The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp

Marineford, Marine Headquarters Plaza.

The afternoon sun fell on the white plaza. Rows of neatly lined-up Marine soldiers stood solemnly, their capes fluttering slightly in the breeze.

On the high platform in the center, Roy stood in a brand new, pristine white Rear Admiral's uniform. The golden admiral's star insignia on his chest shone in the sunlight, making him look like a drawn sword. Behind him, a large screen was playing footage of Roy's heroic deeds at the G-3 branch: single-handedly annihilating over 20 pirate crews with bounties over 100 million within three years, and footage of dozens of pirate base exterminations flashed one after another, causing gasps of amazement from the crowd.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood on the stage, his expression solemn, his voice loud. "From this day forward, Roy is officially promoted to the rank of Marine Rear Admiral!"

"WOAH—!!"

The entire plaza erupted.

"A 16-year-old Rear Admiral?! Is that a record in Marine history?!"

"The last person to be promoted this young was Vice Admiral Kuzan!"

"Rear Admiral Roy's strength... just how strong is he?!"

Countless soldiers stared with wide eyes, their gazes on the black-haired boy on the stage filled with shock and awe.

In the crowd, Ace's gaze was burning as he looked at Roy, his fists unconsciously clenched, his knuckles turning white. "So... Big Brother Roy is this strong..." The soldiers' gasps of amazement at Roy echoed in his ears, and an unprecedented fighting spirit surged within him. "One day, I will be like him, looked up to by everyone!"

Meanwhile, at the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, in the Chamber of Authority.

The Five Elders sat around a round table, reading a report that had just been delivered.

"A 16-year-old Marine Rear Admiral? An interesting prospect," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn said lightly, his long fingers gently turning the page.

"The Teleport Fruit... a rare Paramecia," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter nodded slightly, his expression still calm.

"His mobility is indeed outstanding, but his threat level is ultimately limited," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro snorted dismissively, casually tossing the report on the table.

"Just a new Marine star. No need to pay too much attention," Saint Marcus Mars announced the conclusion in a cold voice.

"Agreed," the other four nodded, reaching a tacit consensus. In their eyes, a genius in the Marines was not uncommon, but very few could truly threaten the rule of the World Government. At least for now, Roy was not qualified.

After the promotion ceremony, the setting sun's glow fell on the Marine residential area of Marineford. Roy pushed open the door and saw Ace in the yard, clutching a wooden stick, panting as he practiced his swings.

"Training?" Roy raised an eyebrow.

Ace stopped abruptly, wiped his sweat, and looked at him with a determined gaze. "I want to get stronger!"

Roy walked over and smiled slightly. "Getting stronger isn't something that happens overnight."

Ace pouted and snorted stubbornly. "Don't look down on me! I'll definitely catch up to you!"

Roy chuckled, knelt down, and looked him in the eye. "Why the sudden burst of motivation?"

Ace gripped his wooden stick and said in a low voice, "Today... I saw everyone respecting you, admiring you." He looked up, his eyes burning with a fiery flame. "I want to be that kind of person too!"

Roy was stunned, then smiled softly. "Then work hard."

He then took out a brand new Marine insignia from his pocket and handed it to Ace. "A gift for you."

Ace's eyes widened. He took the insignia and asked, stunned, "What's this?"

Roy said lightly, "A symbol of a Marine reservist."

Ace's breath hitched. He gripped the insignia tightly in both hands, as if he were holding the future. "I will definitely surpass you!"

Roy ruffled his hair, his gaze gentle. "I'll be waiting."

As night fell and the door gently closed, a smile quietly appeared on Ace's lips, exceptionally bright in the moonlight.

At night, Roy stood alone by the window, gazing at the starry sky of Marineford. The distant lights and the starlight intertwined, as if countless unknown destinies were waiting for him. And at this moment, that child with a dream—Ace—was also working hard in secret. The course of history had quietly deviated.

Marineford, Zephyr's Training Camp.

The first rays of the morning sun fell on the training ground, the air filled with the scent of the sea and sweat. Rows of Marine new recruits were lined up neatly, their eyes focused, afraid of being singled out by Zephyr's sharp eyes.

