Chapter 1 – The Laid-Back Admiral
At the awe-inspiring Marine Headquarters in Marineford—a fortress of justice feared by countless pirates—power and authority were absolute. This was the pinnacle of the Navy, the ultimate stronghold that could make even the most daring pirate think twice.
Yet, at the very top of Marineford, a young man lounged on a beach chair, wearing floral shirts and swim trunks, sunglasses shielding his eyes, basking lazily in the sun.
His hair was black and tousled, a few strands of airy bangs falling casually over a face that looked far too youthful for his surroundings. Against the backdrop of the imposing Marine Headquarters, he seemed almost out of place.
Staring up at the sky, crystal-clear and endless, he drifted into memories.
It had been decades since he had transmigrated into this world and taken on the body of the young Kizaru. He had no special "cheat," but decades of training and battles had honed him into a force to be reckoned with.
His mastery of Devil Fruit powers, his physical prowess, and his Haki were all firmly at Admiral-level. Compared to the original Kizaru, he was undoubtedly stronger.
On top of that, he had spent decades perfecting the "Life Rewind" technique, allowing him to freeze his appearance at the youthful look he had shortly after arriving. Now, passing as a grandson-level relative of Garp wasn't entirely out of place.
Thanks to this frozen youthful visage, he had muddled his way into the "Ageless Admiral" reputation—a far cry from the moldy, middle-aged pervert type some might have expected.
When he was the original Kizaru as a genuine youth, he had ambitions. Yet reality proved he was not cut out for greatness.
In this world, where personal might determined everything, no lofty vision or noble ideal could withstand the brutal tests of time and circumstance.
Moreover, with Devil Fruits existing and personal potential being so high, the world's social hierarchy was far from rigid. Talent, effort, and a bit of luck could elevate anyone to higher ranks.
Power bred ambition, but talented people often preferred not to chase it.
After several failures—and nearly losing himself in the process—Kizaru had abandoned his ideals. He had become a lazy, salary-collecting "salted fish" of an admiral.
Of course, even a salted fish occasionally stirred. Ten years ago, for instance, he had traveled to the East Blue.
He rescued a former female Marine and, a few years later, gained a little money-loving thief as a companion. That little thief had now become his deputy and financial officer.
Many anonymous critics grumbled that Admiral Kizaru had chosen a young girl as his deputy.
But, honestly, wasn't a youthful, invincible beauty far more eye-pleasing than some fat, grumpy old man?
Anyone with complaints could try arguing with his Tenkū-un Sword—they'd probably end up missing a few limbs.
Kizaru suspected the jealousy was the real issue.
In recent years, he had mellowed and cultivated patience. But over a decade ago, things had been different. During a World Conference, a slightly unhinged Celestial Dragon had a run-in with him.
Kizaru had, on the spot, seized three slaves from the arrogant noble.
Not long after this clash between a Celestial Dragon and a Marine Admiral, a fishman named Fisher Tiger stormed Mary Geoise, freeing countless slaves and killing a Celestial Dragon.
And it just so happened that the slain Celestial Dragon was the same one who had crossed Kizaru—a coincidence that left the World Government suspicious.
After all, this Celestial Dragon had previously clashed with the Marine Admiral.
Unfortunately, the Dragon had been killed by Fisher Tiger, with witnesses and evidence all accounted for. Even Tiger himself admitted it—so the matter was quietly dropped.
Ultimately, the Admiral had an unassailable alibi. Unless the Five Elders were willing to risk turning three admirals into two, and destabilizing the Marines' loyalty to the World Government, they could only hold their noses and pretend nothing had happened.
However, from that point onward, a sort of "invisible ceiling" was placed over Kizaru's promotion. Positions like Fleet Admiral or Commander-in-Chief of the entire Navy were no longer within his reach.
But such "punishments" hardly mattered to Borsalino, who had long since resolved to just coast through life.
"Admiral Borsalino!"
Just as he lazily lifted a chilled drink to his lips, a slightly bratty but fierce voice cut through his daydreams, snapping him back to reality.
Bounding toward him was a cute girl with long orange hair and an athletic figure. Though clad in the Navy's disciplined uniform, she somehow radiated an unusual, flirtatious charm.
This was his current deputy and financial officer: Lieutenant Nami, privately nicknamed the "Marine Fairy" by many. After all, what else could distract an admiral like Kizaru if not a fairy?
Her small leather boots pitter-pattered across the rooftop until she reached the lounging Kizaru. Seeing him sprawled in a beach chair, sipping a drink, she was instantly fuming.
She had searched the entire headquarters for him, only to find the formidable Marine Admiral sunbathing on the rooftop!
"Hey, little Nami, don't be mad…"
Kizaru drawled, oozing laziness.
Slack when you can slack, loaf when you must—that had been his life philosophy after years as a Marine Admiral.
"How can you even say that! You're late to every meeting! At this rate, people will start calling you the 'Tardy Admiral'!"
Nami struggled to haul him upright.
She had joined the Navy out of admiration for him, only to have her idealized image shattered soon after. Late to meetings, slacking on duty, pushing work off on others—everything that could be delayed was delayed, and the tasks that couldn't be pushed off fell to her, the deputy.
It was infuriating.
Inside the headquarters' conference room, the Fleet Admiral and the other two admirals, along with many vice-admirals, were already seated, waiting for Admiral Kizaru's arrival.
Clatter, clatter, clatter…
Footsteps echoed outside the conference room as Nami escorted the still-shorts-wearing Borsalino inside.
The Navy's upper echelon had long since grown accustomed to this. Even Admiral Akainu, who despised Kizaru the most, had to admit that Nami's presence was a blessing—she at least kept him somewhat in check.
"Since everyone's here, let's begin… The headquarters has received a report from Branch 37. Blackbeard, a pirate who defected from the Whitebeard Pirates, plans to trade the Second Division Commander, Fire Fist Ace, for a position among the Seven Warlords…"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, unwilling to waste words on the lazy saltfish before him, tersely summarized the day's agenda.
Kizaru raised a brow.
So Blackbeard had finally made his move… the stage for the Summit War was set.
But what did that have to do with him, a mere paycheck collector? The Five Elders surely didn't expect him to risk his life for a salary, right?
Just as he prepared to resume his usual loafing, a sweet notification sounded in his mind:
[Ding. Do you accept the invitation to join the Dimensional Chat Group? Accept / Decline]