The world situation was in turmoil, yet Marine Headquarters seemed as if nothing had happened, maintaining an air of peace and tranquility.
Over the years, officers and soldiers of all ranks who had followed Orion and had their fates changed by his presence carried out their duties as usual, ensuring the smooth operation of the massive war machine that was the Marines.
Although those officers and soldiers who did not participate in the coup had their minds changed by Orion speech, they were still deeply worried. They feared they would be marginalized for not having contributed, or even worse, that they would be purged for not having pledged their loyalty to Orion from the start.
However, when they received their salaries for the upcoming year alongside their fellow soldiers and officers, their worries vanished.
They returned to their posts with renewed vigor, and many secretly resolved to offer their loyalty to Fleet Admiral Orion in the coming upheaval.
....
At one of the fortresses within Marine Headquarters.
Several soldiers stood by the artillery, vigilantly watching the endless expanse of sea beyond the high walls. Beside these soldiers, two officers clad in Captain coats leisurely smoked cigarettes.
They had once been subordinates of Vice Admiral Doberman, but since Doberman was killed at the onset of the coup, they naturally became potential threats as his former underlings.
However, when the rebelious officers and soldiers surrounded their dormitory, they didn't immediately launch an attack.
Instead, they strictly forbade anyone from leaving the building.
At the time, many didn't know what was happening. Some rushed out of the dormitory, hoping to intimidate the rebells with their status, only to be gunned down the moment they stepped outside.
It was at that moment they realized a coup had broken out within their own ranks.
Faced with the sudden encirclement by a large force, no one in the dormitory dared to leave recklessly. Even a powerful Rear Admiral who attempted to fight his way out was eventually killed by the officers surrounding the building.
At that time, they were filled with despair, fearing they would be purged once the coup ended.
To their surprise, Orion, who had initiated the coup and become the new marshal, didn't exterminate them. Instead, he allowed them to receive the same pay as the rebell officers and soldiers, and even entrusted them with the defense of this fortress.
"Captain Oak, how do you plan to spend this salary? Once this matter is settled, would you like to travel with me?"
One of the captain pulled out a pack of cigarettes he usually couldn't afford, offering one to Captain Oak while shaking his head with a smile.
"To be honest, I envy those colleagues who pledged their loyalty to Marshal Orion from the start. Do you know Stock? During the coup, he secretly led a warship to the East Blue. I saw him walking out of the dormitory wearing a captain coat! Without a doubt, he's probably taken up a position as a base commander somewhere. You know, when he first joined the Navy Headquarters, he was under my command!"
"And many other officers who participated in the coup were promoted two ranks because of this event. A Commander who used to serve under me is now my superior, a Rear Admiral!"
"Don't envy them, Captain Snake," Captain Oak replied, taking the cigarette and sniffing it before shaking his head with a smile.
"Marshal Orion didn't purge us and even allowed us to receive a year salary. What more could you ask for?"
After a brief pause, Oak lit the cigarette with a lighter, took a deep drag, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"As for traveling, I've already sent all my salary back home. You know my family situation—my parents are in poor health, and I have three younger siblings. If I spent this money on a trip, they'd go hungry."
"By the way" Snake suddenly remembered something and said uncertainly.
"Earlier in the cafeteria, I think I overheard Marshal Orion and Vice Admiral Gion mentioning something about a military academy. The gist of it was that after this incident is resolved, he plans to establish military academies near the headquarters and major branch bases."
"All children of officers from the headquarters or branch bases will be able to attend these academies for free, with all expenses covered by the headquarters and the branch bases! After graduating from the academies, the officers' children can choose to join the Navy for military training or return to their hometowns to contribute to local development!"
"Really?" Oak eyes lit up, and he exclaimed excitedly. "Fleet Admiral Orion is truly—"
Before he could finish, Oak suddenly stopped and quickly grabbed the binoculars hanging around his neck, turning his gaze toward the sea.
On the sea, several massive warships were approaching Marineford at an astonishing speed. The flag flying on the mast of the lead ship bore the characters "Enies Lobby."
"Enies Lobby warships?" After spotting the word "Enies Lobby" through the binoculars, Oak eyes flashed with confusion.
"Could it be that the World Goverment couldn't contact the headquarters and sent Enies Lobby people to check on the situation?"
"Whatever the situation is!" Snake stepped forward, his voice firm. "I don't want to go back to those miserable days. The only Fleet Admiral I recognize is Admiral Orion!" Before his words fully settled, he immediately turned to the soldiers stationed by the cannons and decisively ordered.
"All hands, prepare for battle!"
"Snake, don't be rash!" Oak quickly intervened. "Report it first. If they're representatives sent by the World Goverment for negotiations, you might ruin Fleet Admiral Orion plans—"
"Huh?"
Once again, Oak words were cut short as his eyes widened in disbelief, staring at the rooftop of the headquarters building. Before he could react, a terrifying aura suddenly erupted from the rooftop.
Immediately after, the clear sky darkened, and streams of fiery clouds began to rise from the rooftop.
"That's—"
After a brief moment of shock, Oak suddenly cursed.
"Damn it, someone's invading the headquarters! Quick, sound the alarm!"
At the same time.
On the rooftop of the Marine headquarters building, a massive pentagram teleportation array appeared out of thin air.
As the fiery clouds rose, the surrounding space began to ripple with an eerie fluctuation. Then, a figure stepped out from the pentagram.
As this figure emerged, the once peaceful Marine headquarters was suddenly filled with the deafening toll of alarm bells, startling officers and soldiers throughout the base.
In the direction of the cafeteria, Orion, who had just finished his meal and stepped outside, showed no surprise at the sudden alarm.
He simply looked up at the rooftop of the headquarters building and calmly remarked.
"A teleportation array? The God's Knights?"
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