Chapter 44 One Year Later

"Boy, once you're back this time, there's no need to head back out to sea. Your internship is already complete," Garp declared firmly.

His tone left no room for negotiation. He had decided—Aizen would stay away from the New World.

After all, Aizen's strength had already grown to rival that of a Marine Admiral, and throwing him into the chaos of the New World wasn't just unnecessary—it was reckless. Garp's primary concern was keeping Aizen safe, ensuring the young Marine wouldn't fall into danger or, even worse, be tempted by the twisted allure of pirate life.

Though betrayal within the Marines was exceedingly rare, the potential of losing someone as invaluable as Aizen was a risk Garp refused to take. For now, keeping him in the Marine branch meant protecting him from harm and giving him time to refine his discipline and leadership skills.

---

One Year Later

Time had flown by. It had been a year since Aizen first set sail.

During that time, Aizen had spent most of his days stationed at the Marine branch in the New World, handling critical matters and assisting with strategic decisions. What started as a simple trial had revealed a surprising talent for leadership and tactical planning.

Under Aizen's guidance, Marine casualties in the New World had dropped by 30%, while the number of captured pirates had increased dramatically. His influence had reshaped the entire branch, earning him widespread respect among the ranks.

Even the seasoned staff officers, who once thought him too young, now relied on his judgment. The branch's Vice Admiral, Kitton, often joked that Aizen had become the real backbone of the operation.

Inside the office, Aizen placed a signed document on the desk before leaning back in his chair.

"Has it already been a year? I hear Zephyr has returned with the others after their internships. Seems like it's my turn to head back," Aizen mused aloud.

"Boy, I almost forgot you're still technically a student in the elite camp!" Kitton chuckled from across the desk. "How about this? Once you graduate, why not come back here? With your talent, you'll probably replace me in no time!"

The old Vice Admiral had grown fond of Aizen during their time working together. At over sixty years old, Kitton was nearing retirement. Watching Aizen transform the branch had filled him with hope for the future.

Aizen adjusted his glasses, his calm demeanor unwavering. "That decision lies with headquarters, Vice Admiral Kitton. Besides, only someone ranked Rear Admiral or higher can officially hold this post."

"Haha, true enough! Still, I'll be sending a letter to the Marshal myself, recommending they give you a position that truly suits your talents. You've done too much here for it to go unnoticed."

Aizen nodded with a slight smile. "Thank you, Vice Admiral. That's very kind of you."

Little did he know, Kitton had already gathered over a thousand signatures from Marines stationed at the branch, urging headquarters to fast-track Aizen's promotion.

---

Later that afternoon, Aizen boarded a warship heading back to headquarters. As the ship cut through the waves, his thoughts turned to familiar faces.

"Sakazuki, Borsalino... I wonder how much they've improved."

Those two were destined to become future Admirals, and Aizen had sparred with both during their early days. Their growth, combined with Zephyr's rigorous training and their exposure to New World dangers, was something he eagerly anticipated witnessing.

Although Aizen had already gained invaluable experience from them in their earlier battles, he couldn't gain more until their future selves developed significantly—likely decades from now.

But his immediate concern was Zephyr. The upcoming final exam in the elite camp was rumored to involve a direct challenge against the Marine instructor himself.

"If I manage to defeat Zephyr, even in a controlled sparring match, will it unlock a new level of strength?" Aizen pondered.

For now, he could only speculate.

One thing was certain: his return to Marineford would mark the beginning of a new chapter, one that would shape not only his future but the very foundation of the Marines.