"I understand what you mean."
Saint Saturn held his cane, his eyes still half-closed, and said coldly, "That Admiral Akihara Kagura should be the most formidable combat power displayed by the Navy, right? But he's just a test product created by Vegapunk..."
"Hmm..."
"Though his strength is formidable, there's a possibility of replication..."
"To us, that Admiral is merely a consumable item, and Admiral Sakazuki is already on the verge of being eliminated..."
"I saw the battle report from Shampodi; the future of the world is in the creation of various Devil Fruit Users by Vegapunk's technology. As long as we acquire Vegapunk's technology, the Navy's domesticated hyenas are hardly valuable to us..."
One can't entirely say these words are incorrect.
Because from the current situation, various Devil Fruit Users are indeed the future's advanced combat force; but these assorted Devil Fruit Users can be manufactured through experiments, thus they don't seem so precious.
Saint Saturn has always regarded humans as ants, even if many are killed, they'll soon reproduce. Now, this Five Elder Star has further elevated his thinking...
Saint Saturn, this Scientific Defense Martial God, has completely considered the humans of this ocean, both strong and weak, as expendable experimental subjects, even if many strong ones perish, more can be manufactured quickly...
Under such a notion...
Saint Saturn's attitude remains aloof.
Because he is among the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, as a Scientific Defense Martial God, he has the utmost belief in the power of technology, and they only require Vegapunk's technology...
Moreover...
Vegapunk's technology is within reach.
They only need to send people to Dressrosa to bring Vegapunk back from Donflamingo, and immediately they can start producing strong technology-based individuals with various Devil Fruit abilities!
"..."
Saint Nusjuro, holding his samurai blade, still frowned as he spoke in a deep voice, "I would like to agree with your idea, but shouldn't we wait until our people bring Vegapunk back before talking about this?"
Regarding technology...
Isn't it better not to have too many forward-looking expectations?
The Heavenly Celestial Dragons have always tried various methods to revive ancient technologies, attempting to use them to find a way to defeat the Konoha Pirates. Yet, hasn't the research into ancient technology also hit a bottleneck?
"..."
Saint Saturn's expression wasn't too pleasant.
Because the appearance of the Konoha Pirates' White Zetsu army and Admiral Akihara Kagura both signified that multiple Devil Fruit Users were already a mature technology... what need was there to keep the disobedient Navy around?
"In any case, call Sengoku over first!"
Saint Saturn tapped his cane against the floor, his face cold as he spoke, "At the very least, get him to explain the Navy's attack on Commander Figarland Garling!"
Marineford.
Sengoku felt quite happy inside.
Because he hadn't expected Akihara Kagura to become a top-tier powerhouse overnight, capturing two Sea Emperors single-handedly, allowing the Navy's flag of justice to proudly fly over the ocean once more...
Not to mention...
At least the Navy had someone to carry the torch.
Sengoku felt very satisfied with Akihara Kagura, seeing that besides intelligence, Kagura now had formidable combat strength. He planned to start drafting his retirement report, intending to promptly support Akihara Kagura to the position of Navy Admiral.
Furthermore...
The good news kept coming.
The Navy quickly reported new updates.
While escorting Hundred Beasts Kaido and Charlotte Lingling, they captured a heavyweight criminal, Jack the Drought from the Hundred Beast Pirates.
The renowned Hundred Beast Pirates, led by Captain Hundred Beasts Kaido, Flame Disaster King, and Jack the Drought, had all been captured, leaving only Plague Disaster Queen. As long as the Navy dispatched an Admiral to the Hundred Beast Pirates' base in Wano Country, they could basically annihilate the Hundred Beast Pirates.
Unfortunately...
Tragedy followed joy.
Just when Sengoku felt quite delighted, he received word from Mary Geoise, requesting him to immediately go to the Holy Land to explain the incident where Admiral Akainu instructed Admiral Akihara Kagura to attack Figarland Garling, the Commander of the Divine Knight Order...
Sengoku was about to lose his composure.
When did this incident occur?
Why did nobody report this to him?
