Chapter 77: Dragon's Celebration Party!
Although it was late at night, with the Bright Moon shining high and a sky full of stars, for some people, it was the perfect Time to enjoy themselves.
Marineford, as the Headquarters of the Marines, the World's largest Military organization, naturally did not lack Electric Light illumination, which also provided convenience for the Island's nightlife.
One by one, men and women, some wearing Uniforms, or wearing casual clothes, gathered from all directions along the Streets towards one location.
Seagull Tavern!
Here was the only Tavern on this Island, and also the largest multi-story public Tavern capable of hosting thousands of People simultaneously. Whether active Marines, or Family Members, everyone could enjoy various types of Alcohol and Food here.
In fact, over a decade ago, this Tavern wasn't this large, nor was it multi-story, because there were fewer Residents on the Island back then.
According to regulations, as long as one reached the Military Rank of Headquarters Lieutenant Commander, they could bring their Family Members. However, not many People were willing to move such a long distance before.
But since the Matter eight years ago where Marine Admiral Zephyr's Family Members were attacked and killed by Pirates outside, nearly 80% of Marine Officer chose to bring their Families here.
As a result, the Population surged, and the higher-ups allocated funds to expand the Tavern.
Because of this, an interesting saying circulated, saying that because the Island's People increased and there weren't enough seats in the Tavern, Fleet Admiral Kong found it difficult to even find a spot to have a drink. In a fit of anger, he ordered another floor to be built.
At this moment, inside this incredibly spacious Tavern, intense drumbeats and various string instrument sounds, accompanied by infectious female singing voices, freely echoed through every corner of the air.
There were no colorful lights, nor were there flirtatious Women in revealing clothes, only warm, pale yellow lighting. But this did not diminish the lively atmosphere in the slightest.
Around sturdy square wooden tables sat cheerful drinkers, no longer mindful of the differences in Identity and Military Rank between them. Holding large Beer mugs filled with golden Liquid, they laughed heartily, arms around each other's shoulders.
Bartenders, who were Family Members, swiftly weaved between tables and People, delivering Alcohol and Meat to every guest, chatting and laughing with them from Time to Time.
"Cheers!!!"
On the second floor, a group of People pushed three wooden tables together, picked up their slightly heavy Beer mugs, clinked them together, and then tilted their heads back to drink heartily, the Liquid in their cups rushing down their throats at an extremely fast Speed.
*Bang, bang, bang*
One by one, the empty Beer mugs were placed heavily back on the table. Kuzan, with a Smile on his face, laughed loudly at Dragon, who was sitting opposite him, "Congratulations, you've made a great contribution and been promoted to Vice Admiral!"
"Congratulations! Congratulations!"
"Among us, after Kuzan and the other two, another Vice Admiral has appeared!"
"Hahahaha, quickly tell us how you took down that Slave King?!"
Dragon stood up and smiled as he scanned his friends around him: Kuzan, Onigumo, Momonga, Gomeil... all were graduated Cadets from the first three batches of the Training Camp.
Although there were Cadets every year in the Training Camp, in terms of relationships, the first three batches were the closest. Those who came after were more distant, only considered ordinary Colleagues.
Except for those who couldn't return from outside, everyone else gathered here to celebrate his promotion to Vice Admiral today.
"Teacher, very much thank you for coming to support me. This glass is just for you."
Finally, Dragon's Gaze rested on the most respected elder, Zephyr. He picked up a Beer, filled his cup, and then drank it down in one gulp again.
"Hahahaha, good drinking capacity!" Zephyr saw this and laughed heartily with satisfaction. Not to be outdone, he picked up the cup Kuzan had helped fill and also downed it.
"Alright, that's enough Beer for now. I want to taste what Fish-Man Island's Alcohol is like. You guys help yourselves!"
Today, he was originally chatting with Kuzan in the Office when he received a phone call from Tsuru, telling him that another one of his students had become a Vice Admiral.
Kuzan, who heard this nearby, enthusiastically organized this celebration party and even dragged him, the Teacher, along, saying that he hadn't celebrated his own promotion to Vice Admiral before, so they could just do it together this Time.
