Marine Captain

The battle continued for half an hour, Smoker was completely worn out and drained of his stamina and strength.

The top officers also perceived the fight is not progressing as expected so they announced the time limit of 10 mins to finish the battle, otherwise, the contest will be declared as a draw.

Ultimately, the battle resulted in a draw as both Rey and Smoker couldn't do anything to others.

"Wow! I didn't know one can fight the logia this way by tiring them out and also didn't foresee the new recruit to draw the battle with Smoker." A marine soldier exclaimed.

"Next time, I will defeat you for sure," Smoker departed from the stage, leaving behind these words.

Rey shrugged, next time he won't be helpless in front of a logia devil fruit. If Smoker wants to defeat or even draw with Rey again, it almost impossible considering Rey's rate of improvement.

Once he opens his third gate, his strength will soar exponentially. If Rey also learns Haki, then no one can tell how strong he will become.

---

Next day,

Rey was summoned to the Fleet Admiral office. He knows it should be about his rank and duties.

At the topmost building of Marine Headquarters, in a Fleet Admiral office.

Sengoku was seated in the chair behind the table while Rey stood opposite to him. Sengoku is a tall, black-haired, fair-skinned, and muscular man with a long, braided goatee and a mustache.

He wore black-rimmed glasses and a white and gold full Marine admiral uniform that is adorned with medals while his pet goat was standing near him.

"I am also from the south blue like you...It's nostalgic thinking about my younger days." Sengoku said while Rey stood in the opposite.

"You are strong enough to confront pirates with large bounty but only when you face them head-on, you will see how vicious and cruel they are."

"You have been promoted to a Marine captain considering your strength and also placed under Vice-Admiral Garp as requested by him. I hope in the future, you will bring justice and peace to this world by destroying the pirates." Sengoku solemnly spoke.

"I will try with best of ability to bring peace to this world, Sengoku fleet Admiral," Rey stated and Sengoku was pleased with Rey's answer.

Rey then pardoned himself and exited the Fleet Admiral office. He then directly walked towards Garp's office and knocked on the door,

"Come in,"

"Brat, come take a seat."

"Will you please stop calling me a brat, old man" Rey spoke taking a seat.

"Bwahaha, brat, only some minutes have passed since you are promoted to Captain but you already want me to stop calling you as I wish." Garp laughed as if he didn't care about Rey's feelings.

Rey shook his head and know it's a waste of his time to argue with this eccentric old man.

"So, What do you plan to do since you are a Marine Captain right now," Garp asked.

"I planned to patrol the Grand line and catch the pirates whom I encounter along the way," Rey said.

Hearing Rey's words, Garp's lips twitched and he yelled, "Brat, What do you think we marines are for? You planned on sightseeing Grand Line."

"For this time, I will assign the duty for you and you have to complete it if you want to roam around as you wish."

"A Pirate with a bounty of 70 million berries has entered the Grand Line from north blue, your task was to catch him alive and send him to the impel down." Garp passed a few papers which contained the details of the Pirates.

"Here," Garp suddenly threw a long staff at Rey.

Rey caught the weapon and inspected it, it looked exactly the same as his Staff but was made completely of tough metal as it weighed around 4Kg in his hand.

It looked unique and was around 1.8m in length. With just holding it his hand, Rey felt it become part of his body and so, he liked it very much.

He kept the weapon at his back and thanked Garp, "Thank You, Old man."

"You now have your own ship and crew, so you are solely responsible for their safety in the sea which is filled with dangers and pirates. Be careful." Garp said.

Soon, Rey came out of Garp's office and made his way towards the office mentioned by Garp to collect his Marine Captian uniform.

After obtaining his senior officer's Marine coat with the word "justice" on it, Rey went to his own room to get changed.

Rey looked great and handsome, after dressing in his Marine coat like other marines with his coat draped over his shoulders like a cape while his arms not in its sleeves.

Under his Marine Coat, he wore a grey shirt and black pants. In this one year, Rey's hair has grown while he stood close to 185cm in height.

Rey walked out of the headquarters and headed towards the docking area where his own ship is located. He has already been informed, his whole crew is waiting there for him.

He was surprised when he saw Mia among the other marine soldiers. She looked different from before not like a young girl but she looked more mature and feminine.

She was decked in open, long-sleeve, Marine shirt with a purple suit under her shirt.

"Mia, what are you doing here?" Rey asked.

"Reporting to duty captain, I am Lieutenant Commander Mia, waiting for your orders." Mia playfully spoke and saluted her hand.

"What?"

"Hehe, I specially asked Tsuru san to be placed under your command so that we can catch the pirates together," Mia explained.

"Good..." Before Rey could respond, other Marine officers and soldiers placed under his command came before him and greeted.

Overall, there are 100 plus soldiers and officers; This is Rey's first time to be in such a high position.

He could see every soldier was lively and active, yearning to travel the sea and catch wicked pirates.