"According to the report submitted by Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, Navy Headquarters Commander Michael, while serving aboard a naval vessel, has killed or captured over 1,600 pirates during his tenure."
"Among them, the number of bounty-wanted pirates totals fifty-two."
"The total bounty amount reaches 1.2 billion!"
"Upon verification by Navy Headquarters, the above information has been confirmed as factual."
"By special order, Navy Headquarters Commander Michael is hereby promoted to Rear Admiral!"
After listening to the marine soldier finish reading the document, Michael yawned.
Then he glanced over at the old man Garp, who was sitting beside him and throwing meaningful looks his way.
"Michael! This is your promotion ceremony! At least try to take it seriously!"
"Yes, yes, of course." Michael nodded repeatedly. "So you specifically called me back from the Sabaody Archipelago just for this?"
"What, is there a problem?"
"Of course there's a problem! For a promotion, just send out the order! That's enough!" Michael lazily scratched his neck. "I was having a blast in the Sabaody Archipelago, you know."
"Having a blast? More like having a killing spree!" Sengoku waved his hand, dismissing the soldiers in charge of reading and recording, then shot Michael a sharp look. "Your actions in the Sabaody Archipelago... were far too conspicuous."
"If before, when you burned the slave smuggling ships, the Celestial Dragons merely learned of your existence—then now... you've well and truly caught their attention."
Sengoku's brow furrowed deeply. He wasn't exaggerating.
The Celestial Dragons had already taken action...
They had sent a CP0 agent.
Although Sengoku had already intercepted that CP0 member, if Michael kept up his high-profile behavior, the Celestial Dragons—or rather, the World Government's dirty tricks—would soon be aimed directly at him.
Bringing him back to Navy Headquarters now was the best protective measure.
"Alright, old man, can we cut the back-and-forth?" Michael smiled. "With our relationship, all this posturing is just disrespectful."
After exchanging a look with Garp, Sengoku let out a sigh.
Then he continued:
"Starting today, by special order, Rear Admiral Michael is appointed as the captain of the Navy Headquarters' secret special force—SWORD!"
"In addition to internal oversight authority, you are granted the greatest theoretical autonomy!"
Michael blinked.
"What do you mean by 'theoretical autonomy'?"
"Within the entire Navy, anyone at the rank of Vice Admiral or below who refuses orders or assignment—you have the authority to temporarily relieve them of duty!"
"Any navy personnel who are found to have private dealings with gangs or slave-trafficking organizations—you may execute them directly if the evidence is conclusive!"
"Moreover, with the consent of the individuals, you can recruit anyone into the secret special force 'SWORD.'"
After speaking, Sengoku picked up his tea and took a sip.
Ah, refreshing.
Michael looked down at the appointment order in his hand and then casually said to Sengoku:
"Since that's the case… Rosinante has just joined the Navy..."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Michael noticed Sengoku's brows tighten.
He just joined the Navy, and you're immediately pulling him into this kind of special unit?
Rosinante… can he really handle it?
But since Sengoku had already granted Michael full discretion in this matter, he wouldn't interfere now.
Maybe...
This is fate.
Rosinante being taken from his family by his Celestial Dragon parents—that was fate. His parents being killed and his brother unleashing his full nature—that too was fate. Being found drifting at sea and picked up by Sengoku—fate again. And now, having Michael as an older brother...
Still fate.
Some people are just born destined—damn it—to do great things!
...
"Michael! Are you sure you want me to join?"
At this point, Rosinante hadn't eaten the Calm-Calm Fruit yet.
He was still a total chatterbox.
"Cut the crap, Rosinante! When your superior gives you an order, you follow it!" Michael jumped up and slapped him on the shoulder, grimacing slightly.
"Tch! Why the hell are you so tall anyway!"
Rosinante was left speechless by Michael's comment.
This was obviously something worth celebrating—so why bring up height all of a sudden?
Rosinante could feel it too—his body was still growing. He was vaguely approaching the four-meter mark.
"Then where are we going next, Michael?"
"Since the old man gave me full recruiting authority, I've got to take some responsibility. I'll help him pick out some promising young talents from the Navy..."
Michael already had a rough plan of who he wanted to recruit.
Why only a rough plan?
Because if those people were unwilling to leave their current posts and join SWORD, there wasn't much he could do.
Besides, most of the ones he had his eye on were subordinates of elite Vice Admirals.
Still, with Sengoku's authorization, Michael was feeling quite smug.
"Rosinante, do you know how many elite Vice Admirals are currently at headquarters?"
"Vice Admiral Momousagi is still at Sabaody Archipelago. Chaton is out on assignment. Vice Admiral Sakazuki is stationed at G1. The rest are basically all here."
Michael nodded as he listened to Rosinante's report.
As expected.
These few days also happened to coincide with the Navy's periodic performance evaluations.
After all, the Navy is a formal organization—not something where you just bury your head and work endlessly once you join.
For a massive organization to function smoothly, it needs individuals to take initiative.
After thinking for a moment, Michael clapped his hands and smiled.
"Alright then—our first stop is Tsuru-san's place!"
Rosinante had just picked up his water bottle to hydrate before departure. But when he heard who his big brother was targeting first, he nearly spit out his drink.
Tsuru!?
The Navy's brains—the Grand Strategist—Vice Admiral Tsuru!?
Are you trying to start on nightmare mode!?
Insane.
"Michael, are you sure about this?" Rosinante still tried one last desperate plea. "Honestly, we could leave Vice Admiral Tsuru for last..."
"Hahaha! Rosinante, you've got the wrong idea about Tsuru-san!" Michael patted Rosinante's belly.
"Relax, Tsuru-san is super gentle."
"As long as you're a good kid, she'll never make things hard for you."
Michael spoke with confidence.
What could Rosinante do?
All he could do was risk his life and stick with him.
"Alright... then our first stop is Vice Admiral Tsuru's office!"
Rosinante gave himself a little pep talk—but it still came out pretty weak.
As they approached the Grand Strategist's office, Rosinante was still trying to steady his breathing, but Michael stepped forward and knocked without hesitation.
It nearly scared Rosinante into a hiccup.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Tsuru-san! It's me! Michael! Open up, will you?"
"I'm here to steal from you!"
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