"Quickly tell us about your trip to the South Blue this Time. Just reading the description in the Newspaper makes one's blood boil! That Slave King must be very Strong, right? I heard from Rear Admiral Aven that you were quite injured?"
Kuzan urged, looking at Dragon who had sat down. Momonga, Onigumo, and the others around him were also full of Curiosity.
Speaking of which, the latest issue of the Newspaper was sent to Various Places in the World this afternoon. Now, everyone knew about Dragon defeating the Slave King and saving hundreds of thousands of innocent Citizens.
This also became the biggest topic of conversation in the Seagull Tavern tonight. Look, the Marines at the neighboring tables were all pricking up their ears, openly looking over.
"Alright then, I'll start from when I received the Mission Order. The process is a bit long, but I'll try to keep it brief," Dragon didn't refuse, but there was no hint of smugness on his face. He remained as steady and composed as ever, which made Zephyr's Gaze towards him even more appreciative.
Zephyr's most famous students before this were Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, but now there was also Dragon.
To be honest, among these four, his favorite was Dragon, because he was the most serious about Martial Arts. Next was Sakazuki, and the Person he disliked the most was Borsalino.
As Dragon recounted his story, although the music and singing from the first floor continued, everyone at Kuzan's table, as well as the surrounding Marines and Family Members, naturally quieted down, even deliberately lightening the Force with which they put down their Beer mugs.
Even the well-traveled Zephyr was listening silently.
Since stepping down from his Admiral Position and becoming the Principal of the Marine Academy, he no longer paid special attention to outside Matters, only glancing at major events like the Execution of the Pirate King.
When Dragon began talking about leading fifty Headquarters Officers and using the Hurricane Fruit Ability to launch a surprise attack on Shabak City from the sky via 'Airship', the Expressions of the listeners around became Excited and expectant.
Kuzan, Momonga, Onigumo, and others closest to him listened with great interest, and when they heard that over a hundred Black Mark Guards with Strength capable of suppressing Headquarters Lieutenant Commanders appeared, they frowned.
But the most captivating part began when 'Slave King' King Taklamakan made his powerful appearance, accompanied by Sandstorm.
Powerful Armament Haki, Observation Haki, exquisite Staff Arts, and even the Devil Fruit Awakening Ability that could 'capture' Sandstorm as a Pet Slave.
Each of these points made one feel the Slave King's Strength. Kuzan even pondered to himself, could he have endured it if it were him?
His Ice-Ice Fruit Ability had not yet undergone Awakening, and his Martial Arts and Haki were not as good as Dragon's. It seemed a bit uncertain no matter how he looked at it.
Thinking about his title of Admiral Candidate, he couldn't help but feel somewhat concerned, or rather, a sense of nervousness and urgency arose.
Among the four Logia Users in the Marine Headquarters currently, it was clear that he was the weakest.
Although this had a lot to do with age, Strong was Strong, and weak was weak. When facing a powerful enemy, they wouldn't care how old you were.
Furthermore, he would be stationed long-term at Fish-Man Island in the future. That place was the 'Gate' between 'Paradise' and the 'New World', and he would definitely encounter Experts from the 'New World' in the future.
"It seems I need to hurry up and improve my Strength after returning. Whether it's for myself or for protecting the safety of Fish-Man Island, I must reach Admiral Level Combat Power as soon as possible!"
Kuzan's Gaze gradually became determined as Dragon narrated.
Thank you very much to reader [Name] for another 10000 Qidian Coin Tip! To be honest, I'm so happy I don't know what to say. You are the first Hall Master of this Book, and I am very happy that you like this Book so much. This is a great affirmation of my writing and allows me to believe even more firmly that my ideas are not wrong!
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Regarding updates, because the Little Author is part-time and has limited Time for writing, plus the Book is about to Go Premium and I need to prepare some Saved Drafts in advance, I've decided to update three chapters a day after going premium, so it's difficult to do burst updates for everyone. I'm very sorry, and this Book is very difficult to write, which I believe everyone can see.
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(End of this chapter)