The Three Admirals
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!"
"You're here too?"
At the main entrance of the Naval Hospital, Kuzan spotted not only himself but also Borsalino and Sakazuki.
"You called all three of us."
"Looks like my junior is planning something significant again."
Borsalino, seeing the full contingent of Admirals, pulled his hands from his pockets and adjusted his dark glasses.
"The Judge Forbidden Zone, most likely."
"Sakazuki speculated.
Whether it was the Red-Haired Pirates' raid on the forbidden zone or Kaido's prison break, neither was secret among the Marine high command. The three conversed as they walked. In the past, it was rare for the three Admirals to interact privately—no, to communicate at all. But now, personnel often saw them together after duty at restaurants, hot springs, and billiard halls.
Especially after the complete annihilation of the Whitebeard Pirates and Big Mom Pirates during the Great War, the three Admirals found more topics for private discussion.
Soon, Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino took the hospital elevator directly to the top-floor laboratory. The moment the doors opened, they found Rosen, Gion, and Dol waiting.
"Rosen."
The three Admirals stepped forward immediately. Though they addressed Rosen by name and all held the rank of Admiral, their tone and demeanor clearly showed they regarded him as superior. However, because Rosen insisted they were former classmates, they did not address him as "sir."
"Three seniors."
"The reason I summoned you is to confirm something in person."
"I want to know your views on Conqueror's Haki."
Even facing the three Admirals, Rosen treated them as seniors as always.
"Conqueror's Haki?"
Sakazuki was taken aback. Kuzan and Borsalino shared his confusion.
"Yes."
"Conqueror's Haki."
"Power possessed by only one in millions."
"Used for good, it is the cornerstone of justice."
"Used for evil, it is the source of chaos."
Though Sakazuki didn't understand why Rosen brought this up, he answered decisively. In his view, Haki or Devil Fruit abilities were merely types of power—neither right nor wrong. Only the user was judged good or evil. Therefore, he held no negative views toward Conqueror's Haki or those with kingly potential just because many pirates possessed it.
"What a pity."
"The Marines and justice seem inherently opposed to Conqueror's Haki."
"The Marines don't seem to care much for it; they seem to favor the pirates more."
Borsalino shrugged.
"The World Government and Celestial Dragons bear great responsibility."
"Kuzan added.
Because of them, the Marine past was stained with numerous stains. Those chosen with Conqueror's Haki never prioritized the Marines. Even those who initially joined would eventually leave due to the World Government's darkness.
"It's alright."
"If Conqueror's Haki doesn't favor the Marines, then let it bow to the Marines."
"Just like Sakazuki said, let Conqueror's Haki become the cornerstone of justice."
As Rosen spoke, he led the three Admirals into the laboratory:
"Edward Newgate."
"Shiki."
"Charlotte Linlin."
"They are all pirates with the potential to become kings. Choose one."
Hearing this, the three Admirals couldn't help but show astonishment and shock.
"Choose one?"
"Rosen."
"Can I take that as you wanting us to acquire Conqueror's Haki?"
Sakazuki suppressed his shock and tentatively asked. Akainu, one of the three Admirals, known for his immense strength and domineering style, was actually quite shrewd in addition to his fighting prowess. During the Marineford War, when the situation teetered on the brink of collapse, he used words and provocation to turn the tide.
"In fact, I'm having you take over the Conqueror's Haki of Edward Newgate, Shiki, and Charlotte Linlin."
Rosen smiled slightly, exuding the aura of bestowing a title of three kings with ease.
"Transplant Conqueror's Haki?"
Borsalino, upon hearing this, was overwhelmed with shock. He turned to look at Dol beside Rosen, seemingly understanding something.
"Not bad."
Rosen nodded approvingly.
"Ara ara ara, can you even do something like that?"
Kuzan, upon hearing this, was visibly shaken. Rosen, seeing this, didn't answer, but instead looked at Gion beside him.
Boom!
Gion's eyes flashed with scarlet light. Under the incredulous gazes of the three Admirals, her Conqueror's Haki surged forth like a flood.
Sizzle!
Thunderous, grotesque black and red lightning bolts, like pythons, snaked and coiled across the laboratory floor and walls, radiating a tangible pressure that caused fine cracks to appear. Clearly, after transplanting Dracule Mihawk's Conqueror's Haki bloodline factor and Conqueror's Haki, she not only replenished the Conqueror's Haki bloodline factor she was born with but also gained a superior level of Conqueror's Haki.
"Conqueror's Haki."
"Moreover, it's high-level Conqueror's Haki."
"It can actually be transplanted!"
The three Admirals, witnessing this, all wore expressions of utter astonishment.
"This brings us to Dol."
"Thanks to him for developing the Op-Op Fruit to the awakened level."
"That's why you've witnessed the emergence of the Haki transplant surgery."
Rosen didn't hold back his praise and commendation for Dol, which further elevated Dol's status and influence within the Marine Headquarters.
"Remarkable!"
