One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Slack Off and Get Stronger

Karp walked over and patted Karl on the shoulder: "Not bad? You're much more popular than me now. I'm afraid it won't be long before you replace me!"

"How could that be? Lieutenant General Garp has made countless contributions; how could your merits be forgotten?"

Garp was overjoyed, laughing as he took the senbei from Sengoku's table and fled as if his life depended on it. Before Sengoku could even finish speaking, Garp was already gone.

"Never mind that bastard, let's talk about your medal-awarding ceremony tomorrow!"

Zhan Guo took out a stack of documents and handed them to Karl: "This is what you'll say at tomorrow's medal ceremony. I know you don't have time to write it, so I specially wrote one for you. Take a look and see if there are any problems?"

Wow~

Karl took the medal, flipped through it briefly, and said, "No problem, thank you Marshal Zhan Guo. By the way, I heard that tomorrow's medal awarding ceremony will be broadcast live worldwide, is that true?"

Sengoku smiled and nodded: "That's right, this was also my suggestion. Since Shanks became one of the Four Queens, the prestige of the Navy has declined. It's a good opportunity to let the people see that the Navy is not just sitting around doing nothing, since you have become a Navy hero."

"So, this medal-awarding ceremony can be considered a kind of military parade?"

"That's right, Carl, you don't mind, do you?"

Karl quickly shook his head. How could he mind? The more grand the occasion, the more face he would have as the person in charge. Wouldn't his fan base skyrocket? Wouldn't he be soaring to new heights?

To be honest, the attribute enhancement cards I get from daily casual play are no longer enough. It would take at least five or six years to get the highest level, EX level, through the system.

But Luffy will set sail in three years. Before that, the stronger he is, the better, because only in this way can he have the confidence to face the unpredictable future.

"That's good. Oh, right, there's something else I need to tell you."

Karl sat up straight: "Go ahead."

"After the awarding ceremony, you will have a week's vacation, and you can go wherever you want."

"However, after that, you'll have to get moving."

Karl frowned. "Get moving? You mean...I'm going to go out and carry out missions everywhere?"

Sengoku nodded with satisfaction: "That's right. The navy has finally produced another hero. Of course, we should let the people see the strength of the naval hero."

"Garp went through the same thing back then, tsk tsk, the number of people joining the Navy skyrocketed in those years! You know, now the Four Emperors are at the height of their power, the number of new recruits is declining year by year, and there are hardly any good prospects..."

"Marshal Zhan Guo, you needn't say anything more. I understand. Please rest assured, I guarantee I will complete the mission!"

"Alright, alright! Well then... that's settled. Go back and prepare yourself. Come to my office again tomorrow."

"Yes!"

The next day.

Carl stood in front of the mirror, carefully examining his reflection. After confirming that he was still incredibly handsome, he confidently walked out of the room and headed straight for the headquarters building.

at the same time.

The "live streaming platforms" of the various naval branches along the Grand Line and across the four seas also displayed the images, but Marineford Square was currently only filled with busy staff, as the medal awarding ceremony was still two hours away.

But the crowd had already gathered around the live stream platform with their stools, watching the busy Marineford scene with great interest, and occasionally discussing it with others.

After all, there are no TVs or computers in the One Piece world, and entertainment is scarce. It's rare to see such a big event as a live broadcast. I remember the last time, hey, it was also this guy named Karl!

At this moment, a girl holding a Karl support poster anxiously looked at the screen, but after searching around for a long time, she couldn't find Karl anywhere and couldn't help but feel a little discouraged.

"Oh dear, I thought Lieutenant General Karl had come out!"

Several women nearby chimed in, "That's right, that's right. Hey, you all move aside, don't block our view of Lieutenant General Karl."

A young man with a pockmarked face stood up and shouted angrily, "We won't allow it, so what? You women are so shallow. Does Lieutenant General Karl's appearance matter? What matters is his strength, okay?"

"Tch, you're not shallow, but you're not exactly good-looking either."

"You... Hmph~ I'm not going to argue with you infatuated girls!"

This is Carl's support group, terrifyingly powerful. If they knew that it was because of their support that Carl was able to fight Hancock Aion for so long... well, at least they were somewhat involved, which is already pretty good.

In the marshal's office, Karl spotted a strange figure.

Standing beside Sengoku was a towering man, an extremely strong old man with a broad chest, tanned skin, and white hair and beard shaped like the Chinese character "山" (mountain).

He had a stitched scar below his eye, wore a sleeveless black shirt decorated with medals that revealed his arm muscles, dark green armbands, a pale yellow scarf around his neck, and a white and dark gray coat.

At this moment, he was scrutinizing Karl with a serious expression.

"Karl, you've come at the right time. Let me introduce you. This is Kong, the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's armed forces, and also a former Fleet Admiral."

