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When the news broke, many Navy officers were dumbfounded.
"What is going on?"
"How come vice-Admiral Uchiha Akira suddenly receive the Navy's highest honor?"
As Uchiha Kitaro walked down the central red carpet toward the podium, the entire square fell silent.
For many, this was their first time seeing the so called Uchiha Akira in person.
They had only heard stories about him before, never having encountered him face-to-face. Even within Navy Headquarters, sightings of Uchiha Akira were rare.
The stories they had heard weren't flattering either—rumors claimed he was lazy, caught no pirates, and merely loitered at headquarters, a disgrace to the Navy.
The recent incident with Golden Lion Shiki had yet to be made public.
Not long ago, Vice Admiral Uchiha Akira and Vice Admiral Gion (Momousagi) had successfully captured the legendary pirate Golden Lion Shiki, thwarting his plans to destroy the East Blue. Thanks to their efforts, the East Blue was spared devastation and countless lives were saved.
As recognition for his contribution, Vice Admiral Uchiha Akira was awarded the Navy's highest honor!
The audience was encouraged to see Vice Admiral Uchiha Akira as a role model and strive to make greater contributions to the Navy.
"What?!"
"Golden Lion Shiki, that legendary pirate from the same era as Whitebeard, was captured?!"
"Wasn't he just in the papers a few days ago, rallying pirates? How was he caught so quickly?"
"If the pirate in question is Golden Lion Shiki, then it makes sense for Vice-Admiral Uchiha Akira to receive the highest honor."
The crowd erupted into discussion. Even after twenty years, Golden Lion Shiki's name remained well-known among the Navy.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku approached Uchiha Kitaro, pinning the golden medal, symbolizing the Navy's highest honor, onto his uniform.
Sparse applause filled the air. Despite Uchiha Kitaro's achievements, his identity remained a thorn in the side of most Navy personnel.
Uchiha Kitaro, however, remained indifferent, finding the situation somewhat amusing.
He thought to himself that if he played his cards right, this undercover mission might even lead to him becoming the top figure in Navy Headquarters.
With Uchiha Kitaro being the final recipient of an award, the ceremony concluded, and the attendees dispersed.
Kitaro and Gion headed to the dining hall to celebrate. Gion, too, had received a first-class merit medal for her role in capturing Golden Lion Shiki. However, she didn't care much for such honors.
Although she was a Vice Admiral and even considered a candidate for Admiral, her strength as a woman had its limits compared to male contenders.
Navy Headquarters had no shortage of potential Admiral candidates. Apart from Uchiha Kitaro, both Vice Admirals Issho (Fujitora) and Aramaki (Ryokugyu) were frontrunners.
Gion wasn't keen on competing fiercely for a promotion. Now that she was Uchiha Kitaro's woman (Thinking he is an Akira), she prioritized him above all else.
If she could transfer all her honors to him, she would gladly do so.
As Kitaro and Gion sat down, a mocking voice came from behind them:
"I really don't understand what the higher-ups were thinking, giving the Navy's highest honor to an outsider!"
"Clearly, Vice Admiral Aramaki is far more deserving of such recognition!"
"He's not just an outsider—he's an invader from another world!"
"The twin brother of the criminal who destroyed Navy Headquarters and tarnished its reputation!"
"Bah! Someone like him becoming a Vice Admiral is a disgrace to the Navy!"
Hearing these words, Gion was immediately enraged. She couldn't tolerate anyone speaking about her man like that.
Kitaro gently took Gion's hand, signaling her to remain calm.
He then glanced at a waiter passing by with dishes and instantly activated his Sharingan, casting a genjutsu.
Bang!
The waiter slammed the dishes into the face of the loudest officer.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
The three officers immediately stood up, grabbing the waiter's collar.
"I… I…" The waiter looked utterly bewildered.
A voice interrupted, "There's no need to trouble him. It was me."
The three officers turned to see Uchiha Kitaro and Gion sitting behind them.
"You are...!"
The officers instantly recognized Uchiha Kitaro as the new vice admiral Uchiha Akira.
Kitaro smirked slightly. "Yes, me. What are your ranks, and how dare you yell so brazenly in my presence?"
Their expressions shifted uncomfortably.
"Navy Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel, Thomas."
"Navy Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel, Stark."
"Navy Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel, O'Neill."
Kitaro looked at Gion and asked, "Gion, what's the punishment for lower-ranking officers slandering senior commanders behind their backs?"
Gion glared at the trio and replied coldly, "cut three months' pay and demote them by one rank!"
The three officers turned pale. Losing pay wasn't a big deal—they had plenty of ways to make money. But a demotion? That was unacceptable. It had taken them five years of hard work to climb from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel.
With a single remark, Uchiha Kitaro could undo five years of their efforts.
Suddenly, a voice rang out:
"Vice Admiral Akira! It's just some subordinates mouthing off after a few drinks. Isn't this a bit too harsh? They're not like you, catching one pirate and making it count as catching a thousand!"
A man appeared at the staircase leading to the second floor of the restaurant. He had messy green curls, wore sunglasses, and had a cigarette in his mouth. His chest bore the kanji for "double suicide at death river," and he wore the signature Navy coat over his shoulders. At his waist hung a katana, and his pants were dark with floral patterns on one leg.
It was Vice Admiral Aramaki, also known as Ryokugyu, one of the Navy's rising stars.
"Vice Admiral Aramaki!"
The three officers immediately looked to Aramaki like he was their savior. After all, they were his subordinates.
Kitaro glanced at Aramaki and said coolly, "… who gave you the courage to speak to me like that?"
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