Sacrificing the Heart
For the world, two years is not a long time, but the huge turmoil that occurred during these two years has made them feel like a lifetime ago for ordinary people.
First, countless pirates captured the territory once belonging to the Whitebeard Pirates; they compete with each other for the position of the Goko. However, even the strongest of these pirate forces, the Blackbeard Pirates are still a bit short of success.
Furthermore, Blackbeard failed to get the recognition of the rest of the sea emperors, not to mention that get destroyed even his re-formed pirate group again in the war with the "New Marine".
Then the Marine Headquarters' rapid development, after the former admiral defected from the Marine, many people are waiting to laugh at Longinus, that the Marine Headquarters' decline probably under the hands of the new fleet admiral.
But it turns out that the new fleet admiral is powerful and outstanding in ability and skill. After his vigorous reform, the marine that had some old-fashioned and rigid was reborn with new life and dynamism.
Besides, his appeal is incomparably powerful; just under his reputation alone, he attracted countless people who aspire to justice to join the marine. From the major kingdoms to the major races that Longinus had favored, they joined the marine forces to go back to the heights.
Then there was the impact of the new marine to the sea. Although this is only an emerging force, it is a powerful battle force separated from the Marine Headquarters. The natural strength is undoubtedly strong, and the Blackbeard Pirates once again destroyed and proved this conclusion.
Thanks to the strong performance of Akainu in the summit war and the radical style of the marine under his command, the new marine forces in the New World also attracted many forces that hate pirates to join. In just two years, this newborn organization will rapidly expand.
Finally, there is the attack of the revolutionary army. After experiencing the destruction of the main camp two years ago, the revolutionary army wave did not get curbed. Because of the desperate outbreak's power and intensify up, the number of countries that continue to reduce the franchise is the best proof of this point.
Seeing the revolutionary army increasingly stronger and bigger, the World Government finally couldn't sit still. They no longer relied on its direct secret spy agencies and ordered the marine to temporarily stop the action against the pirates, fully engaged in the war against the revolutionary army.
In such a climate, everyone has a hunch that an era of change seems to be about to begin!
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In the central square is a stone monument, densely carved with the names of the heroes who defended justice in the summit war.
Every passing marine would stop and silent as a sign of respect.
"I heard that it was proposed two years ago to build a sculpture for Fleet Admiral Longinus in the center of the square. But sternly rejected by Fleet Admiral-dono and changed the proposal to build a monument to commemorate those martyrs who had died in the war!"
"Ah~ Fleet Admiral-sama is just too handsome!"
"Indeed, only such kind of marine is truly worthy of my aspirations!"
"To sacrifice my heart for Longinus-sama, isn't that what I joined the marines to do?"
"Don't say that, but Fleet Admiral Longinus emphasized that we should say that we should sacrifice our hearts for justice!"
"I'm not wrong, isn't Longinus-sama justice?"
A group of young soldiers talked excitedly, and it filled their words with admiration and worship for the fleet admiral. Jace, who was standing on the side, listened to their talk and had a vague sense of pride.
He was rescued from pirates' hands thirteen years ago by Vice Admiral Longinus; when he saved him along with two ship passengers. He did not know what the other people on board thought, but for him at that time, only five years old, to become a marine like Vice Admiral Longinus is his dream all along.
The difference is that most of the "heroes" will no longer desire after the reality; Jace is undoubtedly lucky, his vision of the hero not only did not fade, but also grew with him, and finally became the hero of the world.
When he came to the Marine Headquarters, that sentiment is infinitely magnified. Because he met almost more than half of the people inside and he holds the same idea, this like-minded feeling, so he felt that his thirteen years of fantasy and persistence are worthwhile.
If Longinus used to save people to reap the reputation, then, when these twenty years have passed, he once saved those people also gradually grow up, transformed into the most massive power behind him!
As the Straw Hat Pirates once experienced, they were surprised to find all of their friends and partners, and even loved ones on the opposite side when they wanted to make Longinus enemies.
"Quickly go to the front, Fleet Admiral-dono's speech is about to begin!"
"Is Longinus-dono going to give a speech?"
The sudden outbreak of commotion made Jace also come back to his senses, and with an excited face, he followed the tide of people and squeezed towards the front.
When he arrived at the front, the square already blocks by the huge mass crowd. But Jace didn't care about that and instead looked excitedly at the longing face above.
"Longinus-sama is really as handsome as ever!"
"Finally, we can see Longinus-dono again!"
"Stop all the noise and listen carefully to Fleet Admiral-dono's speech!"
When Longinus stood on the stage and spoke, the originally lively and noisy square instantly quieted down.
"I am very happy to see so many new faces today. We come from different places and races, with different names and bloodlines, and should not have crossed paths, but have come together here because we aspire to the same justice!"
Jace moved his eyes to look around and indeed saw a lot of impressive physical appearance.
There are people with slender necks like snake bodies, people with whole-body fur like rabbits, people with long sharp teeth and claws like sea animals, and people with tall bodies like small mountains; he had never seen so many races.
"... When you join the marine from the moment, it means that leisurely enjoyment has been irrelevant to you, and what will accompany you, will be sweat and blood and even ... death!"
When he heard this, Jace only felt like his heart clenched; he prepared to think, but it still pressed him to breathe when he again faced this most serious topic.
"This is not fair to you, you may have given your lives to guard the world, and finally what you reap is just a paltry thank you, and even your name is forgotten, this noble word soldier, another meaning is actually pathetic!"
The cheerfulness sank in, and a group of recruits seemed to be struck by the cruel future described by Longinus.
"This world is not safe, beasts, pirates, or an earthquake and tsunami, can make fragile lives disappear, but ..." Longinus's voice steeply aggravated, in a loud, intoning voice, "This world needs someone to stand up, this world, need to have heroes to guard, and this hero is you, is you these fearless marine soldiers!"
In that infectious voice penetrated, Jace only feels it washed their souls. He drives by the dream of wishful thinking to become a marine. Now, he seems to understand the word "marine" represents both responsibility and sense.
"So, I am very grateful to you who can join the Marine Corps; you are the ones who give hope to the world. As a fleet admiral, the only thing I can do is become your most solid support; no matter what kind of difficulties you will encounter in the future, do not be afraid; I am behind you. The Marine Headquarters is also behind you!
There was silence for a moment, and then, the cheers on the square suddenly burst out and shattered the sky.
"Sacrifice your heart for justice!"
"Sacrifice your heart for Longinus-sama!"
PS: Every time I enter a new chapter, I get stuck, and I'm stuck again halfway through the second chapter, so let's go to sleep; I don't know when I'll be able to smooth out this plot.
Published in Qidian, November 01, 2019