In a corner of this bustling training ground, a small, black-haired, freckled boy, covered in sweat, was secretly mimicking the new recruits' movements.

"997... 998... 999... 1000!" His small body trembled slightly, his arms looking like they would give out at any moment, but he still persisted and finished the last set of push-ups.

"Hah... hah..." Ace collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, sweat sliding down his cheeks, but a stubborn smile was on his lips.

"Heh, kid, not bad persistence," a deep voice suddenly came from above him.

Ace looked up abruptly and saw Zephyr standing there with his arms crossed, his gaze behind his sunglasses carrying a hint of scrutiny and authority.

"I-Instructor Zephyr!" Ace subconsciously stood up straight, so nervous his hands were clenched into fists.

Zephyr snorted coldly, stared at him for a few seconds, and then slowly spoke. "It's been half a month. You've been secretly training every day, and you haven't complained once."

Ace gritted his teeth and held his head high. "I would never complain!"

A slight smile appeared on Zephyr's lips. He reached out a large hand, pressed down on his shoulder, and applied a tiny bit of force.

"Hiss—" Ace gasped in pain but didn't make a sound.

A hint of admiration flashed in Zephyr's eyes. He retracted his hand, turned, and strode away, leaving only one sentence behind: "From today on, train openly."

Ace's eyes widened. He was stunned for a few seconds, then a heartfelt smile spread across his face. "Great!"

For the next half a month, the Marine soldiers got used to seeing a little black-haired kid on the training ground.

"Hey, kid, your movements are too slow! Faster!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Lower your center of gravity! An enemy could kick you over with one foot!"

"Understood!"

Although he was only six years old, Ace's training intensity and fighting spirit were fiercer than many adult new recruits. Occasionally, when he was about to collapse from exhaustion, Zephyr would snort coldly, "If you fall, don't get up. No one is forcing you."

But Ace would grit his teeth, get up, and persevere again and again.

Roy, who occasionally helped train the new recruits, would silently watch all of this, a hint of relief on his lips. "Instructor, he's working really hard."

"Mm, he's still just a kid, but he's a bit like me when I was young," Zephyr said, handing Ace a bottle of water.

Ace took the water and grinned like a little sun. "Thank you, Grandpa Zephyr!"

Hearing Ace call him grandpa, Zephyr was slightly taken aback. He then turned and walked away. Roy watched his instructor's back and smiled softly.

Evening, Roy's residence.

The golden setting sun shone into the room, illuminating a table with several mission briefings on it.

"What?!" Ace jumped up from his chair, his eyes shining. "You're going on a mission to exterminate pirates?!"

Roy put down the briefing in his hand and looked up lightly. "Mm."

Ace clenched his fists, his eyes burning. "Take me with you!"

Roy raised an eyebrow. "It's too dangerous. You're only six. If I take you and Old Man Garp finds out, he'll kill me."

Ace said unwillingly, "I can keep up with Instructor Zephyr's training. I won't hold you back!"

"And you said it yourself! Real combat is the fastest way to grow!"

Roy chuckled. "You've learned to use my own words against me."

"But real combat isn't something a six-year-old brat should be thinking about."

Ace pressed his hands on the table, his eyes stubborn. "Let me go! I want to get stronger, I want to prove myself!"

Roy was silent for a moment, looking at the stubborn little guy before him. That unyielding spirit reminded him of himself back then.

"Alright," he nodded in agreement.

Ace's eyes instantly lit up. "Really?!"

Roy instructed, "But you must follow orders unconditionally. If the situation becomes dangerous, I will send you back immediately."

Ace immediately stood up straight. "I know!"

Roy ruffled his hair and smiled slightly. "Then get ready. We leave tomorrow."

Ace's eyes shone, and he nodded vigorously. "Okay!"

As night fell, the sound of insects came from the yard. Roy looked at the starry sky outside the window and thought to himself, "Since I've decided to raise him, then let him see the cruelty and hope of this world with his own eyes."

"I have to both protect his growth and give him the qualifications to choose the path he wants to walk."

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