Sakazuki, always forthright and direct, spoke frankly. This time, he genuinely admired Dol's achievement. After all, every era in the pirate world has seen users of the Op-Op Fruit. Even users capable of performing immortality surgeries have appeared. However, Dol is the first to perform Haki transplantation surgery.
"Mr. Sakazuki, you flatter me."
"I was able to develop Haki surgery not because I'm particularly remarkable, but because I stood on the shoulders of giants, and with Admiral Rosen's tireless help."
"Otherwise, how could I, a Marine who couldn't even cure a cold before eating the Op-Op Fruit, possibly have developed Haki surgery?"
Dol shook her head. Like drinking water, only she knows whether it's hot or cold. Before eating the Op-Op Fruit, she wasn't a doctor, but a Marine. Similarly, her Haki and physical skills weren't top-tier even within the Marine Headquarters. No matter how much she trained, she would only reach the level of an elite Vice Admiral. But it was Rosen's tireless support and assistance that enabled her to reach a height she should never have been able to reach in her entire life.
Not up to par with his Haki? Rosen taught him step by step.
Lacking the potential of a general? Rosen brought in the Op-Op Fruit.
Not a doctor? Rosen brought in world-renowned top doctors, and even had scientists like Vegapunk and Vinsmoke Judge, who had dedicated years to studying bloodline factors, serve as his instructors. That's why being able to master the Op-Op Fruit's awakening and develop its power in less than two years after consuming it was based on the guidance of numerous renowned doctors, as well as the knowledge of Vegapunk and Vinsmoke Judge. All of this, Dol knew perfectly well and kept it in mind at all times.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah!"
"Miss Dol."
"No matter what, we must repay your kindness."
Kuzan said nothing more, but simply noted Dol's favor. After all, this was Conqueror's Haki, possessed by only one in millions. Moreover, it originated from one of the Four Emperors, the legendary Conqueror's Haki of the pirates. Without Dol developing the Haki transplantation surgery, he would never have been able to touch this power in his entire life. After all, this talent is either present at birth or absent.
Though Sakazuki and Borsalino only nodded to Dol without making any promises, they, like Kuzan, remembered Dol's favor. Because they weren't born with Conqueror's Haki, these three Admirals had to put in far more effort and sweat to bridge the gap between themselves and top-tier pirate kings like Edward Newgate and Kaido.
For example, Sakazuki had persevered for ten years without ever slacking off. And Kuzan, who abandoned Haki and his Devil Fruit ability to train with Garp in martial arts. Even Borsalino, who was repeatedly criticized by Zephyr for relying too much on the Glint-Glint Fruit, was a master of swordsmanship, physical techniques, Haki, and his Devil Fruit ability. Therefore, the three Admirals were able to earn a reputation on par with the Emperors in this era known as the Great Pirates.
However, even so, due to their lack of Conqueror's Haki, it is extremely difficult for the three Admirals to advance further. It wasn't a matter of poor aptitude. In fact, the three Admirals, possessing strength comparable to the Four Emperors even without Conqueror's Haki, undoubtedly possessed world-class talent. It's just that the pirate world had closed the window to their Conqueror's Haki. This meant that for Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, advancing beyond the ranks of top Admirals was undoubtedly ten times more difficult than for pirates like Roger and Shanks, who possessed kingly potential.
However, Dol's development of the Haki transplant surgery was tantamount to forging a path to a higher level for the three Admirals, who had seemingly reached a dead end. The three Admirals naturally remembered this immense favor. Of course, they also silently remembered Rosen's kindness.
"Choose one!"
After helping Dol establish his authority within the Marines and among the three Admirals, Rosen gestured for the three to make their choice.
"Sakazuki."
"You go first!"
Borsalino didn't care who he chose; all he cared about was the potential to become a king. Even without any Conqueror's Haki transplanted, as long as he possessed the Conqueror's Haki bloodline factor, he was confident he could strengthen his Conqueror's Haki to the advanced level through his own efforts, progressing step by step from awakening to the initial, intermediate, and so on. This was the unique spirit of a top-tier Admiral who, despite not being born with the potential to become a king, could rival the Four Emperors.
"In the previous great battle, your achievements were the most outstanding among the three of us."
Kuzan, who had competed with Sakazuki for many years and had never once considered giving in, surprisingly chose to back down this time. It wasn't just that Sakazuki had contributed the most in the previous wars between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates; it was also because he, like Borsalino, possessed the spirit of a top-tier Admiral. It didn't matter whose Conqueror's Haki it was; he only needed to transplant the aptitude of a king. Even if he hadn't awakened even a basic level of Conqueror's Haki, as long as he possessed that aptitude, he was confident he could reach the pinnacle of mind, body, and technique.
"Alright!"
Sakazuki didn't hesitate to offer his colleague the privilege. His personality, his sense of justice, destined him to be someone who wouldn't be hypocritical or manipulative. Straight to the point. Swift and decisive. Iron-blooded and resolute. This was Admiral Akainu's consistent style. Faced with the choice between Edward Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, and Shiki, he wouldn't hesitate. Because when the Marines were in trouble, he was truly the first to step in.
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