Chapter 63: Sengoku's Visit and Invitation
"I agree."
After signing his name on the document, Ross casually tossed it back to the CP0 agent. When it came to these guys, he didn't bother with even a shred of respect.
Watching the pawn immediately take his leave, Ross sat down in his office chair, leaning back as he gazed out the window.
Some things in life are simply unavoidable. Even if he were to become a pirate, the World Government would never turn a blind eye to his actions. That was the truth of this world—the absolute authority and pressure of the Pirate World's ruling powers.
Not just those five powerful old men (the Gorosei), but also the God Knights behind the Celestial Dragons, the apocalyptic-level weapon known as the Uranus, and the unfathomable figure known as Imu—these threats were so overwhelming that Ross could barely breathe in their presence.
Even taking in someone like Bullet had never been about ambition. From beginning to end, Ross had only ever wanted one thing: survival. A way to ensure that he and his family could live peacefully in an unpredictable future.
After all, he didn't have a cheat-like system that could give him unlimited growth. He wasn't the chosen protagonist of this world.
He was just an ordinary man, a lucky outsider who'd accidentally ended up in the world of One Piece.
Destiny is not something easily defied. Death, submission, indifference, resistance—every path is a choice.
In the future:
Roger chose submission and sacrifice.
Kaido chose struggle.
Oden chose death.
Ross had made his own choice too—to stay on the sidelines, to quietly survive.
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The process of officially declaring Cloud Island (Nasdaq Empire) as a member of the World Government didn't take long. Before long, the seas were once again abuzz with the name "Nasdaq."
Many were shocked that Ross would actually choose to join the World Government as an affiliated nation. After all, he wasn't weak—why would someone like him willingly pay the Celestial Tribute, a tax symbolic of submission?
In the world of pirates, will is everything. It's a truth universally acknowledged by all the strong.
Of course, the World Government didn't publicize the full story. They merely announced that Ross's territory had joined as an affiliate, letting public opinion run wild.
Ross, meanwhile, gave no response whatsoever.
He wasn't going to be swayed by the whispers of small-minded critics. To have made it this far, how could his will be anything but ironclad?
Breaking the will of a strong man is far harder than killing him—that's the reality.
His silence only added fuel to the speculation outside. But none of it affected the members of the Nasdaq family or their followers living on Cloud Island.
After all, Ross wasn't just strong. He was a genuinely good man—and someone his people could place their trust in, without question.
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, a few more days had slipped by.
A Navy warship docked at the edge of Cloud Island. Sengoku, who had finally managed to secure a rare vacation, had come here in person.
On the shore, Ross, who had already received word of his arrival, personally came to greet him.
"Hello, Mr. Ross. I'm Sengoku. I know it's rather presumptuous of me to visit Cloud Island unannounced like this. I hope I'm not causing you any trouble."
"Haha, not at all. These days, I'm practically half-retired. Other than taking care of the kids, there's not much serious business I have to handle anymore. If you'd like, Sengoku, you're always welcome to come here for a vacation. I'll personally see to all the arrangements!"
"Retirement—let's not get ahead of ourselves! Shall we walk and talk?"
"Let's walk and talk."
Sengoku's demeanor was warm and respectful. Despite his rank as an Admiral, he carried no trace of arrogance. All along the way, he kept up a lively conversation, bringing up one topic after another to chat with Ross.
So even though it was their first meeting, the two found themselves getting along quite well.
Before long, they arrived at the main hall of Ross's estate. Naturally, Ross wouldn't treat Sengoku as he did the various kings of affiliate nations who came sightseeing. Instead, he invited him inside as an honored guest.
After all, this man was the Navy's future Fleet Admiral—building goodwill was never a bad idea.
"Truly, I envy you, Ross. Barely past thirty and already half-retired. Unlike me—I'll probably still be buried under paperwork when I'm eighty."
"Heh, if you ever change your mind, Sengoku, you're always welcome to retire here on Cloud Island. We'd be glad to have you."
"Let's be serious—my shoulders are already carrying too much. And honestly…I could never set the Navy aside. For the sake of stability on the seas, I resolved long ago to dedicate my entire life."
"Well, let's leave that topic aside. Sengoku, what brings you to Cloud Island this time? If you need any help—so long as it's not like Fleet Admiral Kong sending me on some suicide mission—I'll do everything I can to assist you."
"But in return, I hope you can look after things on the Navy's side…especially that boy Ator and young Sakazuki."
After a few pleasantries, Ross got straight to the point, laying out a flexible offer of cooperation.
It was obvious Sengoku hadn't come all this way without a reason. With his personality, he'd have stayed holed up at Navy Headquarters, vacation or not—unlike Garp, who always went wherever he felt most comfortable. Sengoku's sense of duty was far too strong for that.
Sengoku nodded, openly admitting his true purpose without the slightest attempt to disguise it.
"That's right. I came to Cloud Island mainly for two reasons.
"First, I'd like to ask you to help me contact your senior disciple—the swordsman Moxxi. I'd like to invite him to the Navy to train a promising young talent."
Ross didn't reply immediately. He simply reclined on the sofa, waiting for him to go on.
This was a small matter. If he had to guess, it was probably about training Gion, wasn't it? Around this time, Tsuru's protégé "Momousagi" Gion would be ready to start formal instruction.
"It's my comrade Vice Admiral Tsuru's foster sister—a girl with remarkable sword talent named Gion. Unfortunately, we simply don't have any suitable instructors within the Navy.
"Although we do have two Vice Admirals who are master swordsmen, they're veterans who clawed their way up on the battlefield. They're not exactly…teacher material."
Sengoku's tone turned a little rueful. But in the end, he owed Tsuru many "debts," so he was willing to swallow his pride and do everything he could to secure a good teacher for Gion.
And Moxxi—trained by Ross himself—was undoubtedly one of the best candidates. The only other option was a certain wandering Shimotsuki swordsman.
Sure, being taught by a great swordsman was ideal—but first, you had to find them, and then convince them.
Compared to that, asking Ross was clearly more realistic. Sengoku continued:
"As for compensation, you needn't worry. All we'd ask is that he occasionally provide some instruction—nothing too burdensome. And he'd receive a monthly salary equivalent to a Rear Admiral."
Although Sengoku kept his voice calm, inside he was slightly tense, worried Ross might turn him down outright.
This was, after all, a favor.
But Ross didn't refuse.
"Very well. I'll let Moxxi know to pay a visit to Navy Headquarters. Whether he decides to stay—that'll be up to you to convince him.
You know my stance. I don't restrain my students once they've grown up. They should follow their own will. Wouldn't you agree?"
Whew…
A quiet sigh of relief escaped Sengoku's chest. The first matter had been settled perfectly—he felt a great weight lifted.
As for the second matter…that was more of a "why not ask" than a real expectation, so he felt no pressure bringing it up.
"Alright. Allow me to thank you personally, Ross. As for the other issue—it's really nothing urgent."
"Let's hear it."
"Well…we'd like to invite you to come to Navy Headquarters yourself, to serve as a guest instructor—help us improve the training of our camp instructors. It's just a suggestion in passing."
"Then…"
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