The Marines' medical system was remarkably advanced.
It didn't take long for Finn to heal completely and regain his full health. Today marked his discharge from the medical facility and, simultaneously, his official reporting date for Zephyr's Officer Training Camp.
Though his relationship with Admirals Zephyr and Sengoku had grown considerably closer, the discharge of someone at his level wouldn't attract much attention from the upper brass.
At the sanatorium gate, Finn stood in his Marine uniform with the white Justice coat draped over his shoulders. New rank insignia gleamed there: Lieutenant Commander.
That's right. During his hospital stay, all matters regarding his identity had been completely resolved.
He was no longer a Captain of the North Blue 113th Branch.
He was now, officially and legitimately, a Lieutenant Commander of Marine Headquarters.
It appeared to be a demotion on paper, but in reality, it was simply a rank adjustment reflecting the Marines' internal hierarchy.
Branch officers had always ranked two levels below their Headquarters counterparts. So Finn as a Branch Captain equated to Headquarters Lieutenant Commander. A lateral move, not a step down.
Though he hadn't been promoted for his involvement in the Shiki incident, Finn felt no resentment. People advanced according to their abilities. With his current capabilities, reaching Lieutenant Commander at Headquarters was already quite good.
"Are you sure you don't want to be discharged early?" Finn asked helplessly, looking at his fellow patient Kuzan, who'd come to see him off.
Kuzan stood with crutches tucked under his armpits, his leg still wrapped in plaster, looking like a seriously injured man.
Hearing Finn's words, Kuzan smiled lazily. "I finally have some free time. I plan to stay here until I'm completely healed naturally."
Honestly, though Kuzan's injury looked severe with his broken leg and all, if he actively cooperated with treatment, he could recover and be discharged in no time.
Unfortunately, Kuzan was determined to be thoroughly lazy. During his hospitalization, he'd refused treatment medicine, insisting on natural recovery instead.
Pure laziness, nothing more.
"If you keep going like this, I might catch up to you before you know it," Finn said with a grin.
After a brief pause, he added, "Whether in strength or rank."
"Oh? Really? I look forward to it," Kuzan replied with obvious insincerity.
Though the two could chat comfortably about most things and had become good friends, they held fundamentally different views on certain matters.
For instance, Finn was determined to climb higher, gaining greater power and status.
Kuzan, however, preferred to drift through life in peace—like a fish too lazy to swim.
"Let me ask you one last question, Kuzan. Don't you want to become an Admiral? Or Fleet Admiral?" Finn asked directly.
Kuzan paused, then touched his chin thoughtfully and tilted his head. "Although Vice Admiral Garp is quite unreliable, I'm probably similar to him in some ways. Honestly, I think Vice Admiral is good enough. Admiral, Fleet Admiral, all that... I'm afraid my thin shoulders can't bear such responsibility and heavy burdens. Better leave it to you ambitious types. Hahahaha."
"But in the end, you still became an Admiral..." Finn thought silently, studying Kuzan's face.
Perhaps there were still many differences between Kuzan and Garp.
For example, Garp, as a Marine legend, had been able to refuse promotion to Admiral multiple times without consequence.
But when it came to Kuzan, he probably wouldn't have the qualifications to imitate Garp's example.
Moreover, when Sengoku became Fleet Admiral, he definitely wouldn't be as lenient as the current Fleet Admiral Kong. The three Admiral positions had been vacant for too long. Sengoku would absolutely fill them.
"Well then, goodbye. I need to head to the Officer Training Camp. When you recover, I'll treat you to drinks," Finn said with a smile.
"Oh, as your senior, let me give you a tip. Though this is called 'training,' you'll also get assigned missions from time to time. Finn, after I'm discharged, do you want to come be my assistant? I'll definitely take good care of you," Kuzan offered with a grin.
Finn waved his hand without hesitation. "No, no. I'm afraid if I hang around you too long, I'll lose all my ambition..."
"The way you talk really hurts, you know. Well, I wish you a bright future," Kuzan said, still completely insincere.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Kuzan limped back toward the sanatorium with his crutches, pretending his injury was terribly serious.
Finn, guided by Rosinante, headed toward the Officer Training Camp.
Looking at the small boy walking ahead, Finn asked, "Hey, Rosinante, what's your current situation? Have you officially joined the Marines?"
Rosinante shook his head. "I want to join the Marines like you, Brother Finn, but Mr. Sengoku said I'm too young right now, so..."
Truly the benefit of being an official's son. Though not yet a Marine, he could still run freely throughout the Marineford military district. Having powerful backing made all the difference.
"I see," Finn replied. After a moment's thought, he couldn't help asking, "Rosinante, honestly, your personality isn't really suited for the Marines. Have you ever considered becoming a philanthropist instead?"