Karl quickly saluted Steelbone Kong: "Good day, sir. I am Vice Admiral Karl. Nice to meet you!"

Steel Bone Kong stared silently at Karl, making Karl a little nervous, but only a little nervous. "You look at me? Then I'll look at you, let's see whose eyes dry faster!"

"Heh, quite a fine young man! I heard you awakened Conqueror's Haki, just like Sengoku?"

Karl nodded: "Yes, I awakened it unexpectedly a few years ago when I fought Kaido of the Beasts."

Kong said meaningfully, "An accident? Only those with the qualifications of a king can awaken Conqueror's Haki. I think it's a natural progression."

Sengoku nodded in agreement: "Yes, if Zefa hadn't insisted on recruiting new soldiers from all over the world every year, this kid might have really become a hidden gem, thus fading into obscurity."

“Zeff…” A look of nostalgia appeared in Steel Bone’s empty eyes. The image of the spirited Black Arm Zeff from back then came to mind, and then he looked at the elegant and extraordinary Karl.

A new generation replaces the old...

"I've heard about what you've done. Well done! Keep it up. The future belongs to you young people! Don't look down on us old folks who're practically on our deathbeds for not being able to help! Hahahaha!"

After saying this, Kong and Sengoku exchanged a smile, a smile that perhaps only a naval admiral could understand.

"By the way, Karl, I heard that your abilities have the effects of strengthening the body and healing?"

Chapter 185 Awarding Ceremony

Without saying a word, Karl extended his right hand, condensed a dazzling holy light, and merged it into Steelbone Kong's body.

Steel Bone Kong closed his eyes, feeling the power of the holy light. After taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and stared intently at Karl.

"What amazing power! With you here, the Navy would probably be invincible!"

Karl chuckled and scratched his head: "General Air Force, you flatter me. It's not as exaggerated as you make it out to be."

"Being neither arrogant nor impatient is very good."

......

Karl was kept talking for a long time, and in the end, Sengoku glanced at the time and felt that it was about time before taking Karl out to prepare for the awarding of medals.

Live broadcast footage.

"Look! The image has zoomed in, is it about to start?"

"Ahhh! Honey, come out here!!!"

In the scene, a formation of several naval soldiers marched neatly into the square. With a series of loud slogans, the formation broke up and dispersed, forming a square.

"How neat it is!" "Yes! It's a real pleasure to look at."

Immediately afterwards, a loud shout came from the screen: "Please bring in the naval officers!"

bang bang bang~

Even through the screen, everyone could sense that something enormous was approaching.

The giant generals marched into the "screen" in perfect unison, then lined up in a row behind the platform, their gazes fixed resolutely ahead.

"My God! They're giant generals! What do they eat to grow so tall?!"

The appearance of the giant admirals immediately stunned everyone, and a solemn and dignified feeling immediately followed.

But this was just the beginning. In order to fully demonstrate the power of the navy to the public, Fleet Admiral Sengoku specially recalled all the naval officers who were not on duty, just to help Karl put on a good show.

Next up were some well-known naval vice admirals, such as Momonga, Kasakatsuyama, and Momousagi...

They didn't have to stand like giants, but they still entered the venue in an orderly fashion, sat down as if by prior agreement, chests out, heads held high, looking towards the high platform, motionless.

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on the three seats closest to the platform. If nothing unexpected happened, those should be the seats of the generals. How would they make their entrance?

Click, click, click~ The sound of freezing can be heard in the video.

An ice rink connects directly from the sea to the seats on the left. Aokiji strikes a skiing pose and glides all the way from Crescent Bay to his seat. He looks cool, needless to say.

"It's Admiral Aokiji! Admiral Aokiji has arrived!"

Immediately afterwards, a dazzling golden streak appeared in the sky, causing both the audience present and those watching the live broadcast to close their eyes, unable to look directly at the blinding golden light.

As the light faded, Kizaru appeared in the seat on the right. He pouted, stuck out his bottom, and gracefully sat in his assigned seat. He crossed his long, slender legs over the other, propped his chin on his right hand, and looked at the high platform with great interest.

"General Kizaru is here!"

The next one, needless to say, is Akainu.

However, Akainu doesn't like flashy entrances; after all, once he uses his powers, the scene is...

So Akainu simply walked to his seat, but his demeanor was impeccable, and the scene remained quiet until he sat down.

"All three generals are here. Shouldn't it be Lieutenant General Karl now?"

Carl's supporters held their breath, looking expectantly at the empty platform on the live stream screen.

With a series of crisp footsteps, a seagull appeared on the screen, followed by Sengoku's face. There was no one else following behind; he was all alone.

The female supporters from all over the world immediately let out a sigh.

Sengoku looked down at the naval officers and soldiers below, raised his right hand, and shouted loudly: "The navy will prevail!"