Loyal Marine - Chapter 99: Promoted to Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral!

When Ortoren and Gion returned to Marine Headquarters at Marineford, Admiral Sengoku and the others had already returned from Mary Geoise.

At that moment, inside Fleet Admiral Kong’s office, several high-ranking officers were chatting casually.

“Ortoren, you really managed to take care of business and pleasure all at once. This trip not only resolved the scholar issue, but you also captured Roger—and even got yourself married?” Fleet Admiral Kong leaned back in his chair, teasing openly.

Ortoren sat on the sofa, scratching his head awkwardly. “Fleet Admiral, please don’t tease me like that… you’re making me feel embarrassed.”

Garp, ever the performer, burst into laughter. He slapped Ortoren hard on the shoulder and added, “Not only married, but those two are madly in love! And let me tell you—it’s not just marriage. There’s already a child on the way!”

“What!?” Sengoku’s eyes widened. “That fast?”

“No, no!” Ortoren quickly waved his hands. “She’s only pregnant, the child hasn’t been born yet!”

“Well then!” Zephyr-sensei said with a pleased grin. “If that child inherits your talent, the Marines will gain another powerful warrior in the future!”

If this matter had only involved Ortoren, there might have been some doubts. But with Garp adding fuel to the story, none of the Marine bigwigs gave it a second thought.

Soon, after they finished exchanging small talk, Admiral Sengoku spoke up. “The Ohara matter has been settled. According to Mary Geoise’s directive, they won’t face the death penalty. But while death may be spared, punishment remains. Ortoren, since this matter passed through your hands, you’ll take charge. Travel to the West Blue and incorporate all scholars involved in researching the ancient texts into the Science Division. Borsalino will accompany you to assist.”

“So… they’ll officially be our colleagues in the Science Division?” Ortoren raised an eyebrow.

Admiral Sengoku exhaled lightly. “At least on the surface, yes. But the higher-ups gave strict orders—those scholars are not to leave Punk Hazard unless absolutely necessary. In other words, they’ll most likely be confined there for life.”

Ortoren nodded. He wasn’t surprised.

To have their lives spared was already a blessing. As for freedom? Impossible.

At least… impossible for now. Whether that changed in the future depended on whether he found a use for them.

“Understood.” Ortoren nodded, accepting the task.

“As for Roger,” Fleet Admiral Kong said, pausing briefly before continuing, “Mary Geoise intends to hold a public execution. They’ll put the ‘Pirate King’ to death before the eyes of the world, as a deterrent to all the restless pirates on the seas…”

No one found this unreasonable. If not for knowing Roger’s true intentions, Ortoren would have agreed it was the right decision.

The World Government had initially crowned Roger as the ‘Pirate King’ to hasten his capture, hoping to spark infighting among pirates. But Roger had disbanded his crew immediately, leaving that plan to collapse.

Since they had bestowed the title, they now had to finish it properly.

Executing Roger publicly was the most effective method—it would shake the entire world.

“The details are still being discussed, but judging from the Five Elders’ intentions, they want the execution held in Loguetown, Roger’s hometown in the East Blue… likely early next year,” Fleet Admiral Kong added.

Early next year sounded far off, but with 1497 already drawing to a close, it was practically right around the corner.

Both the World Government and Marine Headquarters had to prepare carefully. It wasn’t a small matter, and nothing more needed to be said for now.

These were not affairs for Ortoren to meddle in, so he stayed silent.

After wrapping up those topics, Fleet Admiral Kong’s tone shifted. “Ortoren, though you were only recently promoted to Rear Admiral, given your distinguished service, exceptional abilities, and with recommendations from Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp, we’ve decided—after thorough discussion—to officially promote you to Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters.”

At those words, Ortoren’s lips curled into an irrepressible grin, his pride showing through.

Though the expression bordered on cocky, the senior officers only grew more pleased at the sight. This was exactly the kind of youthful spirit they liked to see.

I must admit, while working under Admiral Sengoku can be troublesome, the man truly keeps his word. When he said he’d see me promoted to Vice Admiral, he followed through without the slightest hesitation.

Now that’s what you call real leadership. Those who only paint empty pictures of promises? Completely useless.

“Yes, thank you, seniors, for your support. All for justice!” Ortoren immediately stood up and declared.

Unlike last time, Admiral Sengoku didn’t hold the promotion ceremony here. After all, it wasn’t the first, so there was no need for unnecessary formality. The Personnel Department had already received the higher-ups’ orders—Ortoren only needed to collect it later.

“Though Gion isn’t here, Tsuru should have already informed her. She’s been promoted alongside you, also to Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters,” Sengoku added.

Poor Gion—she’d barely returned before being dragged off by Staff Officer Tsuru to handle work.

This, no doubt, altered her promotion path. From what Ortoren knew, among the promising newcomers in the Marines, only Sakazuki had recently advanced—earning the rank of Vice Admiral two months earlier after a major achievement in the New World.

Meanwhile, Kuzan and Borsalino were still stuck at Rear Admiral. By that logic, Gion shouldn’t have been promoted so soon either.

As it stood, Ortoren had leapfrogged them both, becoming their superior officer.

Of course, he knew this wouldn’t last long. Kuzan’s exact promotion timing was uncertain, but by the year 1500—before the Ohara Incident—he was already a Vice Admiral.

As for Borsalino, judging from Sengoku’s words, it was practically certain. Once he escorted the Ohara scholars to Punk Hazard and finished laying the foundation of the Science Division, it would count as a major accomplishment. His promotion to Vice Admiral would be inevitable—after all, the Science Division needed someone of that rank to oversee it.

That had been decided from the start by the higher-ups. So long as nothing went wrong on Borsalino’s end, his promotion was guaranteed.

At Marine Headquarters, things remained calm, with little sense of upheaval or storm.

But in the New World, the news of Pirate King Roger’s capture spread like wildfire, shocking every major figure.

After the Red Count incident, Ortoren had faded from the spotlight. Now, he was once again the center of attention. Perhaps Garp had been right—Red Count Patrick Redfield, despite his strength, wasn’t someone destined to leave a lasting mark on history.

His power was formidable, but his influence never was.

Roger, on the other hand, carried a truly immense influence. Before, Ortoren could sometimes walk unnoticed. Now? Anyone paying attention to current events would remember his name.

Later, Ortoren also reported on his own affairs—mentioning that in the South Blue, he had discovered a powerful fighter and recruited him into his ranks.

He introduced Issho, even though the man wasn’t present, and revealed him to be a Devil Fruit user.

When the higher-ups heard Issho possessed the Paramecia-type Zushi Zushi no Mi, the Gravity Fruit, they were pleasantly surprised.

Zephyr-sensei even sighed that had Issho joined the Marines earlier, perhaps Shiki would never have run so rampant.

And at the mention of Shiki, Ortoren couldn’t help but wonder—had the man seen the news yet? If he had, was he already preparing to storm Marine Headquarters?

Given how much had changed, Ortoren couldn’t be sure Shiki would actually come. He set the thought aside.

Though the higher-ups valued Issho’s abilities, it was the same as with Ortoren back then. His Goro Goro no Mi had been impressive, but the elders hadn’t rushed to meet him because of it.

Abilities were one thing. A person was another.

For now, Issho was only a field officer. Ortoren hadn’t even processed his official paperwork yet. There was no way the bigwigs would take notice of him.

Only when he reached Commodore, or better yet Rear Admiral, would he truly have a chance to step into that circle of influence.