"Hmm?" Rosinante looked confused, as if he didn't quite understand what Finn meant.
But soon, his expression turned determined. "I'll definitely become an excellent Marine! I won't bring shame to you, Brother Finn, or to Mr. Sengoku..."
"Little brat, you don't listen to people at all..." Finn reached out and rapped Rosinante's head lightly.
But he didn't say anything like "Don't join the Marines, kid." What would be the point? The future was already written, in a sense. Rosinante would follow his path regardless.
The Officer Training Camp was essentially a military academy. Located inside Marineford, it looked quite ordinary: a three-story building with a fairly large training ground out back. Nothing particularly special about it.
Impossible to tell by looking that this inconspicuous place would produce so much outstanding talent for the Marines in years to come.
It could be said that the next generation's three Admirals, along with the Marines' entire backbone of leadership, would nearly all emerge from this unassuming small building.
In terms of Finn's previous world, this was like Harvard, Oxford, and MIT combined.
As long as you worked hard, anyone who graduated from here had the potential to become a pillar of the nation.
Though Rosinante had let his adoptive father down during critical moments in the future, he was quite competent as an errand boy in the present.
During Finn's hospitalization, the kid had seemingly investigated everything about the Officer Training Camp.
No wonder he'd eventually become part of the intelligence corps. He had genuine talent in these areas.
Therefore, under Rosinante's guidance, Finn entered the Officer Training Camp building. After walking around a few corridors, they happened to encounter Instructor Zephyr carrying some teaching materials.
Unlike their first meeting in the North Blue, Instructor Zephyr wasn't wearing his Admiral's uniform now. He wasn't even wearing the standard Justice coat.
Instead, he wore a very low-key lavender casual outfit, with a pair of plain reading glasses perched on his nose.
He didn't radiate the domineering aura of a Marine Admiral at all. On the contrary, he seemed approachable and gentle. A teacher, not a warrior.
"Oh, Finn, you're here. Come to think of it, today was your discharge date, wasn't it? You're not angry I didn't visit or pick you up, are you?" Instructor Zephyr asked with a warm smile.
Finn snapped to attention and saluted. "Admiral, good morning! Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez Finn reporting for duty!"
After this formality, he smiled and added, "Of course not, sir. It would be inappropriate for an Admiral to constantly spend time on someone at my level."
"No, we need to pay proper attention to people like you so the Marines have a better future. However, both Sengoku and I have special positions. Our every action represents the Marines. If we show you too much obvious favoritism, it could actually disadvantage you. You understand this, yes?" Instructor Zephyr said gently.
Finn naturally understood. He also knew that given Instructor Zephyr's position, there was no need to explain anything to someone of Finn's rank.
But this elder still patiently explained the reasoning, which proved Finn held some place in his considerations.
"Yes, Admiral," Finn responded quickly.
"Good. Since we've met here, there's no need to go through formalities in my office. I happen to be heading to class now, so come with me. You can meet your sixth-class classmates first." Instructor Zephyr nodded with satisfaction.
Finn agreed, then looked at Rosinante. "Little brat, go do your own thing. From today on, I'll be attending school..."
Instructor Zephyr also smiled. "Don't worry, Rosinante. I'll take good care of your Brother Finn."
Rosinante nodded reluctantly. "Brother Finn, if you need anything from me..."
"I know, I know. I'll call if I need something," Finn waved quickly.
After Rosinante departed, Zephyr and Finn walked toward the classroom, one behind the other.
Along the way, Instructor Zephyr suddenly asked, "It seems like you dislike young Rosinante?"
"It's not that I dislike him," Finn replied carefully. "I just think that kid might not be suited for the Marines."
"Why?" Zephyr asked, genuine curiosity in his tone.
Finn was silent for a moment before replying, "He's too kind. I admit that's a good quality in general, but as a soldier, sometimes kindness isn't necessarily a good thing."
Instructor Zephyr seemed to recall something. A trace of complex emotion flashed through his eyes, and he whispered softly, "You're right. As a soldier, sometimes we shouldn't be kind."
Once upon a time, he'd been known as the "Not-Killing Admiral."
The result had been the destruction of his family.
Zephyr's understanding of this truth ran far deeper than Finn could imagine.
The two said nothing more. Soon they arrived at a classroom door. Zephyr pushed it open, walked in, and announced, "Everyone, we have a new member joining you today. Welcome him."
As soon as he finished speaking, warm applause erupted in the classroom.
Finn stood at the doorway, somewhat uncomfortable with the enthusiastic reception, his hand moving unconsciously to adjust his Justice coat.
This was it. The real beginning of his journey at Marineford.
The Officer Training Camp. Where legends were forged.
And he fully intended to become one of them.