Lucci felt better than he ever had in his life.
It was as if he had crossed a threshold he had never been able to reach before, breaking free from the chains that bound him and finally sensing the elusive power hidden deep within his body.
The endless pain was still ravaging both his flesh and soul, yet his spirit had never been so exhilarated. The violent surge of his will was so intense that even the dust on the ground around him began to tremble.
Sweat poured down his forehead in heavy drops, and his entire body shook uncontrollably.
That ordinary-looking crimson bubble contained suffering unlike anything he had ever experienced.
After a long time, Lucci finally felt the three powers within him settle into a relatively stable balance. Gritting his teeth, he looked up.
"Help me."
Kuma blinked in surprise before realizing what he meant, a strange look crossing his face. He hadn't expected this man to ask for help so readily.
Then he placed a paw against Lucci's back.
'Pop.'
A massive amount of pain and exhaustion was pushed out once more, forming another giant crimson bubble.
Lucci let out a long breath and collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air, but his eyes shone with excitement.
He still hadn't completely mastered the three types of Haki, but brushing against death had undoubtedly accelerated his progress. He could feel it already. Given just a little more time, he would finally be able to use Haki.
There was no doubt about it, his strength had taken an enormous leap forward.
At the same time, gratitude welled up inside him as he looked toward the tall figure standing in the distance. If he hadn't met Kojin... how could he have ever awakened Haki so quickly?
Watching the scene unfold, Kojin smiled, then turned and slowly walked away. Kuma silently followed behind him.
"They're an impressive group. They all have remarkable potential."
Kojin smiled. "They're the former CP9 unit from the World Government."
Kuma paused for a brief moment, visibly surprised. A moment later, he caught up and sighed. "You really are fearless."
Kojin chuckled. "I've never judged people by where they come from. As long as they don't cross my bottom line, I'll invest everything I have into developing their talents."
Kuma fell silent. After a long pause, he sighed again.
There probably wasn't anyone else in the world as bold as Kojin, taking pirates as subordinates, working openly with a Warlord of the Sea, and recruiting and training a CP9 unit that the World Government wanted erased. Any single one of those decisions violated the core principles of the Marines.
---
The next day.
Crocodile, Rosinante, Buggy, Smoker, Kuina, and the others stood in a neat line, dressed in spotless Marine uniforms, their eyes fixed straight ahead.
Kojin smiled as he looked them over. "A while ago, I submitted recommendations to Headquarters requesting promotions for all of you. The approvals have come through."
Crocodile remained calm. Rosinante's face lit up with excitement. Smoker looked slightly surprised, while the others had their own reactions.
"Is this because of the upcoming war?" Smoker asked.
"That's right," Kojin nodded. "With a major battle approaching, Marine Headquarters needs more elite officers capable of securing victory. And each of you has already proven you're qualified."
His gaze shifted to Crocodile.
"Crocodile. In recognition of your long-term undercover mission and your contributions to the Marines... you are hereby promoted to Vice Admiral."
Crocodile froze for a moment, then took a deep breath and saluted solemnly.
His path through the Marines had been anything but ordinary: pirate, Marine, pirate again. More than twenty years had passed filled with twists and turns, but now, his life had finally entered a new chapter.
Vice Admiral, one of the pillars of Marine Headquarters. And with Kojin expected to become the next Fleet Admiral, everyone knew Crocodile's future in the Marines was brighter than ever.
"Rosinante. You are promoted to Vice Admiral."
"Yes, sir! Thank you, Vice Admiral Kojin!" Rosinante answered excitedly.
"Buggy. In recognition of your growth in strength, you are also promoted to Vice Admiral."
"I'm a Vice Admiral too?!" Buggy looked genuinely surprised before breaking into a massive grin.
"Smoker. Vice Admiral."
"Kuina. You are hereby appointed Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters."
"Fisher Tiger. You are promoted to Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters."
One by one, Kojin announced each promotion, personally replacing the insignia on their shoulders. A satisfied smile spread across his face.
These were the people who would become his greatest supporters when he eventually led the Marines. They were the officers he had personally trained, the people he trusted most.
After exchanging salutes, the simple promotion ceremony came to an end.
"Oh, and Crocodile," Kojin suddenly remembered.
"Yes?" Crocodile waited quietly.
"I've already adjusted the ranks for Daz Bones, Rob Lucci, and the others according to their abilities. After this, I'll leave it to you to officially confer their new ranks," Kojin said with a smile.
