033 Major General, a Pleasant Surprise

The next day, as all things revived and a new dawn broke, it proved to be a fine day for Xuan Ye.

“Mom, Brother Ye is so handsome! I want to be just as handsome when I grow up.”

In the naval villa, a childish voice rang out, full of admiration and bounding energy.

“Little Xing, come here. Don’t disturb your mother and Brother Ye.” In the hall, Zephyr sat on the sofa, watching the little one with affectionate indulgence.

“Madam, I could have managed on my own,” Xuan Ye said awkwardly. After dining here last night, he had stayed overnight, only to be awakened early by Madam, who insisted he must dress smartly for the award ceremony to attract girls and become the center of attention. She said it would bring glory to her and let her boast to other ladies when out and about.

“Stand properly and let me dress you up. You men are always careless. Today is a rare, wonderful day; how could you not look your best?” The young woman patted Xuan Ye, showing extreme fondness.

Feeling her sincere concern, Xuan Ye suddenly found his eyes moist.

“Huh? Brother Ye, why are you crying?” A little head, round and mischievous, tilted with a pout.

“Brother Ye isn’t crying, the wind just got in my eyes.” Xuan Ye smiled, picked up the boy, and gently bumped foreheads.

“Ha ha… Brother Xuan, it tickles…” The boy laughed heartily, wriggling in Xuan Ye’s arms.

“One moment you call me Brother Ye, then Brother Xuan. Let me teach you a lesson—tickle attack!”

“Ha ha… ha ha…” Innocent, carefree, the pure laughter filled the entire room.

“You little rascal, don’t bother your Brother Xuan. Today is his most important day.” The young woman scooped up the boy, tapped his head lightly, and placed him beside Zephyr despite his aggrieved gaze.

“Madam, it’s fine. I want to play with Little Xing too.”

“Silly boy, stand still. We’re running out of time. Be good.” She feigned anger, her tone brooking no refusal.

“All right.” Xuan Ye smiled sheepishly, submitting to her arrangements.

A few minutes later, Xuan Ye stood in the hall, under the scrutiny of three pairs of eyes.

His short hair, tied with a purple ribbon, draped over his shoulders. He wore a dark white patterned shirt, dark gold trousers, and a naval coat draped over his shoulders, making him appear exceptionally handsome. The three faint scars on his right cheek added a rugged masculinity.

“Brother Xuan looks so handsome,” Little Xing exclaimed, eyes sparkling, bouncing on the sofa.

“Hmm, not bad. He looks even more spirited,” Zephyr nodded in satisfaction.

“Of course. Who do you think dressed him up?” The young woman stood, straightened Xuan Ye’s collar, smoothed imaginary dust from his shoulders, and said, “My Xuan Ye is the handsomest.”

“Thank you, Madam, and Master.” Xuan Ye took a deep breath and smiled, intoxicated by this overwhelming parental love.

“There’s no need for thanks in a family. I’ve always considered you my own child. Now that you’re a major general, you’ll go out to fight pirates. Promise me, always be careful. Come back whenever you can. No matter when or where, I’ll always be here waiting for you, cooking your favorite meals.”

So many words, yet just a simple promise. Somehow, Xuan Ye felt tears threaten again.

“All right, enough sentiment. To the plaza! Today is your big day, Xuan Ye. We’ll all go together.” Zephyr stood, giving instructions.

“Oh, look at me, chattering away and almost making us late. Let’s go! Let everyone see—this is my child, the most handsome and enviable!” The young woman patted her head, grabbed Xuan Ye’s hand with pride, and headed out.

It was the scene of parents basking in their child’s achievements, eager to show them off: “Look, this is my child. He won first place in the competition.”

How simple and unadorned, yet it spoke volumes of maternal love—so straightforward, but often dismissed or even seen as embarrassing by many.

Yet Xuan Ye truly cherished this feeling of being cared for. No one knew how pitiful it was to have parents who didn’t care for him, that sense of abandonment by the whole world, the suffocating darkness, like a dreadful demon slowly devouring him—such despair and loneliness that no one could comprehend.

Letting Madam lead him, Xuan Ye finally smiled foolishly, prompting Zephyr to sigh quietly and smile as well.

As for Little Xing, nestled in Zephyr’s arms, sucking his finger, he looked at Xuan Ye and grinned along.

Half an hour later.

Marineford, the plaza. The atmosphere was solemn. On the grand stage, Commander Kong sat at the highest position, followed by Admirals Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp at the center, with Crane and other vice admirals and majors all present.

Below stood a crowd of marines.

“Ahem…” Commander Kong stood, his voice stern. “Today marks the graduation of the new class from the Naval Academy. After the recent competitions, the top ten have been determined.”

“This competition has fully demonstrated the Navy’s future potential. Therefore, the Five Elders have specially announced that the top four will receive significant rewards.”

“Let the award ceremony officially begin. Admiral Zephyr will present the awards.”

With a composed expression and powerful bearing, Zephyr strode to the center of the stage and spoke in a resonant voice, “Top ten, step forward.”

Excited and elated, ten individuals stood at the forefront.

“Tenth place: Dalmatian. Promoted to Major, commands 200 marines, awarded a fine-grade blade, ten million Berries, and a low-grade navy villa.”

“Ninth place: Mouse. Major rank, commands 200 marines, receives a fine-grade blade, ten million Berries, and a low-grade villa.”

“Eighth place: Fire Mountain…”

“Seventh place: Spider…”

Zephyr recited the list one by one; the rewards for tenth to seventh were similar.

“Sixth place: Tea Pig. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, commands 400 marines, receives a fine-grade blade, fifty million Berries, one Zoan-type Devil Fruit, and a mid-grade villa.”

“Fifth place: Peach Rabbit, Lieutenant Colonel…”

After Peach Rabbit’s reward, Zephyr paused, for now came the main awards.

Everyone craned their necks, envy in their eyes, watching the four names yet to be called.

“Fourth place: Borsalino. Promoted to Colonel, commands 800 marines, granted the right to independently hunt pirates at sea, awarded a great-grade blade, one hundred million Berries, two Zoan-type Devil Fruits, and a high-grade villa.”

There was an audible gasp; the reward far exceeded the usual colonel’s status. Not to mention the value of two Devil Fruits, the great-grade blade alone was a coveted treasure—only twenty-one existed worldwide.

“Third place: Kuzan. Colonel rank, commands 800 marines, granted independent hunting rights, awarded a great-grade blade, one hundred million Berries, two Zoan-type Devil Fruits, and a high-grade villa.”

“Second place: Sakazuki, Colonel…”

Essentially, the rewards for these three were equal. Next was the most coveted—the first place.

“First place: Xuan Ye Tang. Promoted to Major General, commands 1,000 marines, granted independent sea operations, awarded a great-grade blade, two hundred million Berries, one Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, two Zoan-type Devil Fruits, a high-grade villa, and eligibility to attend meetings and vote.”

Having finished, Zephyr approached and patted Xuan Ye’s shoulder, wordlessly conveying everything.

Head bowed, Xuan Ye’s eyes shone. Aside from the rank and independent command, he cared little for the other rewards. Yet now, he was excited—he had not expected to gain the right to attend naval meetings and vote. Naval meetings determined key decisions, and only high-ranking officers had such privileges.

Truthfully, as a newly minted major general, Xuan Ye had no chance of attending such meetings, let alone possessing a vote. Many ordinary major generals cast jealous glances at him.

“The first prize is truly generous. Compared to this, the other rewards seem much less valuable.”

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