult to reach that level. Van Augur, however, has that potential.
As for the position of Duke, one's strength must at least be comparable to a Three Disaster or a General Star. If one's strength is strong enough, comparable to an Admiral, Kael could even bestow the King title of the Goa Empire. One should know that in those Allied Nations, the title of Count is generally the highest. Dukes and Marquises are few and far between, and their family power is no less than that of the royal family. In fact, many kingdoms do not even have Dukes and Marquises. The royal family does not allow Dukes and Marquises who threaten their position to appear. For example, the leader of the Mokomo Dukedom on Zou is merely a Duke. If Red Count Redfield were to join the Goa Empire, Kael would definitely give him the title of King. How could a Count match Redfield's strength? But Red Count, this great pirate, is destined not to walk the same path as Kael.
Kael led his subordinates out of the Loguetown 16th Marine Branch. Bartolomeo, with a group of his underlings, excitedly watched Kael, completely unafraid of Colonel Smoker. Because His Majesty Kael could instantly defeat Smoker. Looking at Kael, who had recovered well, the expressionless Smoker bit his cigar, lost in thought. According to the post-mortem description from that day, Kael very likely awakened Conqueror's Haki. It was unknown whether this was a blessing or a curse for the East Blue.
"Your Majesty Kael, please be sure to rest well." Tashigi did not forget to remind Kael, her face full of worry.
"Lieutenant Tashigi, your concern warms me greatly. How about this, I will apply to Fleet Admiral Sengoku to promote you to 16th Marine Branch Colonel, to serve as the base commander of the 153rd Marine Branch or the 16th Marine Branch. I still have some say in those two Navy Branches." Kael, for some reason, suddenly turned back and smiled slightly at Tashigi.
"Eh!!!" "No!" "Your Majesty, I, I, I... my strength isn't enough..." Tashigi, upon hearing Kael's words, immediately stammered, unable to speak. She was currently only a 16th Marine Branch Lieutenant. If she were promoted to Branch Colonel, wouldn't that be a jump of five ranks? She couldn't handle such a heavy responsibility. Even Colonel Smoker was only a Branch Colonel.
Colonel Smoker was originally a Marine Headquarters Colonel, but due to a certain incident where he disobeyed orders and talked back to his superiors, he was demoted three ranks to Branch Colonel and sent to the East Blue Loguetown to serve as the Branch Commander. According to the Marine system, the ranks of Marine Headquarters are three ranks higher than those of the Four Sea Branches. Marine fortresses in the Grand Line and New World are directly under the jurisdiction of Marine Headquarters, and their ranks are consistent. Moreover, Marines who can reach Admiral-level strength are generally transferred to Marine Headquarters, or to Marine fortresses in the Grand Line and New World. Marines in the Four Seas can still be promoted based on seniority and military achievements, but at Marine Headquarters, promotion truly requires both strength and military achievements.
"Just wait for your promotion, Lieutenant Tashigi. Perhaps in a few days, you'll be on the same rank as Smoker." Kael laughed heartily, ignoring the flustered Tashigi and the dark-faced Smoker, and directly left the Loguetown 16th Marine Branch.
"Colonel Smoker, I, I, I... I don't want a promotion..." Tashigi, at a loss, explained to Smoker. How could a weakling like her become the highest commander of a 16th Marine Branch?
"Tashigi, train hard and strive to raise your strength to a level worthy of your rank." Smoker bit his cigar, his fists clenched, but still chose to let Tashigi grow on her own. Perhaps entrusting Tashigi with such an important task could even help her grow quickly. After all, with pressure comes motivation! Of course, the prerequisite was that Kael could handle the relationship with Fleet Admiral Sengoku. After all, Kael couldn't just arbitrarily interfere with Marine promotions, especially a jump of five ranks at once.
Smoker had always wanted to be transferred back to the Grand Line. Now he heard that his old classmate, Hina, was already accumulating military achievements, preparing for promotion to Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, or even Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral. This made Smoker a bit agitated. Because in the East Blue, the weakest of the seas, Smoker couldn't get any decent military achievements. He didn't know when he would be able to leave Loguetown.
"Can I... do it?" "Yes!" Tashigi was still a bit hesitant, but seeing Smoker's stern gaze, she immediately stood at attention and saluted. And the other Marine officers, seeing that Tashigi was protected by Kael and could jump several ranks, were filled with nothing but envy, jealousy, and hatred. They also wanted to have a big shot covering for them! Becoming the highest commander of a 16th Marine Branch was like being a local emperor!
In the Barto Club's bar, before Kael could even invite him, the green-haired rooster-head had already volunteered to follow Kael. He wanted to follow Kael to overthrow the North Sea Overlord Germa 66 and make a name for himself in the world! To spread the glory of the East Blue throughout the world!
"Since Barto has such aspirations, how could this Emperor refuse a hero like you?" "Bartolomeo, this Emperor officially bestows upon you the title of Imperial Baron of the Goa Empire, to unify the East Blue underworld for the Goa Empire!" Kael used a new sword, resting it on Bartolomeo's shoulder, completing the ennoblement ceremony.
"Imperial Baron? Unify the East Blue underworld?" Bartolomeo trembled with excitement. This was a great responsibility indeed. To be so highly regarded by Kael, Barto felt incredibly moved.
"Boss, I will definitely unify the East Blue underworld for you!" Bartolomeo promised with teary eyes. Desire and Gambia, meanwhile, were filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred for Boss Barto. He had so quickly gone from being a gang leader in Loguetown to an Imperial Baron of the Goa Empire, and had even taken on the important task of unifying the East Blue underworld. One should know that the title of Imperial Baron of the Goa Empire was even more glorious than the title of Count in other Allied Nations.