Hera thought for a moment and said, "I should rest at Marineford for a while, then head out when I'm 17."
Garp laughed. "That's good too. You've been too busy these past few years. It's good to relax and settle down for a bit."
Hera nodded. The time for Luffy to set sail was approaching. Some plans would have to wait until Luffy had left, but for the remaining six months, she could still pay attention to the Gold Emperor. She wondered how he was doing now.
Following this, with the promotion by Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru, Hera was publicized as a role model for the New Navy, and her reputation as the youngest Vice Admiral echoed throughout the entire sea.
At this time, in Windmill Village in the East Blue.
Luffy was looking at the newspaper delivered by the news bird and said indignantly, "I said I'd set sail at 17, but Sabo left with the Revolutionary Army early, and even Hera became a Vice Admiral, leaving only me here."
Immediately, he made up his mind: "No, if this continues, I'll fall even further behind."
Then, the dejected Luffy suddenly thought of something and slapped his right hand: "That's right, Hera said that 'nominal age' is one year more than 'actual age,' but she didn't say whether 17 was nominal or actual."
"So I'm 16 now, my nominal age is 17, so I'm setting sail at 17."
Having convinced himself, Luffy became happy: "Sabo, Ace, Hera, you three just wait. I'll make a name for myself on the great sea too."
After speaking, he threw away the newspaper he had read and prepared to set sail.
At Marine Headquarters, a grand award ceremony was underway, and Hera stood on the stage with her five companions, smiling.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku personally presided over the award ceremony.
He introduced Hera's achievements to the crowd below: "Assisting Instructor Zephyr in killing Whitebeard Jr. in the recruit training camp, repeatedly helping trainees with their training and treating injured comrades,
Establishing the New Navy to maintain order in the Four Seas, vigorously cracking down on slave traders who killed Celestial Dragons in the Sabaody Archipelago, defeating Moriah, thwarting the Golden Lion's conspiracy and killing the Golden Lion, and killing the escaped Caesar Clown."
Sengoku paused, looking at the reporters and numerous Marines below. Most people were shocked by Hera's outstanding military achievements over the past two years. One must know that she was only 16 years old and had vast potential to become stronger.
Seeing that the goal of building momentum for Hera had been achieved, Sengoku nodded with satisfaction: "After deliberation by Marine Headquarters, it has been unanimously decided that Hera's military merits are outstanding, and she is hereby granted the rank of Vice Admiral of Marineford. We hope Vice Admiral Hera will continue to strive for excellence."
Garp took the Marineford Vice Admiral rank insignia handed to him by his adjutant and personally pinned it on Hera.
Sengoku continued to speak about the achievements and ranks awarded to the other members of the argo, and Garp personally pinned the ranks on each of them.
Kuina and Ain were promoted to Colonel, Nami and Perona were also promoted one rank, and Reiju was directly promoted to Rear Admiral due to her connection with the Germa Kingdom and her contributions to purifying Punk Hazard Island.
Morgans' news bird captured the moment Garp awarded Hera her rank, and the newspaper headline read: "The Marine: Transition of Old and New Eras."
After the award ceremony, there were endless social engagements. Although Hera didn't want to attend so many gatherings, to become a Fleet Admiral, military prestige was essential.
Gatherings were also indispensable. Hera secretly vowed in her heart that as soon as Imu was overthrown, she would immediately retire or delegate power to others. It was simply too difficult for her to deal with paperwork every day.
Hera's reputation gradually spread across the entire sea with the release of the newspapers. In a massive castle at the ruins of the defunct kingdom on Kuraigana Island, Hawkeye, the world's greatest swordsman, looked at the newspaper reporting Hera's battle with the Golden Lion.
"Interesting young lady. I'll also make a trip to Marineford when I go to the East Blue this time."
He jumped onto his wooden boat and sailed towards the East Blue.
Hera, who had been running around all day, returned home. Kuina supported Hera and began massaging her shoulders.
Hera couldn't help but complain, "This is too tiring. I didn't know there were so many large and small newspaper publishers. When will Morgans unify the newspaper industry?"
Kuina chuckled at Hera's complaint. "Impossible. The World Government won't allow him to monopolize it."
Hera nodded, "I know, I just can't help but complain."
"But Grandpa Garp also said that there won't be much to do from now on, and everyone can relax. The Marines won't allow these people to keep interviewing us."
Listening to Hera's complaints and looking at Hera leaning against her, Kuina's hands gradually became restless.
After years of training and growth, Kuina had reached about 170 cm, and the 157 cm Hera was like a child in her arms, completely enveloped.
Kuina's hands slid from Hera's neck to the front, turned Hera's face towards her, and kissed Hera's still complaining lips.
Hera was caught off guard by Kuina's surprise attack, uttering muffled sounds. When their lips parted, her whole body went limp.
Kuina took the opportunity to hug Hera, sitting her directly on her lap, and tidied Hera's somewhat messy hair.
At this moment, Kuina was sitting on the edge of the bed, with Hera's legs spread apart, sitting on Kuina's lap, her legs wrapped around Kuina's waist and coiled up.
Kuina looked down at Hera, who was shyly burrowing into her embrace, and hooked Hera's face with her finger, making her look up at her: "Our Captain Hera worked so hard during the day, so shouldn't I reward you tonight?"
Hera's face was flushed, and in a shy, soft voice, she said, "What reward for me? You're clearly rewarding yourself."
Kuina chuckled mischievously, "Oh, wasn't it you who was so comfortable you almost fainted on the ship that day? Why aren't you admitting it now?"
Hera immediately tried to push Kuina away, her face red as she retorted, "We explicitly agreed not to talk about these things!"
Kuina slowly soothed Hera like a startled rabbit: "Alright, no more talk about that. Raise your hands."
Hera cooperatively raised her hands, allowing Kuina to take off her top. Her spirit dress left Hera's body, transforming into sparkling particles and disappearing.
Hera felt the cold on her skin and realized what she had done, glaring at Kuina with a flushed face.
Kuina looked at Hera's hollow-out lace bra and exclaimed, "I've wanted to say this for a while, Hera, your clothes are really bold!"
Hera turned her face away, whispering, "Idiot, don't look so closely."
Her lower military uniform also dissolved into particles, and she whispered, "Grandpa Garp told me at the banquet that he won't be back tonight."
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