Clearly, the Navy was on the verge of potentially freeing itself from the grip of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, so why would a conflict between the Navy and the Heavenly Celestial Dragons erupt now?
Soon.
Sengoku found the information.
This information had been sealed by Admiral Akainu.
Akainu still had a broad perspective, understanding that internal conflict between the Navy and the Heavenly Celestial Dragons at this time could lead to chaos, particularly when the seas were unstable...
Of course.
Akainu didn't intend to hide this from Sengoku.
Because such matters couldn't be kept secret, Akainu simply couldn't fathom how to manage this situation at first. The incidents involving Akihara Kagura always happened so abruptly that his superiors couldn't react, unable to find a solution...
"Sakazuki."
Upon learning the details, Sengoku, who usually had a mild temperament with his subordinates, finally erupted, furious in his office and ready to smash things!
Holding the Radio Snail, Sengoku slammed his desk in anger: "Was the act of Admiral Akihara Kagura attacking the Celestial Dragons your orders? I just entrusted Admiral Kagura to your command for a few days, and you have him do something like this!"
Does this brat even realize...
Akihara Kagura is the one I've chosen as the Navy's future Admiral!
The collapse of the Celestial Dragons' ruling order may be unpredictable, and in this turbulent and complex world situation, Akihara Kagura, with his astute mind and ever-growing strength, is the most suitable candidate for Navy Admiral!
Frankly...
There's no second person in the Navy!
Whether it's the gentle-mannered Aokiji, the ambiguous Kizaru, or the radically minded Akainu, none surpass Akihara Kagura, as they can't maintain the Navy's neutrality amidst the Konoha Pirates and Celestial Dragons' conflict!
Now then...
Akihara Kagura directly attacked the Celestial Dragons...
Will the World Government even permit him to become the Navy Admiral?
"..."
Akainu gripped the Radio Snail silently.
"It's not Admiral Sakazuki's fault..."
Admiral Akihara Kagura stood beside Akainu, hurriedly explaining to Sengoku on the other end of the Radio Snail: "I did it voluntarily; that bastard ran his mouth too much..."
"Step aside!"
"I issued that order."
Akainu coldly interrupted Akihara Kagura's explanation, resolutely deciding to shoulder the responsibility alone: "If the Five Elders require an explanation, let them deal with me! I have long wanted to kill that bastard who insulted the Navy!"
Although the act of attacking Saint Figarland Garling was executed voluntarily by Akihara Kagura, the primary intent was to avenge him, who was insulted as Admiral.
This kind of responsibility...
Akainu disdained to thrust upon a young person!
"..."
Admiral Akihara Kagura looked at Akainu somewhat astonished.
Akihara Kagura always thought Akainu was akin to his former supervisor Shimura Danzo back in the Ninja World, but he didn't expect Akainu's style to be far more resolute than that old guy Danzo...
To say the least.
At least Akainu dared to take responsibility.
Shimura Danzo, that old supervisor, would only calculate risks and decide to take responsibility when it was absolutely necessary. Even when shouldering the blame, he'd pick and choose, refusing to carry the blame without being forced...
But...
Akainu took it on with such candor?
Despite his subordinate's actions not arising from his command, and he held no real responsibility in the matter, Akainu could've explained clearly. Perhaps Akihara Kagura would need to strategize further, yet Akainu straight-up took the blame simply because the doer was his subordinate?
Honestly...
This is somewhat impressive.
Admiral Akihara Kagura slowly stepped back to Kizaru's side, watching Akainu being berated thoroughly by Sengoku on the other end of the Radio Snail, yet firmly maintaining it was his order.
"Sakazuki, that guy..."
Kizaru's smile was somewhat helpless, seeming pity at seeing his oblivious compatriot trapped: "He really took a beating this time!"
"Tsk..."
"Let him take the future role of Navy Admiral then..."
Akihara Kagura glanced back at Kizaru, casually suggesting, "Aokiji's mindset is too complex; Sakazuki at least executes orders decisively. He's more like a genuine Navy than any of you..."