"Understood," Crocodile nodded. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Bullet should be arriving soon."
Kojin narrowed his eyes before breaking into a smile. "Is that so? That's excellent news."
"It really is," Crocodile smiled as well.
Many years ago, when they were still young, he and Bullet had been known as Kojin's left and right hands, carrying out countless important missions for him. Bullet's arrival at Marine Headquarters meant another overwhelming powerhouse had joined their ranks.
Kojin had absolute faith in both of them, each possessed strength comparable to an Admiral.
"Oh, right. I should also make time to visit Skypiea."
He wondered how far Vegapunk's research had progressed after all these years. Kojin knew better than anyone that West Blue had never stopped funding Vegapunk's laboratory, so resources were never a problem. In fact, Vegapunk had even recruited scientists and security personnel in Skypiea, gradually building a mysterious research army of his own.
---
Another day passed.
Kojin and Kuma boarded the 'Crocodile' and departed Marineford once again.
As for Crocodile and the others, their recent promotions made them key officers at Headquarters. Sengoku had them attending strategy meetings almost daily, and each had been assigned new responsibilities, leaving them far too busy to accompany Kojin.
---
Two days later, the 'Crocodile' sailed into a sea shrouded in thick white mist. An eerie, decaying darkness hung over the water, giving the entire area a sinister atmosphere.
"The Florian Triangle," Kojin said with a smile. "My first time here."
Kuma stood quietly behind him, gazing into the fog ahead. "I've heard Moria was utterly crushed after losing to Kaido in the New World. The defeat broke him, so he hid here, living inside a fantasy world of his own creation. What a complete failure."
Kojin sighed.
"There are many people like Moria. Compared to most pirates, he's actually fortunate," Kuma replied.
"That's true. For pirates, the sea is where most meet their end. Failure usually means death, so the fact that Moria survived already makes him lucky." Kojin paused before smiling. "And yet... with his talent, his potential, and the power of his Devil Fruit, he should have become one of the strongest people in the world. Instead, he lives like a useless wreck."
Kuma looked puzzled, but Kojin didn't elaborate. He simply smiled, gazing ahead.
The Shadow-Shadow Fruit possessed limitless possibilities. In his youth, Moria had been strong enough to reach the New World and challenge Kaido in Wano, that alone proved how formidable he once was.
Yet now... he couldn't even defeat the Straw Hat Pirates. He had become the disgrace of the Seven Warlords. Later, during the Summit War, he was nearly assassinated by Doflamingo, and two years after that, captured by Blackbeard.
A man who should have stood at the pinnacle of the world had instead become a tragedy.
---
A short while later, the 'Crocodile' reached Thriller Bark.
"Let's go pay this Warlord a visit," Kojin smiled faintly.
Lightning crackled across his body. The next instant, he transformed into a bolt of electricity and shot forward. Over a thousand meters away, the lightning gathered again, reforming into Kojin's shape.
Electric arcs danced across his skin as he smiled.
Ahead of him stood a group of terrifying zombies, every single one staring at him in sheer terror.
At the front stood a man with long pink hair, holding a bottle of liquor in one hand and a rapier at his waist. Even he couldn't stop himself from trembling.
"Captain John!" One of the zombies behind him shivered. "That guy uses lightning!"
"I can see that!" Captain John swallowed hard. "He's probably the user of the Logia Goro Goro no Mi!"
His expression turned tense as he instinctively backed away. He had no desire to die here for no reason... though, technically, he was already dead.
Kojin paid the zombies little attention. His gaze swept over them, and aside from finding the pirate holding the bottle somewhat interesting, he simply asked, "Where's Moria?"
Captain John took a deep breath, about to answer, when another figure floated over from the side.
"And why are you looking for Master?"
The voice was sweet and youthful. Floating in the air was a petite girl with twin pigtails, a tiny crown on her head, and a wine-red umbrella in her hand.
Kojin smiled as he looked at her. "So you're Ghost Princess Perona?"
Perona stuck out her tongue before replying warily, "We don't welcome Marines here."
Just then, another figure landed behind Kojin. The enormous silhouette and unmistakable face made Perona tense up immediately.
"T-Tyrant Kuma!"
Kuma slowly raised his head and looked down at the young girl.
"The man beside me... is Admiral Kojin of Marine Headquarters. Tell us where Moria is."
(End of Chapter)