Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In the living quarters, inside a tavern called the "Marine Club," a large group of Marine officers were gathered, drinking and bragging loudly.
The loudest among them was none other than Ortoren.
He held a mug of malt beer high, boasting, "At that time, the Red Count's aura was overwhelming. As Marines, it was our duty to defeat such a pirate, so I charged forward under immense pressure. You can't imagine how strong he was. I fought him for three hundred rounds—half the island was gone by the end! The scene was truly..."
Before he could finish, Momonga cut him off. "Hold it, hold it. Trying to fool us because we weren't there, huh? We already heard what happened. What's this about three hundred rounds?"
Ortoren shot him a glare. "Ever heard of artistic embellishment? If I just told the plain facts, how would you guys enjoy your drinks? And how can you call it bragging when it's all in the name of justice?"
He then threw out a string of lofty lines—things like "justice endures hardship" and "who but us"—which sent the tavern roaring with laughter, filling the place with cheerful energy.
When the laughter settled, Momonga sighed with mock regret. "We were planning to show off when you got back. See these? Rear Admiral's epaulettes!"
It was true. By the time Ortoren returned, Momonga and the others had already graduated from the officer training camp. They had entered as junior officers, and now every one of them had left as Commodores, just like Ortoren. But Momonga and a few others had been promoted straight to Rear Admiral.
On paper, that made Momonga Ortoren's superior. But he didn't feel the least bit excited about it.
The reason was simple. In the past few days, ever since the news of Red Count Patrick Redfield's capture hit the papers, Ortoren's name had spread across the world for the first time.
To be fair, the Fleet Admiral had been generous. Whether it was out of consideration for Ortoren's growth or simply because he no longer needed the spotlight himself, Kong—who should have been the focus of the reports—hardly appeared in them at all.
Instead, it was Benn Ortoren, the Marines' rising star, who became the center of attention. Headlines hailed him as the man who clashed with Kaidou, fought Charlotte Linlin, and then toppled the Red Count. The papers praised him to the skies.
If Ortoren had been a pirate, he would easily have a bounty of three to five hundred million Belly by now—and the Marines themselves might already be holding meetings to evaluate his threat level.
The titles that once only circulated within Marine circles—"Four Great Logia" and "Four Monsters"—had now spread across the seas.
As the wielder of the Goro Goro no Mi, Ortoren was being hyped even more than Sakazuki and the others.
That made Momonga's promotion feel hollow in comparison.
"A mere Rear Admiral? I can surpass that in no time," Ortoren declared with confidence.
On the way back, Garp had already spoken to him, saying his contributions were great and his performance outstanding. Even the Fleet Admiral had privately shown support for him. It was obvious—promotion was waiting for him.
Ortoren had thought it through during the trip. This was practically guaranteed. He had no enemies in the Marines, was Admiral Zephyr's disciple, Garp's subordinate, and the Fleet Admiral's favored talent. With solid achievements to his name, nothing could stand in his way.
Besides, it was only a promotion to Rear Admiral—not Vice Admiral or Admiral, where qualifications and seniority mattered more.
And given how popular he was right now, even for the sake of public image and propaganda, the Marines wouldn't dare hold him back. Otherwise, it would send the wrong message to every officer striving for promotion.
If someone like Ortoren couldn't rise despite such achievements, then what was the point of anyone else trying? Wouldn't it just make everyone give up?
"Yes, yes, your ambition is to become an Admiral and even Fleet Admiral, everyone knows that. Work hard!" Yamakaji laughed heartily as he patted Ortoren on the shoulder.
Onigumo and the others joined in with laughter, cheering Ortoren on.
Just then, the tavern door swung open. Gion, draped in a Rear Admiral's justice cloak, poked her head in, rolled her eyes, and said, "I knew it. Leave you guys idle for a moment, and you end up drinking here!"
"We've just graduated, but soon enough we'll all be sent to different assignments. After this, we probably won't get another chance to relax like this together. Better to gather before duty calls, right? Who knows when the next time will be?" Momonga said with a grin.
"True," Onigumo added with a sigh. "Since joining the Marines, we've hardly had such a carefree year. Soon, it'll be back to facing iron and fire on the seas..."
Gion shrugged. "I'm not here to chat. Ortoren, come with me. The Fleet Admiral wants to see you—it should be about your promotion."
"So soon?" Ortoren was startled.
He had only returned to Marineford yesterday, and today things were already settled?
"It's just a promotion to Rear Admiral. In the eyes of those big shots, that's hardly worth fussing over. You think they'd hold a meeting just to discuss it?" Gion said with a chuckle.
Ortoren thought about it and realized she was right. Rear Admirals were a dime a dozen at Marine Headquarters. It was a big deal to him, but to the top brass, nothing out of the ordinary.
He stood, patted Yamakaji, Momonga, and the others on the shoulder with a serious, almost regretful expression, and said, "Alas, once we part today, the next time we meet, our relationship won't be the same as it is now..."
"Huh?" Momonga blinked in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I wanted to keep hanging out with you as a Commodore, but instead I've ended up being pushed away. Fine then, I won't pretend anymore—I'll lay it out clearly. I'm getting promoted to Rear Admiral, so from now on, we'll be equals! Wahahahahaha!" Ortoren laughed arrogantly, then turned to leave.
The moment he was gone, Momonga slammed the table. "Did you see that smug, arrogant face of his? Honestly, if he hadn't run off so fast, I'd have taught him a lesson!"
No sooner had he said it than Ortoren's head popped back through the doorway. "Oh, right—this round's on me. Put it on my tab, think of it as an early celebration for my promotion and fortune. Also, Momonga, did you call me just now?"
Momonga's expression instantly brightened into a wide smile. "No, no, you must've misheard. Sir, hurry and go get that promotion. I'll make sure everything here is handled—we'll all eat and drink well!"
"Oh, thanks a lot!" Ortoren nodded and slipped away.
A few seconds passed. When it became clear he wasn't coming back, the room erupted in laughter.
"Hey, why didn't Rear Admiral Momonga teach that Commodore a lesson?"
"Yeah, he should've reminded him of a superior's authority!"
"He ran off too fast, huh? Don't worry, I'll call him back with the Den Den Mushi so he can sit here and properly listen to Rear Admiral Momonga's lecture!"
Momonga slapped the table, his face red with embarrassment. "Enough already! I can't handle foreigners—no, I mean I can't handle Ortoren. But you guys? You're fair game!"
At that, Yamakaji, Doberman, Onigumo, Tokikake, and the others exchanged glances. Grins spread across their faces, sharp and wicked.
"This kid's drunk. We'd better sober him up!"
...
Out on the street, Ortoren paused, frowning as he glanced back toward the tavern. "Gion, did you hear that?"
"Sounded like Momonga screaming, but maybe it's just my imagination..." Gion said, equally puzzled.
"Yeah, probably just my imagination. Either that, or that guy lost at cards again." Ortoren nodded, muttered to himself, and let it go.
After a few steps, Gion suddenly said, "By the way, my birthday's in two days..."
"Oh, really?" Ortoren replied casually. "Then happy birthday in advance."
He kept walking as if nothing happened. Gion's delicate face twitched, and she cursed under her breath, annoyed at the boring man, before falling silent.