Blublu...
The sound of the Radio Snail transmitted urgently.
Saint Saturn quietly waited for the Radio Snail to connect, his face still showing an air of complete control, as if he didn't care at all about Sengoku's issues.
Plop...
The Radio Snail connected.
However, for some reason, Kizaru on the other end took a long time to pick up the call, and when he spoke, he seemed lazy and disinterested.
"Moshi Moshi..."
"..."
Saint Saturn's eye twitched slightly.
Is this Kizaru really suitable to become the Navy Admiral?
Taking so long to pick up his Radio Snail, and even appearing unwilling to work!
Forget it...
Now it's like forcing ducks onto a perch.
Saint Saturn tightened his grip on the Radio Snail, planning to seriously discuss Kizaru's promotion to Navy Admiral: "Borsalino, Sengoku the Buddha has resigned as Admiral, and the World Government has decided to promote you to Admiral of the Navy Headquarters..."
Evidently.
Saint Saturn didn't intend to hide it from others.
When Kizaru picked up the call, Akainu and Akihara Kagura were beside him, and they both heard what Saint Saturn announced.
To be honest...
This was a bit unexpected...
"!!!"
Akainu looked at Kizaru in surprise.
Although Akainu thought his responsibility for Akihara Kagura's fault likely ruled him out as the next Navy Admiral, how could Kizaru be in line for it?
After all...
This guy is usually too unreliable...
Akainu believed his rival Aokiji had the highest chance of becoming Admiral.
But...
How did it come to be Kizaru?
"..."
Akihara Kagura watched Kizaru, who was on the call, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"..."
Kizaru immediately sensed Akihara Kagura's gaze, saw the smile on his face, and could only offer a pursed smile to his true superior.
Seriously...
The Five Elders love giving him trouble...
Akihara Kagura, his superior, had already decided that Akainu would be the future Navy Admiral; how could he as a subordinate go against his superior's wishes?
Moreover...
The Navy has so many political affairs...
He's not suited to become a Navy Admiral.
"Allow me to decline..."
Kizaru slowly declined the promotion proposal while holding the Radio Snail.
"This is a World Government order! You're not allowed to refuse!"
Saint Saturn's words were laced with indisputable firmness, speaking in a deep voice: "Borsalino, your first task upon promotion to Navy Admiral is to handle Vice Admiral Akihara Kagura and Navy Headquarters Admiral Sakazuki who attacked Saint Figarland Garling..."
"..."
Kizaru instinctively moved the Radio Snail away.
He stared at the Radio Snail with a face resembling Saint Saturn.
Kizaru's brows furrowed slightly, as if suspecting he misheard, and even spoke out loud: "Hmm? Was it my imagination? Did I just hear Saint Saturn's voice?"
"Borsalino!"
Saint Saturn's voice immediately grew stern, unprecedentedly severe: "Don't feign deafness through the Radio Snail..."
"..."
Kizaru really didn't want to talk to him.
Is it...
Saint Saturn, are you crazy?
Or do the Heavenly Celestial Dragons think this Admiral is too foolish?
"I really can't handle it..."
Kizaru's face still wore a smile, but it had more than a hint of mockery: "And one more thing, if I must be promoted, I want to resign from the position of Navy Admiral..."
"Borsalino!"
Saint Saturn's voice carried a sense of anger.
However...
Saint Saturn was at a loss about what to do with Kizaru.
This Five Elder felt on the verge of madness, his voice losing its usual authority, sounding almost impatient over the Radio Snail.
"Fine, fine, fine!"
"You're not the only Admiral anyway!"
Saint Saturn, in his anger, almost slammed the Radio Snail, venting at the end of the call: "Let Aokiji come to Mary Geoise, have him be promoted..."
"Borsalino."
Akainu's voice reached Saint Saturn's ears.
Akainu raised his hand, signaling Kizaru to hand over the Radio Snail, speaking with a somewhat serious look: "Let me have a word with Saint Saturn..."
"Alright, alright..."
Kizaru straightforwardly decided to play the hands-free manager and handed the Radio Snail to Akainu. However, as Akainu took the Radio Snail, Kizaru's eyes grew subtly complex.
This guy...
Isn't about to go down the wrong path again, is he?
Kizaru and Akainu were from the same hometown, classmates at the Navy Training Camp, often together during training, combat, and promotions, and even outside work, occasionally indulging in hot springs and afternoon tea together.
Kizaru knew Akainu very well.
When Akainu offered to take the Radio Snail, Kizaru realized Akainu's intention, this man was about to bow for his ideals.
Akainu wants to become Navy Admiral.
Akainu wants to enforce his justice on the ocean.
Akainu wants to carry out a sweeping purge of all pirates at sea, eradicate all evil, and completely end the Great Pirate Era started by Gol D. Roger.
However...
All of this requires the support of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons.
At least for now, Akainu needs the support of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons.
But then...
It's not just the support of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons needed.
Kizaru and Akihara Kagura had talked about Akainu not long ago, even knowing Akihara Kagura was determined to hand the future position of Navy Admiral to Akainu.